Best Kiulu White Water Rafting Experience – Ultimate Guide & Tips

If you are looking for a more adventurous activity other than island hopping at KK Islands, Mantanani Islands or Semporna Islands then you’ll need join the white water rafting excursion on the Kiulu River. Kiulu White Water Rafting is classified as a Class 1 & 2 rapids (small and easy waves), which makes it an enjoyable experience for those trying out this activity for the first time.

MUST DO IN SABAH | Kiulu White Water Rafting

Kiulu White Water Rafting Adventure – Sabah

When can I go for Kiulu White Water Rafting?

You can go for the Kiulu Water Rafting at any day of the week as long as the slots are not full, so make sure to make prior booking to avoid any disappointment. The starting time for the white water rafting activity will vary from one operator to another, but generally most of them will commence in the morning.

Try out Kiulu White Water Rafting now ! Sabah

Fun adventure in Sabah – Kiulu White Water Rafting

There are plenty of other white water rating operators at Kiulu, so you have a wide range of options to choose from. For us, we booked a package with the Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC) and their itinerary begins at 9:30am. For more information on their latest promo and pricing you can check out their page.

Kiulu Water Rafting Centre Package – Sabah

Class 1 & 2 rapids – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

How much does it cost to join the Kiulu White Water Rafting trip?

Once again, this will depend on the operator as each packages may vary from one another. Here is a breakdown on how much our trip with Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC) costs:-

Adult – RM 85

Child (Below 12 years old) – RM 75

The package includes:-

Insurance
A riverguide
Equipment
Entrance Fee
Lunch at KWRC
Transport back from KWRC to the starting point (Kg. Pukak)

River Guides preparing the equipment for the rafting session – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Calm waters at Kiulu White Water Rafting – Kg Pukak, Sabah

Enjoying the beautiful views of Kiulu River – Sabah

Intense Water Fight ! Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah #shorts

How to go to Kiulu White Water Rafting?

As Kiulu is located at the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu (KK) city, there are not as many options to get here. You can either:-

1. Book a package which includes hotel pick up and drop off to your Kiulu White Water Rafting meeting point.

Kiulu Water Rafting Centre meeting point – Sabah

2. Rent a car. You can check out SoCar as they offer one of the best rates in town.

3. Take a taxi/e-Hailing ride such as Grab/Airasia Ride to Kiulu White Water Rafting. Click here to get the best rates for AirAsia Ride! If you are considering this option, do note that it might take you some time to find a taxi/e-Hailing ride back as not many cars pass by this area. Therefore, we don’t recommend this option unless you are sure you can get a transport back.

AirAsia Ride e-Hailing (Image credit: AirAsia)

How long is the drive to Kiulu White Water Rafting?

Depending on where you are travelling from and your meeting point at Kiulu River, the journey may vary from one another. If you are travelling from Kota Kinabalu (KK) to the Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC), it would take you between 1:30 – 2 hours to get there.

The roads leading up to the Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC) are generally fine with some occasional small potholes along the way. So, if you are driving here, make sure to take extra precaution. Click here to get directions to Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC).

Directions to Kiulu Water Rafting Centre from Kota Kinabalu

Useful Tips

Carry only your essential items during the white water rafting trip
Always follow your river guide instructions at all times
Don’t do water rafting if you are under the influence of alcohol
Make yourself to keep yourself hydrated
Securely fasten your GoPro/Insta 360 and use a fresh memory card (as a precaution, so you don’t lose all your other footage if you accidentally lose your device in the river)

River Guide demonstrating the correct seating position the on raft – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Tackling the rapids at Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Secure your device properly – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Ready for Kiulu White Water Rafting session – Sabah

Insta 360 POV White Water Rafting | Kiulu, Sabah #shorts

So getting that out of the way, let’s find out more on the Best Kiulu White Water Rafting Experience – Ultimate Guide & Tips!

What to expect during the Kiulu White Water Rafting trip?

During our white water rafting trip, there wasn’t much information online about what to expect and prepare for the Kiulu White Water Rafting trip. Thus, we decided to give a breakdown on the itinerary so you can generally have a rough idea what to expect.

1. Drive to the designated meeting point

If you are travelling from Kota Kinabalu (KK) city like us, you will need to start driving around 7:30am to reach Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC).

Meeting Point/Finish Point of Kiulu Water Rafting Centre, Sabah

2. Meet up with River Guide

Once you arrived at the meeting point, in our case it was the Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC), make sure to register yourselves and sign the Liability Release form. You will then meet up with the river guide and wait for the other groups to arrive.

View of the Kiulu River – Kiulu Water Rafting Centre, Sabah

River Guide loading the raft on the transport – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

3. Depart to the Starting Point (Kg. Pukak)

Once all groups have arrived and the river guides are ready, you will most probably need to drive/take your transport to the starting point at Kg. Pukak which is around 15 – 20 minutes away.

Starting Point – Kg. Pukak, Kiulu, Sabah

Kg. Pukak White Water Rafting Starting Point – Kiulu, Sabah

The suspension bridge used by villagers at Kg. Pukak – Kiulu White Water Rafting

Suspension bridge at Kg. Pukak – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

4. Safety Briefing Session

At the starting point, the river guides will hand you all the necessary equipment for the water rafting session. Make sure to pay attention to the safety briefing and proper rafting techniques.

The River Guide demonstrating proper pedalling technique – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Making sure our equipment is tighten properly – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

5. Let’s go ! Kiulu White Water Rafting

Make sure to get a proper footing as you enter the raft and begin your excursion along the scenic Kiulu River. The entire rafting trip will cover 9km and takes around 1:30 hours to complete.

Ready for Kiulu White Water Rafting – Sabah

Boarding the raft – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Excited for Kiulu White Water Rafting excursion – Sabah

Navigating through the rapids – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Best Rapids at Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah ! #shorts

6. Body Rafting Activity

At the the halfway point of the rafting trip, your guide will make a stop at the river bank where you can try out the body rafting activity yourself. You can float down along the Kiulu River and take in the cool and refreshing water.

Body Rafting down the Kiulu River – Sabah

Body Rafting activity – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Reached the half way point of the Kiulu White Water Rafting – Sabah

7. Arrival at the Finish Point of Kiulu White Water Rafting

After enduring all the Kiulu river rapids and enjoying the beautiful nature surroundings, its time to say goodbye. The Finishing Point of Kiulu White Water Rafting will be a the initial meeting point, which was the Kiulu Water Rafting Centre (KWRC) for us. There is a changing room at the KWRC so make sure to carry along your dry clothes inside your waterproof bags.

Approaching the final rapid – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Reaching the Finishing Point of Kiulu White Water Rafting – Sabah

Kiulu White Water Rafting Experience | Sabah #shorts

You will pass by several villages on the way – Kiulu River, Sabah

The Finish Point for Kiulu White Water Rafting trip – Sabah

Another bucket list done ! Kiulu White Water Rafting

8. Lunch & Transport Back to Kg Pukak

Once you have changed into dry clothes, you can have your lunch before departing back to Kg. Pukak. The KWRC driver will send you back to the starting point where you left your car. If you are taking transport, then you will just need to wait for your driver to send you back to your hotel.

Waiting for lunch – Kiulu Water Rafting Centre, Sabah

Lunch at Kiulu Water Rafting Centre, Sabah

The drop off point at Kg. Pukak, Lakad – Kiulu, Sabah

What to wear for Kiulu White Water Rafting?

You are probably going to get wet, so we’d recommend you wear swimming attire, t-shirts and shorts, and sandals with straps during the white water rafting excursion. If you are wearing sunglasses or spectacles, make sure to use a strap to prevent it from dropping into the river.

Wear suitable attire for Kiulu White Water Rafting – Sabah

What to bring for Kiulu White Water Rafting?

We suggest carrying extra clothes to change into, sunblock, waterproof bags (to carry your personal belongings), waterproof phone casing, a GoPro or Insta360 for the Kiulu White Water Rafting trip. If you are carrying your phone, GoPro or Insta360, make sure to secure it properly as there are many participants who lost their devices in the Kiulu River.

You can expect to get wet – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

How many participants maximum per raft (Kiulu White Water Rafting)?

Depending on the size of the raft available, the maximum capacity of participants is usually limited to 6 persons with 1 river guide.

Maximum capacity depends on raft size – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Maximum of 6 persons per raft – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

How many persons do I need to book a trip with Kiulu White Water Rafting?

A minimum of 2 persons per booking is required for the Kiulu White Water Rafting. However, if you are coming alone, you can still try your luck and join other groups which still have extra space in their raft.

Kiulu White Water Rafting Groups – Sabah

The more, the merrier – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Do you still continue rafting when it is raining (Kiulu White Water Rafting)?

Yes, the white water rafting will still proceed as per usual. In fact, the best time to go for white water rafting is when it is raining, as the waves and rapids will be much more bigger, fun and challenging to navigate!

Friendly water fight during the Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Can I go white water rafting in Kiulu if I cannot swim?

Yes, you most definitely can! There are many participants that tried out this activity without being able to swim. All participants that join water rafting are required to wear a helmet and life jacket during the trip.

You can go water rafting even if you can’t swim – Kiulu White Water Rafting, Sabah

Have any experience or tips on White Water Rafting at Kiulu River? Or are you planning a trip soon? Let us know and share your thoughts and questions in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!

Best activity to try in Sabah – Kiulu White Water Rafting

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