Golf holidays in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is considered by many to be the perfect golf holiday destination for couples.  Even if one person is not very interested in playing golf in Kota Kinabalu, there is plenty to do away from the course to keep everyone happy.

Kota Kinabalu is on the island of Borneo and immediately you are filled with thoughts of an exotic, largely unexplored island.  However, you will be surprised by the development on Borneo and many areas of Kota Kinabalu are modern, such as the boardwalk.

You will find a great choice of golf courses in Kota Kinabalu and combined with the other activities and surrounding area, this is a great place for a golf tour.

Golf Holidays in Kota Kinabalu - Geography and Travel

Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah, which is in Malaysia’s northern region of Borneo.  Therefore, when booking a golf package in Kota Kinabalu you will be playing golf on an island, facing the North China Sea.

The city is on a stretch of narrow flatland and you will see six islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.  The largest of these islands is Gaya Island and this was home to the first settlement of British people.  Many of the smaller islands are uninhabited and this makes them a great place to explore.  They are collectively protected as Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

There are several hills within the city limits which have avoided construction and they are home to tropical rainforest.  In addition to the rainforest there is a mangrove forest and this is also a protected area of Kota Kinabalu.

Being a popular place to visit and the gateway for many tourists to Borneo, Kota Kinabalu is home to the second busiest airport in Malaysia.  Kota Kinabalu International Airport is situated just 7 kilometres from the city centre and accepts direct flights from several international destinations.  Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Seoul, Perth and Hong Kong are just some of the places where you can catch a connecting flight so you could combine them to make a tremendous golf tour.

Golf Tours in Kota Kinabalu - Weather and Best Time to Travel

When booking a golf holiday in Kota Kinabalu you must be aware of the climate.  Kota Kinabalu has a tropical monsoon climate which means it remains hot throughout the year. 

The months between January and April see the lowest rainfall and this is arguably the best time to book a Kota Kinabalu golf package.  The temperatures are often a little cooler at this time of year but not by a huge amount.

Rainfall in Kota Kinabalu tends to peak in October and November so if you want to avoid the worse of the wet weather, you are advised to consider a different time of year for your golf holiday. 

Golf Vacations in Kota Kinabalu - things to do Away from the Golf Course

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do away from the golf course in Kota Kinabalu.  Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia and one of the highest peaks in the world for trekking.  The tracks are manageable for most people but you are advised to book a guided trip for what is a magnificent adventure with great views.

For something more relaxing but equally as exceptional, you can book a Klias River cruise.  This day trip takes in the Klias Wetlands reserve near Kota Kinabalu and you will enjoy forest scenery, wildlife, mangroves and views of Mount Kinabalu.

Another excellent day trip from Kota Kinabalu is Mari Cultural Village.  This trip allows you to immerse yourself in the traditional daily life of the Sabahan tribes.  You will discover traditional homes, customs, culture and food and this excursion is a lovely addition to any Kota Kinabalu golf holiday.