3-Day Sabah Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Sabah tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaSabah travel expert at TourRadar
- Day 1
Kota Kinabalu to Pungiton Camp
Get to KK's Sentral Bus Terminal by 7:00 AM for your 2.5-hour coach ride to Keningau. Travel light and leave extra bags at your KK hotel since you'll be crossing rivers and exploring caves. From Keningau you'll head to Labang Village before switching to river transport. Pack quick-dry clothes for this part. Pungiton Camp is basic but you'll love the nighttime jungle sounds. You'll need good fitness and shoes with grip for cave exploration since the underground stream makes things slippery.
- Day 2
Batu Punggul and Romol Village
Start your day with a jungle trek to Batu Punggul an 800-foot limestone pinnacle. Planning to reach the top? Wear proper hiking shoes and bring at least 2 liters of water. The humidity can be intense. In the afternoon you'll move to MunorAulai Guesthouse to learn about local farming. Your evening includes traditional Murut food and dance. Feel free to join in but ask before taking photos.
- Day 3
Hidden Waterfall and Return to KK
Take a morning swim at the hidden waterfall. The trek there needs moderate fitness. Plan your departure carefully since the journey back to KK takes 5-6 hours. You'll arrive between 5:00-6:00 PM so avoid booking evening flights.
- Day 1
Lahad Datu to Danum Valley
Your journey starts at Lahad Datu Airport with a 2.5-hour drive on gravel roads to the conservation area. Consider bringing motion sickness medication for the bumpy ride. The rough road access helps keep visitor numbers low and preserves the rainforest's untouched state. Get settled at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge before joining an orientation about the area's wildlife. You'll learn about the resident orangutans, clouded leopards and more than 300 bird species. Take on the 300-meter canopy walkway in the afternoon. It sits 26 meters high, so wear shoes with good grip since humidity makes the surface slippery. End your day with a night drive in an open-top vehicle to look for nocturnal animals like slow lorises and flying squirrels.
- Day 2
Deep Forest Exploration
Start your day with the sounds of Bornean gibbons calling through the valley. Head out early for the best chances of spotting orangutans. Your morning trek takes you to the ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial sites at the Coffin Cliffs and up to the View Point for sweeping views of the forest canopy. Take at least 2 liters of water since the humidity is strong even in early morning. Your afternoon options include another guided trek or river tubing on the Danum River if water levels allow. Join the night walk after dinner to find unusual insects and amphibians. Remember to wear long sleeves and pants since mosquitos are active at night.
- Day 3
Final Morning and Departure
Start your last day with an optional pre-breakfast walk to catch the morning mist over the valley. It's perfect for photos. Have a final lunch at the lodge before heading back to Lahad Datu around 12:30 PM. Schedule late afternoon flights to allow enough time for the road transfer.
- Day 1
Lahad Datu to Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Your journey starts at Lahad Datu airport, followed by a 1.5-hour drive on gravel roads to Tabin Wildlife Reserve. If you get motion sickness, bring medicine for the bumpy ride. You'll stay in elevated timber bungalows. If you have mobility concerns, ask for a room near the main building since rain can make paths slippery. In the afternoon you'll trek to the Lipad mud volcano, a mineral lick that draws wildlife. The volcanic mud gets messy, so wear quick-dry clothes and pack spare socks. For the night walk, bring good flashlights (red lights work best for spotting nocturnal animals) and shoes with solid grip.
- Day 2
Full Day Wildlife Exploration
The best bird watching starts before sunrise. Tabin is home to about 300 species, so grab your binoculars early to spot hornbills and pittas at their most active. After breakfast, you'll head up to the Birdwatching Tower. Take your time in the humidity and bring lots of water. The Lipad Waterfall trek is moderate but can get tricky when wet. Pack swimwear if you want to take a dip, but check with your guide about water levels as they change with the seasons. You'll appreciate the afternoon foot soak. Many visitors recommend bringing tiger balm to make it even better.
- Day 3
Final Morning and Return
Spend your last morning near the lodge where macaques and hornbills often show up. Your transfer to Lahad Datu leaves at noon, so pack early and keep your camera ready. Some of the best wildlife moments happen unexpectedly.
