Last year, I went to the Southernmost Tip of Mainland Asia to watch the solar eclipse. And here, I was at the Northernmost Tip of Borneo! This was part of my Trip Around Sabah On A Bike and I arrived in Kudat on the first day.
A Must Visit in Kudat: Tip Of Borneo
The Malay name of Tip Of Borneo is called Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, and the original name is Tanjung Sampang Mangazou in Rungus language, meaning Union Battle Cape, where they used to defend against pirates.
The Tip Of Borneo overlooking the vast ocean.
Other than being a perfect spot to view the sunset, this place also marks the meeting point of two seas.
The South China Sea is on the left.
And on the right, is the Sulu Sea.
During low tide, you get to see the rocky formations and honeycomb structures, which look like somewhere out of this planet:
How To Get There
Getting there is easy. You can drive all the way North and a wide parking area is available, without charge.
From the parking area, just walk for a few minutes and you’ll reach the Tip Of Borneo.
Kalampunian Beach
Kalampunian Beach is just by the road before reaching the Tip Of Borneo.
A curious hermit crab by the roadside.
The sand was nice and flat, the waves were calm, and the endless ocean view was great!
Where To Stay In Kudat: The Jungle Experience With Tampat Do Aman
Away from town, Tampat Do Aman is less than 5km from Tip Of Borneo and the stunning beaches.
The whole place feels very foresty. You could definitely sense a lot of animal activities even though you might not be able to find them. I managed to spot squirrels, woodpeckers and lizards.
I stayed in a room at one of the tradisional Rungus longhouses.
There are also small tradisional Sulap huts, and modern chalets with bathrooms.
The place is developed with the idea of low-impact, environmental friendly factors. One of the highlights are the compost toilets, built by a group of volunteers from the United States. Just scoop in some leaves when you’re done with your business.
Their open-air bathrooms are also quite a nice concept. You get to enjoy the forest view while taking a shower!
Hiking at Tampat Do Aman Wildlife Reserve
You can even go hiking and explore the forest for free when you stay at Tampat Do Aman! Just beside their place, is the nature reserve granted to them, where rescued animals have been released here. There are several benches along the trails for you to sit down and wait for wildlifes to show up. They also provide nature activities such as Jungle Survival Course and Team Building Jungle Activities.
At the entrance of the Wildlife Reserve, is a Wildlife Education Center.
Plastic bottles are reused as a creative source of light.
A platform by the pond to view reptiles and amphibians.
A 30 meters suspension bridge along the trail.
One of the highlights of the wildlife reserve is the watchtower.
Rungus Museum
Howard, the owner of Tampat Do Aman, is on a mission to preserve the vanishing Rungus culture. With the collaboration with the locals, an impressive Rungus museum has been set up.
The museum features many traditional farming, fishing and musical instruments, outfits, along with the histories and unique vocabularies of the Rungus tribe.
There is also a collaborative project between the locals and the British councils, to gather traditional Rungus folktales and to publish them into children’s story books.
Kampung Sumangkap Gong Factory
When on the way to or leaving from Kudat, stop by at Kampung Sumangkap, a village well-known for their gong making skills. When you are there, the gigantic gongs are not to be missed.
Look at the size of the people compared with the largest gong!
Around the village, are workshops/houses that make gongs. If you’re lucky, you may see the process of making them. The entrance fee to the village is RM5 per adult, and RM3 per child. Children below 6 years old and elderly above 65 years old are free to enter.
Try The Signature Grilled Corn (Jagung Bakar) Of Mangaris
When heading to, or coming back from Kudat, look out for the roadside stalls selling the signature grilled corn on the cob. They look burnt but the corn inside were sweet and juicy, plus the extra grilled flavor in them. During the seasons, you could also find the black/purple color corns called ‘jagung pulut’.
Other than the grilled corn, you can also get good local fruits from here.
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
Affiliate Links to support this site:
Yay for transparency!: The links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a booking/purchase after clicking the links. I recommend only products and companies I use. Your support helps me keep the site going 🙂
Want to do the same affiliate marketing with your site? Use this AccessTrade platform link to receive RM5 reward.
*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
Yay for transparency!: Some of the links here are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a booking. I recommend only products and companies I use. Your support helps me keep the site going 🙂
