Papas Eco Camp & Homestay Kalangadan — Buffalo, Buffaloes Everywhere and a Road That'll Test You
The Vibe
Papas Eco Camp sits up in the Kokol area outside Kota Kinabalu — and this place has a personality all of its own. It's a proper kampung-style eco camp with lots of open grass space, a fish pond, a suspension bridge (jambatan gantung!), and — this is the best part — buffaloes that just casually stroll through the campsite. Not behind a fence. Actually through the campsite. Past your tent. Living their best life.
It's a mixed crowd kind of place. Families come here, kids love the space and the bridge. Couples looking for a slow weekend away from KK make the drive. But be warned — it's not always the peaceful retreat you're expecting. Some nights you get karaoke until late and ATVs revving around at 11pm. That's the honest truth. If you need absolute silence, this might not be your spot. But if you're okay with a bit of noise trade-off for a genuinely charming rural setting, it's worth it.
The owner is friendly, the environment is natural, and they've been growing the place — adding indoor camping and homestay options on top of the regular tent pitching area. Plenty of room to spread out, which is a big plus on weekends when bigger families roll in.
Getting There
The address is along Jalan Kokol - Tombongon, 89200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. From KK city, you're looking at a drive that'll take a while — probably 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, and the road to Papas itself gets a bit challenging toward the end. Nothing that needs a 4WD, but you'll want to take it slow on the final stretch. One reviewer specifically called the road "quite challenging but still okay" — so low cars, be a little careful.
Phone coverage up there is patchy. Digi users, your line is basically gone once you head deeper in. Maxis and Celcom are fine. If you're relying on Google Maps, download offline maps before you leave KK. Call ahead on 012-435 7896 if you get lost — if you can get a signal, that is.
What to Expect
Grassy ground, open spaces, rural Sabah kampung feel. The terrain is flat enough that setting up tent isn't a struggle, but the ground can get muddy when it rains — and this being Sabah, rain is always possible. Pack your groundsheet and maybe a pair of old sandals.
Watch out for sandflies. They're confirmed here. If you're camping at dusk or dawn, cover up or bring your insect repellent. The kind that actually works, not the citronella tea light candle type.
This is a family-friendly and beginner-friendly campsite. It's not hardcore jungle camping — there are facilities, open space, and the owner is around. Good for first-timers, good for bringing the kids. The fish pond adds a fun activity layer too. For experienced campers looking for something wild and remote, manage your expectations.
Facilities
Toilets & Showers
Two toilets and two showers on the campsite. The bathrooms are apparently a bit of a walk from the actual camp area — not right next to your tent. Functional, but don't expect luxury.
Water
Good news here — unlimited water supply is available near the campsite. You won't be rationing water on this one.
Accommodation Options
Beyond tent camping, they now offer indoor camping and proper homestay rooms. Good if you want to bring someone who draws the line at sleeping on the ground.
Activities
Fish pond for fishing, suspension bridge, and apparently ATVs are available (though night-time ATV riding by other campers has been a noise complaint — just heads up).
Phone Coverage
Maxis and Celcom work. Digi is dead up here. Sort yourself out before leaving KK.
What Campers Are Saying
The buffalo thing keeps coming up and honestly it sounds amazing. One camper, Khoon, mentioned the buffaloes literally passing by the tent — walking right through the site like they own the place. Which, honestly, they kind of do. Friendly owner too, multiple people said the same.
Mohamad Hamizi drove up from KK and said it took a while and the phone signal was rough, but if you're looking for somewhere peaceful, this is the right place. He came out happy. Worth noting that "peaceful" depends on who else is camping when you show up.
Natasha had a rough time — karaoke all night and ATVs at 11pm from other campers. She gave it 3 stars and made a fair point: the camp owner should set a quiet time. No argument there. If you're unlucky with the crowd on a given night, the noise can be a real problem. It's the kind of thing that's hard to predict.
Wilhemina, who's practically a local (nearest campsite to her house), rates it highly — kid-friendly, good facilities, the jambatan gantung is a hit, and they've been actively improving the place. That kind of repeat local endorsement means something.
Suesheena noted that the bathrooms are a bit far from the campsite but water supply near the tents is generous. The road in is challenging but manageable. Overall positive, just go in knowing the access road is a bit of an adventure.
TAHAN Tip
If you want the best chance at a quiet night, avoid coming on long weekends or public holidays — that's when the karaoke crowd tends to show up. Weekday camping or off-peak weekends are your best bet for actually experiencing the peace and quiet this place genuinely has to offer. And when you pitch your tent, set up away from the main activity areas so you're not right in the middle of whatever's happening near the fish pond or ATV area.
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 near KK, so if Papas doesn't quite fit, this one's right next door to compare.
- Kokol MamaHill Campsite — another Kokol area camp with a similar rural hilltop vibe, worth checking out if you're doing a Sabah camping trip.
