Kiulu River Rafting from Kota Kinabalu: 2-hour paddle

Two hours paddling downriver through Sabah jungle

Kiulu River rafting from Kota Kinabalu is a guided activity where you paddle a raft downstream for about 2 hours, covering 7 to 8 km through the Tamparuli area. The day starts with a 1½-hour drive from your hotel, includes all equipment, a safety briefing, lunch by the riverside, and ends back at your hotel by mid-afternoon. You need at least moderate fitness. The activity is not suitable for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kiulu River rafting day tour

• Depart city hotel at 0830hrs
• Drive 1.5 hours to Tamparuli area
• Stop for refreshments and change clothes
• Continue to starting point at Pukak or Sukang
• Receive rafting equipment and safety briefing
• Raft down river for about 2 hours
• Change clothes and have riverside lunch
• Return to Kota Kinabalu city hotel

The experience

The day begins at 8:30 am with pickup from your Kota Kinabalu hotel. After a 1½-hour drive to the Tamparuli area, you'll stop to change into rafting clothes and grab light refreshment. The guide then takes you upstream to the starting point at Pukak or Sukang, where you receive a safety briefing and get fitted with a helmet, personal flotation device, and paddle. The raft itself is provided.

Once on the water, you paddle downstream for about 2 hours, covering 7 to 8 km of the Kiulu River. The guide leads the group and handles navigation. You provide the paddle power. After you reach Kiulu Town, there's time to change clothes before a sumptuous lunch is served by the riverside. The return journey to Kota Kinabalu takes the afternoon, with arrival back at your hotel around 3:30 pm.

An English-speaking river guide is with you throughout, and all rafting equipment (helmet, life jacket, paddles, raft) is supplied. The full day, from pickup to drop-off, runs about 8 hours. Note that pickup times vary depending on your hotel's location. Hotels in the 1 Borneo complex or in the outskirts may incur an additional charge of USD 10–15 per person.

What’s included

• Rafting equipment including helmet, life jacket and paddles.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Kota Kinabalu.
• transport by air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking river guide.
• safety briefing.
• lunch served by the riverside.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Asni Global

Is this one for you?You paddle the raft yourself with the guide steering and leading the group, so choose this if you want to be active on the water rather than watching from a boat. The shared group format and fixed schedule mean you're paddling with other travelers and following set departure and return times: ideal if you prefer company and don't need flexibility around your hotel's location or the time you leave.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How far do you paddle on the Kiulu River?

The Kiulu River stretch covers approximately 7 to 8 km downstream, paddled over about 2 hours with your guide leading the group.

What time does the day start and end?

Pickup from your hotel is at 8:30 am. After the 1½-hour drive, the rafting, lunch and return journey, you arrive back at your hotel around 3:30 pm.

Is all the rafting gear provided?

Yes. The operator supplies helmet, personal flotation device, paddles and the raft itself. You bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

What's included in the day besides rafting?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, safety briefing, lunch by the riverside and all rafting equipment are included.

Do I need rafting experience to join?

No prior experience is needed, but you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.