Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre
Formally known as Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary (KKCBS)
2 kilometers north-east of Kota Kinabalu City at Likas
(ten
minutes drive) the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre (KKWC) covers 24 hectares
(60 acres) of mangrove forest . It is at once an educational and recreational
centre.
Commonly sighted birds here include the migratory species from as far as
Northern Asia, Siberia and Northern China like the sandpiper, Greenshank,
Redshank, egrets and herons as well as canopy birds such as collared kingfisher
and stork-billed kingfisher. To date almost 80 species of birds have been
identified at the sanctuary.
A place where you can get a first hand look
at some of the world’s most exotic birds. Only a 10 minute bus ride from downtown Kota Kinabalu.
Visit at either sunrise or sunset because these are the times of the day when
almost all of the birds come out to feed and fly around the sanctuary.
The Kota Kinabalu Bird Sanctuary was established as a sanctuary since 1996
and opened to the public in 2000 as part of Kota Kinabalu tour. Its operations
are overseen by the Sabah Wetlands Conservations Society.
The Kota Kinabalu Wetlands was established to serve as a center for :
1) conservation,
2) education,
3) research and
4) to promote ecotourism in Sabah.
They offer guided tours for school trips and large groups which includes an
Environmental Education seminar.
Guided tours need to be booked before hand so that the sanctuary’s management
can arrange all the necessary equipment and facilities for the group.
The Kota Kinabalu Bird Sanctuary also allows self-guided tours for its walk-in
visitors.
Tourists can walk along the boardwalk which stretches to about 1.5 kilometers
and leads to the mangrove area of the facility to witness a one of a kind ecosystem that is truly
worth the 45-minute stroll.
While walking on the boardwalk, visitor pass along magnificent flora
and fauna that showcases some of the rarest plants in the world. Bird watching
is another thing while on the board walk.
The bird sanctuary boardwalk spans to almost the entire length of the sanctuary
with resting huts along the way.
There are elevated observation towers with panoramic view
of the entire sanctuary and also to see high flying birds in the area.