10 Day Sabah Itinerary – In-Depth Guide 2026

The most convenient way to get around for this Sabah itinerary is to use your own vehicle. If you are able to rent a car for a reasonable price this will make the itinerary straightforward to follow.

You can generally find car rentals in Sabah starting at around RM100 (roughly £20 or $25). One option is to directly contact a local car rental company in Kota Kinabalu and make a deal. Alternatively you can use KLOOK to rent cars in Kota Kinabalu. The advantage of a platform like KLOOK is the greater levels of transparency and customer service. So this is a great option if you want peace of mind. Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on renting a car in Sabah

There are also long distance buses around Sabah. Long distance buses are reasonably comfortable and very affordable. Most long distance bus Journeys around Sabah cost around RM20 to RM50 depending on the bus company and the length of the journey (roughly £4 – £10 or $5 – $12). Also, be aware that long distance buses in Malaysia do not generally have toilets on board although there are a few exceptions.

The main disadvantage of taking long distance buses around Sabah is getting to smaller, more local attractions. For example, there are not any buses to Poring. To get around this area you will need to use local taxis. The best way to arrange taxis in Malaysia is to use the grab taxi app. This is a quick, simple and affordable way of arranging Taxi transportation. Don’t miss our guide – How to Use Grab in Malaysia.

Sabah itinerary – everything you need to know

This Sabah itinerary starts in Kota Kinabalu. This is the main city in Sabah and is a good starting point for an itinerary. The itinerary finishes in a town called Tawau. This town has a small airport, from here you can arrange internal transfers to other destinations around Malaysia and some international flights are available too. Alternatively, you can travel overland back to Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan. 

We have also tried to pace this itinerary to allow for travel time. If you are using long distance buses to travel between towns the journeys take a long time and use a large proportion a day. And of course you are restricted to traveling when the bus goes. In this 10-day Sabah itinerary we have considered the fact that you will need to take some travel days.

Day 1 Kota Kinabalu Cultural village and a seafood market

Places to stay in Kota Kinabalu

If you are on a budget consider staying at Escape Backpackers – super cheap dorm accommodation in a central location. OR if you have more room in your budget, check out the Horizon Hotel – great location and awesome Asian vibes. If you are really looking to splash out consider a stay at the 5 star Le Meridien Hotel. 

Visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village

This itinerary starts with some activities in Kota Kinabalu. We recommend taking a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village. This lovely little jungle village is a tourist attraction located some 18km to the east of Kota Kinabalu. The Mari Mari Cultural Village is a celebration of the rich tribal heritage of Sabah.

The Mari Mari cultural Village displays traditional clothing, art and jungle houses. They also do performances showcasing traditional music, games and dance. This is a wonderful way to familiarize yourself with the rich and diverse culture and history of Borneo.

The Mari Mari cultural village offer sessions daily at 10am and 2pm

• Adults RM170 (or RM100 on offer)
• Children RM 155 (or RM 90 on offer)

How do you get to the Mari Mari cultural village?

The best way to get to the Mari Mari cultural Village from Kota Kinabalu is to take a taxi. You can arrange taxis using the Grab taxi app. A taxi is likely to cost you around RM30 each way. We recommend asking your driver to wait or return to pick you up later.

How much does it cost to visit the Mari Mari cultural village?

Adults RM175 (Around £35 or $49) and children RM155 (around £30 or $35). Watch our for special deals. Reduced rate RM100 adults (around £20 or $25) and RM90 children (around £18 or $20). They have daily sessions at 10am and 2pm.

In the evening visit the Sabah Seafood market along the seafront. This market sells fresh seafood dishes and is a great way to experience some of the Sabah seafood. 

Day 2 Kota Kinabalu Island hopping (Tunku Abdul Rahman Park)

Take an island hopping day trip from Kota Kinabalu. To organize an island hopping trip in Kota Kinabalu just turn up at the jetty between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. At the jetty there are ticket counters where you can buy tickets and rent masks, snorkels and fins. You can book island hopping trips that visit one, two, three or four islands in a single day. We recommend the three Island trip as it allows you to see plenty of beautiful islands at a reasonable pace. The Kota Kinabalu island hopping trip is a great way to enjoy some of the beautiful beaches near Kota Kinabalu.

NEED A LOW STRESS OPTION? – Island hopping in Kota Kinabalu – book it on KLOOK

How much does Kota Kinabalu island hopping cost?

An island hopping trip will range in price from RM35 (roughly £7 or $10) to RM65 (roughly £13 or $15) depending how many islands you wish to visit. 

• 1 island: Adult RM35 Child RM30
• 2 island: Adult RM45 Child RM40
• 3 island: Adult RM55 Child RM50
• 4 island: Adult RM65 Child RM60

We recommend 2 – 3 islands. Rental of snorkel and fins should cost around RM10 and can also be arranged at the jetty. You also need to pay an island conservation fee (ONE fee per adult of RM20). Keep the ticket as this can be presented at each island. 

What do you need to prepare for an island hopping trip?

We recommend bringing plenty of water and sun protection on the Kota Kinabalu island hopping trip. On some of the islands it is possible to buy some simple food. However, there is not a lot of choice so we recommend bringing your own food along with you. Throughout the day you will be directed where to go and told what time to return for your boat. The island hopping trip normally returns to Kota Kinabalu between 3pm – 5pm. You may need to arrange your final return boat time when you book your tickets.

Day 3 Ziplining and the Kundasang Dairy farm and market

On day three of your Sabah itinerary you will travel to Kundasang. If you have your own car, consider a visit to the Zip Borneo Adventure center. This is roughly on route to Kundasang (you will need to take a short detour). 

Zip Borneo is an outdoor activity center with an obstacle course, climbing wall, high rope course and a thrilling zipline. We recommend contacting the Zip Borneo Adventure Center in advance to arrange the activities that you hope to do. After Zip Borneo, continue your journey to Kundasang. 

Kundasang is a beautiful mountain town located near Mount Kinabalu. We recommend staying at a Homestay in the area. The Pogimpaan Homestay is our top pick with breathtaking views of Kinabalu and the surrounding hills. It is also great value for money. Don’t miss our FULL REVIEW of the Pogimpaan home stay. Alternatively check out Zen Garden – This lovely Guest House has lots of space and great value for money.

Visit the Desa Dairy Farm

The journey from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang is likely to take around 2 or 3 hours by road. In Kundasang we recommend taking a visit to the Desa Dairy farm. The Desa Dairy Farm is situated in the hills around 5km north of Kundasang. Enjoy amazing views of the farm and don’t miss the amazing Desa Dairy ice cream.

For a very reasonable price you can buy a pot of soft serve Desa Dairy ice cream. Here are some things to do at the Desa dairy farm:

• See the milking bay
• See the cattle barns
• Learn about milk processing and packaging
• Agro feeding pen activity
• Food kiosk and cafe

How much does the Desa Dairy farm cost?

Entrance tickets for the Desa Dairy farm only cost RM5 for adults, RM4 for children (7-12 years old), and FREE for children 6 years old and below. The Desa dairy farm is open daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tickets are only available in advance and must be booked through their official ticket website.

After visiting the Desa dairy farm we recommend paying a visit to the local fruit and veg market located in Kundasang. They sell a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, a great way to experience the beautiful rural mountain culture.

Don’t miss the BW Bus Restaurant Kundasang. This novelty themed restaurant is located on the main road between Kundasang and Ranau. The bus restaurant offers scenic dining in converted buses with tables and chairs installed. They serve a range of decadent drinks and food.

Food and drinks are a little more expensive than the average restaurant, however you are paying for the location and novelty.

Day 4 Poring hot Springs, canopy walkway and Rafflesia

Day four of the Sabah itinerary is a packed, exciting and adventurous day. In the morning we recommend that you check out of your accommodation, do the epic activities in the morning, and then travel on towards Sandakan in the afternoon. 

This day is a lot easier if you have your own vehicle. If you do not have access to your own vehicle you will need to make the journey to Poring by taxi and arrange a bus to Sandakan in the afternoon. 

Visit the Rafflesia gardens

We recommend an early start. Head over to Poring. On the road that leads to the hot springs there are a couple of Rafflesia gardens. We recommend stopping at these Rafflesia Gardens to see if they have any Rafflesia flowers in bloom. If they do have flowers in bloom you can normally see them for around RM20. 

Don’t miss our FULL guide – seeing Rafflesia in Malaysia

Visit the hot springs

After stopping at the Rafflesia Gardens, continue up the road to the Poring hot spring. This is a very beautiful and natural area and a great place for relaxing. At the top there are some pools that are almost too hot to touch (take care!) You can also see the source of the geothermal water. 

As you walk down through the site you can see small hot spring baths that can be filled up using a tap, and some larger hot spring pools. Some of the hot spring baths also have covers to provide shade from the intense sun. There is one hot spring pool that is big enough to swim in close to the bottom.

How much does it cost to visit the Poring hot springs?

The Poring hot springs are open daily from 8am – 3pm. Once you have paid for entry you can stay for the whole day: 

RM15 for adults and RM10 for children (7 – 17 years old). Children 6 years and below are FREE

Visit the canopy walkway

Finally, check out the canopy walkway. Not for the faint of heart. This impressive Poring canopy walkway is a series of rope bridges suspended high in the jungle canopy. This walkway affords a stunning view of the jungle and the surrounding hills. But be aware it is high and pretty scary. To get to the canopy walkway just walk to the top of the hot springs and look out for signs. It is only around 1 minute walk from the hot spring.

How much does the canopy walkway cost

You do need to buy an additional ticket for the canopy walkway. Adult entry tickets RM5 and Children RM2.50 (under 18 years old). Opening hours: 9am – 4pm (closed on mondays) From the ticket office you then need to hike up a steep jungle trail for around 10 minutes to get to the start of the course. 

In the afternoon head over to Sandakan so you are ready for your adventures on the next day. Be prepared for an early start to head over to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.  

Day 5 Sandakan Orangutans, sunbears and seafood 

On day 5 of your Sabah itinerary you get a chance to see orangutans at the Sepilok orangutan rehabilitation center. Do read our article. We give some very helpful insider secrets to make the most of your visit. Seeing orangutans at Sepilok is one of the most memorable things that you can do in Sabah. You can visit this center independently and do not need to pro-book any tickets. But if you want to get your ducks in a row and have the peace of mind of booking in advance there are platforms that allow you to book tours.

LOOKING FOR SIMPLE OPTION? – Book it on KLOOK – The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary

What can you expect at Sepilok?

At Sepilok there are around 60-80 orangutans living across 43 square kilometers of jungle. If you visit at feeding time there’s a good chance of seeing around 5 – 10 orangutans at the feeding platform. There is also an orangutan nursery where you can see orphaned orangutans. 

Sepilok has a wooden platform that leads through the jungle. There are no cages, fences or bars separating you from the jungle where these magnificent primates live. Sometimes it is possible to see orangutans close up when they climb onto the walkway.

Sepilok has two daily feeding times and the orangutans gather at the feeding platform during these times. The morning one tends to be the most active session and it starts at 10am. The afternoon session starts at 3pm.

TOP TIP: You are not allowed to bring any bags into the Sepilok orangutan sanctuary. There is however a free locker area available to leave bags.

You can buy your entry tickets from the ticket office when you arrive, however if you are planning to visit on a weekend or public holiday we recommend arriving early to avoid waiting.

How much does it cost to visit the orangutan rehabilitation centre

The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is open daily from 8.45am – 4pm (closed for lunch from 12pm – 2pm). 

• RM30 Adults
• RM15 Children (2 – 17 year olds)
• RM10 camera fee (phone cameras FREE of charge). 

At Sepilok there are two orangutan feeding times per day: 10am and 3pm. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early as the orangutans also like to arrive early for their food. The platforms can be quite crowded at feeding time. If possible avoid weekends and public holidays. 

When is the best time to see orangutans?

If you want to see an orangutan up close arrive around 2pm. The orangutans can sometimes be found strolling around the wooden walkway waiting for their lunch. Also, there is a section of walkway where you may see orangutans arriving for feeding. This section of walkway is just past the viewing deck for the feeding platform. Remember orangutans are strong animals. Always respect their space and be careful if you are trying to film them (they have been known to grab things out of people’s hands!) After seeing the orangutans you can also visit the Malaysian Sun Bear conservation project (it is right next to the orangutan sanctuary at Sepilok). 

There is also a Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary not too far from Sepilok.

In the evening head over to Sim Sim 88. This is a beautiful seafood restaurant located on the coast in Sandakan. They have a range of fresh seafood dishes. It is more up market and expensive. Many dishes cost in the range of RM50 – RM100 or more. They charge by weight that can also make it tricky to order. Top tip: If you are struggling to order be weight, ask for a certain price (depending on your budget)

Day 6 Sandakan to Semporna

If you are traveling by bus around Sabah, you will need to leave a day to travel from Sandakan to Semporna. The journey takes around 8 hours by bus. You are likely to arrive in the afternoon and there wont be enough time to do anything epic in Semporna. BUT if you have your own car, you could get this journey done on the evening of day 6. If you do manage to get to Semporna early you can actually arrange an island hopping trip. Otherwise, we recommend using day 6 as a travel day. 

Semporna is quite run down and there is a lot of poverty here. Many people travel to Semporna for diving and snorkeling. If you are looking for places to stay in Semporna check out the Kuree Hut. This is a great budget option with private rooms. Clean, simple accommodation and well located. Rooms range between £10 – £20. Alternatively check out Ang Lee Holiday Stay.  Simple, clean and nice accommodation. Includes a triple room for families. Rooms range from £20 – £30 per night. Well located in central Semporna town. 

Day 7 Semporna island hopping trip

Take a Semporna island hopping trip. This trip visits some beautiful beaches and snorkeling spots. You can also visit the famous Bohey Dulang viewpoint (under 12 year olds are not allowed and trainers are required for this trek). Different companies offer different itineraries.

Normally including around 3 – 5 stops. Here are some of the islands that you can visit for snorkeling near Semporna:

• Bohey Dulang island – hilly island with stunning viewpoint of curved bay and marine park. Not allowed to swim or snorkel at this site. 
• Sibuan island – small island with beautiful sandbar and clear shallow waters. Small military base and a Bajau village are located on this island. 
• Mantabuan island – small island, flat, lovely beach, surrounded by shallow turquoise waters
• Kapalai sandbar – Sandbar with a resort and some great coral reef and snorkeling
• Mataking island – Beautiful island out to the east. Long sand bar, clear waters and lots of marine life here. 
• Pom Pom island – small beautiful island with a couple of resorts
• Timba Timba island – small thin island with long sandbar surrounded by clear shallow waters.

For a shared island hopping trip: RM120 – RM200 per person (roughly £24 – £40 or $30 – $50) and normally includes equipment rental (snorkel, mask, fins and a life jacket) and lunch. For a private island hopping trip expect to pay around RM600 – RM800 depending on the company and tour (roughly £120 – £160 or $150 – $180)

The cheapest way to arrange island hopping Semporna is to book your trip directly with a local company. Dive shops based in Semporna can arrange island hopping trips. Contact 52Hz Dive Shop for island hopping trips in Semporna. 

Day 8 Mabul island diving or snorkeling

Don’t miss our guide: Mabul Backpackers Hostel – budget stays and amazing diving!

Go to Mabul island for diving, snorkeling and some rest and relaxation. Marbul is a small, flat and beautiful island near Semporna. It is actually next to Sipadan – which is a world famous spot for amazing diving. Sipadan is expensive to visit due to the very high price for permits.

Mabul has clear shallow waters brimming with sea life and coral. Some of the great diving and snorkeling spots include Lobster wall and a couple of shipwrecks. In the waters you can see a wide array of fish including: Reef shark, turtles, star fish, frog fish, stone fish, lobsters, shrimp, barracuda, clown fish, angel fish and much much more! 

If you stay with Mabul Backpackers Hostel they will include food and drinks. A dive costs RM100 at Mabul Backpackers (this is super cheap) and a snorkeling trip (around 1-2 hours) costs RM50. This is impressively cheap. 

Keep your expectations in check: The water around Mabul is very beautiful. BUT this island sadly has a lot of rubbish around. Some beaches are very unclean and there is a lot of trash. BUT the diving and snorkeling is some of the BEST we have seen in the world. You can Reserve a Room at Mabul Backpackers on Agoda.

Day 9 Mabul island diving or snorkeling – travel to Tawau

We recommend taking the last boat off Mabul. Make the most of the diving and snorkeling. You can also rent sea kayaks in Semporna for your own adventures. Check out the Seahorse Resort (near Mabul backpackers). They can rent a transparent Kayak for around RM50 per hour.

This is a lovely place to relax. You will need to stay in Semporna overnight or take a late bus to Tawau. The buses from Semporna to Tawau are shared mini buses. They cost a humble RM20 per person (roughly £4 or $5) and the journey takes a couple of hours. There is a small car park near KFC where buses wait. Once a minibus is full they will go. 

Day 10 Tawau chocolate museum, hills park and waterfall

Visit the Tawau Hills Park. This is a beautiful national park with jungle trails and waterfalls. This lovely national park also has Giant Yellow Meranti Trees. These are the second tallest living trees. These monster trees have been known to grow 96.9m tall in the area. 

• Adults RM5 and Children RM2.50 
• Expect to pay around RM20-RM30 each way for a taxi to the Tawau Hills Park.

There is a small Chocolate Museum in Tawau town called the Teck Guan Cocoa Museum. If you are interested in a visit the prices are as follows:

• RM35 for adults
• RM25 for children (6 – 12 years old)
• RM10 for infants (3 – 5 years old) 
• 0-2 years old FREE

Please pre-book at least 1-2 days in advance (at least two adults required). You can book by phone: +6016 8269579 or +6089 772277

A few things that aren’t on this Sabah itinerary

There are also a few fantastic activities that we have missed out – mainly due to time constraints. SO if you have a little longer – or you want to change this itinerary – here are some other things to do in Sabah: 

Looking for a wild experience? Why not take a Kinabatangan River cruise in Sabah? These beautiful River Cruises allow you to spot Wildlife along the banks of this wild river. There is a very good chance of seeing wild proboscis monkeys, wild pygmy elephants and if you’re lucky you may also be able to see wild orangutans. If you have more time in Sabah we recommend looking into doing one of these river cruises.

We have also skipped out the Danum Valley conservation area. Although this is a very beautiful area, it is a little bit out of the way and we don’t think it adds a sufficient amount to this itinerary to include it. However, if you do have more time this would be a great place to visit.

The BEST places to stay for our amazing Sabah itinerary

1 Kota Kinabalu (day 1 and day 2)

If you’re on a budget book a bunk bed at Escape Backpackers – super cheap, simple and well located. Watch out for Escape Backpackers on booking.com. You can also find Escape Backpackers on Agoda. Alternatively, if you have a little more freedom in your budget consider the Horizon Hotel.

Horizon hotel have some great deals on Agoda. AND you can also find Horizon Hotel on booking.com. Or if you’re looking to splash out for something really special check out Le Meridien. Check out Le Meridien on Agoda or booking.com.

2 Kundasang (day 3)

Our top pick in Kundasang is the beautiful and very affordable Pogimpaan Homestay (Agoda AND Booking.com) – very simple and beautiful. Also Zen Garden is a nice option in the area. Zen Garden are on Agoda and Booking.com.

3 Sandakan (day 4 and day 5)

If you’re traveling on a budget check out the Sandakan Backpackers Hostel. Sandakan backpackers can be found on Agoda and booking.com. If you have a bigger budget and want to stay near the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center check out the Sepilok Forest Edge Resort. Sepilok Forest Edge are on Agoda and on Booking.com. For a GREAT mid range option (excellent for families too) check out the Sabah hotel (in the picture above). You can book the Sabah Hotel on Agoda. You can also snatch up some great deals for the Sabah Hotel on Booking.com.

4 Semporna (day 6 and day 7)

Kuree Hut on Agoda OR find Kuree Hut on booking.com and the Ang Lee Holiday Stay offer good value for money in an excellent location in Semporna. You can find Ang Lee holiday stay on Agoda and the Ang Lee Holiday Stay on booking.com

5 Mabul (day 8)

We recommend staying at the Mabul Backpackers Hostel in Mabul. Lovely, basic, nice food, great vibe. You can find Mabul Backpackers on Agoda AND Mabul Backpackers on booking.com 

6 Tawau (day 9 and day 10)

Foresight hotel – spacious, stylish and nice accommodation. Find Foresight on Agoda and Foresight on booking.com to find the BEST deals.

Not the cheapest available but very nice. Slightly cheaper – check out the pretty City Garden Hotel on Agoda. You can also find the City Garden Hotel on Booking.com.

Where Next? – Skyscanner Flights

Don’t miss our guide on THE BEST things to do in Sabah

Check Skyscanner for epic deals to and from Sabah and internal flights within Sabah and Malaysia