4D3N – A Backpacker’s Guide To Travel: Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
Sabah, on the island of Borneo, is a traveller’s Pandora box. The prospect of seeing diverse wildlife and natural wonders in one place is enough to make anyone want to go there.
From the highest mountains to the most distant beaches, the second-largest state in Malaysia is home to a plethora of tourist attractions. Popular sites are distributed throughout the district, including Ranau, Kota Belud, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Tawau. Therefore, in order to travel to these locations, the traveller must consider the amount of time it will take.
Because we know that there is always so much to see when we travel, but never enough time, we have crafted a practical backpacking guide and budget-friendly itinerary led by our young explorers for travellers seeking to explore the best of Borneo in just four days and three nights.
Day 1 : Kota Kinabalu – Kundasang
Anyone coming to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, might already have planned to include Kundasang Highlands in their must-visit list. The highland town of Kundasang offers a calming and inspiring regal view of the gargantuan Mount Kinabalu.
From Kota Kinabalu city, take the minibus or share a yellow-roofed taxi to Kundasang/Ranau town. The fare is just about RM30 (~USD$ 6.40) per person, per single way. However, it should be noted that the transportations here do not have a specific schedule but will depart as soon as the vehicle is full. They operate as early as 7.30 am to 5.00 pm daily.
The 2 hours overland transit will pass by Tuaran town, Tamparuli and leading up to Pekan Nabalu before finally reaching Kundasang Town. The town exudes a nostalgic charm but buzzing with visitors and local villagers selling their daily produce. Because of the ideal temperature and terrain, the majority of the villagers here are farmers, hence, it is no surprise to see the locals driving in and out of the township with their vehicle transporting their harvest.
From Kundasang Township, walk 5 minutes to the Kundasang War Memorial. This beautiful landscaped garden commemorates the history of World War II and the Death March stories. The admission fee is just RM 5.00 per local adult and RM 15.00 (USD$3.20) per international adult. ere, you can learn more about WW2, linking to the ANZAC commemoration day held every
year.
After that, we suggest you enjoy a wholesome Sabahan traditional lunch at Restaurant Selera Soborong Kundasang. We highly recommend trying their signature Daging Salai Masak Lemak Cili Api and pairing it with a side dish of the irresistibly delicious Girik BBQ Chicken Wing. Via a private chartered vehicle, it only took 8 minutes from Kundasang War Memorial. Sounds walkable? In all honesty, yes, but it is an uphill terrain. So, taking a Maxim e-hailing car service or chartered service is the most convenient option for commuting in Kundasang.
Anyone unfamiliar with Kundasang should be aware that public transportation is limited. To commute around, travellers have the option to hire a private chartered car, e-hailing via the Maxim app, or renting a vehicle. The Mukim Kundasang Drivers group offers private chartered car service. They are always stationed in front of the Alliance Bank in Kundasang township.
Tour to Kundasang’s signature sites like Desa Dairy Farm (RM 5.00 ~ USD$1.10), Alpaca Club (Adult Foreigner RM 35.00 ~USD$7.50) and Sosodikon Hill Kundasang (Adult Foreigner RM 10.00 ~ USD$2.20). These places are less crowded on weekdays compared to weekends. For the best experience, stick around at Sosodikon Hill until sunset hour. The sky sunset colours are excellent even if the sunset is not particularly obvious. Also, if you missed the view of Mount Kinabalu in the morning, you can look forward to seeing it again in the evening when the clouds have cleared.
Desa Dairy Farm will transport you to a place doubt the ‘mini New-Zealand’
Pat the ultra soft fur of Alpacas at the Alpaca Club
Unless you have a rental car to drive around in, it is best to charter a half-day private vehicle with a driver. The estimated price, including waiting time, is approximately RM 120 to RM 200, depending on the size of the car, the distance from your accommodations, and the number of attractions visited.
Spend the night at any of the budget accommodations or homestays around Kundasang town or along the route leading up to Mesilou. There are many comfortable lodgings options that can accommodate up to 4-5 pax. Most of them are equipped with kitchenettes and BBQ pits. Did we mention that a BBQ dinner is a favourite among locals visiting Kundasang? Not prepared for that? Well, there are restaurants around, too. If you are staying at the Soboroong Farmstay or within the vicinity, the Hooga Café is a great stop and is open until 10.00pm. While you are there, visit their Farm Ville. A fresh vege and strawberry farm with entertainment space suitable for children.
Day 2 : Kundasang – Ranau – Sandakan
On day 2, visit the signature landmarks of Sabah, Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring. Kinabalu Park was officially declared as Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, the first Malaysian state to attain the coveted ‘triple crown’ UNESCO title. A dedicated gallery about this is open for visitors at the park. In the morning, you will see excited Mt Kinabalu climbers crowding up at the Park HQ reporting their ascend. If you are not planning to do the two-day one-night climb, enough to spend about 2-3 hours here to venture into their smaller trails.
Tips for any travellers: Your admission conservation ticket to Kinabalu Park (RM 50.00 ~ USD$11) can be used again to enter Poring Hot Spring on the same day. The travel distance between these two places is about one hour. To get to Poring Hot Spring in Ranau district, travellers can either charter a KOKTAS transportation based in Kinabalu Park, take a minibus to Ranau town from Kundasang town, or use the Maxim e-hailing app.
At Poring Hot Spring, uncover more nature wonders as you can trek up to the Poring’s iconic waterfall or walk through the canopy. There is a Rafflesia garden, an Ethnobotanical park and more. After the sweating humid walk, you can indulge in the hot steaming spring for wellness or take a cooling dip in their freshwater pool. Take your pick!
Visit Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring on the same day to save double admission fee cost.
KOKTAS Association can offer charter car service to travel between Kundasang and Ranau town. Best to share transport with other travellers to minimise cost.
Bus station at Kundasang town. Buses from Kota Kinabalu will stop here, likewise for getting mini bus to Ranau town.
Return to Ranau town to catch the daily long-haul bus to Sandakan. Two bus companies operate the route from Kota Kinabalu (Inanam Bus Terminal) to Sandakan- Sida Express and Tung Ma Express. Book this ticket via Easybook. Make sure to book from Kota Kinabalu and inform the bus operator ahead of time that you will go by bus from Ranau town. Take note that the price will remain the same.
From Kota Kinabalu, the bus will take approximately 2.5 hours to reach Ranau town, and another 5 hours are expected on the journey to Sandakan town. There will be one pit stop at Telupid for a toilet break and quick bites.
You will probably arrive at Sandakan late at night or in the wee hours. Sanda’Gen Downtown Night Market is open till 11.00 pm. every Friday and Saturday. Every Saturday night, the Kim Fung Night Market takes place, and it’s worth a stroll. Alternatively, there are a handful of Mamak coffee shops that are open 24 hours.
Over in Sandakan, it is easy to take a Grab car via the e-hailing Grab app. There are also many budget accommodations within the area of IJM, Bandar Indah or Bandar Prima.
Day 3 : Sandakan – Selingan Island
Bucketlist! Due to limited space, we recommend booking your two-day, one-night Turtle Island tour ahead. This place is a safe haven for nesting turtles. Turtle Island Park consists of three clusters of islands and is protected by Sabah Parks. Visitors require a permit, and all boat to this island are only operated by tour agents. Travellers can book this tour from any tour operator based in Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan.
The overnight Turtle Island tour is a standard package. The scheduled boat departs at 10:00 am. from Sabah Park Jetty and will roughly take 45 minutes to reach Selingan Island. Among the three islands, Selingan is the main island with tourism facilities.
Upon reaching, you will be briefed about the island’s surroundings and ushered to your room. There are four chalets, each with seven units of twin-sharing rooms. Expect a basic room but decent comfort for your stay.
Pre-departure briefing to Turtle Island Park. Trip to the island must be accompanied by tour guide.
Daily turtle nesting and hatchlings are recorded by Sabah Parks on a scoreboard.
On the island, visitors have time to dip into the aquamarine waters and enjoy some exciting snorkelling sessions. Be entertained by the little clownfish and geofish hiding in the nook of the coral sand. Don’t be surprised to see giant clams flourishing the seabed.
The islands were designated a marine park in 1977, and the park’s development and conservation tales are documented in an exhibition gallery open to the public. Learn about the life cycle of a sea turtle and the best ways to protect this endangered species.
As the sun sets, prepare to anticipate the sighting of turtle nesting, which could happen anytime. Much respect to Sabah Park’s marine crusader for faithfully guiding the coastline to ensure each turtle that came ashore is safe and that their eggs were protected against predators. When it is time, the tour guide will alert guests and guide them to the spot.
During these precious moments, guests can observe the routine of the park rangers, safeguarding sea turtles, from nesting to transporting the eggs to the hatchery and releasing baby turtles back to the sea. This is a wonderful story of a life cycle that will surely warm one’s heart.
Guests are required to adhere to the park ranger directions during the process to avoid harming the sea turtle.
Part 1: Sea turtle nesting
Part 2: Transporting the eggs to the hatchery.
Part 3: Releasing hatchlings of the day
A standard overnight package cost about RM 1200.00 (USD$260). This price excludes conservation fee RM 20.00 (local adult) or RM 60.00 (~ USD 13) for foreign adult. No camera fee for personal cameras however video recording during turtle nesting is strictly prohibited unless a filming permit has been obtained. If you have limited time, a day trip package is available however the itinerary will be different, and no opportunity to see turtle nesting. Mem Umie Jalan-Jalan Travel & Tours is among the active agents offering day trip tours to Turtle Island Marine Park.
Day 4 : Sandakan
After check-out, you will arrive at the Sandakan mainland at approximately 8.00 am.
This will give you ample to time have Sandakan’s breakfast meal at a local coffee shop. Consider Kedai Roti Gold Crown and Kedai Kopi Baru Bar Lock Yuen for their amazing pastries and buns. If you want something more fulfilling, you can’t go wrong with Nasi Kuning at Sri Rimbawan Restaurant. Choose between fish or chicken for your nasi kuning.
Make your way to the iconic Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Feeding times are held at 10:00 am. and 3:00 pm. daily. At the moment, only cash transactions are accepted here. Entrance fees are RM30.00 (~ USD$6.50) per adult, and a camera fee is charged RM10.00 (USD$2) per piece.
Watch the charming ‘man of the forest’ swing from tree to tree and along the ropes to the feeding point. The mama orang utan is always darling to look at, especially with the additional sightings of its clingy baby.
The Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre is located adjacent to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. It is a worthwhile stopover point to see the world’s smallest sun bear. The centre is also the world’s first sun bear conservation centre, caring for and rehabilitating rescued sun bears while raising awareness about sun bear conservation. Entry requires admission fee of RM 10 for local adult and RM 50 (~ USD$ 10.60) for foreign adult.
End the sightseeing with a tasty seafood lunch at Empire Seafood Restaurant. Sandakan is known for its seafood. Any first-time visitor must have Sandakan seafood, including their famous salted fish! Need a menu idea? Try lemon-steamed fish, cheese prawns, squid fried in black soy sauce, and Sandakan’s signature Yee Mee.
After all that sightseeing and travelling, nothing beats finishing the trip with a delicious chef-kissed meal.
