Kokol MamaHill Campsite — The Campsite with KK City in Front and Mount Kinabalu Behind

The Vibe

You know those campsites where you set up your tent and just... stare? Like you forget what you were doing because the view has completely taken over? That's MamaHill. This place sits up in Kampung Kokol, high above Kota Kinabalu, and the view is genuinely something else. In front of you — KK City, glittering at night. Behind you — Mount Kinabalu, massive and quiet at dawn. You don't often get both in one frame. This place gives you both.

It's a paragliding takeoff site too, so the open hilltop setting makes sense. The wind is real — cold at night, sometimes gusty. Bring a proper rainfly and peg your tent down properly. But that same wind keeps things cool and fresh, which honestly beats sweating through your sleeping bag any day. Cats roam the campsite too, apparently very fluffy and very friendly. So there's that.

The crowd here is a mix — local Sabahans who know the spot, families looking for something different, and people who just want to watch the city lights from above while eating homemade bakso. Not a hardcore jungle crowd. More of an elevated hangout with proper scenery. The kind of place you bring friends who say they don't camp — and they end up wanting to come back.

Getting There

Head towards Menggatal from Kota Kinabalu, then follow signs up to Kampung Kokol. The address is Paragliding Takeoff, Kampung Kokol Menggatal, 88850 Kota Kinabalu — drop that into Google Maps and it'll get you there. The road going up is paved, but don't let that fool you. After the Heaven Resort stretch, it gets steep. Properly steep. One reviewer tried it in a Saga FLX with three passengers and said it was a struggle. If you're driving a small car, don't pack it full — your engine will thank you. SUV or 4WD is the smarter call here.

Once you reach the car park, you're not at the campsite yet. There's a walk of roughly 100–300 metres up to the actual camping ground — reviewers estimate about 5 to 10 minutes on foot through some steep terrain. There may be mud on the trail depending on recent rain. Pack light if you can, or make a few trips. It's not brutal, but you'll feel it if you're carrying a 30kg bag.

What to Expect

Open hilltop terrain. Windy. Cool — especially at night. This isn't a jungle camp or a riverside camp. It's an elevated clearing with unobstructed views in both directions. Sunrise faces Kinabalu. Sunset faces KK City. Both are worth staying up or waking up for.

Camping spots are reportedly aplenty, so you have room to pick your preferred angle. The best spots let you see both the mountain and the city — grab one of those if you arrive early enough. The owner is friendly and locals-first in energy, which gives the whole place a kampung feel despite the dramatic elevation.

This suits beginners and families fine, as long as you're prepared for the wind and the walk in. Not much jungle exposure — it's more open-air hill camping. If you want rugged and remote, this isn't that. If you want jaw-dropping views with a manageable setup, this is exactly that.

Facilities

Entrance Fee

RM10 per person based on what reviewers paid. Worth it for what you get.

Booking

Pre-booking required. Don't just show up and hope for the best — you need to reserve your spot beforehand. Call 011-2521 3738 to confirm.

Tent Rental

Available on-site. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent tents here. Handy for first-timers.

Toilets

Clean, according to reviewers. One of the better-maintained ones for a hilltop site.

Parking

Car park at the base, roughly 100–300 metres from the campsite. You walk in from there. No camping next to your car.

What Campers Are Saying

Pretty much everyone who goes here leads with the view. One camper described it as still being "framed in their head" long after the trip — KK City in front, Kinabalu behind. That's not something you forget easily. The owner was called out as genuinely friendly, which makes a difference when you're a first-timer figuring out where to set up.

A camper on their first visit to MamaHill said the sunset over KK City and the Kinabalu sunrise were both superb — then promptly had homemade bakso kaki ayam with friends by the fire. Honestly that sounds like a perfect night. They noted the wind was strong and cold, but no rain hit them, so they counted themselves lucky.

One family noted the trail from the carpark had some mud but was manageable overall. They picked a spot that gave them both views — smart move. Toilets were clean, spots were available, cats were fluffy. They'd go back. Simple as that.

Someone who drove up in a Saga FLX with three people flagged the steep road as a real challenge — the car struggled on the incline. His advice: bring an SUV or a bigger engine if you're coming with full passenger load. Solid tip that could save you a very awkward moment on a narrow hill road.

TAHAN Tip

Wind here is no joke — especially at night. Peg your tent into the ground properly and use all your guylines. A tent that's fine in a flat forest campsite can get battered on an exposed hilltop. Check the weather forecast before you go, and if it's looking stormy, consider rescheduling. The views are only worth it if your tent is still standing in the morning.

About Mike

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 — also up in the Kokol hills area, worth comparing if you're deciding between the two for your KK camping trip.
• Kinabalu Park Campsite — if MamaHill's view of Mount Kinabalu isn't enough and you want to camp right at its foot, this is your next stop.