Your journey begins with a visit to the renowned Mari Mari Cultural Village, nestled deep in the countryside just outside of Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, you'll step into a recreated setting of Sabah’s ethnic tribes—the Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau, and Murut—each with their own distinct traditions, homes, and way of life.
As you walk through the village, knowledgeable local guides will take you from one traditional house to another, where you’ll experience the lifestyle, rituals, and daily practices of each ethnic group. Try your hand at fire-starting using bamboo, blowpipe hunting, and witness demonstrations of tattooing, rice wine making, and traditional dances. This is not a museum—it’s a living, breathing display of culture where you can interact, taste, touch, and participate. A local delicacy tasting session is also included, giving you a true flavour of native Sabah.
After immersing yourself in culture, you'll enjoy a local lunch, before heading south to the quiet, hidden gem of Bongawan—a peaceful fishing village about 1.5 hours from the city.
Upon arrival at Bongawan, your guide will welcome you with light refreshments. As the day cools down, you’ll board a comfortable riverboat for a serene Bongawan River Cruise. Slowly cruise along the calm waters as your guide helps you spot the famous proboscis monkeys—endemic to Borneo—with their long noses and large bellies. You may also see, long-tailed macaques, crocodiles and monitor lizards.
The real magic begins as sunset approaches. The water transforms into a giant mirror reflecting the sky, creating a surreal “sky mirror” effect that is perfect for unforgettable photos. It’s one of Sabah’s most underrated sunset spots and remains peaceful and uncrowded compared to other hotspots.
As night falls, keep your eyes open for another natural wonder—fireflies. These tiny glowing insects begin to light up the mangrove trees like fairy lights, creating a romantic and magical atmosphere. Your guide will slowly steer the boat close to the trees so you can watch in awe as they dance in the dark.
After this tranquil experience, you'll return to shore where you’ll be served a local dinner buffer, allowing you to taste freshly cooked local dishes before making your way back to Kota Kinabalu.
