You know when a friend returns from a holiday and is so enthusiastic about where they’ve been and so full of good stories that you immediately want to book the same holiday for yourself? 

My friend and her family recently visited the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort in Malaysia. She made mention of the fabulous resort facilities, the beautiful beach and surrounding rainforest, the sensational Dalit Bay day spa and the perfectly appointed rooms but actually, the highlight of the holiday was the orang-utans.

The Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is located on Pantai Dalit Beach, Kota Kinabalu and set amidst a nature reserve. An orang-utan rehabilitation centre, the only one of its kind in the region, is located within the nature reserve and offers a very special opportunity for the resort’s youngest guests. Children are invited to spend half a day with a ranger at the orang-utan rehabilitation centre, participating in daily tasks including feeding the orang-utans. It’s as up-close-and-personal as you’re likely to get.

As well as the orang-utan program, the Rasa Ria Resort has lots of other activities and facilities tailored for children. Many of the kids’ activities highlight traditional Malaysian activities including Batik painting, coconut leaf weaving, kite making and flying and traditional dance classes. There’s also lots on the schedule that allows kids to enjoy the unique surrounds of the resort including pony rides, guided nature walks where the kids get to play ‘nature detective’ and seashell collecting.

The Resort has four hundred and sixteen rooms and suites, decorated in a Malaysian theme. Ground floor rooms have private lanais and upper floor rooms enjoy spectacular views from private balconies.

For online flight and resort reservations, contact Goldman Holidays.