BIRD-WATCHING

Bee-eaters and hornbills, flowerpeckers and ospreys: Malaysia's tropical landscapes teem with over 600 colourful bird species. Here in montane forests, lowland forests or mangrove ecosystems you may meet names like the Bornean Blue Flycatcher, the Mountain Blackeye, the Green Imperial Pigeon and other species endemic to a specific location. We can recommend a choice of bird-watching sites to include in your visit - and for the serious ornithologist we can plan a tour featuring sites in different ecological zones to maximise the variety of your sightings.

BOTANY

No less exotic is Malaysia's bountiful flora, some endemic and some brought here in the 19th century. Its 145,000 species of flowering plant ranges from flowering trees like the Flame of the Forest and Tulip Tree, hibiscus and an infinite variety of orchids to the insect-eating pitcher plants and Sabah's Rafflesia (the world's largest flower). Special botany-orientated itineraries in Peninsular Malaysia and/or East Malaysia can be tailored to suit your personal interests.

CAVING

Peninsular and East Malaysia have some of the world's finest show caves, as well as exciting adventure caves. Itineraries that focus on the most striking in each category can be planned, including guided day-trips into adventure caves. The season is March to October.

CUISINE

Malaysia's ethnic diversity has produced a huge range of cuisines - from Malay, Chinese and Indian to Western, served in stylish restaurants or streetside 'hawker' stalls. From savoury to dessert dishes, seafood to exotic fruits and specialities of the Straits, Sabah and Sarawak, Malay food will add its own delicious dimension to your visit. If you have a special interest in world cuisines an appropriate itinerary can be planned for you.

DIVING & SNORKELLING

A superlative choice for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, Malaysia has a venue for all seasons and all interests. The magical islands of Langkawi and Pangkor Laut in the Straits of Malacca offer superb diving year-round (but best November - May). Off Peninsular Malaysia's east coast the clear waters of the islands of Redang, Perhentian and Tioman are among many idyllic settings for both activities (best here between March and October). Equally unspoilt are the dive sites off Borneo's Sabah (March - September, though Sipadan is usually good all year), setting of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park islands, the Layang-Layang atoll and Mabul island. For wreck diving Sabah's Labuan has some fabulous and world-famous sites.

FISHING

Fishing (freshwater or marine) in most areas of Malaysia is primarily between February and November. In a land renowned for its dense rainforests, many rivers offer exciting sport (over 300 species have so far been recorded), especially in the National Parks. Taman Negara alone boasts over 200 species, many belonging to the carp family. A river trip to Lake Berkoh or Perkai will offer good hunting for the awesome Indian mahseer or kelesa (a prey that provides a real test of an angler's skill and strength), snakefish, the voracious sebaru, and giant catfish of up to 60lbs. Excellent freshwater sportfishing is found in Peninsular Malaysia's Kenyir, Chenderoh and Temenggor lakes. Marine fishing off Malaysia's shores is a major sport. Bluewater game fishing is mostly located in the South China and Sulawesi Seas (Labuan and Mabul Islands especially) while other areas offer rewarding opportunities for deep-sea and wreck fishing - particularly off the east coast from May to October, when tuna, grouper, shark, barracuda and Spanish mackerel appear, as well as the sought-after black marlin.

F1 MALAYSIA GRAND PRIX

You can watch Formula One racing at its best at Malaysia's state-of-the-art race track beside the KL International Airport in Sepang. It brings the world's top drivers and their sophisticated cars to the Malaysian racing circuit in March.

GOLFING

Golf was introduced to Malaysia by the British over 100 years ago. Today it offers opportunities galore for the keen golfer - with around 200 courses (9, 18 and even 36-holes). Oldest course is the Royal Selangor in 'KL', which grew up with the city and has two 18-hole courses. Other memorable locations include the cool of the Cameron Highlands, the exotic tropical island world of Langkawi and Tioman, Sarawak's 36-hole international Kuching course - or the dramatic backdrop of Sabah's majestic Mount Kinabalu.

JUNGLE - TREKING

Malaysia's ancient rainforests offer you an unforgettable encounter with a spectacular natural world in settings as diverse as the freshwater swamp forests of Sabah's Kinabatangan floodplain to the dense dipterocarp rainforests of Taman Negara and montane forests of Borneo. Novice treks and longer 7-14 day ecosystem-linked itineraries for the experienced can be planned. Especially recommended are the Endau Rompin National Park (Peninsular Malaysia), Niah and Mulu National Parks in Sarawak - and the Kinabalu National Park and Danum Valley in Sabah.

MALAYA - REVISITED

For anyone who once lived in Malaysia (or has a special link with the country through family or wartime connections) and would like to revisit, we can arrange individual itineraries. Shown below is an example of a tour by private car (Price from £1,780 per person, with English-speaking driver-guide):

Singapore (Raffles) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 nights
Malacca (Riviera Bay Resort) . . . . . . . . . 2 nights
Kuala Lumpur (Carcosa Seri Negara) . . . 3 nights
Cameron highlands (The Smokehouse) . . . 2 nights
Ipoh (Syuen Hotel) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 night
Taiping(The Legend Inn) . . . . . . . . . 1 night
Penang (Eastern & Oriental) . . . . . . . . . 4 nights

MOUNTAIN -CLIMBING

There are Malaysian mountains to tempt every level of climber and high-country walker - starting with easy walks in the cool comfort of Peninsular Malaysia's Main Range. More serious undertakings are Mount Gagau in Taman Negara, Mount Tahan, highest summit in Peninsular Malaysia at over 6,000ft - and the challenging peaks on Borneo. Most spectacular of the latter is Sabah's Mount Kinabalu, South East Asia's highest peak, accessible to reasonably fit trekkers, and Mount Santubon in Sarawak.

OFF-ROAD DRIVING

The fact that three international off-road events are held in Malaysia in October/November is proof of the country's suitability for sharpening your off-road skills. Peninsular Malaysia's Pahang and Terengganu offer especially good terrain (March to October is the driest season)and here and elsewhere we can organise off-road packages ranging from day trips to week-long tours.

SPECIAL EVENTS

We can also plan individual itineraries linked to such special events as the Malaysia International Kite Festival (Kelantan - May); the Malaysia Shopping Carnival (August); Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon (Sabah - October); Le Tour de Langkawi (Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur Cycle Race - February). Please ask for details.

SPECIAL INTEREST & SCHOOL & COLLEGE GROUPS

We can also plan attractively-priced tours for groups whose special interest are featured here - and indeed on many others! Examples of the latter can include hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, bowling or soccer tours for schools and colleges, with coach transfers to fixtures and local sightseeing between games.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

Perak, Selangor and Pahang states in Peninsular Malaysia all have popular rafting sites - but one of the country's best venues for this exhilarating sport is Sabah, many of whose fast-flowing rivers have challenging rapids. The Kiulu offers Grade 2 rafting in the wet season, while stretches like the 5-mile millrace along the famous Padas River (with rapids up to Grade 3-4) are a magnet for white water enthusiasts the world over.

WILDLIFE

It is only the fortunate few who can hope to see Malaysia's rare tiger and clouded leopards, or the elusive elephant and Sumatran rhinoceros, but the country's vast rainforests will reveal a host of fascinating mammals. They range from wild pig, deer, mouse deer, sambar and barking deer to gibbons, orang utans, leaf monkeys, macaque, tapirs, sun bear, civet cat, loris, flying lemur and the scaly ant-eater. Sabah, of course, is the home of the endemic proboscis monkey - while at Rantau Abang on the Terengganu coast and Sabah's Selingan Island respectively you can observe the giant leatherback turtles and green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. A tour combining the best wildlife-spotting locations in Peninsular and East Malaysia can be specially created for you.

WINTER SUN - LONG - STAYS

Tempted by the idea of exchanging the worst of the British winter for a competitively priced longer stay in Malaysia? Please contact us for our recommendations for long-stay arrangements, in some cases with special 'extras'.