Ratau Campsite
01 Quick Facts
02 🌲 The Vibe
Sleep by the river and wake to the sound of water and jungle birds.
Village-simple and genuinely relaxed — the Kiulu valley does the heavy lifting.
A local community campsite with warm hospitality and zero pretension.
Stars at night, cold river dips by day — a proper unplugged getaway.
03 🚗 Getting There
Getting there — Kg. Ratau Kiulu, Jalan Pukak Pahu Nulu, 89250 Tamparuli, Sabah — plus code 288R+4R; via Kiulu valley road from Tamparuli
No published price list — must call/message to book; Google category says 'Park', little official info online
04 🛏️ Staying at Ratau Campsite
Ratau Campsite is a community-run riverside campground in Kampung Ratau Kiulu — pitch your tent on the grassy bank of the Kimoulau River, swim and fish in the clear non-Tagal water, cook at the BBQ area and sleep to the sound of the river under a starry Kiulu-valley sky.
- Riverside tenting - Tent sites face the river — reviewers describe waking up straight to the river view from a grassy bank.
- Fish & swim freely - This stretch of river is not Tagal, so fishing is allowed — a rarity in Sabah — and the clean water is great for a swim.
- Village hospitality - Friendly, helpful staff run the place; you can even buy organic vegetables from the community garden on site.
Booking: no online price list — message the official Facebook page (Ratau Campsite) or call +60 17-820 6095 to confirm fees and availability. Bring: own tent & camping gear, torch, insect repellent, food/BBQ supplies and drinking water; rain gear if you're visiting in the wet season. Remember: this is a village community site — pack in, pack out, and keep the river clean.
05 🛠 Facilities
🏕️ Riverside tent area — Grassy tent sites directly facing the Kimoulau River — the view from your tent door is the whole point of this camp.
🚿 Hot shower & BBQ area — Reviews confirm a hot shower and a BBQ area on site — decent comfort for a village campsite.
🎣 Fishable river (non-Tagal) — Unlike most Sabah rivers, this stretch is not Tagal, so fishing is permitted — a real draw for anglers.
🥬 Organic veg garden — The community grows organic vegetables you can buy on site — fresh produce straight from the kampung.
🌌 Stargazing — The Kiulu valley has little light pollution, and reviewers rate it a great stargazing spot at night.
06 💬 What Campers Are Saying
"The first campsite that I've been to, where the river is not Tagal 🤩, meaning you can fish here. Spent 2 nights here, the first day weather was beautiful, second day it was raining. You can buy organic vegetable from their vegetable garden too. Staffs are helpful and friendly. …"
"one of the best campsite in kiulu..clean river, friendly villagers, best spot for stargazer..definitely will come again 🏕️ …"
"Very beautiful place, suitable for those who want to take a break from the busyness of city. Suit for camper and family trip."
Unusually one-sided: 20 of the 21 reviews are 5★ and the single 1★ review has no text at all — which is exactly why the average sits at 4.8 instead of a perfect 5.0.
07 💰 What to Budget What you pay
| Campsite fee (per person/night) | not published (call camp) |
| Tent rental (if offered) | not published (call camp) |
| BBQ / facility use | not published (call camp) |
| Campsite fee (per person/night) | RM n/a — not published (call camp) |
Confirm current prices and availability with the camp before booking. No price list is published on the official Facebook page, Google listing or any reachable source — the operator only lists a phone (+60 17-820 6095) and email (rataucampsite@gmail.com). All rows marked 'not published (call camp)'; confirm current rates with the operator before heading out.
08 🏕️ The Camp Tip
- Ratau Campsite sits by a river — a Naturehike mosquito killing lamp makes river sessions easier, and a Blackdog camping fan light keeps everyone dry between swims.
- Camping with the whole crew — a Blackdog water tank for the little ones, and a Naturehike phone waterproof bag keeps everyone fed and happy.
- Swim sessions are a big part of the day — a Blackdog air bed for the water, and a Blackdog picnic mat dries you off fast after.
09 ❓ FAQ
Q1Is Ratau Campsite a real bookable campsite?
Yes — it's a community-run eco-tourism campsite (Eko Pelancongan Komuniti Kg. Ratau Kiulu) on the Kimoulau River, with an official Facebook page, an operator phone and camper reviews describing tent sites, BBQ and showers.
Q2How do I book?
There's no online booking system — contact the camp directly via its official Facebook page (Ratau Campsite, fb.com/RATAUCAMPSITE) or call +60 17-820 6095.
Q3How much does it cost?
Fees are not published anywhere online; call or message the operator for the current per-person or per-tent rate.
Q4Can I fish in the river?
Yes — reviewers note this stretch of the Kimoulau River is not Tagal, so fishing is allowed.
Q5What facilities are available?
Riverside tent sites, a BBQ area, a hot shower, river swimming, an organic vegetable garden and outdoor seating — no glamping-style accommodation is listed.
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.