Rafflesia Forest Reserve

The Rafflesia Forest Reserve covers an area of 356 ha of Tambunan district, Sabah, Malaysia. It was established in 1984 by the Sabah Forestry Department to protect the "Rafflesia" flowers abundant in the area.

The Rafflesia Information Centre, located directly along the road from Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan, is the main touristical target within the reserve. Several sites of "Rafflesia pricei" are reachable from the centre on hiking trails.

The journey by road to the Rafflesia Information Centre takes nearly two hours, with roads winding up and down the mountains. Visitors who are prone to motion sickness are strongly advised to bring medication.

Visitors are advised to wear shoes and socks and long pants. The Rafflesia are located on the mountainside and 2 hours of hiking is often the norm to see them. Shoes and socks offer some protection against tiny leeches that live under the leaves and dead foliage.

Along the way up to the Rafflesia Information Centre from Kota Kinabalu is the newly opened Kipandi Butterfly Park. Highly informative guide and recommended for shutterbugs.

External links

*cite web|url=http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/caims/Class%20VI/A_FR6/Rafflesia.htm |title=Rafflesia Forest Reserve|publisher=Sabah Forestry Department
*cite web|url=http://www.sabahtourism.com/attraction.php?ID=40 |publisher=Sabah Tourism Board|title=Rafflesia Information Centre