Kinabalu National Park
Visit Malaysia's highest peak and the natural splendours it has to offer at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu National Park.
Kinabalu National Park is most known for the majestic mountain, Mt Kinabalu, which stands at 4095 metres high within the park. Set to be one of the most interesting mountains to climb, Mt. Kinabalu is also home to the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, and many other plants.
Location
The Kinabalu National Park is located in Ranau, about 2 hours’ drive away from Kota Kinabalu city centre.
Opening Days and Hours
Although you can stay overnight in the park, Kinabalu National Park Headquarters is only open from 07:00 to 17:00 daily.
Entry Fee and Bookings
For international tourists, entrance fee costs RM 15 (USD 3.65) for adults and RM 10 (USD 2.43) for children. Locals pay RM 3 (USD 0.73) and RM 1 (USD 0.24) for adults and children respectively.
How to Get There
You can get to Kinabalu National Park by car, motorcycle, and taxi. From Kota Kinabalu, you can also take long-distance buses travelling to Ranau, Sandakan, or Tawau as they will pass by the park entrance. Simply ask the bus driver to drop you off at the Kinabalu Park HQ.
Suggested For
The Kinabalu National Park suits couples, groups of friends, families with older kids, and solo travelers who are looking for a day of hiking in pristine nature.
Time to Spend
You will need at least a full day to hike some of the shorter trails in the park. If you intend to hike to the peak, do allocate three days.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
You can visit the park any time of the year, but during the rainy season of October to December, certain trails could be closed.
Activities
There are many activities you can do at the park, with the most popular being conquering Mt Kinabalu. Apart from that, you can also hike in the various trails available in the park, have a picnic with a view of the majestic mountain, spot different plants and wildlife, and go camping.
Food
Although there are many restaurants outside of the park at the nearby towns of Ranau, Poring, and Kundasang, the park also has a few cafes inside that you can purchase from.
Nearby Attractions
You can head over to Desa Dairy Farm for a nice tour around the farm with a breathtaking view (5 minutes drive away). If you are interested in local history, then visit the Kundasang War Memorial (10 minutes drive away).
Stay
There are a few accommodation options within the park itself, mainly lodges and hostels with a few private chalets for people who want more comfort. You will have more choices at better prices outside of the park at Kundasang or Poring, including a 4-star hotel.
Good to Know
You should bring ample water and insect repellant. Although Sabah has a tropical climate, at such a high altitude the temperature drops drastically, so bring along a jacket.