Event Happening around Kudat

Pesta Kelapa
Date : 24 - 26 October 2008

The Northern district of Kudat is not only home of the Rungus people but also host to the annual Coconut Festival. This is one of the best times to be in Kudat where you can visit the beautiful Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, known best as the Tip of Borneo.



Pesta Gong Matunggong
Date : 26 - 27 October 2008

This year on October 26, the small town of Matunggong will once again be engulfed by the echoing sounds of gong beating as the Kudat Rungus community assembles to celebrate the Gong Festival.

The Rungus, a subgroup of the Kadazandusun tribe, is one of the most culturally-preserved communities in Sabah. Many Rungus families still adhere to the old ways; inhabiting atavistic longhouses and practicing their age-old spiritual beliefs. The endearing charm of the Rungus people would most likely be rooted in their concept of communal living and sharing under one roof in the traditional longhouses.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see the famous beadworks of the Rungus community in Matunggong. Here, you can find pretty and colourful beaded accessories such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Should you be swinging by Kampung Bavanggazo and Kampung Tinagol, you can also witness the Rungus women weaving their traditional tapestry.

A visit to Kampung Sumangkap lets you into the ancient craft of gong-making. Whereas a tour in Kampung Gombizau; which is famous for its beeswax, honey, and royal jelly processing farm, will provide you with an educational insight.

Head to Kudat this October to immerse yourself in the resounding ethnic beats of the gong and discover other hidden treasures of Matunggong—guaranteed to give you a fine taste of the rich Borneo culture!

Place To Go Kudat ( Day 6 )

The Tip of Borneo - Tanjung Simpang Mengayau

This dramatic headland is situated in the northern-most tip of BORNEO, the third largest island in the world, after Greenland and New Guinea. It is located in the Kudat Peninsula, about three and a half hours (or 215 kilometres) drive from Kota Kinabalu City.

Simpang Mengayau means 'lingering junction' as it is here that the South China Sea lingers and meets the Sulu Seas flowing from the east ... Enjoy the stunning view. The sunsets and full moons are just beautiful ... The Pulau Kalampunian lighthouse is a reminder of treacherous coastline and past shipwrecks. On the left is the beautiful beach of Pantai Kalampunian.

It's a lovely easy stroll to the flagpole, the Globe and the rocky outcrop that forms the "Tip of Borneo".

Place To Go Kudat ( Day 5)

Kelambu Beach

For beach lovers who opt for a more reclusive and less mainstream beach vacation, Kelambu Beach is the ultimate place to be.

Though less known, Kelambu Beach is indeed one of the best beaches in Sabah with its clear aquamarine sea and beautiful white sand engulfed by astounding verdant islands.

The inviting clear waters offer a variety of activities such as speed boating, water skiing, swimming, and snorkelling. The wonderful beach, on the other hand; is a perfect spot for family picnics, romantic strolls by the beach, seashells collecting or simply to enjoy a gorgeous sunset.

On the way to Kudat, be sure to make a detour to Kelambu Beach where you can sit back and delight in the beauty of nature’s best!

Pace To Go Kudat ( Day 4 )

Maranjak Longhouse Homestay

The Maranjak Longhouse Homestay is located near Tinangol, not very far from the main road leading to Kudat.

Maranjak Longhouse Homestay is wholly made out of traditional materials such as split bamboos for walls and nipah palm leaves for roofing. The longhouse is fully furnished in traditional style with traditionally-styled dining table, rooms, lightings, as well as in terms of the food that are being served. It’s a perfect getaway stay for those craving for a truly atavistic cultural experience.

The Maranjak Homestay Longhouse can accommodate an estimated of 30 to 40 people at one time. Besides the truly traditional atmosphere, visitors will also have a wide set of things to do such as fishing in the river, jungle trekking, sightseeing in the herbal botanical garden, crab catching, and monkey watching.

Visitors will also be able to get a taste of seven different local wines which are served at night. Besides the wining experience, visitors will also be entertained with traditional Rungus dance and serenaded by performances of traditional musical instruments after dinner.

Here, visitors too will be able to take a close look at how beaded accessories are made and how intricate Rungus tapestries are woven—all done by women dressed in beautifully ornamental traditional Rungus costumes.

Pace To Go Kudat ( Day 3 )

Kampung Sumangkap Gong Factory

Less than one hour away from Kampung Gombizau is the Sumangkap village (92 kilometers and 2 hours drive away from Kota Kinabalu) which is famous for its gong making cottage industry.

The gong is the most important Rungus musical instrument which is played during festivities and grand occasions such as weddings. The gongs that are sold in Kampung Sumangkap vary in sizes—visitors can expect to find tiny souvenirs ones with different shapes and unique designs (price ranging from RM25 to RM37) as well as large ones that can reach up to 2 meters wide in diameter.

For large groups of visitors, the villagers of Kampung Sumangkap will often hold cultural performances in the Kampung Sumangkap Community Hall where the kulintangan (a set of different sized gongs producing different sounds) is to be played.

Here, visitors will also have the opportunity to witness the method of gong making by the professional gong makers in the village. The gong factory is open daily including public holidays from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Entrance fees charged are as follows:
Adults (12 years and above) – RM5
Children (6 to 12 years old) – RM3

Pace To Go Kudat ( Day 2 )

Kampung Bavanggazo (Rungus Longhouse)

Traditionally, the Rungus people live in longhouses built on stilts, but the shift to modern-day living has meant that the sight of such longhouses are getting more rare. In Kg. Bavanggazo near Tinangol in the Kudat district, you can still experience this fascinating communal lifestyle in a purpose-built longhouse constructed entirely of traditional materials but with added modern comforts like toilets and showers.

Situated in a valley about 41 kilometres south of Kudat town and 98 kilometres or two and a half hours drive from KK City, you can get a taste of real Rungus living through their food, daily rituals and music on a day trip or overnight stay. The later will need prior arrangements.

Tariff: Per person RM2.00

Place To Go Kudat ( day 1 )

Gombizau Honey Bee Farm

Gombizau Honey Bee Farm is located in Matunggong, a sub-district 43 kilometers south of Kudat town, where one of the economical activities for the village community is honey bee farming. There are over a hundred bee cages in the bee farm.

Founded over ten years ago, this bee farm produces honey both for the consumption of the local people as well as to be sold in bottles for those who are akin to the sweet taste of raw honey.

For many generations, the people of Kampung Gombizau has been consuming raw honey as it is believed and has been proven to possess remedial properties; other than being able to lend its superior taste to food when used in cooking.

Here, visitors will be able to observe how a bee farm is managed. They will often get a taste of raw honey straight from the honeycomb. Other than that, there are also rubber trees planted at the bee farm. Therefore, visitors can also witness the traditional method of rubber tapping and rubber rolling.

Entrance fees charged are as follows:
Adults (12 years and above) – RM5
Children (6 to 12 years old) – RM3

Pulau Tiga "Survivor Island

Make your way to the district of Kuala Penyu and hop on a boat to Pulau Tiga! The island’s claim to fame is none other than being the first ever ‘secret’ location for the hit reality series, ‘Survivor’. Hence, many refer to Pulau Tiga as Survivor Island. Located just 10km off shore on the West Coast of Sabah, you can enjoy a day trip to the island but many recommend spending at least a night or two.

The island has two resorts, Pulau Tiga Resort and Borneo Survivor Resort (see contact details). There’s plenty to see and do here: spend the sunny days swimming or snorkeling in its surrounding clear waters or go kayaking. Divers can explore its underwater treasures (diving courses are available).

Pulau Tiga is also famous for its therapeutic natural volcanic mud. Looking for some wildlife? Say hello the island’s famous residents: snakes! Facilities on the island include a restaurant and camping site.