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
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Rungus Long House, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu District, West Coast Division, SabahThey grow their own cotton which is used by the Rungus women to weave their traditional costumes. At the Bavanggazo village, you will have the chance to step foot into a traditional longhouse.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Tamu Market of Kota Belud, Kota Belud, Kota Belud District, SabahTaman Kota Belud Sunday market, where the region’s vendors, farmers, fishermen and cattle breeders gather. You will also visit the Sumangkap Village, which has established bee farming and gong making productions.Duration: 3 hours
Borneo Rainforest Tours
ItineraryDay 1: KOTA KINABALU – KUDAT LONGHOUSEStop At: Tip of Borneo, Kudat, SabahPicked up from the hotel and drive up to the North off Kota Kinabalu in a scenic 3 hours drives to Kudat, which is located in the Northern tip of Borneo where the South China Sea and Sulu Sea converge. The drives journey through some villages and paddy fields, eventually take us to a traditional longhouse at ‘Bavanggazo’ to enjoy a tantalizing local lunch. Next stop we will have a look at the gong making village and the ‘Gomizau Bee Farm’ for some honey tasting. We then proceed to ‘Simpang Mengayau’, a bafflingly paradise in sync with the harmony of beautiful sunny skies and blue seas to watch the beautiful sunset. Then return back to Bavanggazo Village where you will spend the night. Dinner and rest.Duration: 1 dayStop At: Kampung Gong Matunggong, Kudat, SabahWatch the gong-making by the local peopleDuration: 45 minutesStop At: Gombizau Honey Bee Farm, Kudat, SabahLearn the honey bee is process and harvestedDuration: 45 minutesMeals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at a Traditional Longhouse (Twin Sharing)Day 2: LONGHOUSE – KOTA BELUD – MANTANANI ISLANDStop At: Mantanani Island, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu District, West Coast Division, SabahFollowing breakfast, transferred to the Kota Belud jetty for a 50 minutes boat ride to Mantanani. A stunning island with a beautiful white sandy beach for your down time in Borneo. You could opt to enjoy relaxing by the beach villa or take a boat out for snorkeling, as the island is well-known for its diverse marine life.Duration: 2 daysStop At: Mantanani Island, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu District, West Coast Division, SabahEnjoy snorkeling sessions off the boatDuration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Viva Mantanani Island (Twin Sharing, Villa)Day 3: MANTANANI ISLANDStop At: Mantanani Island, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu District, West Coast Division, SabahFree and easy to enjoy by the beach.Duration: 1 dayMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Viva Mantanani Island (Twin Sharing Villa)Day 4: MANTANANI – KOTA BELUD – KUNDASANGStop At: Kinabalu Park, SabahUpon arriving in Kota Belud, drive up the scenic Crocker Range perhaps a chance to view the different faces of Mount Kinabalu the highest point in Borneo Island, en route to your mountain lodge stay in Kundasang stop at the local native market where you will be amazed of the diverse types of bananas they have here. A must try is the ‘honey-pineapple’ which as to its name, with no explanation needed they are sweet and juicy. Check in upon arrival.Duration: 12 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Kinabalu Pine Resort, Kundasang (Twin Sharing)Day 5: CANOPY WALKWAY – KINABALU PARKStop At: Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve, Poring, Ranau, SabahAfter Breakfast, proceed on to take a walk in the sky at the Poring Canopy Walkway. Experience the bird’s eye view of the lush tropical rainforest of Ranau, with all the walking it will be just wonderful to have a nice soak in the open air hot tub of Poring Hot Spring. Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu District, West Coast Division, SabahAfter lunch depart to visit the Botanical Garden of Kinabalu Park, home to about 1,400 species of plants, fungi and animals endemic to Borneo.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Kundasang War Memorial, Kundasang, Ranau, SabahVisit the war memorial in KundasangDuration: 1 hourMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Kinabalu Pine Resort, Kundasang (Twin Sharing)Day 6: KUNDASANG – SANDAKANStop At: Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahFollowing breakfast, Leave the hilly Kinabalu and travel along the well-known ‘Sandakan Route’ where the POW of some British and Australian soldiers were forced to march from Sandakan to Ranau during World War II. After lunch visit the Rainforest Discover Centre, where you can explore the rainforest of Borneo along the 347 meters long sky bridge and discover the forest trails.Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Sepilok Lodges (Twin Sharing)Day 7: TURTLE ISLANDStop At: Turtle Island Park, Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahAfter Breakfast, depart to Sandakan jetty for Selingan island also known as turtle island. The journey by boat will take about 1 hour. Upon arrival check in and gear up for snorkeling by the beach area to spot a beautiful marine life. While waiting for dinner help yourself to watch the slideshow on the Selingan island and its turtle. After dinner, standby at the cafeteria and wait for the signal from the ranger before proceed in a small groups to the egg-laying site to see first hand the mother turtle laying eggs. Duration: 24 minutesMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Selingan Island (Twin Sharing)Day 8: TURTLE ISLAND - SEPILOK - KINABATANGANStop At: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sepilok, Sandakan Division, SabahFollowing breakfast, departs back to the mainland then proceed to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Watch the orang utan feeding session up and close, proceed to Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see world smallest bear in its natural environment. Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Kinabatangan Wildlife SanctuaryDepart for the Kinabatangan Flood-plain. Following lunch, check in and get ready for the late afternoon river cruise, in search for the wildlife along the river bank.Duration: 1 dayMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Myne Resort, Kinabatangan River (Twin Sharing)Day 9: KINABATANGAN RIVER LODGEStop At: Kinabatangan Wildlife SanctuaryWake up early in the morning. At 6 am depart for morning cruise and return back to the lodge for breakfast. Late morning, depart for a guide nature jungle walk to experience the riverine forest. Return to the lodge and freshen up. Lunch. In the afternoon, depart for a second cruise. In the evening after dinner, you may opt to join for an optional night walk.Duration: 1 dayMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at Myne Resort Kinabatangan River (Twin Sharing)Day 10: KINABATANGAN – GOMANTONG – PROBOSCIS LABUK BAYStop At: Gomantong Cave Sandakan, Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahCheck out after breakfast, journey towards Gomantong Cave, the house of millions of bats and swiftlets. Duration: 1 hourStop At: Agnes Newton Keith Home, Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahFollowing discover the historical city of Sandakan, to visit the Agnes Keith Museum, Sandakan memorial park. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: English Tea House and RestaurantEnjoy a lunch stop at the iconic English Tea House.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahAfter lunch, transfer to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary that offers another proboscis monkey observation spot for those who wants to have a closer look at these unique primate. The sanctuary is located at the center of the mangrove area near Samawang Village, Labuk Bay. Among the attractions of this center are the pig-tailed macaque, silver leaf monkey, oriental pied hornbill, otter and kingfisher. Return to your hotel or to the airport.Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • LunchNo accommodation included on this day.
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.