Utan Paradise Jungle Camp
01 Quick Facts
02 🌲 The Vibe
Deep-jungle getaway on the Crocker Range edge where the loudest thing after dusk is the insect and animal chorus.
Family-run and personal — the father shares poison-dart and forest knowledge, the mother cooks, and guests tend to leave as friends.
Old-school Borneo backpacker camp: basic, honest and priced for travellers, not a glamping resort.
Days are river swims and rainforest treks; nights are cool, quiet and soundtracked by the jungle.
03 🚗 Getting There
Getting there — Km 35 Ulu Kimanis via Keningau road (Jalan Keningau–Kimanis), Papar; GPS 5.48937N 116.01850E (plus code F2Q9+P9 Papar); ~45–90 min from KK
No published rates anywhere — must call or WhatsApp to book; Accommodation is basic; don't expect too much
04 🛏️ Staying at Utan Paradise Jungle Camp
A proper Borneo jungle camp on the edge of Crocker Range National Park: basic beds and hammocks, home-cooked meals, river swims with giant wild fish, and trails straight into primary rainforest — run by a friendly local family who know every tree, animal and survival trick in it.
- Sleep in the jungle - Backpacker beds, hammocks (bring your own or borrow — reviewers say Anton can organise them) and recently renovated rooms with comfy beds and private bathrooms. Nights are naturally cool, so no aircon needed.
- Eat home-cooked - The kitchen is the heart of the camp — reviewers call the food part of the 5-star experience, and the mother's cooking gets singled out as excellent.
- Explore on foot & by river - Jungle trails leave straight from behind the accommodation into Crocker Range National Park, with treks from one night to two weeks; a nearby river lets you feed, touch and swim with huge wild (and protected) fish.
Book before you go: there's no website or price list — WhatsApp or call the camp (019-897 4641 per FB; 019-534 5652 per Google Maps) to confirm rates and availability, and it's reportedly easy.
Bring: hammock, torch, insect repellent, rain gear and cash; a light layer for the cool nights.
Plan: arrange transport from KK in advance — the camp can pick you up, and reviewers say the guide even stops at the local market on the way.
05 🛠 Facilities
🌳 Jungle doorstep — Trails connect right from the back of the accommodation into Crocker Range National Park — primary rainforest with bird watching, insect study and barely-marked treks that feel properly wild.
🛏️ Backpacker lodging — Simple rooms and beds, plus renovated rooms with comfy beds and private bathrooms. Hammocks available, or bring your own for nights down by the river.
🍛 Home cooking — The camp kitchen turns out praised home-cooked meals — reviewers rate the food, atmosphere and staff all as part of a 5-star stay.
🐟 River & swim — A river runs nearby where you can feed, touch and swim with huge fish that live completely wild (and protected); some guests camp two nights right down by the water.
🥾 Treks & skills — Guided jungle treks from 1 night to 2-week expeditions, plus survival-skill lessons — poison darts, jungle craft and forest knowledge shared by the family who live there.
🍹 Bar & garden — Third-party listings note a small bar and garden for evening hangs — though most reviewers say the jungle soundscape is the real entertainment.
06 💬 What Campers Are Saying
"I had an absolutely great time at the Jungle Camp. Anton is so friendly and helpful. It was very easy to book by just writing him on WhatsApp using the number listed on google maps. The price was very good. We stayed in the jungle for two nights down by the river. I recommend bringing your own hammock but luckily for us Anton could organize some hammocks, since we didnt bring our own. I will definitely come here again if I ever have the chance to."
"Perfect location for less money. The accommodation is basic, don't expect to much. Going into the rainforest is such an awesome experience. Everything from the food, to the camp itself, the atmosphere and the friendly staff was 5 stars. It is a genuine jungle experience. You will see lots of interesting insect and plants. To some it might seem a bit scary, but to most people i think it just adds to the experience. This place is really good and i would recommend it to anyone."
"with recent renovations the rooms are surprisingly nice and clean with comfy beds and private bathrooms. Jungle trails are connected to the back of the accomodations which are part of the Crocker Range National Park. The owner also keeps lots of insect attracting lights and sells the collected insects to poachers and smugglers - which is technically illegal, but thats just the reality of eco-tourism for you"
4.2★ from 28 Google reviews — mostly 5★ praise for the jungle, food and hosts, with a few 3-4★ notes on basic facilities and one critical 4★ about insect collection; TripAdvisor sits higher at 4.8/5 (9 reviews) and the FB page shows 96% recommend (16 reviews).
07 💰 What to Budget What you pay
| Camping per night (per person) | [OFFICIAL] not published — call camp (019-897 4641 / 019-534 5652) |
| Backpacker room / bed | [OFFICIAL] not published — call camp |
| Home-cooked meals | [OFFICIAL] not published — call camp |
| Guided jungle trek (1 night–2 weeks) | [OFFICIAL] not published — call camp |
| What campers say | [CAMPER] 'The price was very good' — Noah Frei (5★, Google) |
| What campers say | [CAMPER] 'Perfect location for less money' — Gobot Borneo (5★, Google) |
| Camping per night (per person) | RM n/a — [OFFICIAL] not published — call camp (019-897 4641 / 019-534 5652) |
Confirm current prices and availability with the camp before booking. No price list is published anywhere: Google says 'contact this property for rates and availability', AFFT campsite guide says 'to confirm', and the FB page only shows ££. Reviewers consistently describe it as cheap for the experience ('perfect location for less money'). Always confirm rates via WhatsApp/phone before travelling.
08 🏕️ The Camp Tip
- The forest surrounds the site — a Naturehike mosquito killing lamp is essential for the trails, and a Wellhike pillow keeps the bugs at bay at dusk.
- The water is the main draw here — a Wellhike mosquito net hammock handles the wet gear, and a Naturehike storage box covers the basics for a river camp-out.
- Families camp here all weekend — a Naturehike cast iron pan keeps the kids comfortable, and a Ise Mount water tank handles the everyday gear.
09 ❓ FAQ
Q1How do I book Utan Paradise Jungle Camp?
No website or booking platform — message the camp on WhatsApp or call 019-897 4641 (official FB page) or 019-534 5652 (Google Maps listing). Reviewers say booking by WhatsApp is very easy and the hosts reply personally.
Q2How much does it cost to stay?
Rates are not published on any channel — Google shows 'contact this property for rates and availability' and the FB page only lists ££. Reviewers consistently say the price is very good for the experience, but you must confirm by phone/WhatsApp.
Q3What is the accommodation like?
A basic backpacker jungle camp: simple beds, hammocks, and recently renovated rooms with comfy beds and private bathrooms. One reviewer sums it up: 'the accommodation is basic, don't expect to much' — the jungle is the real luxury.
Q4Can I go trekking from the camp?
Yes — jungle trails connect straight from the back of the camp into Crocker Range National Park, and the guides arrange treks from one night to two weeks, plus survival-skill sessions (poison darts, bushcraft).
Q5Where exactly is the camp and how do I get there?
Km 35 Ulu Kimanis on the Keningau–Kimanis road, Papar district — roughly 45–90 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. GPS: 5.48937N 116.01850E. Public transport doesn't reach the gate; ask the camp about pickup from KK when booking.
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Researched 23 Aug 2026 — fees and policies from the camp's official channels and Google reviews.