Uncovering the North: A Trail of Nature, Culture, and Adventure

TM Sabah officers and participants during their cultural immersion experience at Walai Tobilung, Kota Marudu.

9 July 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism Malaysia (TM) Sabah has launched a targeted familiarisation trip to spotlight the untapped tourism potential of northern Sabah, ahead of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.

Held from 4 to 8 July, the initiative was themed “Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure and Nature”.

The programme also supports the ongoing Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign, inviting travellers to explore Sabah’s hidden gems, pristine landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

According to TM Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar, the programme incorporates elements of rural tourism development, with a focus on community participation and nature conservation, all led by local tourism stakeholders.

“This initiative aligns with Tourism Malaysia’s mission to diversify and deepen tourism offerings in Sabah, particularly in lesser-known but experience-rich areas,” she said.

She added that the programme also aims to strengthen the digital tourism narrative, leveraging the influence of media and content creators to share authentic experiences with wider audiences.

“Travel storytelling plays a powerful role in modern tourism promotion. By partnering with media representatives and influencers, we’re reaching digital-savvy travellers who are eager to discover something new.”

Tourism Malaysia expressed its gratitude to all partners and local communities involved in the initiative and pledged to continue building strategic collaborations to ensure the success of VMY 2026.

The itinerary covered five districts, Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Kudat, each offering distinctive experiences rooted in nature, culture, and local artistry, and still largely untouched by mass tourism.

Participants were immersed in a variety of experiences, beginning with a gong-making demonstration at the famed Kampung Sumangkap Gong Factory, followed by an educational visit to the Borneo Honeybee Centre, where they learned about indigenous bee species and honey production.

They then travelled to the Tip of Borneo in Kudat, one of Sabah’s most scenic coastal spots, to witness a stunning sunset over the South China Sea.

The group also had the opportunity to engage with two of Kudat’s renowned artists, Jainal Amambing of G Wonder Khayalan Home Art Gallery, and muralist Chong Ket Phin, after visiting the Tun Mustapha Museum.

Another memorable stop was the Floating Coral Bar in Pitas, accessible only by boat, offering visitors a unique island-style leisure experience.

At Walai Tobilung in Kota Marudu, participants enjoyed a deep dive into local traditions, witnessing Bobolian (ritual priestess) ceremonies, performances of traditional musical instruments and cultural dances, as well as the preparation of heritage dishes passed down through generations.

The tour continued with visits to local craft hubs such as Sulaman Pis in Kudat, corn husk handicrafts in Kota Marudu, and Serdang weaving and machete-making in Kota Belud, showcasing the extraordinary creativity and craftsmanship of Sabah’s rural communities.

A standout experience was the hike at Aura Montoria in Kota Belud, offering adventurous trails through lush rainforest and widely regarded as one of Sabah’s top trekking locations.

In Kampung Sangkir, also in Kota Belud, participants explored the countryside by bicycle, meandering through picturesque paddy fields and soaking in the tranquillity of village life.

The journey concluded in Tuaran with the Tembara River Cruise, a peaceful sunset ride through mangrove-lined waterways—culminating in a magical display of fireflies, one of the area’s most enchanting natural night-time attractions.