
Day 2 Sabah Road Trip Kota Belud Tip of Borneo Kudat

This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 11-04-2021
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 and activities that you can undertake.
Animation
Verdict
Duration
10h 8m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
208.91 km
Countries


Header Road to Kudat
We drive north via the beautiful winding Jalan Ranau Bypass and follow the course of the Sungai Wariu River, which we also cross several times via a bridge. Along the river there are several options for a river cruise. If you have the time and desire of course.
After about 13 km you can visit the Capernaum Gardens, turn left 250 meters after RP4 and drive about 1 km on the dirt road to the Capernaum Gardens, here you can see tropical flowers and plants and cool off in the swimming pond.
After Kota Belud, where you can refuel (RP5) we leave the route to the coast of the town we Kampung Pituru Darat where you can visit one of the beautiful beaches, such as Pantai Rang Bulan (RP9).
We continue the drive to Kudat. Discover the culture that Kudat is known for (including making beads and gongs), here are some interesting sights that explain the lifestyle of the Rungus community and are well worth a visit.
Like the “Gombizau Honeybee Farm” (RP12), this bee farm was established over a decade ago and produces honey, both for the consumption of the local population and for sale in bottles. Here you can see how a bee farm is managed. Rubber trees have also been planted here and you can experience the tapping and rolling of rubber.
Another interesting stop is the “Kampung Sumangkap Gong Factory” (RP13). The gong is the main Rungus musical instrument played during festivities and large occasions such as weddings. The gongs sold in Kampung Sumangkap vary in size, here gongs are made in different sizes, shapes and with unique designs, from small to very large with a diameter of up to 2 meters. In addition to gongs, you can also find Rungus beads and other unique trinkets to take home as a souvenir.
The Rungus community is known for their communal lifestyle, they live in longhouses with more than 10 families living under one roof. The longhouse is decorated with locally sourced materials such as rumbia leaves and bamboo stems. The living hall is elongated and you can see musical instruments and other traditional objects in the hall.
When you visit Kampung Bavanggazo (RP15), a Rungus long house, you will see and experience for yourself how the Rungus people live on a daily basis.
After a short lunch at Borud Café-Restaurant (RP16) we drive on to the highlight of this day “The Tip of Borneo” (RP18) with its long stretched beaches, beautiful palm trees and green dense jungle, this is a true paradise. This most northern part of Malaysian Borneo is an unexplored area where you feel like a real explorer. Away from busy cities, it is an oasis of peace and nature.
You should consider planning a longer stay on “The Tip of Borneo” as this is the only place on Earth to see both the sunset and the sunrise in one place, as the sun rises in the east, while sun sets in the west.
Witness a surreal sunset and a stunning sunrise under a clear starry sky on a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters.
Take your time and enjoy the peace and quiet on “The Tip of Borneo” before continuing to Kudat, the end of the day.

RP10 Bridge near Jalan Kuala Abai

RP18 Tip of Borneo
Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically.
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
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'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
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'.