Top 5 Reasons to Visit Orou Sapulot in 2026

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Orou Sapulot in 2026

Sabah has no shortage of incredible destinations. But if you are looking for something beyond the usual tourist trail in 2026, Orou Sapulot deserves a spot at the top of your list.

Here is why.

1. It Is One of the Last Truly Wild Places in Borneo

Orou Sapulot sits deep in the southwestern interior of Sabah, close to the Kalimantan border. There are no shopping malls, no chain hotels, no crowds. Just pristine primary rainforest, the Sapulot River winding through ancient jungle, and a sky full of stars at night.

As Borneo continues to develop, places like Orou Sapulot are becoming increasingly rare. Visiting now means experiencing it while it is still untouched.

2. You Experience It with the People Who Built It

Borneo Outback Tours is not an agency reselling someone else's experience. It was founded by Datuk Dr. Richard Sakian Gunting, a Murut Tribe descendant who grew up on this land and built Orou Sapulot from the ground up to protect it.

Every guide, boatman, cook and host is from the surrounding Murut villages. The stories you hear, the food you eat, the dances you witness — all of it is authentic, because the people sharing it with you are the real thing.

3. The Adventures Are Unlike Anything Else in Sabah

Orou Sapulot packs an extraordinary range of experiences into a single trip. You explore the multi-leveled Pungiton Caves, a sacred site the Murut have known for generations. You trek through untouched primary rainforest to the foot of Batu Punggul, an 800-foot limestone outcrop you can actually climb. You shoot river rapids toward the Kalimantan border on a traditional longboat navigated by boatmen who have spent their lives on the water.

These are not manufactured adventures. They are the real thing.

4. Your Visit Actually Makes a Difference

Every ringgit you spend at Orou Sapulot goes directly back into the community. A portion of every booking funds the village education fund, giving Murut children access to better schooling without having to leave home. Another portion supports the ongoing rehabilitation of Kabulongou forest, which was 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.

5. It Is Still a Hidden Gem

Despite being listed as a top choice destination by Lonely Planet and holding a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, Orou Sapulot remains relatively unknown to the mainstream. Most travellers who visit say the same thing: they cannot believe more people do not know about this place.

That will not last forever. 2026 is a great time to go before the secret gets out.

Ready to Visit?

Orou Sapulot tours are operated exclusively by Borneo Outback Tours, the original founders. Packages range from 2D1N to 7D6N with everything included — meals, accommodation, guides, transfers and community fees.

Plan your trip at borneo.tours

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