Diana Homestay & Tapak Perkhemahan — A Kampung River Escape in Sabah

The Vibe

Diana Homestay & Tapak Perkhemahan sits in Kampung Kibunut, just outside Donggongon in Penampang — about 15-20 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. This is not some wild jungle basecamp. It's a proper kampung-style eco spot with a clean river, pondoks (rest huts), chalet options, and space to pitch your tent. The kind of place families in Sabah go to on weekends when they need to unplug and sit by moving water for a few hours.

One thing that comes up in reviews though — the place gets day-trippers during the day, and if you're camping overnight you'll feel the lack of privacy until the picnic crowd heads home in the evening. One camper specifically noted this contrast compared to the facility on the other side of the river. So if you're going for the overnight experience, just brace for a busier daytime atmosphere.

The big draw here is the river. Clean water, fish swimming around, kids splashing — the kind of scene that makes parents want to bring the whole family. No phone signal inside the campsite either, which is honestly a feature for some people and a horror story for others. Fair warning either way.

Getting There

The campsite is in Kampung Kibunut, Penampang — postal code 89507. Donggongon town is your main landmark. From KK city, head towards Donggongon (about 12km inland from Kota Kinabalu). Once you're in Donggongon, look for signage towards Kampung Kibunut. The address is KG Kibunut P/S373 — it's a kampung road so don't expect highway conditions, but nothing that should give a normal car trouble based on reviews. Parking on site is reportedly spacious, so no stress there.

If you're unsure, WhatsApp the owner at 012-849 2878 before heading out. They respond to bookings via WhatsApp. Better to confirm your spot first, especially on weekends.

What to Expect

This is a riverside picnic and camping spot, firmly in the beginner-friendly, family-oriented category. Flat ground, pondoks with facilities, clean river, space for kids to run around. You're not going to get a hardcore jungle experience here — this is more of a relax-by-the-river, escape-from-the-city kind of trip.

The no-signal situation is real. Multiple reviewers confirmed that once you pass through the main road into the campsite, mobile data is gone. If your group needs connectivity for work or emergencies, take note — the only spot you can get a signal is back up at the main road. For families trying to get the kids off their phones for a day, this is actually ideal.

For overnight campers, the pricing is reasonable — RM3 per adult, RM2 for kids above 7, free for kids under 7. Pondok Mauli (small hut) runs about RM20, Pondok Besar (big hut) is around RM35-45 depending on which side. Chalets are also available if you don't want to sleep in a tent.

If cooking is part of your plan, you'll want to bring your own stove. One reviewer had a rough time with the provided cooking facilities — the stove was reportedly so weak it took almost 2 hours just to cook rice. That's frustrating after a full day outdoors. The TAHAN Windmaster Double Burner Stove is worth throwing in your boot — foldable, powerful, and you won't be waiting an hour for your nasi to cook.

Facilities

Pondoks (Rest Huts)

Available in small and large sizes. Each hut comes with water and electricity access. Positioned very close to the stream — which is the whole point of being here.

Water

River water on site is clean — multiple reviewers noted this. You can see fish swimming in it, which is usually a good sign. Piped water access is also available at the huts.

Toilets & Bathrooms

Clean toilets were noted by some reviewers, but at least one had a different experience — described them as consistently smelly and not well-maintained. Mixed feedback, so bring your own toiletries and manage expectations.

Electricity

Available at the pondoks. Useful if you're staying in a hut rather than tenting.

BBQ Stations

Each hut has a BBQ station. Good for evening grills by the river.

Cooking Facilities

A stove is provided but reviews suggest it's very slow. Bring your own if proper cooking is on the agenda.

Parking

Spacious and available on site. No issues reported.

Phone Signal

Zero inside the campsite. You'll need to walk back up to the main road to get any line. Plan accordingly — especially if someone in your group needs to be reachable.

Wi-Fi

They charge RM5 for Wi-Fi access, but at least one reviewer reported it was unusable — too slow and unreliable. Don't count on it.

What Campers Are Saying

Most of the positive reviews come from families and day-trippers who are there specifically for the river and the fresh air. A regular visitor noted that the owner consistently maintains the cleanliness standards and keeps the water clean — and prices in May 2022 were still reasonable at RM20-45 for pondoks. He described it as the best spot for families who are addicted to the internet, because once you're in, the phone goes away and you actually enjoy the river.

Another camper highlighted the friendly owner, spacious parking, and the fact that each hut comes with water, electricity, and BBQ stations right by the stream. For him, the no-signal thing wasn't a bug — it was the whole feature.

The less rosy take came from someone who stayed twice and left disappointed both times. Slow cooking stove, unusable paid Wi-Fi, smelly toilets, and an owner who felt more strict than welcoming. Her verdict: fine for a few hours during the day, not recommended for overnight stays. That's a fair and honest data point — the experience seems to vary depending on what you expect walking in.

One camper who specifically came to camp noted that daytime lacks privacy because of the volume of day visitors — and that the eco-tourism facility on the other side of the river seemed to offer more seclusion. Worth knowing if privacy matters to you.

TAHAN Tip

Since the campsite cooking stove is reportedly unreliable, don't gamble with it for dinner — especially if you're there with kids or a bigger group. Come prepared with your own cooking setup. And since there's no phone signal at all inside, download your offline maps and save the owner's WhatsApp number before you leave the main road. If you plan to camp overnight, book in advance through WhatsApp at 012-849 2878 — walk-ins on busy weekends might find the good spots taken.

For overnight stays with the family, the TAHAN Panthera Inflatable Sleeping Pad is a solid pick — 10cm thick with a built-in foot pump and integrated pillow. The ground near the river can be uneven and damp, and having a proper sleeping pad makes the overnight experience a lot more comfortable, especially with kids in tow.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

You Might Also Like

• Kokol Haven Campsite — another popular Sabah riverside escape with a similar family-friendly feel, worth comparing if you're in the KK area.
• Tegudon Tourism Village — a kampung-style eco stay in Sabah that blends culture and nature, great for families who want a bit more structure than a bare campsite.