From Danum Valley DVFC/Lahad Datu to Mt Kinabalu park on the same day

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user441211
user441211

Is it possible to get from Danum Valley DVFC (transfer out to is at 8:30am, arriving Lahad Datu at 10:30am) to Mt Kinabalu park headquarters by bus transport on the same day? From the limited info I found online, it looks like all buses leave in the morning at or before 10am (so I would miss them), or else late in the afternoon at 4pm, which would have us arrive way too late.

The only way I've found to connect the two is flying to KK and taking a bus from there, which is moderately expensive and a hassle (and I dislike flying), or else book private transport which would then be way too expensive.

Any tips?

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alfredm
alfredm

If you really must reach the Kinabalu NP on the same day and there is no bus, you'll need private transportation, which perhaps is not too expensive.

On the other hand, there should be minibuses or shared taxis in Lahad Datu driving towards Sandakan. These should be leaving very frequently. You could catch one of these and ask to be dropped off at the junction to Sandakan. Then from there you could get on a bus to Ranau or KK.

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user441211
user441211
In response to #1

I was exactly wondering if what you suggest is possible (changing bus at the junction). However I'm worried I'll end up stranded in the middle of nowhere. There are indeed more buses from Sandakan to KK, but do they stop en route to take passengers? Are there designated bus-stops? And are they likely to be full?

What do you think a fair rate would be for private transport?

Thanks! (I realise I may be asking too much here!)

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alfredm
alfredm

BTW, there are flights from Lahad Datu to KK at 11:10 (you might catch that) and 13:25 for RM164 - quite cheap.

See here photos of my trips: https://www.molon.de/
Here are detailed reports of my trips: https://www.molon.de/travelogues/
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user441211
user441211
In response to #3

Thanks, those are the ones I was planning to get if I didn't find another way. Those very same flights were RM88 this last weekend, I should have just booked :(

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