Welcome to Kudat
With its sunburnt buildings, fishing boats on the bay and slow tropical pace, Kudat may grow on you. Believe it or not, sleepy Kudat used to be an important trading post and capital of Borneo back in the late 19th century. You may notice some of the streets have Chinese names, harking back to the British administration's request to the Chinese to come and run its coconut plantations. Many of their descendants are still here today, along with a warm cast of Bajau, Rungus and Filipino.
Top experiences in Kudat
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Kudat activities
Kota Kinabalu to Kota Belud and Rungus Longhouse Full-Day Tour
Enjoy a 3-hour journey north through Kota Belud, home to the Bajau horsemen who carry on the traditions of the past. Your guide drives past oil-palm coconut plantations en route to Gombizou and Sumangkap villages. Your journey will continue on to Kudat, which is located in the northernmost part of Sabah. It is here that you will be able to meet and observe the Rungus tribe. Life for the local people revolves around rice planting and handcrafting baskets, beds, and clothes. Rungus women still use a back-strap handloom to weave their traditional attire made of cotton, which they grow themselves. You will have the opportunity to visit a traditional longhouse at Bavanggazo village. Immerse in the culture on a visit to a village that runs a cottage industry including bee farming and gong making. Once the day is complete, you will be taken back to your hotel.Note: Kota Belud Market is open on Sundays.
Full Day Kudat Rungus Long House & Tip of Borneo Experience
Artisans in their own rights and in their own league – a number of ethnic minorities continue to embrace the legacy work done by their ancestors in their daily routines. Particularly mastering the art of handicraft, the inner heart of Borneo has various examples of how long houses are built and still used for showcasing the magnificence of treasured traditions. It is just outside Kota Kinabalu where this can be seen from up close, along local settlements and natural wonders. It is all perfectly packed in full day out and about in Sabah from early in the morning until late afternoon.An early morning pick-up from your hotel in downtown Kota Kinabalu ushers in the start of an amazing day in Sabah. Guided by an English speaking guide, you will shortly leave the city borders and head out towards Kudat, better known as the town closest to the tip of Borneo. A three-hour journey without a dull moment – from rice paddy fields to various plantations will pass the venue as you head in northern direction. It is a plethora of authenticity in its finest form and part of this will be included in this tour. One of the first stops will be at Gombizau Village, locally acclaimed and known its bee keeping industry on a local scale. An explanation on how these generations-long traditions are kept alive includes showing the whole process from beginning until the honey end. Gongs take part in numerous rituals and ceremonies in Malaysia and with the Sumangkap village as the main cradle for making these instruments, also this stop cannot be left aside. We end the trip towards Kudat at Bavanggazo Village to enter a perfect example of a Longhouse. Constructed completely out of locally-sourced material, it is the home of the Rungus community, who have made their earnings via the sales of handicraft. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, it is a short ride to Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, our end goal for the day. Officially translated as the Tip of Borneo, it is the northwestern-most point of this part of Malaysia and where the South China Sea and Sulu Sea meet. One may expect fabulous views from this vantage points…and this is almost a given. Just dream away with nothing but the ocean in front of you to mark the end of your exploration. It is time to head back along the same road as you drove in the morning. We’d expect to be back at your Kota Kinabalu hotel at around 17:00 hrs.
Best of Borneo
Still wild and mysterious even after all these years, Borneo is one of those places that’s become synonymous with adventure travel. Come see what all the fuss is about on this 14-day journey through the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. There, you’ll encounter wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and other creatures of the rainforest, visit hot springs and waterfalls, and get a better understanding of the local Dayak people by spending the night in a traditional village. Adventure never goes out of style; it just becomes more classic.
Wonders of Borneo
Bored of simply watching wildlife on your TV? Why not take a trip to Borneo to get up close and personal with the animals yourself? This trip is the perfect introduction to Borneo for those who have never been, and even those who have experienced Borneo before will surely spot some new sights. You'll go from exploring rainforest environments and soaking in hot springs to the rush of vibrant Kota Kinabalu, staying in comfortable accommodations along the way. There's a ton to see and do on this trip, and you can look forward to finishing off your adventure with some much deserved relaxation on a tropical beach...perfection.