Things to do in Tuaran

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.

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.

The only downside was the weather; due to a long drought, the water level was too low for a truly thrilling rafting experience. However, I highly recommend our coach, Ah Ming! Not only is he multilingual, but he also has 23 years of experience and is excellent at keeping the atmosphere lively. He had our group of 10 laughing constantly! He knows the Kiulu River's safe and dangerous zones intimately, allowing us to experience floating in the river in a safe area. We hope to come back again during peak season when the water levels are higher for another experience! 👍

Overall the rafting and cultural village tour was a great experience. The water level was a bit low but it was still fun and suitable for beginners. Our guide Jeff gave detailed explanations and is very helpful. Got to try different food and snacks from the native culture. Highly recommend

A delightful little place to visit, it’s well-kept and plenty of photo opp although photography is not allowed inside (it’s okay). The souvenir shop is nice too.

We had a wonderful trip. We were so lucky to be the only participants so we ended up with a private tour. Our guide was helpful when getting in and out if the kajak and he also told us about the area along the way. Our driver Tam was also very talkative. He had a history lesson with my boyfriend the entire drive back to our hotel which was really funny. I would really recommend this trip if you want a beautiful sunset and a more active tour.

It was a wonderful experience especially for my 4 year old grandson. Gliding through the river in total darkness, seeing the trees illuminated by dozens of blinking lights and feeling the fragile fireflies in our hands - is something that we will not be able to forget for a long time. We were also able to take awesome photos during the sunset photo taking stop over. The boat crew were very attentive and provided us with information about not only the fireflies and wildlife but also life of the locals in the vicinity. It’s the perfect way to spend an evening in nature's embrace with the people you love.