In short
- Desa Dairy Farm features interactive calf feeding and popular gelato.
- Kinabalu Park offers easy, flat walking trails suitable for young kids.
- The 2-hour mountain drive is winding; pack motion sickness pills.
In this article
Visiting the highlands of Sabah is a common choice for families. The 11-hour day tours combine farm visits with simple walks. Temperatures stay cooler, usually ranging from 15 to 24 degrees Celsius.
Is the day tour suitable for young children?
Yes. The itinerary mixes simple walking trails, animal feeding, and swimming.
The main challenge for kids is the travel time. Booking a private tour gives families flexibility for rest stops and picture taking.
What activities are best for kids at Desa Dairy Farm?
Calf feeding and eating gelato are the main draws.
Families can buy bottled milk or grass to feed calves and goats. The animals take a midday rest between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM. The milking process happens between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Are the trails at Kinabalu Park easy for children?
Yes, the park offers relatively flat paths like the Silau-Silau Trail.
This trail takes about 1 hour and follows a stream. Kids can look for unique insects and small amphibians along the damp riverbanks. The Botanical Garden takes roughly 45 minutes to walk.
Can children do the Poring Canopy Walkway?
Older children can handle the canopy walk, but it sways.
The suspended bridges sit 43 meters above the rainforest floor and span 373 meters. It is not recommended for children with severe vertigo. The nearby Butterfly Farm is a simpler 20-minute alternative.
Is the water at Poring Hot Springs safe for kids?
The natural sulphur pools are very hot, requiring careful temperature adjustment.
Parents must mix in cold water from the provided taps before letting kids soak. Alternatively, walk 15 minutes to Kipungit Waterfall for a cold dip.
How do we handle motion sickness on the drive?
Pack motion sickness pills for children prone to car sickness.
The 90-kilometer drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park takes approximately 2 hours. The AH150 highway features steep and winding mountain sections.
Questions travellers ask
Do kids need warm clothes?
Yes. Temperatures drop to between 15 and 24 degrees Celsius in the highlands. Bring a light waterproof jacket and a warm sweater.
Do children need to pay at Desa Dairy Farm?
Yes. Tickets cost RM 10 for international children. You must book these tickets online in advance, as walk-in payments are not accepted.
Is there an alternative to the hot springs?
Yes. Families can walk about 15 minutes to Kipungit Waterfall. This provides a refreshing cold dip instead of the hot sulphur baths.
