Tambunan Village Resort Centre

Tambunan Village Resort Centre

Situated along the Pegalan River in Tambunan, that provides accommodation facilities for visitors to Tambunan.


TVRC offers visitors the experience of staying in Traditional-Type chalets made of split bamboo while enjoying the spring-like climate and peaceful nights of Tambunan.

For camera buffs and nature lovers, Tambunan offers the experience of a lifetime to view the world’s largest flower, picnic by crystal clear waterfalls (turns muddy during rainy days), discover local orchids, and climb Sabah’s second highest peak, Mt. Trusmadi. Relax in the fresh mountain climate amidst breath-taking scenery and discover the tradition of the Tambunan Kadazan / Dusun people.

TVRC can assist visitors to visit places of interest around Tambunan through prior arrangement.

Tambunan Village Resort Centre Sdn. Bhd.
W.D.T 24, 89650 Tambunan
Sabah, Malaysia
Tel : +60 087-774076, 774197
Fax : +60 087-774205

Source: http://tvrc.tripod.com/

Discover the hidden treasures of Sabah's interior, the rural district of TAMBUNAN

Welcome to one of Sabah's most enchanting valley.

Located only 1½ hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, Tambunan is a peaceful Kadazandusun district that will surprise you with its natural and local wonders.

From the world's biggest flower to the invigorating waterfall, gregarious hospitality of the locals to the simple yet nutritious traditional dishes, massive rainforest trees to exotic wildlife not commonly found elsewhere, Tambunan promises to charm, educate and ensure a memorable Borneo holiday.

So whatever is your interest (ethnic life or wildlife) and need (relax or adventure), let the local native guides of Mahua Nature Holidays Sdn. Bhd. takes care of your Tambunan holiday with our flexible and affordable packages.

Mahua Water Fall

Mahua Waterfall is a pristine natural fall that nestled deep in the tropical forest of the Crocker Mountain Range. This spectacular waterfall is approximately 17 metres tall and has a pool depth of 1.3 metres.

One of the most accessible beautiful fall in Sabah, the drive up to Mahua takes an approximate 1½ hr drive from Kota Kinabalu. Visitors will will pass through scenic uphill drive through small villages and forests on the Crocker Range.

A trek to find blooming Rafflesia may also be made upon prior arrangment en route to Tambunan (subject to season).

The drive will end at the Mahua Sub-Centre which is the park entrance. From here on, it takes an easy 15 mins walk along the river to reach the waterfall.

A highlight in itself, this walk will delight any nature enthusiast with the sight of endless towering Seraya trees with huge trunks, giant bamboo trees and birds-nest ferns while endlessly entertained by the chorus of insects and forests birds.

Kg Patau Homestay, Tambunan

PATAU village is situated in a scenic valley surrounded by forested hills and mountains. At an elevation of around 2,000 meters above sea levels, day time temperature is around 22-28^oC while night time can dip to a chilly 16-18^oC.

With a small community of only a few hundred residents, Patau village provides a peaceful retreat. It is truly an ideal place to relax and enjoy a slow pace of life. Visitors will be hosted by families who will provide simple accommodation, local cuisines and cultural performances (for group bookings of 15 pax and more).

Together with the friendly locals, join some of the activities that make up daily life in Patau from tapai brewing (a potent rice wine), bamboo mats weaving, gong playing (musical instrument used to convey celebratory, funerary and warning messages) or party with us during festival seasons (May - Harvest Festival and December - Year End).

However, if you prefer the outdoors, then explore the wonderful nature and extraordinary biodiversity found around Patau and Crocker Range. You can swim at Mahua Waterfall, join the Panoramic Hike, explore the jungle and hunt for wild games. Or for a milder outdoor actions, get involve in agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting rice (season based) or you can while your time away fishing.

Along the way, pick up the local lingo and learn the sing-song language of the Kadazandusuns.

Whatever you chose to do, a homestay with us will be a unique and memorable experience.

HomeStay Attraction:

▪ Cool temperature all year long

▪ Nearest to Mahua Waterfall

▪ Tapai brewing

▪ Bamboo mat weaving

▪ Learn Kadazandusun language

▪ Hiking & Jungle Trekking

▪ Making wild animal traps

▪ Planting or harvesting rice

▪ World biggest flower

▪ Local cuisines

▪ Cultural performances*

For More Information, Please Call:

019 820 3198

Mahua Nature Holiday

OUR COMPANY You are not simply a visitor You are our guest E-Mail For Info Call or SMS 019 820 3198 (Tour Director)

Mahua Nature Holidays Sdn. Bhd. is a specialty travel company that concentrates on arranging trips to Mahua Waterfall and other attractions in Tambunan (a district in Interior Sabah, Malaysian Borneo). We also coordinates HOMESTAY packages with host families around Patau village. We can custom make your trip itinerary that will suit your interest, budget, group size and duration of stay. The majority of our crew are local Patau residents so you are assured of genuine native hospitality. To us, you are not simply a visitor. You are our guest. General Terms & Condition This site contains only general information. Clients are requested to contact us for more details. We request a minimum of 2 persons per trip (excluding Patau Homestay Package) At present, we do not arrange for tours or accommodation to areas/attractions outside of Tambunan. Postal Address Mahua Nature Holidays Sdn. Bhd. P.O Box 22378 88782 Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia

The Kadazan Dusun

Ethnics Profile: The Kadazandusun

This is the largest ethnic category in Sabah and is predominantly wet rice and hill rice cultivators. Their language belongs to the Dusunic family and shares a common animistic belief system with various customs and practices. Their ancient beliefs on the verity that everything has life – the rocks, trees, and rivers are all living things. They have souls and spirits that must be appeased from time to time through specific rituals. In these modern times, some of the rituals are less performed accept during certain festivities.

Costums & Beliefs
Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival is a unique celebration of Kadazandusun society. It’s a celebration to honour the Rice Spirit – Bambaazon or Bambarayon and giving thanks for yet another bountiful year. The festival begins on the first of May at many district levels. The rites and customs of the Pesta Kaamatan is a tribal practice of Kadazandusun and also Murut peoples. The Bobohizan or Bobolian who are the High Priests or Priestesses (depending on the district/area undertaking the preservation) will conduct the ritual. In different districts, the priests or priestesses may be addressed to differently, for instance in Tambunan district they are known as Bobolian, in Tuaran as Tantagas and in Penampang as Bobohizan.

It is believed that rice in whatever form embodies Bambaazon that must be protected from harm. The homecoming of Babaazon is an integral part of the Harvest Festival. Ancient folklore tells of the ultimate deed of Kinoingan or Minamagun – The Almighty God or Creator, who sacrificed his only beloved daughter, Huminodun so that his people would have food. Various parts of her body were planted from which plants grew. During the Magavau ceremony, the Bobohizan will select some stalks of rice that are left undistributed until the harvest is over. In some districts, the chosen stalks are cut before the field is harvested and are then brought into the owner’s house. The task of Bobohizan is to search and salvage the lost Bambaazon who are hurt or separated from the main mystical body. In the old days, this ceremony was often performed in freshly harvested fields during the first full moon after the harvest to invoke the rice spirit.

The language used by Bobohizan is archaic whose meanings have been buried in time and known only to the few remaining Bobohizan these days. The vital aspect of Magavau is the paraphernalia used to summon Bambaazon. The sacrament of Magavau may vary according to district practices but the ceremony always ends with food offerings to Bambaazon and merry making for the village folks.

The highlight of Pesta Kaamatan is the selection of the pageant queen or “Unduk Ngadau” which can be literally translated as “Zenith of the Sun”. It conceptually derives from the sacrifice of Huminodun. The maiden who has the honour of being selected should bear semblance to Huminodun and will represent all that is virtuous in the revered Huminodun.

The following listed are the divisions of Kadazandusun family clusters found at large in Sabah and one can distinguish their district origin by the traditional costumes worn: - penampang, papar, dusun tindal.

Data Taken FromThe KadazanDusun Culture

Tambunan

Tambunan is a valley district located in the Interior Division of the state of Sabah. The district covers an area of 1,347 sq. km..[1] Its population was estimated to be around 27,852 in 2000, based on the 2000 Population and Housing Census conducted by the Department of Statistics, Malaysia.[2]. Almost the entire population are Dusun,[3] while the rest are Malay, Chinese and other Sabahan ethnic groups. It is located 80 kilometers east of Kota Kinabalu, 48 kilometers south of Ranau and 48 kilometers north of Keningau. At an average altitude of 750 meters, this valley, which is part of the Crocker Range, experience mild tropical climate all year long. The valley is peppered by terraced padi fields and 70 picturesque villages. The dense forests of bamboo around Tambunan are a legacy of the British colonial period, during which time an edict stated that 20 bamboo sprouts had to be planted for every bamboo cut.
Paddy fields in Kampong Tinompok, Tambunan

Tambunan is connected to Kota Kinabalu via the Kota Kinabalu-Tambunan-Keningau Highway.

East of Tambunan is Sabah's second highest mountain, Trus Madi (2642 meters).

The Mat Salleh Memorial, located in the middle of paddy fields at Kampung Tibabar, is a concrete structure erected in memory of Datu Paduka Mat Salleh. Better known as Mat Salleh, he led a rebellion against the British North Borneo Company in the late 19th century. The rebellion against British rule was due to the locals' dissatisfaction on alleged exploitation by the Company. He was killed in a gun battle with the British police on 1 February 1900. In recognition of Mat Salleh as one of Sabah's earliest freedom fighters, the State Government of Sabah built the memorial fort at the exact site of where he was killed.

Near the Mat Salleh's fort is the Tun Datu Mustapha Memorial the famous Sabah statesman.

Tambunan is noted for the quality of its Lihing and Tapai, or rice wine.

Outside of Tambunan is the Rafflesia Forest Reserve, devoted to the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia.

The road north of Tambunan to Ranau is considered one of the worst in Sabah, with numerous patches broken gravel, fallen roads and precarious water-filled ledges. The conditions have deteriorated due to increasing numbers of sinkholes and landslides and the slow rate of repair.