ENJOY YOUR EVERY MOMENT IN SEMPORNA
Semporna
Semporna is a small town located on the east coast of Sabah, with a population of around 135,000, mostly made up of the seafaring communities called Bajaus (Sea Gypsies).
The Bajaus live on sprawling stilt villages over the waters in Semporna. This little town is fast developing into a major tourist attraction as it is just a stone throw away from the beautiful islands and top diving spots of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai and Mataking. The waterfront of Semporna has been transformed into a harbour with dive shops and restaurants to cater for the ever-growing number of tourist.
Semporna was found after the British North Borneo Company established Sandakan, and was initially settled by Chinese traders. The name Semporna, means place of rest, and was given after the British quelled resistance from the local Bajaus in the mid 1880s.
The nearest international airport to Semporna is located about an hour and fifteen minutes drive away, in the city of Tawau.
(text by Julia)
Bukit Tengkorak
Bukit Tengkorak is located about 500 feet above sea level and is about a half an hour trek up. Skull Hill as it is known in English, was once a major pottery producing site about 3000 years ago. The neolithic artefact remains from the hill give the impression that the site was a nexus for exchange in ideas and goods from the islands of Southeast Asia to the west to the Melanesia in the east.
Walking up the wooden stairs at the upper forested area will lead the visitor to the cave system. Here a museum welcomes visitors to view its historical finds. Archaeological research uncovered pottery shards in layers of ash which were probably remnants of open kilns used for firing pottery. Excavations discovered clay for pottery making. Historical studies point to trading between the people of Bukit Tengkorak and other prehistoric communities along the southeastern coast of Sabah.
Archaeologists believed that long-distance sea trade and migration of people in insular SEA and the Pacific moved east from Melanesia (near Papua New Guinea) to Polynesia, leaving behind what is known as the “Lapita culture” of pottery, stone tools and ornaments. After the visiting the museum, one can also take some time to enjoy the view of the ocean from the hill. (text by Julia)
Regatta Lepa Lepa
Semporna Town comes to life each April during the unique boat festival called REGATTA LEPA LEPA. During this Water festival, the Bajaus will decorate their traditional sailboats, which are called Lepa Lepa, meaning a boat that is hand-crafted. It is an ancient legacy which originates from fishing community inhabiting the coast of Semporna. The distinctive lifestyle of the Bajaus in Sabah’s East Coast is characterized by their living on Lepa Lepa as they would only be on land for food, water supply and funerals. Lepa Lepa means boat in the dialect of east coast Bajau and one of the most important transport among the Bajau seafarer to move from one island to the other. During the event, Lepa Lepa from all the island in Semporna will come swarming the sea side of Semporna town for the competition.
The festival is celebrated to choose the most beautifully built and decorated lepa lepa that lines up the waterfront in Semporna. Smiling dancers lead by one Lepa princess and musicians dressed up in their traditional attires of the Bajau will be on the lepas during the festival. The Lepa Lepa would be beautifully decorated with colorful flags consists of Sambulayang , Sambili, Salingguru or Tipas-tipas. Sambulayang is a proud of flag usually will be use during special occasion such as Regatta Lepa Lepa, wedding ceremony, national day or when welcoming leader and minster. Sets of traditional instruments called ‘tagungguh’ will be played on the Lepa Lepa for cultural shows.
The most beautiful traditional lepa lepa is chosen based on its decoration, local ethnic music and dances performed on board, sambulayang (sails) and tipas-tipas (small flags). The Regatta Lepa Lepa has been celebrated every year since 1994 to commemorate the Bajau tradition of building these splendid boats. This is an event that cannot be missed when you are in Semporna where you can witness and experienced the culture of the local here. (text by Vienna & Julia)
Ramadhan Bazaar
In conjunction with the Muslims’ fasting month of Ramadan, the Ramadan Bazaar is organized throughout the country. Essentially just rows of stalls selling varieties of popular food and drinks for the breaking of fast, it is a quite a phenomenon and an attraction, found not only in the Semporna District but the whole of Malaysia. The food traders, who are given temporary license at allotted spaces by the local authority, sell usually under canopies and huge umbrellas.
Stalls are normally set up as early as 3pm and by evening they would be packed with people of all races. These stalls attract Muslims and non-Muslims alike to their special once a year delicacies and favorite foods. From a distance you can sometimes see the smoke and smell the aroma of the Ikan Bakar (grilled fish), Ayam Panggang (roast chicken) and others.
Borneo Semporna Proboscic River Cruise
This river cruise is not to be miss when you are in Semporna to watch the Borneo Proboscis and Size does matters of Flying foxes in a rich biodiversity of Mangrove System in Semporna.
The Borneo Semporna Proboscis River Cruise is one numerous tour packages offered by leading Sabah Tourism Operator, BGB Country Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd. It is the First Proboscis River Cruise in Semporna open in 1st January 2010.
The tour party will leave Semporna town at 3.30pm for a 25- minutes ride to the Borneo Semporna Proboscis River Cruise Centre in Kampung Tenggulangan. On arrival, Friendly welcome by a Manager, Guide & Staffs and a walk along a 150- meter wooden bridge will lead to the centre where visitors can watch the feeding the long tailed macaques with guavas and bread at 4pm.
At the restaurant enjoy a hi-tea of traditional Malay snacks – Fried Banana and drinks while appreciating pristine Mangrove and River’s ambiance and fresh air in it’s surrounding. By 5.00pm, the boat will leave the centre together with Local Guide for the hour-long cruise along Sungai Buaya and Sungai Pegagau. It is great way to experience nature’s sight and sound in the tranquil living environment of a diversity of riverine wildlife, especially Proboscis Monkey, Flying Foxes, Crocodiles, Birds and etc.
Back to the centre, a delicious BBQ seafood buffet dinner will be served. It is also a place for you to spend your evening in the wetland. By 7.00pm, enjoy the magical sight of fireflies lighting up and decorating the mangrove like a giant Christmas tree.
Want to enjoy the cruising along a meandering river both sided by rich mangrove ecosystem and catching glimpses of Proboscis Monkeys?? Borneo Semporna Proboscis Monkeys are still wild and shy to Human but if you quite and patiently wait can seen them in action. Fruit Bats also known as Flying Foxes, kind of Borneo bats which consume fruits and nectars. Birds, Crocodile and scores of Fireflies and other creatures sound exciting to you?? Then let the Local English spoken Guide to show the maiden Borneo Semporna Proboscis River Cruise.
Come book with us, Sulawesi Sea Safari for help arrange the trip that help save, conservation and protecting it’s rich biodiversity of Mangrove in Semporna.