Klias River Travel Guide
Travel to Klias River - Proboscis Monkeys and Fireflies
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Located some 120km from Kota Kinabalu is the Klias River and Peninsula, a Wetland Forest Reserve rich with riverside wildlife and birds. Among the wildlife that can be spotted are the proboscis monkeys, long tail macaque monkeys, silver langur monkeys, crocodiles, monitor lizards, tree snakes as well as a variety of birds. Local fisherman regularly fish on the river for fresh water prawns and fish. An amazing spectacle is the volume of fireflies surrounding the Klias River, which light up at dusk.
The Klias Peninsula is located on the coast of southwestern Sabah and forms the the northeastern shore of Brunei Bay and the southwestern shore of Kimanis Bay. It is bounded on one side by the Crocker Range. It is a large (60,700 ha) area of peat swamp, freshwater alluvium (14,500 ha) and coastal transitional swamp (28,500 ha) including 8,700 ha of predominantly largely undisturbed mangrove.
The area receives an average annual rainfall of about 3,680 mm distributed evenly throughout the year, with a low in February and a high in November.
Five Forest Reserves have been established: Sungai Binsuluk Forest Reserve, Klias Forest Reserve , Padas Damit Forest Reserve, Kampung Hindian Forest Reserve and Menumbak Forest Reserve. These sites variously support a wide variety of birdlife, monitor lizards, estuarine crocodiles and the proboscis monkey, and the mangroves are important breeding and nursery grounds for a wide variety of fishes, shrimps, prawns and crabs.
Attractions in Klias River
A conservation project for crocodiles released more than 1,000 young crocodiles into the wild to balance the eco-system: crocodile sightings are best at night when you will see their eyes reflecting the light of your torch; they are not known to be aggressive as there is plenty of fish the river.
It is, however, the bizarre-looking proboscis monkey, gaining as much popularity with travellers as the orangutan, that the Klias Wetlands is becoming known for. These tree-dwelling animals normally hunt for food in the evenings so many boat cruises depart the Kota Klias jetty at around 3.00pm. Other riverside residents that may be spotted are macaques, crocodiles, monitor lizards, tree snakes and countless bird species.
Back on the jetty enjoy a natural light show when hundreds of fireflies put on a glowing performance for your benefit.
Activities in Klias River
Explore the river by boat on exciting wildlife-spotting cruises.
Relaxing
Try your hand at fresh water prawn fishing.
Getting Around
Klias is about a 2 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. This journey can be arranged by a local Travel Expert.
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