The name ‘Sabah’ often evokes picturesque visions of the world famous Mount Kinabalu, crystalline clear waters of Sipadan, or majestic city mosques.
While the above attractions have earned tourist popularity for good reason, less is said about the more lowkey – yet equally breathtaking – gems of Sabah.
We are here to change this. Here are some hidden corners you should definitely seek out on your next visit to Malaysia’s second large state.
Hiking enthusiasts, what if we told you there is more to Sabah’s hiking scene than Mount Kinabalu? A remote option for beginners or children is Piniapat Hills in Kampung Dingai, Pitas.
Opened daily from 6am to 7pm, this hike will take you through hills of lush greenery up to panoramic sea views.
Piniapat Hill – Photo by Sabah Tourism Board
The shortcut walk is only a 100-metre journey that can be reached within five minutes but if you crave a bit of a challenge, other trails span 900 metres and 1.9km which will take around 30 to 40 minutes to complete.
And the best part is, it is all for the small price of RM2 per adult and RM1 per child. Sometimes, the road less travelled by is the way to go.
Speaking of making stunning sights accessible to all, Mahua waterfall may not be the highest or most powerful in Sabah, but it is one that is sure to suit you regardless of your age or fitness level.
Mahua Waterfall – Photo by Blue Kinabalu
Situated only a 500-metre walk from the Crocker Mountain Range National Park, Tambunan – less than two hours away from Kota Kinabalu – this 17-metre cascade is reachable without breaking a sweat.
Crocker Mountain Range National Park, Tambunan – Photo by Malaysia Truly Asia
Along with swimming, visitors usually come for picnicking, camping, and hiking. The trail is well-facilitated with hut shelters, benches, trash bin and toilets. Just try to come during the week if you want the scenery all to yourself!
But enough about the great outdoors. Perhaps you are the social media savvy type, always on the lookout for your next Insta-worthy moment.
We have just the place for you! Only a 45-minute drive away from Kota Kinabalu is Le’One Kokol Elf, an attraction in Kokol Hill consisting of multi-coloured stairs, nests, hanging cocoon chairs, and Malaysia’s first “Bali Swing”.
Le’one Kokol Elf – Photo by Le’one Kokol Elf (Facebook)
Known for its panoramic views (especially at sunset) overlooking the city and coast, this place is an aesthetic dream site. When it comes to photogenic spots, this is indeed “the one”.
While Le’One was specifically designed to please the camera’s lens, Sabah also has its fair share of natural phenomena.
For instance: sky-mirror beaches. When thinking of such a place in Malaysia, Kuala Selangor probably comes to mind.
But did you know that Sabah had its very own? Bongawan, a town in the West Coast of Sabah, offers day-trip packages for visitors to enjoy not only the beach but its surrounding attractions: starting strong, you will embark on a boat ride through Bongawan River’s mangrove, villages and forest where you will come in close contact to Proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, and river otters.
You will then be taken to the sky mirror beach with a photographer at your disposal to capture the sunset, before savouring a local dinner buffet.
After dinner, you will head out on a cruise to witness firefly colonies illuminating the trees, a magical experience you certainly won’t forget.
And if that firefly cruise made you yearn to experience all the exotic parts of camping without the hustle and inconvenience, why not try glamping?
Cabana Retreat in Kota Belud is the first pop up beach resort in Malaysia and describes itself as offering “luxurious outdoor living where you will have all the amenities you would expect from a hotel, but with the added benefit of being able to connect with the mother earth.”
Cabana Retreat
Located on the Rampayan Beach, this little taste of heaven features plenty of activities and attractions suitable for all ages, including all-terrain vehicles, an inflatable water park, surfing and paddle boarding lessons, a suspension bridge, and an outdoor cinema.
The tents are fully furnished with housekeeping, in-room dining services, toiletries, and even a barbeque!
If camping is indeed your cup of tea, you will have a fantastic time at Kiulu Farmstay. As the name suggests, this off-beaten destination in the rustic countryside of the Tuaran District offers Kiulu Sub District an immersive farmstead experience during which you will be housed in a lodge, embark on guided tours of the surrounding areas, take part in outdoor activities – such as river tubing – meet friendly locals and take part in their daily lifestyle from the cuisine to the folktale stories.
Kiulu Farmstay – Photo by Kiulu farmstay.com
This is also your chance to give back to the community through the RM5-per-person fee going towards the Community Development Contribution (CDC) Fund overseen by Best Society, a society working on ecotourism technologies in Borneo! Enjoy a holiday unlike any other and leave knowing you’ve contributed to a more sustainable world.
Well there it goes! We hope that pulling back the veil on those hidden gems helped you see Sabah in a different light and made you curious to look beyond the touristic surface.
(Note: Flight schedules are subject to change, and it’s advisable to check the AirAsia website for the most up-to-date information.)
