Things to do in Kota Kinabalu

We had such a great time on this tour, and a big part of it was thanks to our tour guide, Kelvin! Kelvin was our driver, tour guide and also our photographer for the day. He was very knowledgeable and made the mangrove and fireflies tour really enjoyable. He introduced us to the different animals we saw, including the proboscis monkeys, and shared interesting facts about what they eat, their digestion and their behaviour. It was really interesting to learn about them along the way. He was also very entertaining and took great care of us throughout the whole trip. He definitely went above and beyond, especially when he took the time to help us take photos at the sunset spot. We really appreciated how attentive and thoughtful he was. Also, a big shoutout to his co-tour guide, Gary, who was equally helpful and made the experience even better. Thank you, Kelvin and Gary, for such a memorable day!

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!

Although it is an island not far away, you can experience a completely different kind of sea. It was an unbelievably beautiful ocean. I was worried that Sapi and Manukan would be too similar, but perhaps because the weather changed, I was able to feel a different charm, which made it even better. I rode the banana boat; since it was right out on the deep sea, it was a little scary, but they accommodated us well so we had a fun time. Everyone we met was very kind. I would especially like to thank our guide, Nanak. I highly recommend this trip~

Roy was very friendly and helpful. Since the canopy walk has been closed for the past few months, it was replaced with a trail hike to the waterfall instead.

The itinerary was very well organized, allowing us to visit several spots in one trip. The duration at each stop was just right, so it never felt rushed. Our first stop was the observation deck, where there were many fruit vendors nearby selling fresh and delicious fruits! The best part was realizing later in the city that the fruit here was actually the cheapest! The farm was also a lot of fun; for 20 Malaysian Ringgit, you could feed milk and forage to the animals, and the yogurt and milk ice cream were amazing! The fish spa was very entertaining, and the tour guide taught us feeding techniques. It was a bit scary at first. Lunch was better than expected, featuring vegetables, meat, and fruit. The tour included a complimentary ATV experience, allowing us to ride through the wilderness. We were very lucky to see a Rafflesia flower this time; although it had been blooming for five days and was starting to turn dark, there was still an unopened bud right next to it. On the way back, we had roasted wild boar and pulled tea. The roasted wild boar is highly recommended! The two of us shared a portion and were left wanting more. Overall, the value for money is extremely high, and I highly recommend it!

We had a fantastic experience at Mari Mari Cultural Village! The entire visit was incredibly well organized, interactive, and enjoyable from beginning to end. We loved the way each tribe and its unique culture were presented in such an engaging and authentic way. One of the best parts was tasting the traditional food from each tribe while learning about their customs and history—it made the experience even more memorable. Our guide was exceptional. His English was excellent, and he explained everything with enthusiasm, knowledge, and a great sense of humor. We were equally impressed by the performers, who brought the traditions to life with passion, warmth, and genuine smiles. Their hospitality and dedication made us feel truly welcome. You can clearly see how much effort the whole team puts into creating an unforgettable experience. It is absolutely worth every ringgit, and we highly recommend Mari Mari Cultural Village to anyone visiting Sabah.

super recommended!! the staff were very helpful and friendly. u can even make payment on the spot which is really convenient. my friend, who has tried paragliding with another company before recommended this one over the first company she went with. they even took photos of me without having to ask and i got the best shot up in the sky! kudos to the team for going the extra mile. highly recommended and i will definitely doing this again!!! 👏🏻

Although I'm not sure why other guests were no-shows, my partner and I ended up having a car and a boat all to ourselves. Upon arrival, we first went to the meeting point to eat. After our meal, we set off for the pier to go whitewater rafting in an inflatable boat. I had already informed the coach that I couldn't swim, so I was very scared at first. However, by the middle of the trip, I found it very exciting and safe. The coach was truly amazing, and he was also witty and humorous. Even though he had an accent, communication was absolutely seamless. Additionally, there was a photographer at several stops who took pictures for us. The package included lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. While the food wasn't incredibly delicious or lavish, it was certainly satisfying. Our guide also took us to a deserted island and took some incredibly beautiful photos of us; it was absolutely stunning. Finally, the guide worked hard to attract fireflies, and we had a magical evening, though it was difficult to capture the fireflies with a phone camera. Seeing them with our own eyes was wonderful, and it was a truly fulfilling day.

Five-star experience! Five-star trip! A perfect journey! Our tour guide, Sue, contacted us via WhatsApp the night before and was incredibly patient in answering all our questions. She also helped us take photos throughout the trip without any hesitation. Some of our group members had very high expectations for photography, and Sue was surprisingly patient in helping them get their shots. It's worth noting that our group was a combination of several smaller groups, but all the guides knew each other, so they were great at creating a lively atmosphere. One guide constantly played music through a loudspeaker, which really boosted the mood, and they even matched the theme – for example, playing Jay Chou's "Rice Field" when we were watching fireflies! Truly professional! Be aware that the local mosquitoes are very aggressive and aren't deterred by mosquito repellent, so that's something to keep in mind. The sunset there is stunning! We had plenty of time for free activities and taking photos. My first snorkeling experience was also amazing. The only downside was that some people in our group might have been afraid of water, so we had to accommodate them and couldn't visit more spots. We ended up staying at one spot for about an hour. You can rent a locker on the island for HKD $60, but you honestly don't need to; no one is going to steal your belongings on a deserted island... Watching the fireflies is an absolutely unforgettable experience! Photos can't capture the awe-inspiring sight; you'll understand once you go! P.S. The meeting time that day was 7 AM! So it was a very early start, but totally worth it.