Day 9 Sabah Road Trip Keningau Tenom Sipitang
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 29-05-2026
Route Summary This route was created with his permission.
Seen as one of the most beautiful provinces in Malaysia, Sabah is known for its scenic landscape with spectacular mountains, beautiful beaches, surreal sunsets, rich culture, friendliest people, winding roads, tall waterfalls, national parks and much more!
The roads in Malaysia are generally in good condition, but beware; there are also parts where the asphalt is poor and there can be potholes in the road surface. This can be dangerous, so caution is advised. During the rainy season (September-December) the roads can be slippery. Traffic in Malaysia drives on the left side of the road.
You can rent a motorcycle in Malaysia, but these are usually lighter models and often scooters. You can spend the night in hotels, B & Bs or campsites, which can easily be booked via the website in the review or via booking.com.
I rate this route with 4 **** Stars because of the beautiful roads, the beautiful nature and the possibility to include the train journey with the Sabah State Railway in your travel plans.
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Verdict
Duration
3h 43m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
123.40 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review After a drive of about 40 minutes, you arrive in Tenom, at the Tenom Coffee Valley Café next to the train station. This small building houses a restaurant that serves Western and fusion dishes, and is known for its delicious coffee – a specialty of the town of Tenom.
Tenom Train Station is located less than 200 meters from the café. Here you can take a short walk and view the classic Borneo train, the station, and the centuries-old rainforests in the surrounding area. The Sabah State Railway, formerly the North Borneo Railway, is the only railway line on the island of Borneo. It is a piece of colonial history and an unusual, adventurous train journey that is absolutely worthwhile.
If you want to include the train journey to Beaufort in your trip, it is advisable to add an extra day and stay overnight in Beaufort. The train only runs twice a day, and in Beaufort you will have plenty of time to visit the sights. There are several hotels where you can stay for a reasonable price.
Buy a ticket for the Sabah State Railway and board for the ride from Tenom to Beaufort. The train follows the Sungai Padas River and passes by Crocker Range Park. The journey is 48 kilometers long and takes approximately 2.5 to 4 hours. The rear door of the carriage is open, giving you a beautiful unobstructed view of the landscape. Two trains depart daily from Tenom to Beaufort, so plan your departure from Keningau carefully if you wish to add this experience to your itinerary.
Departure times
From Tenom: daily at 07:00 and 13:00 (Sunday only at 13:00)
From Beaufort: daily at 07:50 and 13:30 (Sunday 12:30)
Cost: 2.75 RM / 0.65 USD / 0.55 EUR per person.
The train consists of three iron carriages, each slightly different, but all cheerfully blue. The seats are hard and worn, and the doors remain open like in an old Western film, so that passengers can enjoy the view – and, for some at least as important, smoke.
The train travels slowly and follows the Padas River on the left. The water is dark and muddy; with a bit of luck, you might see crocodiles in the river or along the banks. Along the route, you see lush tropical vegetation and occasionally small houses hidden in the jungle.
After the Tenom Pangi Dam, the river becomes wilder and more spectacular. There are a few small villages along the route where passengers get on and off. These villages consist of about ten houses, a school, a church, and a football field. Small orchards, fruit trees, chickens, and sometimes a few goats form the basis of their existence. It is possible that you may need to transfer to another train in one of these villages. At Melalap station, you can get off to visit the Riverbugs Camp for Adventures.
From Tenom, drive via the SA33 to Sipitang. This two-lane road is of good quality and winds through the green, mountainous landscape of Malaysia. Along the route, there are small cafes where you can stop for a short break. For enthusiasts, there are also unpaved, narrow, winding roads you can follow; these are marked with waypoints. Please note, however, that these roads are often not visible on your navigation system.
After driving for about 3.5 to 4 hours, we arrive at the final destination in Sipitang, where we can rest for day 10, which promises to be a somewhat longer drive.
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Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Sarawak
About this region
Sarawak (; Malay: [saˈrawaʔ]) is a state within Malaysia. The largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak is located in northwest Borneo Island, and is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sabah to the northeast, Kalimantan (the Indonesian portion of Borneo) to the south, and Brunei in the north. The capital city, Kuching, is the largest city in Sarawak, the economic centre of the state, and the seat of the Sarawak state government. Other cities and towns in Sarawak include Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu. As of the 2020 census, the population of Sarawak was estimated over 2,907,500. Sarawak has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. It has several prominent cave systems at Gunung Mulu National Park. Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia; Bakun Dam, one of the largest dams in Southeast Asia, is located on one of its tributaries, the Balui River. Mount Murud is the highest point in Sarawak.
The earliest known human settlement in Sarawak at the Niah Caves dates back 40,000 years. A series of Chinese ceramics dated from the 8th to 13th century AD was uncovered at the archaeological site of Santubong. The coastal regions of Sarawak came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 16th century. In 1839, James Brooke, a British explorer, arrived in Sarawak. He, and his descendants, governed the state from 1841 to 1946. During World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese for three years. After the war, the last White Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke, ceded Sarawak to Britain, and in 1946 it became a British Crown Colony. On 22 July 1963, Sarawak was granted self-government by the British and subsequently became one of the founding members of Malaysia, established on 16 September 1963. However, the federation was opposed by Indonesia, leading to a three-year confrontation. The creation of Malaysia also prompted a communist insurgency that lasted until 1990.
The head of state is the Governor, also known as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, while the head of government is the Chief Minister. Sarawak is divided into administrative divisions and districts, governed by a system that is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and was the earliest state legislature system in Malaysia. Under the Malaysian constitution, Sarawak has greater autonomy than the states of Peninsular Malaysia.
Because of its natural resources, Sarawak specialises in the export of oil and gas, timber and oil palms, but also possesses strong manufacturing, energy and tourism sectors. It is ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse; major ethnic groups including Iban, Malay, Chinese, Melanau, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. English and Malay are the two official languages of the state; there is no official religion.
Read more on Wikipedia
The earliest known human settlement in Sarawak at the Niah Caves dates back 40,000 years. A series of Chinese ceramics dated from the 8th to 13th century AD was uncovered at the archaeological site of Santubong. The coastal regions of Sarawak came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 16th century. In 1839, James Brooke, a British explorer, arrived in Sarawak. He, and his descendants, governed the state from 1841 to 1946. During World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese for three years. After the war, the last White Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke, ceded Sarawak to Britain, and in 1946 it became a British Crown Colony. On 22 July 1963, Sarawak was granted self-government by the British and subsequently became one of the founding members of Malaysia, established on 16 September 1963. However, the federation was opposed by Indonesia, leading to a three-year confrontation. The creation of Malaysia also prompted a communist insurgency that lasted until 1990.
The head of state is the Governor, also known as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, while the head of government is the Chief Minister. Sarawak is divided into administrative divisions and districts, governed by a system that is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and was the earliest state legislature system in Malaysia. Under the Malaysian constitution, Sarawak has greater autonomy than the states of Peninsular Malaysia.
Because of its natural resources, Sarawak specialises in the export of oil and gas, timber and oil palms, but also possesses strong manufacturing, energy and tourism sectors. It is ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse; major ethnic groups including Iban, Malay, Chinese, Melanau, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. English and Malay are the two official languages of the state; there is no official religion.
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Route Collections in this region The best Sabah Road Trip Borneo Malaysia
Based on the routes of “Rider Chris” from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, this 11-day Motorcycle Tour in Sabah Borneo is a passionate motorcyclist and loves to share his travel adventures with the community through his website and social media. The link to his website can be found in the first route.
This route collection was created with his permission.
Seen as one of the most beautiful provinces in Malaysia, Sabah is known for its scenic landscape with spectacular mountains, beautiful beaches, surreal sunsets, rich culture, friendliest people, winding roads, tall waterfalls, national parks and much more!
The roads in Malaysia are generally in good condition, but beware; there are also parts where the asphalt is poor and there can be potholes in the road surface. This can be dangerous, so caution is advised. During the rainy season (September-December) the roads can be slippery. Traffic in Malaysia drives on the left side of the road.
You can rent a motorcycle in Malaysia, but these are usually lighter models and often scooters. You can spend the night in hotels, B & Bs or campsites, which can easily be booked via the website in the review or via booking.com.
This route collection was created with his permission.
Seen as one of the most beautiful provinces in Malaysia, Sabah is known for its scenic landscape with spectacular mountains, beautiful beaches, surreal sunsets, rich culture, friendliest people, winding roads, tall waterfalls, national parks and much more!
The roads in Malaysia are generally in good condition, but beware; there are also parts where the asphalt is poor and there can be potholes in the road surface. This can be dangerous, so caution is advised. During the rainy season (September-December) the roads can be slippery. Traffic in Malaysia drives on the left side of the road.
You can rent a motorcycle in Malaysia, but these are usually lighter models and often scooters. You can spend the night in hotels, B & Bs or campsites, which can easily be booked via the website in the review or via booking.com.
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