Sabah Tourism Board Official Website
Accommodation - Homestay

Home > Accommodation > Homestay > Location

Penampang

Page views: 7672 times

Location
Penampang

Penampang Village Homestay
The district of Penampang is located 10 km from the city of Kota Kinabalu. It is one of the districts nearest to the International airport. It is also the gateway from the west coast to the interior of Sabah. The name Penampang is derived from word Pampang which means ‘The Rock’, because of the presence of rocks in the village of Penampang.

The KadazanDusun people make up the majority of the  community  who are  friendly and hospitable in nature.
Donggongon, the main town has a multiracial population comprising of the KadazanDusun, Chinese, Indians and others . Here weekly ‘ Tamu’, a traditional market is held every Wednesday to Friday where various kinds of  things sold ranging from vegetables to handicrafts.

Apart from visiting the ‘Tamu’ visitors would  want to have a  dip in  the cool water of
The Babagon river and perhaps be able to swim with the fish around them as the village communities are practicing the traditional conservation of fish called ‘tagal’. Most of the rivers in the Penampang districts are practising this system whereby the villages can harvest the fish once a year only. This is called the Tagal festival.

Another area of interest is the forest conservation at the Inobong Station about 7km from Donggongon town. It has an elevation about 600 meters above sea level and it offers a panoramic view of the district and part of Kota Kinabalu area. For jungle trekkers, the Salt Trail is an opportunity for them to venture into the interior where one can challenge oneself walking through the jungle, encountering leeches, medicinal plants, Flora and Fauna, mountains, rivers and beautiful landscapes, which is part of the Crocker Range.

As one moves up away from the town, from Kg  Babagon  to Upper Moyog, one can observe pineapple plantation which is the main crop planted by the farmers. In fact Babagon is known to be one of the best pinapple producing areas in Sabah. There are also fish ponds owned by the villagers and guests get to spend time fishing and later barbeque their catch.
Visitors to Penampang will not only have the chance to taste traditional food like the ‘hinava’ (raw fish) Nonsom bambangan (pickled local fruits), Lihing (rice wine) and ‘pinasakan’ (boiled fish) but also get an oppurtinity to learn  on how to prepare and cook local cuisine.

There are many places of interest like the KDCA Hall and Cultural houses, Monsopiad Cultural Village, Sugud Height Forest Reserve, Pogunon Community Museum,  St  Michael's Church and others that  visitors be able to visit provided their  stay is longer. Activities include rubber tapping, vegetable farming, harvesting of local fruits (if in season) fishing in fish ponds, learning to make traditional handicrafts, drinks, food, learning traditional dances and also an opportunity to learn and speak the local dialect.

Selected Homestay:

  • Penampang Village Homestay
    Coordinator: Evelyn Masudal
    P.O.Box 249, 89507 Penampang, Sabah.
    Mobile: +6016-8300224
    Tel: +6088-717202
    Fax: +6088-727492
    Email: evehomestay100@yahoo.com.my
Quick Links