What You Need To Know – Sabandar Cowboy Town (Best Guide)

Veroalex-sabandar — What You Need To Know – Sabandar Cowboy Town (Best Guide)

What can you do if you are a cowboy or cowgirl at heart, but you weren’t born during the 1800s in the Wild West? Maybe you’ve always dreamt of roaming the plains on a horseback, swinging pass the saloon styled doors and even witnessing the gun-slinging cowboys.

Mangrove Park - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Mangrove Park – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Well, look no further as the Sabandar Cowboy Town has it all for you. Although this cowboy town might not be the actual Wild West town, it is still the closest thing you can find in Sabah.

Located in the quiet town of Tuaran, the Sabandar Cowboy Town offers visitors a chance to experience the Wild West without burning a hole in their pocket.

Horse statues welcoming you to Tuaran - Sabah — Horse statues welcoming you to Tuaran – Sabah

You can easily spend a whole day here as there are plenty of activities to choose from such as horse riding (Sabandar Leisure Rides), exploring the 6 acre Mangrove Park, strolling along the white sandy Sabandar Beach and embarking on a romantic sunset Firefly Cruise.

Map of Sabandar Cowboy Town - Tuaran, Sabah — Map of Sabandar Cowboy Town – Tuaran, Sabah

When should you visit Sabandar Cowboy Town?

This unique cowboy town is open daily from 9am – 5pm. If you plan to come here specially for the horse rides, then the ideal time to visit is during the morning session from 9am to 11.15am or during the afternoon session from 1.15pm to 4.30pm.

Sabandar Cowboy Town signboard - Tuaran, Sabah — Sabandar Cowboy Town signboard – Tuaran, Sabah

Entrance Fees:-

– Free of Charge

Sabandar Cowboy Town entrance - Tuaran, Sabah — Sabandar Cowboy Town entrance – Tuaran, Sabah

How to visit Sabandar Cowboy Town?

As Sabandar Cowboy Town is located further away from the city, there is currently no public transportation options to get here. You can either join a tour, rent a car, take a taxi/e-Hailing, or contact the reception to arrange transportation from the city for you.

How long is the drive to Sabandar Cowboy Town?

This cowboy town is located around 40km North from Kota Kinabalu city and should take you around 45 minutes – 1 hour to get here. The roads to Tuaran is quite easy going, so you will have nothing to worry about if you are driving here yourself. Click here to get directions to Sabandar Cowboy Town.

Google Maps directions to Sabandar Cowboy Town

Easy drive to Sabandar Cowboy Town - Tuaran, Sabah — Easy drive to Sabandar Cowboy Town – Tuaran, Sabah

Can I stay overnight at Sabandar Cowboy Town?

Yes, you can stay at the Cowboy Lodge which is conveniently located just beside the Cowboy Bar & Grill. The accommodation is equipped with basic facilities and consists of over 16 rooms for you to choose from.

Sabandar Cowboy Lodge - Tuaran, Sabah — Sabandar Cowboy Lodge – Tuaran, Sabah

If you do get hungry during your stay, you can always head over to the Cowboy Restaurant which is located below the Cowboy Lodge. They are open daily between 10am-10pm.

Cowboy Restaurant - Sabandar, Tuaran - Sabah — Cowboy Restaurant – Sabandar, Tuaran – Sabah

Delicious food awaits you - Cowboy Restaurant, Tuaran - Sabah — Delicious food awaits you – Cowboy Restaurant, Tuaran – Sabah

Cowboy Restaurant, Tuaran - Sabah — Cowboy Restaurant, Tuaran – Sabah

Lodge price (per night)

Family Room – RM 140

Queen Room – RM120

Double Single Room – RM 100

*Check in 2pm, check out 12pm. Prior booking required.

Cowboy Lodge - Tuaran, Sabah (Image credit: sabandarcowboytown) — Cowboy Lodge – Tuaran, Sabah (Image credit: sabandarcowboytown)

Cowboy Lodge accommodation - Tuaran, Sabah (Image credit: sabandarcowboytown) — Cowboy Lodge accommodation – Tuaran, Sabah

If you prefer to be closer to nature instead, you can choose to camp here next to the beach and stare at the starry night whilst you lay back and listen to the soothing sounds of the waves from your tent.

Camp at Sabandar (Image credit: sabandarcowboytown)

Camp beside the beach - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Camp beside the beach – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

With luck, you might be able to see the Milky Way here - Sabandar Beach, Tuaran - Sabah — With luck, you might be able to see the Milky Way here – Sabandar Beach, Tuaran – Sabah

Useful tips

If you plan to explore the Mangrove Park, wear suitable clothing as there are a lot of mosquitos in the area
Make sure to carry along your camera to snap memorable pictures at the cowboy town
Do be careful when petting the horses as they might bite you when frightened
Wear long pants and sneakers if you want to try out the horse riding (No slippers, high heels, short skirts and dresses)
Since you’re already at a cowboy town, why not dress like one!
Keep the surrounding area clean

Be careful when petting the horses - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran — Be careful when petting the horses – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran

So getting that out of the way, let’s find out what you can do at Sabandar Cowboy Town?

1. Go on the Sabandar Leisure Rides

Being the main attraction of this cowboy town, the Sabandar Leisure Rides is definitely not to be missed. There are over 28 horses here waiting to make your dreams of being a cowgirl/cowboy one step closer.

First time riding a horse ! Sabandar Cowboy Town - Tuaran, Sabah — First time riding a horse ! Sabandar Cowboy Town – Tuaran, Sabah

Personalised horse stables - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Personalised horse stables – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

You can choose to ride within the paddocks or go for a more scenic ride along the beautiful sandy beaches nearby.

Go for the more scenic horse ride by the beach - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Go for the more scenic horse ride by the beach – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Entrance Fees (Paddock Leisure Ride):-

Morning session

9am to 11.15am

Afternoon session

1.15pm to 4.30pm

Adult & Children

1 round – RM 15

2 rounds – RM 25

3 rounds – RM 35

Photo Session

Per person – RM 5

Horse Feeding

Per bundle of grass – RM 2

*Age limit (4-70 years old), Weight limit 70-80kg depending on the horse on duty.

Horse riding fees - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Horse riding fees – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Horse instructor teaching us the basics - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Sabah — Horse instructor teaching us the basics – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Sabah

Horse riding - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Horse riding – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

2. Explore the Sabandar Mangrove Park

Covering an area of approximately 6 acres, this mangrove park is a popular attraction for all nature lovers and photographers. You will be able to spot various species of flora and fauna here in their natural habitat. A common sighting at the mangrove park is the smooth otter, monitor lizard, mudskipper, mud lobster and various bird species.

Explore the Mangrove Park - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Explore the Mangrove Park – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

The Sabandar Mangrove Park was set up to raise more awareness and step up conservation efforts on the preservation of the mangrove’s ecosystem. With this in mind, wooden boardwalks were constructed around the park, using only manual labour to decrease the carbon footprint. There are currently 3 main species of mangrove identified here; Bakau Minyak, Bakau Kurap and Berus Putih.

Huge mangrove roots at the Mangrove Park - Sabandar Cowboy Town — Huge mangrove roots at the Mangrove Park – Sabandar Cowboy Town

Entrance Fees (Mangrove Park):-

Open from 9am-5pm

Adult (13-59 years) – RM 10

Child (6-12 years) – RM 5

Student – RM 5 (show student card)

Photoshoot sessions – RM 100

*Free for children under 6 year, senior citizens & OKU

Batik Painting

Per person – RM10

Mangrove Park entrance fees - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Mangrove Park entrance fees – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

A replica of the Dusun Bonggi House in the Mangrove Park - Sabandar, Tuaran — A replica of the Dusun Bonggi House in the Mangrove Park – Sabandar, Tuaran

3. Try the local cuisine at the Bamboo Restaurant

After doing all the exploring at the mangrove park, you will most likely be famished. Make your way to the Bamboo Restaurant which is located just beside the park’s entrance to satisfy your hunger. The Mangrove Park ticket also includes a free drink, so make sure to present them to the staff here to claim it.

Claim your free drinks here - Bamboo Restaurant Sabandar Cowboy Town — Claim your free drinks here – Bamboo Restaurant Sabandar Cowboy Town

Sabandar Bamboo Restaurant - Tuaran, Sabah — Sabandar Bamboo Restaurant – Tuaran, Sabah

It is quite easy to spot this restaurant due to its a unique bamboo architecture inspired by the local Bajau tribe. The restaurant is open daily from 9am – 5pm.

Try the food here - Bamboo Restaurant Sabandar Cowboy Town — Try the food here – Bamboo Restaurant Sabandar Cowboy Town

Bamboo Restaurant Menu - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Bamboo Restaurant Menu – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Bamboo Restaurant interior - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Bamboo Restaurant interior – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

4. Visit the Lotud House

Just next to the Bamboo Restaurant is the Lotud House which resembles the traditional house of Tuaran’s indigenous Kadazan-Dusun (Lotud) people.

Lotud House - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Lotud House – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

5. Check out the collection of antique cars

If you’re an avid fan of old antique cars, then you definitely need to check out their collection located at the washroom area “Pee & Poo”.

Collection of antique cars - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Collection of antique cars – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Check out their collection - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Check out their collection – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Antique cars at Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Antique cars at Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

6. Visit the cute rabbits

Being a new addition to the Cowboy Town, the Rabbit Farm is currently free of charge to visitors. Your little ones will surely be very delighted to play and pet the cuddly rabbits here.

Rabbit Farm - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Rabbit Farm – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Hungry rabbits - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Hungry rabbits – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

Entrance Fees (Rabbit Farm):-

Open from 9am-5pm

– Free of charge

Rabbit Feeding

– Per bundle of grass/pellet – RM 2

Easter bunny - Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran - Sabah — Easter bunny – Sabandar Cowboy Town, Tuaran – Sabah

WHY YOU NEED TO VISIT RANAU RABBIT FARM: BEST SABAHAN GUIDE

7. Enjoy the sunset at Sabandar Beach

Once you are done checking out the cowboy town, head over to the Sabandar Beach which is located around 3 minutes away. The golden brown beach and spectacular sunset views are not to be missed here.

Take a stroll along the Sabandar Beach - Tuaran, Sabah — Take a stroll along the Sabandar Beach – Tuaran, Sabah

For those who are a big fan of water sports, you’re in luck as the Sabandar Beach is filled with various options to choose from such as kayaking, banana boat, snorkelling and paddle boarding.

Go kayaking at Sabandar Beach - Tuaran, Sabah — Go kayaking at Sabandar Beach – Tuaran, Sabah

Banana Boat - Sabandar Beach - Tuaran, Sabah — Banana Boat – Sabandar Beach – Tuaran, Sabah

Horses enjoying their "off" day - Sabandar Beach, Tuaran - Sabah — Horses enjoying their “off” day – Sabandar Beach, Tuaran – Sabah

In case you do get hungry, do check out the cafés along the beach which serves delicious seafood and cold drinks while you enjoy the sunset view. As Sabandar Beach can get pretty crowded on the weekends, we suggest you to visit on the weekdays if you want to have the whole beach to yourself.

Entrance to the beach - Sabandar Beach — Entrance to the beach – Sabandar Beach

Dine at the cafés here - Sabandar Beach, Tuaran - Sabah — Dine at the cafés here – Sabandar Beach, Tuaran – Sabah

Enjoy the view here at Sabandar Beach, Tuaran - Sabah — Enjoy the view here at Sabandar Beach, Tuaran – Sabah

Sabandar Beach - Sabah — Sabandar Beach – Sabah

Blue skies - Sabandar Beach, Sabah — Blue skies – Sabandar Beach, Sabah

Hot and sunny day - Sabandar Beach, Sabah — Hot and sunny day – Sabandar Beach, Sabah

8. End your day with the Fireflies Sunset River Cruise

To end the day, hop on the romantic Fireflies Sunset River Cruise which takes you on a scenic ride along the Tuaran River.

Fireflies Sunset River Cruise - Tuaran, Sabah — Fireflies Sunset River Cruise – Tuaran, Sabah

Murky mangrove waters - Tuaran River, Sabah — Murky mangrove waters – Tuaran River, Sabah

You will get a sense of excitement and eeriness from looking at the proboscis monkeys to overgrown Nipah leaves and murky waters as you make your way deeper into the mangrove forest. The boat operators will navigate in the dark in search of a warm orange glow which indicates the presence of the fireflies.

You can spot the Proboscis monkeys during your cruise - Tuaran, Sabah — You can spot the Proboscis monkeys during your cruise – Tuaran, Sabah

Small yet mighty, these fireflies communicate with each other by flashing a specific light pattern, usually to attract a mate. Due to climate change and deforestation, the fireflies population is decreasing, making it much more difficult to see them today, compared to previous years.

With these in mind, the Fireflies Sunset River Cruise aims to educate and promote awareness on the devastating effects of climate change to the public.

Population of fireflies are rapidly declining - Tuaran, Sabah — Population of fireflies are rapidly declining – Tuaran, Sabah

Have any experience or tips on travelling to Sabandar Cowboy Town? 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!

Use BigPay for more savings on currency exchange - veroalex — Use BigPay for more savings on currency exchange – veroalex

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