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Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
Adventure capital of Malaysia, gateway to iconic Mt Kinabalu and the oldest rainforests in the world
Top Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu
Go beyond the tourist checklist - into the hidden spots & heartfelt stories
01
Climb Mt Kinabalu, Malaysia's Highest Peak
Mt Kinabalu is one of our fave SEA hikes! The varied views keep things exciting, and the summit feels you're walking on the moon. Beginners can do it with training. Highly recommended!
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02
Explore UNESCO Kinabalu Geopark
If you don't fancy climbing Mt Kinabalu, you can still see the gorgeous UNESCO Kinabalu geopark on a easy day trip. You'll also get to see local villages and get to know Dusun culture.
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03
Spot Probiscus Monkeys + Fireflies at Klias River
This is a surprisingly fun one! Spot cheeky probiscus monkeys (with the long nose), crocodiles and fireflies on a cruise down Klias river. It's chill and adventurous at the same time.
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04
Historic Colonial Train Ride
For train lovers! Ride a historic colonial-era train through Sabah’s scenic countryside for great views. For more adventure, combine it with Padas white-water rafting on the same trip!
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05
Catch sunset from the water!
Kota Kinabalu has some of the best sunsets we’ve ever seen (and it’s even been voted one of the world’s best!). Catch sunset from the water—it’s fiery and stunning!
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06
White water rafting - easy to intermediate!
One of the most fun ways to explore the lush countryside around Kota Kinabalu is by river rafting! The rapids range from beginner friendly to intermediate - so anyone can enjoy them!
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07
Snokelling & Diving at TARP Marine Park
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is popular spot for snorkelling & diving. However it's not well maintained (not much coral + trash), so if you go, try to avoid the more touristed islands
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08
Jungle survival in Ancient Rainforest
For off-grid lovers! Head into the ancient Borneo rainforest with a jungle expert, learn survival techniques, camp and enjoy dinner under the stars. You won't forget this!
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09
Deramakot: Clouded Leopard & Pygmy Elephants
Borneo’s best kept wildlife secret, Deramakot, is a few hours from Kota Kinabalu. Spend 3D2N here and spot clouded leopards, pygmy elephants, flying squirrels, and civet cats!
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10
Maliau Basin: World's Most Untouched Rainforest
Maliau Basin is the world's most untouched rainforest, 130M years old (much older than the Amazon!) and a day's drive from Kota Kinabalu. Spend 3D2N here for hiking & wildlife spotting.
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Start Planning
We handpick every guide and adventure, so you know it's worth your time.
NEW
|7 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
superhost
4.8 (97)
|2D1N
|Up to 30 guests
“Recommend choosing the extra night at poring hot springs”
superhost
4.9 (66)
|11 hrs
|Up to 16 guests
“Amazing Borneo hike with knowledgeable friendly guide delicious local lunch ”
4.8 (97)
|2D1N
|Up to 33 guests
“Lina made our seamless Asia trip a dream come true ”
4.8 (97)
|2D1N
|Up to 30 guests
“genuinely cares and personally invested in making sure everything is smooth”
4.9 (66)
|2D1N
|Up to 20 guests
“My guide Effrey was a legend”
see more
NEW
|7 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
superhost
4.8 (97)
|2D1N
|Up to 30 guests
“Recommend choosing the extra night at poring hot springs”
superhost
4.9 (66)
|11 hrs
|Up to 16 guests
“Amazing Borneo hike with knowledgeable friendly guide delicious local lunch ”
4.8 (97)
|2D1N
|Up to 33 guests
“Lina made our seamless Asia trip a dream come true ”
4.8 (97)
|2D1N
|Up to 30 guests
“genuinely cares and personally invested in making sure everything is smooth”
4.9 (66)
|2D1N
|Up to 20 guests
“My guide Effrey was a legend”
4.8 (97)
|2D1N
|Up to 33 guests
“Unforgettable climb topnotch support breathtaking views ”
4.9 (24)
|9 hrs
|Up to 8 guests
“Jean was a fantastic tour guide ”
Private trip
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All Kota Kinabalu Adventures
Itinerary Ideas
Use these as starting points, then sprinkle in your own travel magic.
Love letters from our guests
4.8
|
703 reviews
Pretty nice place, workers and instrutor very helpful and good service.. Will come again next time.
Mia kong
The 3D2N Kota Kinabalu Borneo Overland Expedition Trip exceeded all my expectations. From the very beginning, I was impressed by the meticulous attention to detail and preparation from wrapping vehicle seats to providing thoughtful amenities like personal toiletries, wet wipes etc. Ron Wong, Roger and Gregory, along with the entire crew, displayed exceptional professionalism in planning and ensuring our comfort throughout the trip.
Despite challenges like the power outage on the first night, the team worked tirelessly in the wet weather to set up tents and prepare meals, showcasing their dedication. Special appreciation goes to Denny, whose boundless energy and impressive photography skills helped capture memorable moments for us.
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this well-organized and unforgettable journey! It truly 5 star service and I strongly recommend Borneo Overland to anyone seeking exciting outdoor adventures.
Michelle Goh
Was camping at Bundu That, the views of Mount Kota Kinabalu and surrounding hills are magnificent. It was a lovely experience camping on top of a hill, dinning with friends under the stars and sleeping is the open. The beds are also comfortable, well- equipped with bedding, sleeping bags, pillows and lights. It was a really lovely camping experience. And every crew makes the whole experience special and memorable. Roger and Danny are very helpful crews. The rest are also warm and friendly too. Thank you crews.
Jane Lim
I had a great time on the 3 day KK expedition with 8 others. We were split across 3 Land Cruiser 60 series 4x4s.
The Kundasang campsite was amazing, with a clear view of Mount Kinabalu to wake up to in the morning. Food was amazing, thanks to the work of the crew Frendsy, Mansah and Gregory.
Activities involved white water rafting, hiking and swimming in waterfalls. These were a great way to break up the driving and cool off.
Daniel Thomas
This is a must-experience in KK. From the breath-taking sunset experience to the warm hospitality of the captain and his crew. This yacth sailing experience is definitely one for the books! This was my most memorable experience from my first visit to Malaysia and I can't wait to come back. Shout out to Joel the captain and Brendan-my new found brothers aboard. 🍻Thank you Mawali Aventure and Tours! Love from the 🇵🇭😎
John
We wanted to end our holiday in Kota Kinabalu on a high, and Mawali Sailing manages to do that. Joval was patient in handling our inquiries and gave us the confidence to booking the private charter with them. The service was excellent. We were picked up on time. The crew and Captain weee very friendly. Captain was also very attentive and customized our itinerary. The fees included the non-alcoholic beverages on board. Beer and wine were extra but were very reasonably priced. The boat was clean and very well maintained. The sunset BBQ surpassed our expectations with the yummy food. Thank you Mawali. Hope to sail with you again!
Matthew TAN
We had a really nice day on the catamaran. There was a good atmosphere on board and the service was top notch. We had more than an hour to snorkel and paddle board in the beautiful water, where we were the only boat. The sea was clear and we saw many beautiful fish, including clownfish. Lunch was served on the deck, where my family and I sat and enjoyed life.
This trip is recommended if you are tired of mass tourism and although it costs a lot of money, it is worth it👍
Majbritt Nielsen
Absolutely 5-star. A great morning out on the Mawali yacht for our family. Beautiful vessel, with lots of space to chill and relax on board. Lots of fun snorkelling, paddle boarding and jumping into the ocean from the boat.
Joel and the crew were brilliant and great with our 7 year old son. Lunch was delicious!
Booking process, payments and all communications so easy as well.
Lauren Adams
Only the good stuff
![Your Cheat Sheet to Planning a Mount Kinabalu Climb [2025]](https://d18sx48tl6nre5.cloudfront.net/webp_md_27b2d18c840570c1e30f8882b8bd1437.webp)
