Although diving is fantastic in Kota Kinabalu, it isn’t the only thing that draws people here. There are some amazing land tours in the area, over half of Sabah is covered in forest, making it a wildlife lover’s paradise, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea is conveniently located just a couple of hours from the capital city, and there are caves, jungles, trekking, culture, family-friendly, and budget-friendly activities galore! River Junkie, our sister company, can book trips.
The Padas river (Grade III-IV)
Sabah’s premier rafting destination for those seeking an exciting, adrenaline-pumping day out! This trip, located in the interior southwest of Sabah and only accessible by train, will provide you with not only an unforgettable day of rafting but also the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views from the back of Borneo’s oldest train!
This exhilarating journey down Sabah’s only grade 3 to 4 rapids requires no prior rafting expertise, but please bring your sense of adventure!
The Kiulu River (Grade I-II)
A beautiful river for those of all ability levels to enjoy, as well as a scenic day trip for novices and ambitious people of all ages. Depending on water levels, this excursion can traverse up to 15 kilometers of river. Remember to keep a look out for wildlife along the river’s banks as you travel down the river! You can even try body rafting while assisting the rest of your boat crew through the grade 1 to 2 rapids. The exciting river voyage will last between 1.5 to 2 hours before arriving at the destination, where a sumptuous lunch will be served along the riverbank.
On this trip you will see a plethora of wildlife that is super easily accessible on just a day trip from Kota Kinabalu.This afternoon trip to the Klias wetlands is one of the best places on Sabah’s west coast to see proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat, so there’s a good chance you’ll see a lot of them! You may also encounter a variety of birds, long-tailed macaque monkeys, silver langurs, and possibly crocodiles in the wild, in addition to the proboscis monkey.
Despite the fact that all of these animals sound incredible, our favourite part of the trip is the cruise after supper, where you can watch hundreds of fireflies dancing through the trees; it is truly a magical and unforgettable experience.
This hiking day tour takes you through primary jungle, pineapple fields, rubber plantations, and rice paddy areas in the foothills surrounding Mt Kinabalu. This is a must-see for the more daring traveller. On a clear day, a lookout point near the end of your trek will provide you with a spectacular panoramic view of Mt Kinabalu. This day excursion allows you to fully immerse yourself in the ethnic Dusun culture of the area! Trying some delicious, freshly grown pineapples in the village, or perhaps seeing natives tapping their rubber trees in the traditional way.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of Kota Kinabalu on this day trip to Kinabalu National Park, which is about a 2-hour drive from the city. The park is located beneath the stunning 4,095m Mount Kinabalu and benefits from a cooler climate, making it a welcome respite from the tropical heat. The mountain park is a true botanical paradise, with an amazing variety of orchids, pitcher plants, and many more plants. Visitors will be able to explore the botanical gardens’ enchanting flora and fauna, as well as hike some of the park’s numerous trails.
Kinabalu Park is Sabah’s first and only Unesco World Heritage Site, is home to over 5,000 plant species as well as 400 different mammals and birds. Although large mammals are not commonly seen in the park, endemic birds and smaller mammals such as the Kinabalu shrew (endemic to Mt Kinabalu) are. The views of Mt Kinabalu and the surrounding area are also breathtaking on a clear day.
Feel like you want a little bit more of a challenge? If you have enough time you should definitely think about taking the 2D1N trip to climb Mount Kinabalu.
A mentioned Mount Kinabalu towers 4,095 metres above sea level and is the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, also the most prominent in Southeast Asia. Climbing Mount Kinabalu is not only a physically demanding experience, but also a one-of-a-kind journey through the tropical jungle at the base to the rocky sub-alpine summit plateau. Exotic plants galore in the various climates along the way, including bamboo, mosses, orchids, rotans, and Mount Kinabalu’s famous pitcher plants.
After an early morning start and hike, the highlight of the trip is the sunrise revealing the remarkable summit plateau of the mountain.
For the EVEN MORE adventurous why not try the Via Ferrata, this is the highest in the world and the only one in Asia! Your ascent will be the same as the normal climb but after sunrise you will detour via a series of rungs, cables, bridges and ladders drilled to the rock face, you will be able to access a whole different side of the mountain! It’s truly a unique and awe-inspiring experience but not one to be underestimated!
Are you interested to learn more about Sabah’s “old traditional way of life”? This half-day excursion will take you to Mari Mari Cultural Village, which is located just 25 minutes outside of Kota Kinabalu. When you arrive, you will be welcomed into the homes of Sabah’s five ethnic tribes. Each home was built by descendants of the tribes it represents and provides a truly authentic experience; seeing everything in and around the village is like stepping back in time. The village illustrates the fascinating differences in architecture, costumes, and traditions of the five different tribes, and you will be able to see demonstrations of ancient activities such as blowpipe making, starting a fire from bamboo, and tattoo-making come to life. As part of this unique journey into Sabah’s past, you will also be able to sample traditional food and drink and enjoy a buffet meal.
These are just a few of the land tour activities available near Kota Kinabalu, but there are many more exciting experiences to be had throughout Sabah, such as visiting Turtle Island, staying along the Kinabatangan River, exploring Danum Valley, and much more! Visit River Junkie Tours for more information.
