by Amber L. Lanjuat
Take a break from your busy life with a combination of cultural experience, jungle trekking and good food for a great digital detox Tanak Nabalu Homestay, Kampung Lobong-Lobong.
Tanak Nabalu Homestay sits peacefully among the lush rainforest of Kampung Lobong-Lobong with the majestic Mount Kinabalu in view, hiding away from the fast paced city life to provide a stress-free getaway from the internet world. The name of the village came from a story of attackers who could not find any villagers in the area but heard the sound of gongs all around the mountainside. The attackers left and assumed the villagers must be living in “Lobong”, which means grave in Dusun.
If you’re up for an adventure, you can choose among three trails of different difficulties. Here, you can test your stamina and calf muscles, and trek through the jungle to the Kintoki Base Camp.
The Geotrail is the most challenging of all the three trails. You will pass through the Dopuan Cave where fireflies visit at dusk. However, if you’re not as mentally or physically ready for that you can take the easiest route which follows the river (spoiler: it is not easy), where you can also stop by Korumotoki Refreshing River to take a small break.
The clear river water will cool you down and you can even enjoy a few snacks before you continue your journey to the base camp.
At the base camp, you’ll get the chance to show off your fishing skills and set up some animal traps or you can just relax and take a dip at the river.
Meals are cooked by the tanak wagu of Kampung Lobong-Lobong who are a part of a crew to assist the guide with bringing extra equipment needed for the trip.
There won’t be any mosquitoes roaming around to take a sip of your blood… BUT there will be leeches taking their place especially during rainy seasons. Be sure to bring an extra pair of long socks if you aren’t too fond of them and watch out for them around your feet. You may never know when one might ambush you.
If you’re not up for something physically challenging, you can stay comfortably within the homestays of the villagers in Kampung Lobong-Lobong and take a quick lesson on how to play the traditional gongs. With a good teacher and an adequate amount of arm strength and rhythm, you can play these musical instruments in no time.
You can take a stroll back into history and visit the traditional house and gallery of Kampung Lobong-Lobong where tools and crafts from their ancestors are displayed. There is also a natural fish spa pond where you can dip your feet and let the homebred tilapias nibble on your toes.
Some other activities include:
Traditional rice production
The padi collected are placed inside the Tosung.Two pillars pierced into the crater of the Tosung will cause the shell of the padi to break and allow the rice to separate from it.
Traditional food preparation
The locals have a traditional way of preserving their food without the means of a refrigerator.
These types of preservation can keep food from rotting for weeks.
Did you know?
There are Rafflesias all over the Geotrail and if you’re lucky, you might catch the chance to watch it bloom. The perfect time to visit would be around April – May or June – September.
However, we’d like to highlight that the best thing about Tanak Nabalu Homestay is the people itself. Their hospitality represents what Sabah wants to show to the world and it will make you feel at home and are full of warmth.
They are always ready to share more about their culture, their recipes and other secrets of the village. If it’s not for the scenic trails or the delicious food, the people will definitely make you want to come back.
Check out more of our adventure in our Youtube Channel!
Youtube content created by Azeera Az. & Amberlyn Louis
Address: Tanak Nabalu Homestay, Peti Surat 440, 89157 Kota Belud, Sabah.
For reservations, please contact:
Djuanis (Co-ordinator)
Mobile: +6010 – 810 7212
Office: +6016 – 815 3637
E: djuanis@yahoo.com / tanaknabaluhsty@yahoo.com
FB: Tanak Nabalu Homestay
W: Tanak Nabalu Homestay (Homestay Sabah)
