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Kota Kinabalu

Most people know Kota Kinabalu for Mount Kinabalu. But there's so much more! Do a wild Wes Anderson-like road trip, see clouded leopards & cook tribal food with aunties!
Most people know Kota Kinabalu for Mount Kinabalu. But there's so much more! Do a wild Wes Anderson-like road trip, see clouded leopards & cook tribal food with aunties!
OUR MUST-DOS

The 6 things you can’t miss

Climb Mt Kinabalu
#1
Climb Mt Kinabalu
Malaysia's tallest peak + one of our fave hikes! Surprisingly beginner friendly
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Wild Sabah Roadtrip
#2
Wild Sabah Roadtrip
An iconic 4x4 roadtrip with the most incredible views! Must-do once in your life
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Get to know Dusun culture
#3
Get to know Dusun culture
A super heartfelt experience in a Dusun village. You won't want to leave!
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Indigenous Sabahan Cooking
#4
Indigenous Sabahan Cooking
A rare chance to cook generations-old recipes in a Kadazan-Dusun home.
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Wildlife spotting at Deramakot Forest
#5
Wildlife spotting at Deramakot Forest
Borneo's best spot for wildlife! See clouded leopard + elephants.
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Hike in Maliau Basin
#6
Hike in Maliau Basin
One of the world's most untouched rainforests & incredibly biodiverse!
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Borneo Overland wild camping base with canvas tents and parked 4x4s, with rolling Sabah valley views, Mt Kinabalu
Campers seated inside an open rooftop tent on a wild Sabah camping trip near Kota Kinabalu, looking to Mt Kinabalu
Friends relaxing around a campfire on a rocky riverbank with forested hills and mountains in Sabah near Kota Kinabalu
Small group standing and sitting by a jungle waterfall with a calm pool in Sabah, surrounded by lush greenery and wet rocks
Hiker standing on a lookout above a river with a mountain horizon during a Borneo Overland Sabah road trip with Mt Kinabalu
Borneo Overland off-road 4x4 splashing through a rocky creek during wild Sabah camping, en route to Mt Kinabalu
Starry night wild camping with a campfire and vans at a ridge, looking towards Mt Kinabalu from Kota Kinabalu
Traveller in a cap standing near a tall waterfall pouring into a rocky pool during a Borneo Overland wild Sabah road trip
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4.8 (22)
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5D4N
|Up to 23 guests
3D2N Wild Sabah Roadtrip + Camping with Epic Kinabalu Views
Sunset kayaking in Kota Kinabalu at golden hour, viewed from a kayak bow as another paddle boat cruises on calm water
Xtreme Paddlers guide posing beside a blue kayak on the beach in Kota Kinabalu at sunset twilight, nightfall
Xtreme Paddlers preparing blue kayaks at a beach base in Kota Kinabalu, with a thatched roof shed and safety gear
Kayaking in Malaysia at sunset from a wooden boat deck, paddles and lifejackets ready as crew waits for the water
Two people in kayaks with life vests lined up on grassy shore in Kota Kinabalu by Xtreme Paddlers before sunset
Xtreme Paddlers guide standing on a blue kayak as waves splash across choppy water near Kota Kinabalu, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Paddler in a kayak foreground with another kayak behind during sunset on the sea in Kota Kinabalu with Xtreme Paddlers
Smiling Xtreme Paddlers guide in a life jacket and sunglasses paddling a kayak across calm water near Kota Kinabalu, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
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4.8 (17)
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3 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
Sunset Kayaking in Kota Kinabalu
“Thanks for a unique experience and gorgeous sunset views”
Instant book
Woman in a swimsuit leaning on a catamaran rail as the sun sets over the water near Kota Kinabalu
Catamaran sail across the water off Kota Kinabalu, a passenger resting under the cream sail canopy — Mawali Sailing
Benches and pillows in a Mawali catamaran salon in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with a round table, TV and sea-view windows
Seafood and watermelon appetisers with champagne glasses served on the wooden deck of a catamaran cruise off Kota Kinabalu
Woman smiling on deck as the sun sets over open water during a 3-hour private sunset yacht sail from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Cosy sailing on a catamaran from Kota Kinabalu, with a person on deck watching the waves under the sail rigging
Sun setting over calm sea with a yacht railing in the foreground during a private sunset sail from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Silhouette of sails and rigging against the setting sun over the sea during a private sunset yacht sail from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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4.9 (18)
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2 hrs
|Up to 20 guests
2-Hr Private Sunset Yacht Sail from KK
Private trip
Silhouetted visitors paddle on stand-up boards at sunset near Kota Kinabalu, holding long paddles over calm water
Paddleboarder with Xtreme Paddlers at sunrise over Tanjung Aru beach in calm water, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Three paddleboarders cruise over clear turquoise water near Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, on an early-morning SUP
Paddleboarders stand in the shallows with bright boards and paddles on a wide sandy beach near Kota Kinabalu
Kayaking in Malaysia at golden hour, two paddlers in kayaks grin with lifejackets on and paddles across the sea
Top-down view of an SUP paddler gliding on dark ocean water at Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu during sunrise
Xtreme Paddlers guide silhouetted on a stand-up paddleboard watching the sunset over Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu
Cloudy-day paddleboarding with Xtreme Paddlers at Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, three riders posing on SUPs on open water
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4.8 (17)
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1.5 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
Sunrise & Sunset Paddleboarding at Tanjung Aru
“Watching the sunset from out on the water is breathtaking”
Instant book
White sailing yacht under full sail on open water with forested hills behind on a 3-hour private sunset sail from Kota Kinabalu
Travellers lounging under the sail canopy on SY Mawali catamaran while cruising from Kota Kinabalu
Travellers paddleboarding on calm water near a green shoreline from a Kota Kinabalu area sea cruise
Sunbathing on the trampoline deck under a sail on SY Mawali catamaran near Kota Kinabalu
Seafood and watermelon appetisers with champagne glasses served on the wooden deck of a catamaran cruise off Kota Kinabalu
Woman in a swimsuit leaning on a catamaran rail as the sun sets over the water near Kota Kinabalu
Mawali catamaran lounge in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with cushioned seating, a dining table and books for relaxing between stops
Traveller relaxing on the deck of Mawali catamaran in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, under sail cover with open sea ahead
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4.9 (18)
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4 hrs
|Up to 20 guests
Sail Kota Kinabalu's Islands on a Beautiful Catamaran
“The snorkelling was so fun and we saw so many fish”
Kayaks waiting on a sandy shore at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park near Kota Kinabalu on a Hidden Coves paddle with Xtreme Paddlers
Choppy-water kayak with life-jacketed Xtreme Paddlers guide waving from a blue kayak near Kota Kinabalu, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Smiling Xtreme Paddlers guide in a life jacket and sunglasses paddling a kayak across calm water near Kota Kinabalu, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Kayaks in bright colours lined on a sandy beach at Kota Kinabalu for a kayak to hidden coves in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Kayaks beached along a narrow mangrove shoreline in Malaysia, as paddlers gather along the water’s edge in overcast light
Kayaks lined up on a sandy beach in Malaysia, with people wading and standing in the shallows under blue sky
Paddlers in orange life jackets kayak on open water off Malaysia, with two bright kayaks moving past a green coastline
Kayaking in Malaysia in calm open water at dusk, two orange kayaks with paddlers against a cloudy horizon
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4.8 (17)
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7 hrs
|Up to 8 guests
Kayak to Hidden Coves | Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Private trip
Outreach Borneo travellers pause in the Sabah jungle beside smoky survival-skill cooking, surrounded by tall trees
Outreach Borneo group gathered around a campfire in the forest, with smoke from cooking during a jungle adventure near Kota Kinabalu
Hikers crossing a wooden suspension bridge over a river gorge during an Outreach Borneo jungle adventure near Kota Kinabalu
Skewered bananas cooking over an open fire, flames glowing in the jungle with Outreach Borneo during their survival skills lunch
Forest survival camp scene with people gathered by a small fire while food roasts, with Outreach Borneo near Kota Kinabalu
Rafting down Kiulu’s river near Kota Kinabalu with Outreach Borneo, paddling through rapids in an inflatable raft
Team preparing riverside lunch at a rustic cooking station, with Outreach Borneo, during a jungle adventure near Kota Kinabalu
Friends sharing lunch at a shaded riverside table beneath tall trees, during Outreach Borneo’s rafting and survival day in Sabah
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4.9 (11)
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6.5 hrs
|Up to 16 guests
1-Day Jungle Adventure: Rafting, Survival Skills & Riverside Lunch
“the survival session where we learnt to make fire”
Two hikers rest on a rocky ledge with trekking poles and orange caps, surrounded by steep cliffs near Kota Kinabalu — Mt Kinabalu
Two hikers in orange helmets stand on a cliff edge looking over layered mountain ranges above Kota Kinabalu — Mt Kinabalu
Three hikers wearing orange climbing helmets posing on a mountain viewpoint above the clouds from Kota Kinabalu on Mt Kinabalu
Hikers pose on rocky summit near a Kinabalu Park sign above Kota Kinabalu in cloudy weather — Mt Kinabalu
Helmed hikers walking across exposed granite ledges on a 2D1N Kinabalu via ferrata climb on Mt Kinabalu
Rugged granite summit stretches into misty valleys above the clouds during the 2D1N Kinabalu trek on Mt Kinabalu
Backpack hikers walking along a high ridge above the clouds during a via ferrata climb on Mt Kinabalu
Backpacker with a hiking backpack walking along a wooden boardwalk through lush rainforest toward Low’s Peak on Mt Kinabalu
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4.8 (122)
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2D1N
|Up to 33 guests
2D1N Kinabalu Climb | Summit & Walk the Torq (Via Ferrata)
“Unforgettable climb topnotch support breathtaking views ”
Guests enjoying an Indigenous Sabahan cooking meal in Kota Kinabalu, seated under a wooden shelter with shared dishes
Kota Kinabalu Indigenous Sabahan cooking feast spread with grilled meat, herbs and steaming bowls on a patterned table
Sabahan meal served on banana leaves in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, with rice, grilled meat, and fresh vegetables
Indigenous Sabahan cook in Kota Kinabalu holding a basket of fresh greens and herbs, wearing traditional headscarf and dress
Local Sabahan family cooking in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo—stirring ingredients in a large wok over an outdoor stove
Hands preparing Indigenous Sabahan ingredients in Kota Kinabalu, holding a large leaf with a paste over a pot
Indigenous Sabahan family cook holding a spice jar at a wooden table outdoors in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Fish simmering in a clay pot with sliced red chillies during Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu
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4.8 (22)
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3 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
Indigenous Sabahan Cooking with Auntie Winnie
“I had a wonderful cooking experience with Auntie Winnie”
superhost
Three hikers smile on a ridge overlooking cloud-filled valleys during sunrise from Kota Kinabalu — Mt Kinabalu
Backpackers trekking across a volcanic-looking ridge in Malaysia, with low clouds rolling over the landscape at midday
Backpack hiker standing on a rocky ledge with clouds stretching below and distant ridges in Kota Kinabalu at dawn, Mt Kinabalu
Rocky mountain ridge in Malaysia at sunrise or sunset, with a peak glowing orange above a sweeping highland valley
Hiker walking along a rocky highland trail in Malaysia, following a line rope as clouds fill the distant valleys
Hikers pose on rocky summit near a Kinabalu Park sign above Kota Kinabalu in cloudy weather — Mt Kinabalu
Orange Panalaban lodge and information kiosk set in alpine scrub and stone, with misty mountains in the background on Mt Kinabalu
Smiling group hikers with trekking poles at a trailhead sign reading 'Selamat Mendaki' during a Mt Kinabalu climb
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4.8 (122)
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2D1N
|Up to 30 guests
2D1N Mt Kinabalu Summit | With Free Night at Poring Hot Springs
“Recommend choosing the extra night at poring hot springs”
Climbers on a metal ladder and rope rails along a steep rocky ascent of Mt Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu with climbing harnesses
Single hiker on Mt Kinabalu ridge wearing an orange helmet and via ferrata harness, with rope gear and valley views
Group of hikers in orange helmets crossing a high rocky path with misty valleys behind from Kota Kinabalu on Mt Kinabalu
Climber in orange helmet and harness gripping ropes while ascending a rocky cliff on a mountain climb in Malaysia
Smiling group hikers with trekking poles at a trailhead sign reading 'Selamat Mendaki' during a Mt Kinabalu climb
Two hikers practising on a mountain trail, posing in trekking gear with a backpack pack and trail surroundings
Rocky trail through dense rainforest trees and ferns, leading uphill along the mountain climb route on Mt Kinabalu
Mountain shelter with a striped corrugated roof overlooking cloud layers and mist, a rest stop on Mt Kinabalu
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4.8 (122)
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2D1N
|Up to 33 guests
2D1N Kinabalu Climb | Summit & Low's Peak (Via Ferrata)
“Lina made our seamless Asia trip a dream come true ”
Climber in orange helmet and harness gripping ropes while ascending a rocky cliff on a mountain climb in Malaysia
Climbers on a metal ladder and rope rails along a steep rocky ascent of Mt Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu with climbing harnesses
Hiker trekking along a narrow stone trail through dense rainforest on a mountain climb in Malaysia
Rocky mountain ridge in Malaysia at sunrise or sunset, with a peak glowing orange above a sweeping highland valley
Two hikers practising on a mountain trail, posing in trekking gear with a backpack pack and trail surroundings
Hiker walking along a rocky highland trail in Malaysia, following a line rope as clouds fill the distant valleys
Group of hikers in orange helmets crossing a high rocky path with misty valleys behind from Kota Kinabalu on Mt Kinabalu
Hiker in orange backpack walking a rocky forest trail with stepping stones on the Mt Kinabalu via ferrata route
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4.8 (122)
|
2D1N
|Up to 30 guests
2D1N Mt Kinabalu | Walk the Torq Via Ferrata **Free Night Stay!
“genuinely cares and personally invested in making sure everything is smooth”
DISCOVER BY HOST
Humans of Kota Kinabalu
The rubber tapper who calls himself a rich man
The rubber tapper who calls himself a rich man
How One Woman Is Keeping Sabah's Villages Alive
How One Woman Is Keeping Sabah's Villages Alive
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