Photo by NepGrower from Wikipedia
Kinabalu National Park has been dubbed Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the amazing array of biodiversity and breathtaking panoramic views of lush greenery that fill the place. There are different unique types of flora and fauna in Kinabalu Park that do not exist anywhere else which is the beauty of the Borneo island.
With over 4500 species of flora and fauna, over 300 bird species and 100 mammals, it’s no wonder the Kinabalu National Park is one of the most important biological sites in the world! Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, stands majestic in Kinabalu National Park and climbing Mount Kinabalu is one of the most popular activities in Kinabalu Park.
About Kinabalu Park
Kinabalu Park in Sabah spans 754 sq km of land and was gazetted as the first park in Sabah in 1964. The park’s most treasured icon is Mount Kinabalu, which is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea with a height of over 13,000 feet above sea level. The highest peak of Mount Kinabalu is called Low’s Peak after the first person recorded to ascend the mountain summit, Hugh Low.
Kinabalu Park is rich with a multitude of plants and animal species that attract nature lovers to visit and bird-watch. The cooling weather of Kundasang which houses the Kinabalu Park enables the p[ark to be a habitable place for various kinds of flora and fauna which adds to the charm of the park,
Visitors will enter through the Park Headquarters located at an elevation of 1,520 above sea level at the entrance and register for the activities in Kinabalu Park with the Sabah Parks officers.
Photo of Kota Kinabalu city hall by CEphoto from Wikipedia
How to get to Kinabalu Park from Kota Kinabalu
It takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach Kinabalu Park from Kota Kinabalu. While it is advisable to rent a car if you are travelling with a big group of 3 or 4 people, you can also ride in a minivan or share a taxi from Merdeka Square and let the driver know that you are stopping at Kinabalu Park.
There will also be a bus travelling from the Merdeka Square which stops operating for the day by late morning. The driver can only accommodate 12 passengers so you might need to fight with other passengers to get a spot on the bus.
An alternative would be to travel from Sandakan. The buses that are travelling to Kota Kinabalu from the terminal will pass the Kinabalu National Park entrance. However, the journey will take about 5 hours.
Kinabalu Park Entrance Fee
Photo of Kinabalu Park headquarters from Wikipedia
The entrance fees for local visitors are RM3 for adults and RM1 for those below 18 years old. Meanwhile, the fees for international visitors are RM15 for adults and RM10 for those below 18 years old.
What to Do in Kinabalu National Park
There are so many interesting things to do in Kinabalu National Park such as visiting the Botanical Garden or Mountain Garden, walking along various nature trails, and relaxing at Poring Hot Springs. Visitors are allowed to visit such areas in Kinabalu Park within certain times and are charged an entrance fee.
Mt Kinabalu Botanical Garden
The Mt Kinabalu Botanical Garden is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily and offers guided tours by the Sabah Parks tour guides at 9:00 am, 12 noon, and 3:00 pm. However, you can also stroll through the park on your own time and read the information signs that are located around the garden.
You can feast your eyes on some of the world’s rarest species of plants and flowers at the Botanical Garden. Malaysian citizens pay RM4 for those 18 and above while those below 18 pay RM2. Non-Malaysians pay RM5 for those aged 18 and above and RM3 for those aged below 18
Poring Hot Springs
Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas from Wikipedia
The Poring Hot Springs is where visitors can soak their worries away in bathtubs containing the hot minerals from the nearby spring. The entrance fee for Malaysians who are 18 and above is RM3 while those who are below 18 can enter for RM1.
Non-Malaysians however, can enter for RM15 for adults who are 18 and above while those below 18 can enter for RM10. There is also a Slide Pool which charges per hour. Adults over 18 years old can enjoy for RM3 per hour while adults aged 55 and above and children between 6 to 18 can enjoy for RM1 per hour. The Slide Pool is free for children under 6 years old.
Butterfly Farm
The Butterfly Farm is a haven for butterfly lovers. Filled with colourful and unique arrays of different species, the Butterfly Farm is a sight to behold. The farm is also used to research and preserve the endangered butterfly species of Borneo.
The Butterfly Farm is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day except Monday. Malaysian adults over 17 years old can enter for RM3 while those who are below 18 can enter for only RM1.50. For non-Malaysians, the entrance fee is RM4 for adults over 17 and RM2 for those below 18.
Canopy Walkway
Photo by Arthur Lee from Wikipedia
The Canopy Walkway is a treetop canopy walk made of rope and wood planks which is not for the faint-hearted. It is a 15 to 20-minute hike from the Kinabalu Park entrance and is 157.8 meters long and 41 meters high. If you wish to take pictures from the walkway, you are required to pay a fee of RM5. Malaysians who are 18 and above can experience the Canopy Walkway for RM3 while those below 18 need to pay only RM1. Non-Malaysians need to pay RM5 for those 18 and above while those below 18 are charged RM3.
Hike Mount Kinabalu
Photo by Ariel Steiner from Wikipedia
The main star of Kinabalu Park is the glorious Mount Kinabalu which can be conquered within 2 days and 1 night hike. The summit of the highest mountain in Southeast Asia is truly a sight to behold as the breathtaking panoramic views of its surroundings are unmatched. All the climbers must register for a climbing permit and be accompanied by mountain guides during their climb.
Malaysians who are 18 and above can experience the challenge for RM100 each and RM50 for those who are below 17. Non-Malaysians aged 18 and above, however, trek for RM400 while those below 18 are charged RM200 each.
Kinabalu Park Hiking Trails
The Kinabalu Park Hiking Trails is a must to explore if you love to immerse yourself in the lush greenery of the forest. There are 9 hiking trails altogether, but one trail – Bukit Ular Trail – is closed indefinitely. Each hiking trail has its specialty and the time taken to complete the trail depends on the route taken and could last anywhere between 20 minutes to 3 hours.
Mempening Trail
Mempening Trail is 2516 meters long and takes about 2 hours to trek. The altitude of this trail is a great habitat for oat trees which is why it is called ‘Mempening’ as it means “oak” in Malay.
Mountain View Trail
The Mountain View Trail is 150 meters long and takes about 15 minutes to complete. It is an easy trail to walk along and reaches a shelter on the top of the ridge which has a spectacular view of the mountain.
Liwagu Trail
Liwagu Trail is 5620 meters long and takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete. It is the longest trail in the park headquarters and follows a small river that runs through the park which gives it its name because ‘Liwagu’ means “river” in Dusun.
Bukit Tupai Trail and Bukit Burung Trail
Bukit Tupai Trail and Bukit Burung Trail are 1425 meters and take about 1.5 hours to complete combined. They are both short trails, hence, it is best to walk along them in combination. The unique feature of these trails is the short climb up the hill for bird-watching.
Kiau View Trail
Kiau View Trail is 2366 meters long and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. This trail has a few viewpoints of the hills and Kampung Kiau, the village of the Kadazan Dusun community who used this trail to reach the Mount Kinabalu summit many years back.
Pandanus Trail
Pandanus Trail is 598 meters long and takes about 45 minutes to trek. It is a short but steep trail that eventually meets the Kiau View Trail. You can see many lianas on the trees when you hike along this trail which is a beautiful sight.
Silau-Silau Trail
Silau-Silau Trail is 3057 meters long and takes about 1 hour to 1.5 hours to complete. It is the most trekked trail in Kinabalu Park because there are a few entrances or exits connected to it, giving hikers the flexibility to choose the distance of their walk.
Bundu Tuhan View Trail
Bundu Tuhan View Trail is 465 meters long and takes about 30 minutes to complete. It is the closest trail to the Kinabalu Park HQ, making it one of the more popular trails. It also has a view of Kampung Bundu Tuhan, another village of the Kadazan Dusun community.
Kinabalu Park Accommodation
Photo by Mgiganteus1 from Wikipedia
Kinabalu National Park has plenty of accommodations available such as the Kinabalu Park Headquarters Lodge, other private lodges nearby, resthouses such as the Pendant Hut and Laban Rata Resthouse which are reserved specially for climbers of Mt Kinabalu, and other hostels located just outside the main entrance of the Kinabalu National Park.
Visitors have an array of accommodations to choose from depending on the cost or budget they have allocated for their trip and the activities they wish to participate in Kinabalu Park. Regardless of which hostel, rest house, cottage, or lodge they decide to spend a night in, they will guarantee to have a pleasant and comfortable stay.
Photo by Dcubillas from Wikipedia
Conclusion
Kinabalu Park is deemed one of the most important biological sites for a reason. It is truly a reflection of the beautiful natural wonders of Borneo with an impressive and rich ecosystem that strives for animal and plant diversity. Visit Kinabalu Park for an awesome experience through the lush rainforest of Borneo that Sabah Parks carefully conserve to ensure the continuity of the earth’s splendid gift to humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinabalu Park worth visiting?
Yes, Kinabalu Park is worth visiting, especially for those who love to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the beauty of the Southeast Asian biodiversity.
Why is Kinabalu Park famous?
Kinabalu National Park is famous for being Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site and home of Mount Kinabalu.
What is in Kinabalu Park?
Kinabalu Park has many attractions such as Rafflesia Garden, Botanical Garden or Mountain Garden, a golf club, and hiking trails among others.
What time does Kinabalu Park open?
The Kinabalu Park opens from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.