Kg Padas Tebobon Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu — Let's Be Honest About This One

The Vibe

Okay, I'm going to be straight with you here. Kg Padas Tebobon is not a campsite. Based on everything available — the reviews, the address, the location data — this is a residential kampung area in Menggatal, just outside Kota Kinabalu. There are no camping facilities here, no tent pitching spots, no overnight camping setup. Drive all the way out there looking for a campsite and you'll end up in someone's neighbourhood. Don't do that to yourself.

The reviews tell a very different story from camping. One person talked about welding pipes for home renovations. Another described it as squatter housing without facilities. A third mentioned goods being organized and delivered. This is a working kampung settlement, not an outdoor recreation spot. Whoever listed this under camping has either made a mistake or there's been a mix-up with the Google Maps pin.

So if you've landed here hoping to camp in this area — good news is, Sabah has some genuinely incredible options not far from KK. Keep reading and I'll point you in the right direction at the bottom of this post.

Getting There

The address listed is Kampung Padas Baru, Menggatal Tuaran, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Menggatal is about 15–20 minutes northeast of KK city centre, heading toward Tuaran on the old trunk road. It's accessible by normal car — no 4WD needed, the area is flat kampung terrain. But again, there's nothing camping-related to arrive at. If you're genuinely trying to contact whoever is at this location, the listed number is 011-1415 1426.

What to Expect

Flat kampung land. Houses. Regular village life. If you're a first-timer to Sabah hoping to pitch a tent here, this isn't the place. The area around Menggatal and Tuaran does have some rural charm — it's the kind of road where you pass through traditional Kadazan-Dusun villages and small farms — but there's no campsite infrastructure here at all.

For families or beginners wanting a proper intro to camping near KK, you're better off looking at dedicated sites around Kokol Hill or further inland toward Tambunan. For something more adventurous, the options around Kundasang and Mount Kinabalu are genuinely world-class.

Facilities

Camping Facilities

None. This is not a campsite. No tent area, no fire pits, no camping infrastructure of any kind based on available information.

Toilets

Not applicable for camping purposes. Reviewers noted it's a residential area — squatter housing was specifically mentioned.

Electricity & Water

This is a kampung settlement, so basic utilities exist for residents — but not for campers, because campers shouldn't be here.

What Campers Are Saying

Honestly? None of the three reviews here are from campers. Farid mentioned steady service and organized goods — sounds like a delivery or supplies context. Yusri described it as squatter housing without facilities, which is about the settlement itself. And Ima Nizam talked about welding pipes for home renovation. These reviews almost certainly got attached to the wrong Google Maps pin, or this location is simply not what it's been labelled as online.

There's no campsite experience to report here. Zero. I'm not going to make something up just to fill the section.

TAHAN Tip

If you're in KK and looking to camp, skip this listing entirely and head toward Kokol Hill — there are a few proper campsites up there with views that'll make the drive worth it. Or go further out toward Kundasang if you want that cool highland air. Sabah camping is genuinely special, just not here. For nights in the highlands near Kundasang, temperatures can dip quite a bit — the TAHAN HexLink Sleeping Bag rated down to 18°C is something I always pack for Sabah hill camping, especially when you're not sure how cold it'll get overnight.

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 — a proper hilltop camping experience just outside KK with cool air and decent views.
• Kinabalu Park Campsite — if you're already in Sabah, this is the one campsite you really shouldn't miss.