What is Orou Sapulot? A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors

If you have been researching things to do in Sabah, Malaysia, there is a good chance you stumbled across the name Orou Sapulot and had no idea what it was. It does not sound like a beach resort. It is not a national park you would find in every travel guide. And yet, those who have been there tend to say the same thing: it was the best experience of their entire trip to Borneo.

So what exactly is Orou Sapulot? This guide covers everything you need to know before you go.

The Short Answer

Orou Sapulot is a community-based eco-tourism project located deep in the southwestern interior of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. It sits along the Sapulot River, close to the border with Indonesian Kalimantan, in one of the most remote and pristine corners of the island.

It is not a resort. It is not a theme park. It is a real, living Murut indigenous community that has chosen to open its doors to travellers who want something genuine — authentic jungle adventures, rich cultural experiences, and the rare privilege of spending time with people whose way of life has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

What Does "Orou Sapulot" Mean?

The name comes from the Murut language. "OROU" translates to "SUN," symbolising the project's mission to illuminate and revitalise the conservation of Borneo's wildlife, flora, fauna and the fading traditions of the Murut people.

Sapulot is the name of the district and the river, the lifeblood of the community and the main highway through the jungle.

Who Are the Murut People?

The Murut are one of the oldest indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah. The word "Murut" itself means "hill people," a fitting description for a community whose identity is deeply connected to the forests and rivers of Borneo's rugged interior.

They were historically known as the last ethnic group in Sabah to renounce headhunting, a practice that was tied not to aggression but to deep spiritual beliefs surrounding protection of the community. Today, the Murut are known for something very different: their extraordinary warmth, their rich cultural traditions, and their deep knowledge of the rainforest that surrounds them.

In Sapulot specifically, along the banks of the river close to the Kalimantan border, you find the Murut in their most traditional and unspoiled setting. The villages here still revolve around the longhouse, communal living, traditional farming, and the forest.

Who Founded Orou Sapulot?

Orou Sapulot was founded by Datuk Dr. Richard Sakian Gunting, a Murut Tribe descendant who grew up in Sapulot and returned home after completing his PhD at Tennessee University in the United States in the 1990s. He is the first person of tribal descent in all of Borneo to attain a doctorate.

What he came home to alarmed him. Illegal logging had devastated Kabulongou, a vast stretch of primary forest that the community had relied on for generations. Young Murut were leaving the villages for the cities. Traditional language, ceremonies and cultural knowledge were fading with each generation.

His response was to build Orou Sapulot, a community-owned eco-tourism model that gave both the forest and the culture an economic reason to survive. The logic was simple: if the rainforest and the Murut way of life had real value to the community, they would protect both.

It worked. Orou Sapulot has since won the Malaysian Tourism Award for Most Innovative Tour Package, the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award, and has been listed as a top choice destination by Lonely Planet. TripAdvisor gives it a 5-star rating.

Where Exactly is Orou Sapulot?

Orou Sapulot is located in the Sapulot district of Nabawan, in the interior division of Sabah. It is approximately a 3 to 4 hour drive from Keningau town, which itself is about 2 hours from Kota Kinabalu.

The journey is part of the experience. You travel by road through the Sabah interior, right past paddy fields, small towns and increasingly dense jungle, before arriving at Labang Village where your longboat is waiting. From there, the road ends and the river begins.

There is no ATM in Sapulot. There is no Wi-Fi. There is no shopping mall. What there is, is some of the most extraordinary nature and most genuine human warmth you will encounter anywhere in Southeast Asia.

What Can You Do at Orou Sapulot?

Quite a lot. Here is a breakdown of the main experiences:

Pungiton Caves

About 15 minutes by river from Labang Village, Pungiton Caves is a multi-leveled cave system sacred to the Murut people. Inside, you will find extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite formations, unique cave fauna, and a silence so complete it is almost overwhelming. The guided trek through the cave takes approximately two hours.

Batu Punggul

One of the most spectacular natural landmarks in all of Sabah. Batu Punggul is an 800-foot limestone outcrop that rises dramatically from the primary rainforest floor. The trek to its base takes around 45 minutes through untouched jungle. For those who want the full experience, you can free-climb the rock face itself for a panoramic view of the rainforest canopy stretching to the horizon.

Longboat River Cruise

The Sapulot River is your main mode of transport throughout your stay, and the journeys on traditional wooden longboats are memorable in themselves. Skilled Murut boatmen navigate the river with a confidence that comes from a lifetime on the water.

Rapid Shooting to the Kalimantan Border

For the more adventurous, there is the option to shoot river rapids by longboat all the way to the Indonesian Kalimantan border. Along the way you pass through different Murut villages, catching glimpses of daily life in some of the most remote communities in Borneo.

Vangkaakon Hidden Waterfall

A natural pool fed by a waterfall in one of the most secluded spots in Sabah. Swimming here, surrounded by primary rainforest with no other tourists in sight, is the kind of experience that stays with you.

Romol Eco Village Cultural Night

Perhaps the most memorable experience of all. At the Romol Eco Village Longhouse, local Murut villagers perform traditional dances and play traditional instruments. Guests are warmly invited to join in. You will try Lihing, the traditional Murut rice wine served from large jars through bamboo straws, and share a meal with your hosts.

This is not a cultural performance put on for tourists. These are living traditions, kept alive because the community chooses to keep them alive.

MunorAulai Integrated Farm

For those interested in sustainable agriculture, the MunorAulai Farm offers a fascinating insight into regenerative farming practices that have sustained the Murut community for centuries. You can explore the farm, learn about the crops, and understand how traditional knowledge and modern sustainability principles can work together.

How Long Should You Stay?

Orou Sapulot offers packages ranging from 2 days 1 night all the way to 7 days 6 nights. For first-time visitors, the 4 days 3 nights package is the most popular — it gives you enough time to experience the caves, Batu Punggul, river rapids and a cultural night without feeling rushed.

If you have the time, the longer packages are worth it. The deeper you go into the experience, the more you understand about the community and the forest.

What is Included in the Packages?

All packages include meals, accommodation, activities as outlined in the itinerary, 4x4 transfers between activity areas, return transfers between Keningau and Sapulot, guides, drinking water, coffee and tea, and community fees.

What is not included: personal expenses and anything not mentioned in the package.

What Should You Pack?

Come prepared for the jungle. The essentials:

• Trekking shoes with good grip
• Leech socks (important)
• Raincoat
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Swimming attire
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Cash (there is no ATM in Sapulot)
• Sandals or flip flops
• Camera

Leave the laptop at home. You will not need it.

Is It Suitable for Everyone?

Orou Sapulot is best suited for travellers who are curious, open-minded and moderately adventurous. You do not need to be an athlete or an experienced trekker. Most activities are accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

It is particularly well suited for couples, small groups, solo travellers and families with older children who want something beyond the typical resort holiday.

If you are expecting five-star amenities, Orou Sapulot is not for you. If you are expecting one of the most authentic and memorable travel experiences of your life, it very likely is.

Why Book with the Original Founders?

There are travel agents who offer Orou Sapulot as part of their itineraries, and many of them are perfectly good. But Borneo Outback Tours at borneo.tours is the original operator, founded by the community themselves. Booking directly means your money goes further into the community and you get the most authentic version of the experience.

Final Thoughts

Orou Sapulot is not the easiest place to get to. It requires some planning, some flexibility, and a willingness to step away from comfort. But that is precisely what makes it so special.

In a world where so many travel destinations have been packaged, polished and stripped of anything genuine, Orou Sapulot remains the real thing. A living community. A surviving culture. A rainforest that is slowly coming back to life.

If you are planning a trip to Sabah and want to do something that genuinely matters, this is it.

Visit borneo.tours to explore packages and plan your trip.

‍