Things to do in Ranau

Our family and a friend's family, 4 adults and 4 children, signed up for this tour. We were picked up at our hotel at 7:30 AM, followed by a 2.5-hour drive to the Mount Kinabalu viewpoint. The city roads from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu were congested, but our guide was flexible and accommodated the children's restroom breaks along the way. After taking many photos at the viewpoint, we headed to Desa Farm. On the way, we made a detour to a local fruit shop. Our tour guide, Jeff, introduced us to fruits we had never seen before, and we bought and ate one or two of each. We were excited by fruits we had never heard of or seen, like apple jelly, avocado cheese, and snake fruit! The avocado cheese tasted like sweet steamed pumpkin, with a texture and flavor unlike any fruit! It was delicious. From there, we went to Desa Farm. Located at an altitude of about 1,500m, it wasn't too hot and was very comfortable! The weather was clear with few clouds, and we took many great photos with the sharp ridges of Mount Kinabalu in the background. Was that a sun halo? Jeff smoothly guided us through recommended activities like soft-serve ice cream and feeding calves and goats. Jeff, who is also a father of four, is knowledgeable about funny TikTok videos, and our children had a blast taking funny videos with him, making it a very satisfying experience. Afterward, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant and then went rafflesia watching. We were worried if we would see any, as they only bloom for 5-7 days a year, but we saw two blooming rafflesias! We also saw buds and withered ones, which was a unique experience only available locally. Nearby, there were also cacao and durian trees! I was surprised to see durians growing on such tall trees. By this point, it was past 3 PM. The children were getting tired, so we decided to change the itinerary and head back. The morning traffic jam was long. On the way back, there was a strange cloud hanging over the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Jeff told us it was a rare sight. The return journey was also a bit congested, but we managed to get back to the hotel around 7 PM. We had originally planned to be back by 5:30 PM, but the road congestion and it being summer vacation season caused delays. I recommend bringing a bit more cash, as there are places at the rafflesia site that don't accept credit cards for insect repellent, and some restaurants for lunch. Thank you, Jeff, for a fun tour! The magnificent scenery and your enjoyable assistance made it a wonderful experience. Highly recommended!

I'm very satisfied with the trip! I saw the Rafflesia as I wished, and the other activities were also good. Our guide, Calvin, was very kind and thoroughly explained the activities. He drove carefully, which made us feel very safe. I twisted my ankle and it swelled up, so I needed to see a doctor. He recommended a clinic and drove me there. I was able to see a doctor and get an X-ray quickly. The doctor confirmed I didn't have a fracture, which put my mind at ease, and the cost was reasonable. Thanks again to Calvin for his help. This one-day tour had many activities, and the lunch was also good. I think the tour price was reasonable.

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed this day trip; we had a fantastic time! Our guide, Xiao Yang, was incredibly knowledgeable, not only about the plants and insects along the way but also sharing a lot of local culture and history. So, this trip allowed us to appreciate beautiful scenery, learn a great deal, and even discover some recommended local delicacies. We felt very satisfied 🥳 Xiao Yang also adjusted the itinerary based on weather changes, making each attraction more enjoyable. We are truly grateful 😊 Highly recommend!

Very nice tour, managed to see a lot of cows at Desa cattle farm and there’s a free small milk carton included. Had a heartwarming meal and were lucky enough to see the rafflesia and different rare species of orchid blooming. A lot of nice scenery from the top of the mountain. The tour guide Michael is also very knowledgeable and passionate about the different plant species on the mountain, especially the orchids. Good and relaxing day trip to have as the bus will pick up from the hotel and return back to the city.

We had an amazing experience on this tour. The entire day was well-organised and felt personalised from start to finish. Our tour guide, Adeor, made the trip memorable and enjoyable. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared interesting insights throughout the journey. He also accommodated our request stop at the Upside Down House on the way (even though it wasn’t in the itinerary. The tour itself had so many great experiences packed in and the lunch was also absolutely delicious, with a nice view. Another thing we really appreciated was how thoughtful the team was. Adeor carried extra raincoats, umbrellas, and essentials in case of weather changes, which made us feel very well taken care of. Both the guide and the driver were extremely warm and friendly, and we ended up bonding over our shared love for Bollywood. Overall, a fantastic tour with beautiful sights, great food, and genuinely warm hospitality. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Kota Kinabalu!

Itinerary: The length was just right. Safety: Very safe. Scenery: Diverse, and we even saw the Rafflesia flower, enjoyed fish spa by the lake, and tasted wild boar meat. It was very interesting and unforgettable. Facilities provided: ATV and skydiving safety measures were excellent, making it very fun and exciting. A fulfilling day with a packed schedule. Tour Guide: Xiao Mei was professional, attentive, and patient, following up throughout the trip and being very thoughtful. Lunch: Freshly cooked and delicious, with cold drinks and fresh fruit. Very good. The day before departure, all important information was sent via WhatsApp, which was very thoughtful. It was a great travel experience. The one-day Mount Kinabalu tour includes a variety of activities and is a must-do for anyone visiting Sabah. Highly recommended.

Mount Sossodikon offers incredibly beautiful views and is great value for money. The ATV ride is a lot of fun. It would be safer for beginners to practice riding before setting off. There's road construction along the way with many engineering vehicles; the mountain road is steep, and there are no guardrails, making it both thrilling and a bit scary. However, the local residents are very friendly and wave as you pass by.

First time trying Tandem Paragliding and it was definitely a wonderful experience despite the initial location hiccup with the vendor. After arriving at the facility, I was given the safety briefing before being transported up to the paragliding location in a jeep. The wind in Ranau was great and I was airborne for approximately 6 mins and caught the breathtaking view of Mt. KK and the neighbouring towns before landing safely together with pilot, Sabrie. All in all, it is definitely a good experience for those who have not tried and been wanting to do so. With the picturesque mountain view, you couldnt have chosen a better location to attempt your first tandem paragliding.

Everything is very well arranged and organised. Right from picked up till end of hike. The accommodation lodge at Kinabalu park was fantastic. The hike was rather tough though especially the one at 2.30am to the summit. Need to pay addition to the guide and transport back to accommodation as exceeded the stipulated time though.