Orou Sapulot: Sabah's Best Kept Secret for Eco-Travellers
Orou Sapulot: Sabah's Best Kept Secret for Eco-Travellers
When most people think of Sabah, they think of Mount Kinabalu, the orangutans of Sepilok, or the coral reefs of Sipadan. And while those are all incredible, there is a destination deep in the southwestern interior that most travellers never hear about.
It is called Orou Sapulot, and it is unlike anything else in Borneo.
What is Orou Sapulot?
Orou Sapulot is a community-based eco-tourism project nestled along the Sapulot River in the remote interior of Sabah, close to the Kalimantan border. The name comes from the Murut language — "OROU" means "SUN," symbolising the project's mission to shine a light on the conservation of Borneo's rainforest and the fading traditions of the Murut people.
What makes it truly special is that it was founded and is run by the Murut community themselves. This is not a resort built on top of a local village. This is the village, opening its doors to travellers who want something real.
Who Founded It?
Orou Sapulot was the vision of Datuk Dr. Richard Sakian Gunting, a Murut Tribe descendant and the first person of tribal descent in all of Borneo to attain a PhD. Recognising that illegal logging and modernisation were threatening both the forest and the culture his people had preserved for centuries, he created a sustainable tourism model that gave the community an economic reason to protect both.
We at HappyCodes had the privilege of building their website at borneo.tours, and learning about this project firsthand made us appreciate just how extraordinary it is.
What Can You Do There?
Quite a lot, actually.
The Pungiton Caves are a highlight — a multi-leveled sacred cave system about 15 minutes by river from Labang Village, filled with extraordinary rock formations and cave fauna. Then there is Batu Punggul, an 800-foot limestone outcrop rising dramatically from the primary rainforest that you can actually climb for one of the most spectacular views in Sabah.
For the adventure seekers, there is rapid shooting by traditional longboat toward the Kalimantan border. For those who prefer something more serene, the hidden Vangkaakon Waterfall offers a natural pool in one of the most secluded spots in Borneo.
And then there is the cultural night at Romol Eco Village — traditional Murut dances, gong music, Lihing rice wine served from jars through bamboo straws, and a warmth from the community that no five-star hotel can replicate.
Why It Matters
Orou Sapulot is not just a travel destination. It is proof that tourism, when done right, can preserve rather than destroy.
Every ringgit spent there goes directly back into the community. Guides, cooks, boatmen, hosts — every role is filled by a local. A portion of every booking funds the village education fund and the ongoing rehabilitation of Kabulongou forest, which had been devastated by illegal logging.
When you visit Orou Sapulot, you are not just taking a holiday. You are actively contributing to the survival of a culture and an ecosystem.
How to Get There
You fly into Kota Kinabalu, then travel to Keningau town where the Borneo Outback Tours team meets you. From there it is a private 4x4 transfer to Labang Village, and then a traditional longboat up the Sapulot River. The journey itself is part of the experience.
Packages range from 2D1N to 7D6N with everything included — meals, accommodation, guides, transfers and community fees.
Visit Them
If you are planning a trip to Sabah and want something beyond the typical tourist trail, Orou Sapulot is the answer. Book directly with the original founders at borneo.tours.
You will not regret it.
