01 Quick Facts
02 🌲 The Vibe
A neat, family-first riverside camp in the Tambunan valley — grass, river and hills without the crowd.
Evenings are fairy lights, BBQ smoke and karaoke; mornings are mist lifting off the river and green hills.
Run by local river guides who treat campers like guests — warm, hands-on and small-town friendly.
Still a hidden gem: only 26 Google reviews, mostly locals and weekenders from KK.
03 🚗 Getting There
Getting there — 3.5 km / 7 min from Pekan Tambunan via Jalan Lalapakon (off Jalan Kaingaran), Kampung Lalapakon; short village road, sedan-friendly
No price list online — must WhatsApp or call for rates; Tiny review base (26) — still building its reputation
04 🛏️ Staying at ANAWAU RIVERCAMP
A tidy riverside campsite in the Tambunan valley where you pitch on a big lawn beside Sungai Pagalan — clean toilets, a fully equipped kitchen, WiFi and even a karaoke set — with rafting, tubing and kayaking run by the same river-guide team.
- Camp on the riverbank - A spacious flat grass lawn beside Sungai Pagalan with clean toilets, a fully equipped kitchen and working WiFi; one reviewer calls the river spot 'perfect for activities such as kayaking and enjoying the outdoors'.
- Tent or cabin - Bring your own gear or rent on site — a reviewer paid RM60 for a big 5-6 pax tent; the same site rents container cabins with a gazebo and a two-storey dining hall for groups who want a bed instead.
- Rafting HQ - The camp is run by the Lobou Lobou Recreation Centre river-guide team, so a camping night pairs naturally with white-water rafting or tubing trips, or a BBQ-and-karaoke evening with the family.
05 🛠 Facilities
⛺ Camping lawn — A wide flat grass field with room for tents, gazebo shelters and fairy-lit evening setups; rental tents available on site (a big 5-6 pax tent cost one camper RM60).
🚿 Clean washrooms — Toilets are repeatedly called clean and well-maintained across reviews; there's also a fully equipped kitchen area for cooking — 'excellent and fully equipped for cooking', says one reviewer.
📶 Camp comforts — Free WiFi that works well, a karaoke set for family entertainment and BBQ spots — one reviewer's whole review is simply 'BBQ dlu'.
🛏️ Cabins & dining hall — White container cabins with windows for rent, plus a two-storey dining/communal hall with a deck overlooking the lawn and river; the operators advertise 'camping site dan cabin untuk disewa dgn harga berpatutan'.
🌊 River & rafting — Sungai Pagalan runs right beside the camp — clean water for a dip, kayaking, tubing and rafting trips guided by the Lobou Lobou Recreation Centre team.
06 💬 What Campers Are Saying
"Had a wonderful stay at this campsite! The campsite is spacious, clean, and well-maintained. The toilets are very clean, which made our stay much more comfortable. The kitchen facilities are excellent and fully equipped for cooking. WiFi is available and works well, and the karaoke set is a great addition for entertainment with family and friends. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience! 🏕️✨🎤📶🚿"
"I had a great experience at Anawau Campsite, Tambunan with my family. Overall, we were very satisfied with the facilities and utilities provided. The service was good, and the toilets were clean and well-maintained. The campsite is suitable for family gatherings, camping activities, and relaxing in nature. It is located near a river, which makes it perfect for activities such as kayaking and enjoying the outdoors. Highly recommended for families and groups looking for a peaceful camping experience."
"A suitable camping place for families with small children.. can rent a tent too. The other day I got a big tent for only RM60.. can fit 5-6 people. The river is clean, the toilets are clean, the surrounding area is also clean.. can come again next time.."
All 26 reviews average a perfect 5.0 — 25 five-star ratings and a single four-star (no text), so every written review is 5-star, mostly posted around June–July 2026.
07 💰 What to Budget What you pay
| Big tent rental (5-6 pax, per night) | RM60 [CAMPER] |
| Camping spot / own tent fee | not published — pay on site [OFFICIAL] |
| Container cabin rental | not published — 'reasonable price' [OFFICIAL] |
| 2D1N rafting package (promo, activities + meals incl.) | RM270/pax [CAMPER] |
| Big tent rental (5-6 pax, per night) | RM60 [CAMPER] |
Confirm current prices and availability with the camp before booking. No official price list is published anywhere — the Google listing only says payment is by 'camping fee' on site, and the operator FB page advertises camping sites and cabins 'dgn harga berpatutan' (at reasonable prices). Real figures come from campers: a big 5-6 pax rental tent cost RM60/night (Google review, sharon adrain), and the Lobou Lobou team ran a 2D1N rafting promo at RM270/pax including all activity fees and meals (operator FB posts). Always WhatsApp 019-976 4851 for current rates.
08 🏕️ The Camp Tip
- Families camp here all weekend — a Naturehike mosquito repellent keeps the kids comfortable, and a Blackdog camping fan light handles the everyday gear.
- The water is the main draw here — a Blackdog camping table handles the wet gear, and a Naturehike air bed covers the basics for a river camp-out.
- Swim sessions are a big part of the day — a Shinetrip saw for the water, and a Shinetrip storage box dries you off fast after.
09 ❓ FAQ
Q1How do I book?
WhatsApp or call 019-976 4851 (published in the official TikTok/IG bio) or DM @anawaurivercamp on Instagram/TikTok. The camp's FB channel is 'Lobou Lobou Recreation Centre' (017-668 3503).
Q2How much does it cost?
Camping rates are not published online — payment is a camping fee collected on site. Campers report big 5-6 pax rental tents at RM60/night; cabins rent at 'reasonable prices' per the operators.
Q3Can I rent a tent or cabin?
Yes — big tents from about RM60/night and container cabins with beds, plus a gazebo and two-storey dining hall for groups.
Q4Is there a river for swimming?
Yes — Sungai Pagalan runs beside the campsite; the water is clean, and the same team runs tubing, kayaking and white-water rafting trips (weather and water level permitting).
Q5How far is it from Kota Kinabalu?
About 83 km / 1 hr 45 min via Route 500, and only 3.5 km / 7 min from Pekan Tambunan via Jalan Lalapakon — easy to combine with a Tambunan or Kundasang road trip.
10 🔗 You Might Also Like
- Polumpung Melangkap Campsite - Another Sabah campsite worth comparing (read our full review)
- Hounon Ridge Campsite - Another Sabah campsite worth comparing (read our full review)
Researched 23 Aug 2026 — fees and policies from the camp's official channels and Google reviews.