The Nature Reserve, offering a first-hand glimpse into the Borneo jungle, is the cornerstone of our commitment and contribution towards responsible and sustainable environmental tourism.

Encompassing 64 acres within the resort, the Nature Reserve is a conservation effort between the Sabah State Wildlife Department and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. The Reserve is aimed primarily at nature conservation and Orang Utan rehabilitation, with research, study and education activities carried out as well. The Rehabilitation Programme for Orang Utans is the only one of its kind on the west coast of Sabah (Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan on the east coast is the main Orang Utan rehabilitation centre in Malaysia).

The topography of the reserve is ideal, with steep slopes on the lower part of the hill gradually becoming gentler on reaching the ridge. The highest point stands at 95 meters above sea level. The hill is mostly covered by secondary forest growth and outcrops are visible at the ridge.

Guided Walks

Guided walks with our professional rangers are always advised for your safety, and helps to limit the number of visitors at any one time. The careful creation of six trails within the Nature Reserve enables visitors to enjoy the dense flora and fauna of Borneo's secondary jungle. These trails range from a leisurely walk of 20 minutes to a three hour-long trek. Two observation towers at the Reserve's crest afford panoramic views of surrounding villages, the golf course, Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers and the open sea.

Activities and Programmes

Among the activities available within the Reserve are the Nature Watch, Nature Walks, Nocturnal Animal Watch and In Search of Orang Utans.

To complement our conservancy efforts, the resort has implemented a Plant a Tree programme encouraging guests' participation. The programme underscores efforts to reforestate areas within the resort's 400-acreage that were affected by tropical storm Greg in December of 1996. This programme is a joint effort between Rasa Ria Resort and the World Wildlife Fund Sabah, whose role is to provide participants in the program with tree saplings for planting. Many of the hotel's guests have participated or contributed towards the program by adopting a tree sapling or contributing funds towards their care.

The resort has also implemented a Foster an Animal programme, in which guests of the resort can foster any of the animals at the Nature Reserve. The fostering fees go to the healthcare, food and physical care of the foster animal of the guests' choice. The names of the 'foster parents' and their chosen animal are recorded on our Web site.