Day 11 Sabah Road Trip Keningau Tambunan Penampang Kota Kinabalu
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 12-04-2021
Route Summary This route was created with his permission.
Seen as one of the most beautiful provinces in Malaysia, Sabah is known for its scenic landscape with spectacular mountains, beautiful beaches, surreal sunsets, rich culture, friendliest people, winding roads, tall waterfalls, national parks and much more!
The roads in Malaysia are generally in good condition, but beware; there are also parts where the asphalt is poor and there can be potholes in the road surface. This can be dangerous, so caution is advised. During the rainy season (September-December) the roads can be slippery. Traffic in Malaysia drives on the left side of the road.
You can rent a motorcycle in Malaysia, but these are usually lighter models and often scooters. You can spend the night in hotels, B & Bs or campsites, which can easily be booked via the website in the review or via booking.com.
I rate this route with 5 ***** stars because of the beautiful roads, the beautiful nature, sights that you can visit.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
8h 27m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
177.52 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The first stop is at the Sinurambi Tambunan (Tambunan Viewing Point), for this you have to drive straight ahead at RP2 and drive about 3½ kilometers on an unpaved road. Note, the HERE map does not know this way and tries to steer you via a different route.
Tambunan Viewing Point (RP4) looks like a Wakid, a traditional bamboo basket from Sabah, The Tambunan Viewing Point (also known as Sinurambi Tower and Pongimpaan Nuluhon Dandab) is built on Trig Hill with a panoramic view of the green Tambunan valley. From the city of Tambunan, this 14 meter high (about 14 meter) tower looks like a huge basket left on a hill by a giant one, it's quite a prominent landmark.
You drive the same way back to Tambunan where we drive towards the next point.
A must see in Sabah is the Mahua Waterfall at RP5 (Malay: Air Terjun Mahua). After a short walk you will come to a plunge-type waterfall in Patau Village. The waterfall has a height of 17 meters (56 ft) with a depth of 1.2 meters. The waterfall is one of the eco-tourist attractions for this area.
We drive the same way back to Tambunan to enter the Crocker Range National Park. We stop briefly at the Mosakob waterfall (RP6) to take a picture. Less spectacular than the Mahua waterfall, but well worth it for a short stop.
After about 2½ kilometers we stop at The Rafflesia Information Center (RP6). This is a lesser known center, but it is probably the best place to see the rare rafflesia flower while in Sabah.
The center is only open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The center has sufficient plots and flower buds which increase the chances of seeing a Rafflesia.
With or without a blooming Rafflesia, the center is a great starting point for exploring Sabah's beautiful Crocker Range National Park. The Crocker Range National Park has a lot to offer, but is less visited compared to the Kinabalu National Park. The steep terrain in the park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna and is also very busy during the high season.
The Rafflesia is one of the rarest and strangest flowers in the world. It is undeniably the largest you can find in the world as it weighs up to 22 pounds and looks quite otherworldly.
It is actually a parasite that can be hosted by only one vine in the world. Rafflesia is only found in Sumatra, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines. The flower smells like rotting flesh at the end of its life cycle to attract flies and other insects.
The flower only blooms for three to five days. The chance to see one bloom requires some luck and good timing.
You can stay overnight in the Crocker Range National Park if you want to plan a longer visit. The accommodation is dorm style, so be prepared for bunk beds.
Lunch is scheduled at Gunung Alab Resort (RP8) which is a two-story building. There is a restaurant and a small grocery store on the ground floor. The hotel rooms are on the second floor. You are here at an altitude of 1650 meters and it can be cold and foggy.
After lunch we drive on the “500”, this road meanders through the Crocker Range National Park, it is a two lane road with many curves that winds through the beautiful green park. Keep in mind that it can be foggy and you have reduced visibility.
At RP10 we stop at the beautifully scenic Kipandi Butterfly, which is 700 meters high and is rich in entomofauna. In the Kipandi Butterfly Park they have more than 1,500 butterfly samples, more than 100 species of butterflies, including Troides Brookiana (Raja Brook's Birding) and Troides Amphrysus (Golden Birding).
More than 3,000 beetles including endemic species found only in the Crocker Range, such as Cyclommatus Chewi. As many as 500 types of native orchids, 40 types of Hoyas, 5 types of lipstick flowers and 28 types of “carnivorous” pitcher and medicinal plants. Special fences have also been built to house some of the rare and endangered species of Sabahan orchids and pitcher plants.
After this it is a little less than 40 kilometers to the end point in Kota Kinabalu, where we return the rental bike to the rental company.
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Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Sabah
About this region
Sabah (Malay pronunciation: [saˈbah]) is a state of Malaysia located on the northern portion of Borneo, in the region of East Malaysia. Sabah has land borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and Indonesia's Kalimantan region to the south. The Federal Territory of Labuan is an island just off the Sabah coast. Sabah shares maritime borders with Vietnam to the west and the Philippines to the north and east. Kota Kinabalu is the state capital city, the economic centre of the state, and the seat of the Sabah state government. Other major towns in Sabah include Sandakan and Tawau. The 2015 census recorded a population of 3,543,500 in the state, and in 2019 it was estimated to have grown to over 3.9 million. Sabah has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. The state has long mountain ranges on the west side which forms part of the Crocker Range National Park. Kinabatangan River, the second longest river in Malaysia runs through Sabah, and Mount Kinabalu is the highest point of Sabah as well as of Malaysia.
The earliest human settlement in Sabah can be traced back to 20,000–30,000 years ago along the Darvel Bay area at the Madai-Baturong caves. The state has had a trading relationship with China starting from the 14th century AD. Sabah came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries, while the eastern part of the territory was given to the Sultanate of Sulu because the Sultanate had helped the Bruneian empire in a battle and as such it was given to them as a gift between the 17th and 18th centuries. The state was subsequently acquired by the British-based North Borneo Chartered Company in the 19th century. During World War II, Sabah was occupied by the Japanese for three years. It became a British Crown Colony in 1946. On 31 August 1963, Sabah was granted Independent and self-government by the British. Following this, Sabah became one of the founding members of the Federation of Malaysia (established on 16 September 1963) alongside Sarawak, Singapore (expelled in 1965), and the Federation of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia). The federation was opposed by neighbouring Indonesia, which led to the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation over three years along with the threats of annexation by the Philippines along with the Sultanate of Sulu, threats which continue to the present day.Sabah exhibits notable diversity in ethnicity, culture and language. The head of state is the Governor, also known as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, while the head of government is the Chief Minister. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and has one of the earliest state legislature systems in Malaysia. Sabah is divided into five administrative divisions and 27 districts. Malay is the official language of the state; and Islam is the state religion, but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the state. Sabah is known for its traditional musical instrument, the sompoton. Sabah has abundant natural resources, and its economy is strongly export-oriented. Its primary exports include oil, gas, timber and palm oil. The other major industries are agriculture and ecotourism.
Read more on Wikipedia
The earliest human settlement in Sabah can be traced back to 20,000–30,000 years ago along the Darvel Bay area at the Madai-Baturong caves. The state has had a trading relationship with China starting from the 14th century AD. Sabah came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries, while the eastern part of the territory was given to the Sultanate of Sulu because the Sultanate had helped the Bruneian empire in a battle and as such it was given to them as a gift between the 17th and 18th centuries. The state was subsequently acquired by the British-based North Borneo Chartered Company in the 19th century. During World War II, Sabah was occupied by the Japanese for three years. It became a British Crown Colony in 1946. On 31 August 1963, Sabah was granted Independent and self-government by the British. Following this, Sabah became one of the founding members of the Federation of Malaysia (established on 16 September 1963) alongside Sarawak, Singapore (expelled in 1965), and the Federation of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia). The federation was opposed by neighbouring Indonesia, which led to the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation over three years along with the threats of annexation by the Philippines along with the Sultanate of Sulu, threats which continue to the present day.Sabah exhibits notable diversity in ethnicity, culture and language. The head of state is the Governor, also known as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, while the head of government is the Chief Minister. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and has one of the earliest state legislature systems in Malaysia. Sabah is divided into five administrative divisions and 27 districts. Malay is the official language of the state; and Islam is the state religion, but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the state. Sabah is known for its traditional musical instrument, the sompoton. Sabah has abundant natural resources, and its economy is strongly export-oriented. Its primary exports include oil, gas, timber and palm oil. The other major industries are agriculture and ecotourism.
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Route Collections in this region The best Sabah Road Trip Borneo Malaysia
Based on the routes of “Rider Chris” from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, this 11-day Motorcycle Tour in Sabah Borneo is a passionate motorcyclist and loves to share his travel adventures with the community through his website and social media. The link to his website can be found in the first route.
This route collection was created with his permission.
Seen as one of the most beautiful provinces in Malaysia, Sabah is known for its scenic landscape with spectacular mountains, beautiful beaches, surreal sunsets, rich culture, friendliest people, winding roads, tall waterfalls, national parks and much more!
The roads in Malaysia are generally in good condition, but beware; there are also parts where the asphalt is poor and there can be potholes in the road surface. This can be dangerous, so caution is advised. During the rainy season (September-December) the roads can be slippery. Traffic in Malaysia drives on the left side of the road.
You can rent a motorcycle in Malaysia, but these are usually lighter models and often scooters. You can spend the night in hotels, B & Bs or campsites, which can easily be booked via the website in the review or via booking.com.
This route collection was created with his permission.
Seen as one of the most beautiful provinces in Malaysia, Sabah is known for its scenic landscape with spectacular mountains, beautiful beaches, surreal sunsets, rich culture, friendliest people, winding roads, tall waterfalls, national parks and much more!
The roads in Malaysia are generally in good condition, but beware; there are also parts where the asphalt is poor and there can be potholes in the road surface. This can be dangerous, so caution is advised. During the rainy season (September-December) the roads can be slippery. Traffic in Malaysia drives on the left side of the road.
You can rent a motorcycle in Malaysia, but these are usually lighter models and often scooters. You can spend the night in hotels, B & Bs or campsites, which can easily be booked via the website in the review or via booking.com.
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