My heart was heavy when I told my friends that I couldn’t come with them. It was our long-awaited barkada trip to Kota Kinabalu, but I needed some adulting to take care. That was 2016. Fast forward to 2022: my heart skipped a beat when I realized my Sabah adventure was finally going to happen. As the saying goes, “There’s a time for everything.” Time I promised myself I would make the most of.
And how Kota Kinabalu surprised me! In a good way, of course. KK, as it is fondly called, offers a variety of sustainable tours — natour, cultour, adventour! Conquer its national parks — both terrestrial and marine. Immerse in the Sabahan culture while you roam around the cultural villages and museums. Get swept away (not literally) by the rapids of its wild rivers. Dive into the colorful underwater world.
Kota Kinabalu might not be the usual travel destination for many Filipinos, but give it a chance to surprise you the way it took my heart away. If you’re wondering what’s in store for you in this part of Borneo, here’s a list of the things to do and places to visit in and near Kota Kinabalu.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Sticking out imposingly from the forested grounds at an elevation of 4,095 meters (or 13,435 feet), Mt. Kinabalu is the tallest peak in Borneo and one of the tallest in Southeast Asia. The most famous tourist attraction in Sabah, it magnets local and international hikers to its lush surroundings and jagged mountainscape. As for me, and many others like me who missed the chance of climbing it the first visit, it’s one of the main reasons to come back.
Cradled within the dense expanse of Kinabalu Park, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ranau District, it nurtures hundreds of species of flora and fauna spread across different zones. Low’s Peak (the highest point) and the textured rocky area leading to it are a geological wonder.
Is reaching Mt. Kinabalu’s Low’s Peak one of your bucket list items? You need to take note of the following:
- Mount Kinabalu is managed by Sabah Parks, under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment. Yes, they have just one unified body overseeing all the projects regarding environment, culture, and tourism
- Sabah Parks climb permits must be secured in advance through licensed and accredited climb operators. Here’s the list provided by the Sabah Tourism Board: Accredited Tour Operators
- Only 150 hikers are allowed per day, so you need to secure a slot in…
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