Clouds seem to have unlimited forms. Actually they do have patterns, some are stunning to look at and try to tell (or warn) us about the weather. Let me show you eight types of interesting cloud types in Sabah and learn about their meteorological terms. After this you will be able to read the clouds like a farmer.
1. Lenticular Clouds
Sometimes a saucer-shaped cloud hovers like a UFO over the summit of Mount Kinabalu, as if the mountain is wearing a hat. It’s lenticular cloud, also known as UFO clouds and Wave clouds. To foodies, it might look like someone spray whipped cream on top of our mountain.
Lenticular clouds form when the highly humid warm air flow is pushed upward by mountains to higher point where temperature is low and cause the moisture condensed into clouds.
When local villagers see huge lenticular cloud on Mount Kinabalu, they know a drought is coming, and it’s time to put on their hats and work on the field. The lowland would experience hot days. However, to climbers, it’s freezing cold near the peaks.
Small lenticular cloud on the peaks of Mount Kinabalu. The smaller mountain is Mount Nungkok (a.k.a. Anak Kinabalu)
Lenticular clouds are formed when warm and humid air flows through the cold mountain top. The air was pushed up and meet the cool temperature higher up, which causes the moisture in the air condensed to form clouds. If more wind keeps feeding damp air to the mountain, more clouds will form and pile on top of each layer like a stack of pancakes.
Though a lenticular cloud looks like still cloud, it’s constantly spinning and create strong turbulence. Aircraft would avoid flying near this windy cloud.
The locals see the big lenticular clouds on top of Mount Kinabalu as a sign from Aki, who tries to inform them that sunny days are coming, it’s time to put on their hats and work in the farm.
2. Shelf Clouds / Squall Line
Shelf cloud is the most recognisable cloud in Sabah. This cloud is a low and horizontal squall line of thunderstorms that is more commonly seen during Southwest Monsoon between June and September. Whenever we see shelf cloud coming, we will run for shelter before the strong wind and heavy rain start.
Massive shelf clouds that scared many Sabah people on 12 June 2012. (photos from social media)
As most Sabah populations are concentrated around coastal cities, shelf cloud is nothing new to us. However, shelf clouds can be intimidating and ominous when it is massive, like the one freaked out everyone on 1 Jul 2022 and 12 Jun 2012, and made news headline in Sabah.
Shelf clouds are more common during the wet monsoon seasons of Sabah.
Shelf cloud can stretch for dozens of kilometres. Usually it develops during night on the sea, and sweeps landward in the morning. The cloud generates gusty wind up to 50 km/hour and rough seas with 3.5 Metres high waves. The abundant rainfall it carries could cause flood.
Shelf clouds are thunderstorm clouds come with wind gust and heavy rain.
3. Mammatus Clouds
This cloud is quite rare and I only see it once or twice per year. It is my favourite because its distinctive bulbous protrusions looks like smooth and bubbly cotton balls. On 6 August 2021, I was happy to photograph one when the cloud was lit up beautifully by sunset.
Mammatus clouds of Sabah. Photos taken on 6 Aug 2021.
A bit of research told me that it is Mammatus, also known as mammatocumulus, which means “mammary cloud” or “breast cloud” in Latin word. I never view Mammatus cloud as a “tits cloud”. Anyway, it does resemble cow’s udders.
Mammatus clouds are also known as mammatocumulus (meaning “mammary cloud” or “breast cloud”)
Mammatus clouds form when the ice crystals in the clouds vaporize in an unstable atmosphere. The cold and denser air sinks in pockets and creates a series of bulges or pouches emerging from the base of a cloud.
The “burning” mammatus clouds during sunset
Mammatus cloud is a sign of an approaching stormy weather or there is a thunderstorm happens nearby.
4. Cirrocumulus
When hundreds of miniature cloud puffs (cloudlets) of cirrocumulus cloud spread out evenly, it creates the most poetic view of the sky. Cirrocumulus is high level cloud that is consisted mainly of ice crystals and floats above 20,000 feet during fair weather.
Cirrocumulus clouds occur above 20,000 feet. They are mostly “ice clouds” due to the freezing temperature at that height.
Cirrocumulus cloud is also called ‘Mackerel Sky’ because it looks like fish scales when grayish shades present.
Stunning mackerel sky (Cirrocumulus clouds) of Kota Kinabalu City on 21 Jan 2016.
As a photographer, I’m always thrilled to see cirrocumulus cloud in late afternoon, because I can get the most dramatic sunset shots when the clouds are coloured by the twilight, as shown in the photos below.
5. Burning / Flaming Cloud
Burning or flaming cloud is not a meteorological term for cloud. Sometimes the colours of clouds turn reddish and golden during sunset, as if they are on fire hence the name. I spent over two months to photograph sunset at the same spot in Kota Kinabalu City, and you can see that Sabah sunset has rich variety of colours such as red, orange, yellow, pink and purple.
Burning cloud sunset of Sabah
Colourful sunset of Sabah. How many colours you can spot?
The clouds play a crucial part to create a dramatic sunset view.
Sabah is famous for its flaming or burning sunset.
Sunset of Kota Kinabalu city at Marlin statue (Todak) with Cirrocumulus clouds
The clouds and the mix of colours really turn Sabah sunset into a marvelous scene of nature. However, you need some luck (and persistence) to hunt for a burning cloud sunset. Half of the time my camera lens only see a gloomy sky.
6. Cirrus
In sunny days, you would see strands of wispy and feathery clouds high in the sky. These cirrus clouds are named after the Latin word meaning “curl of hair”.
Cirrus clouds are made of ice and form at the highest altitudes in the troposphere.
Circus clouds form at the highest altitudes (about 15,000 feet) in the troposphere so they are composed entirely of ice crystals. Then strong winds shred these clouds apart, giving them hair-like appearance.
7. Iridescent Clouds or Irisation
Irisation is an uncommon optical phenomenon named after the Greek goddess Iris, goddess of rainbows. When sunlight is diffracted through tiny ice crystals or water droplets in the thin cloud, the scattering light produces rainbow-like iridescent clouds, a type of photometeor.
Cloud Iridescence or Irisation spotted in Kota Kinabalu City. The rainbow colours appeared when the sun moved to the right angle.
Normally iridescence happens near the sun. The colours can be very vivid and similar to mother-of-pearl. In Chinese mythology, rainbow cloud is the transport for deities (for example, Sun Wukong the Monkey King).
8. Cap Cloud (Pileus)
Sometimes clouds can be “fashionable” and wear a type of accessory cloud named Cap cloud or Pileus cloud, which is a small, lenticular cloud on top of a cloud. Cap cloud usually lasts only a few minutes and it’s an indicator of oncoming storms.
Cap Cloud (Pileus) looks like a hat of the cloud.
The presence of cap cloud shows that the cloud underneath is highly unstable due to strong updraft and heavy moisture, and the parent could rapidly develop into a rain cloud.
To relax and appreciate the wonderful things around us, it’s nice to “stop and smell the roses” occasionally. According to NASA, about 67% of Earth’s surface is covered by clouds at anytime, and most of them is concentrated near Equator, that’s where we live. Therefore, it is more practical to stop and look at the sky in Sabah. Don’t you think so?
Kinabalu Park (Local Name: Taman Kinabalu) or Kinabalu National Park is the No.1 choice if you ask tour agents what’s the most recommended attraction in Sabah. Standing at 4,095.2 Metres (13,435 Feet) in Kinabalu Park, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain of Malaysia and in travel list of Malaysia climbers. Besides being a must-visit destination of Sabah, the pleasing temperature from 15°C to 24°C (60°F – 78°F) already draws a lot of tourists to this highland park in Kundasang / Ranau district.
Location of Kinabalu Park and its Headquarter
To get the best experience from this UNESCO World Heritage Site (and UNESCO Global Geopark), here is a complete travel guide to show you the top things to do in Kinabalu National Park.
Mount Kinabalu is part of Kinabalu National Park, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of Malaysia
About Kinabalu Park
Kinabalu National Park covers an area of 754 square kilometres and became Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000 for its outstanding universal values in terms of biodiversity. Kinabalu National Park is out of the world because of its many unique features not found in other parts of Malaysia.
Subalphine scrubs on Mount Kinabalu. Only in Sabah!
10 Cool Things about Kinabalu Park
Mount Kinabalu is one of the most beautiful nature attractions of Malaysia and an icon of Sabah.
Kinabalu Park is hotspot of Borneo megadiversity that hosts more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna. Some are not documented.
About 1,000 orchid species are found here, and over 12% are endemic species.
Located at 3,272 metres above sea level, Panalaban (Laban Rata) has the highest accommodation and highest post box in Malaysia.
Rafflesia keithii, which can grow up to one metre in diameter, is the largest flower of Sabah.
Mount Kinabalu has distinct vegetation zones in different altitude, for example, lowland dipterocarp forest, montane forest and subalpine zone (only found in Sabah).
Kinabalu Park is a top birdwatching site.
Many interesting Borneo wildlife live in Kinabalu Park, to list a few, Wallace’s Flying Frog, Ninja Slug that shoots love darts.
“Kinabalu is a scenic wonder, a test for mountaineers from the amateur to the skilled rock climber, a holiday from the hot lowlands, and botanically a paradise.” — E.J.H. Corner
Kinabalu Park Headquarter
The starting point of all activities in Kinabalu Park is its Sabah Parks headquarters in southern boundary, situated at 1,563 metres (5,128 feet) above sea level in Kundasang. It is accessible by driving nearly 2 hours for about 89 Kilometres, from Kota Kinabalu on the road in good condition. You can walk to most facilities and accommodation from the headquarter, or drive inside the park.
Administration building (left) and ticket booth (right) at the entrance of Kinabalu Park
Next to the ticket booth at the entrance, the administration building consists of reception counter for guests to check-in to their accommodation in Kinabalu Park, and registration counters for climbers to register and make payment. In early morning, you would see climbers gather around this area to meet their mountain guides and porters for final preparation, before they are transferred by vehicle to Timpohon Gate, the starting point of the climb about 5 KM away.
Entrance and parking area of Kinabalu Park
There are two restaurants, Liwagu Restaurant and Balsam Cafe, which serve western and oriental food, in buffet and ala carte style. The food is great but a bit expensive. More economic choices are available just outside the park.
Top Activities at Kinabalu Park
Besides Mt. Kinabalu, the recreational and accommodation zones inside the park offer a wide range of nature-based activities to nature lovers, whether they want something leisure or adventurous.
1. Climbing Mount Kinabalu (Gunung Kinabalu)
Conquering Mount Kinabalu is the highlight. More than 45,000 tourists climb this granite mountain every year, and most of them love the scenery and challenge. The view along the summit trail is breathtaking. Imagine the feeling you stand above the cloud like the king of the world. It’s really a once in a lifetime experience.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu is the most popular activity of Kinabalu Park
Normally the climb takes two days and one night. In day one, you ascend 6 KM to Panalaban (previously known as Laban Rata), where you spend a night, then continue the last 2.7-Kilometre climb to the summit at 2am next morning. The accommodation on the mountain is always full, so you must book 6 months in advance. For Sabahans, they can register with Sabah Parks. For other climbers, they can book the climb with Sutera Sanctuary Lodges.
On the summit (Low’s Peak) of Mount Kinabalu. Behind us is the Low’s Gully.
Kinabalu Park is more than just Mount Kinabalu. What makes Kinabalu Park truly shines are the eco-treasure in its forest. There are 326 bird and around 100 mammal species live in Kinabalu Park. In the vicinity of Kinabalu Park Headquarter is dense lower montane forest, a mossy cloud jungle which looks like an alien world.
Jungle trekking in mountain forest of Kinabalu National Park
Walk into this playground of naturalist and plant enthusiasts and you would spot animals such as mountain squirrel, gliding lizard, lantern bug, pitcher plant, rhinoceros beetle and trilobite; and endemic plant such as pink Kinabalu Balsam, gigantic tree fern, snowy white Borneo Rhododendron and jewel orchid.
Nature Trails of Kinabalu Park
You are free to explore the nine nature trails in Kinabalu Park HQ, which take 15 minutes to three hours one way. For a casual walk, Personally I recommend Silau-Silau trail that starts from Multi-Purpose Hall. Liwagu Trail (5.5 KM one way) is the longest but the most rewarding. If you want the shortest trail, Bundu Tuhan View Trail is only 224 metres one way.
Layout and trail map of Kinabalu Park Complex
A few trails such as Bukit Ular has leeches, in case you mind. Hire a knowledgeable tour guide to go with you, they are good at spotting birds and critters. » Read more about Jungle Trekking in Kinabalu Park
Bird Watching
Kinabalu National Park is internationally recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), especially for mountainous (montane) birds, a total of 58 species with 17 are endemic, and 262 of other residents bird species. Take a binocular and walk in Silau-Silau and Bukit Tupai trails in the morning, you would spot special birds such as Bornean Treepie and Chestnut-crested Yuhina. Sometimes you would find a group of Crimson-headed Partridge (wild chicken) forages next to you.
Wildlife of Kinabalu Park
High on the bucket list of birdwatchers is sighting of endemic birds like Sunda Whistling Thrush, iridescent green Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Trogon, Mountain Serpent-eagle and Bornean Green Magpie. The best birdwatching location of Kinabalu Park is along the road towards Sabah Electricity Board’s Power Station at 1,800 M (6,000 feet).
3. Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden
This garden behind Liwagu Restaurant is really underrated. Kinabalu Park has more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna and many are endemic to this park only. A visit to Kinabalu National Park is incomplete if you can’t even name 3 special plant there.
Nepenthes rajah is the largest pitcher plant in the world and only found in Kinabalu Park
Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden has very interesting and representative collection of plant, flowers and herbs from Kinabalu Park. The garden offers daily guided tours at 9am, 12pm and 3pm (for a small fee). The guide (can speak English and Malay) will share some cool stories on selected plant.
Rothschild slipper orchid (left) is also known as Gold of Kinabalu, and “Santa Claus” orchid (right)
The accommodation inside Kinabalu Park Headquarter is managed by a private company called Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. You can choose different type of rooms, from chalet, villa, lodge to hostel, depends on your budget. The price ranges from RM125 for a hostel room to RM14,400 for the most lavished Rajah Lodge.
Variety of accommodation in Kinabalu Park. Photo Credit: Sutera Sanctuary Lodges
You can book the room in their booking website. Just key in the date and it will show you the availability and rate of the accommodation. Below is a quick look of the price range (Room / Lodge for 2 to 6 guests). Prices may vary depend on season.
If you are very cost conscious, there are dozens of affordable accommodation very near to Kinabalu Park. With rich variety of choices like hotels, hostels, resorts, hill lodges around Kundasang, Ranau and Mesilau, you can pick the one that gives more bang for your bucks. Many even have better Mount Kinabalu view. My personal favourite is Kinabalu Pine Resort.
Park Fees & Opening Hours
Kinabalu Park opens from 7am to 7pm daily. You need to purchase ticket at the entrance at the following rates:
Malaysian
18 years old and above
RM10.00
Below 18
RM5.00
Below 12 years old / Above 60 / Handicapped
Free
Non-Malaysian
18 years old and above
RM50.00
Below 18
RM25.00
Conservation Fee (ticket) with effect from 1 Jan 2023
Tip: You can reuse the ticket in Poring Hot Springs on the same day.
Kinabalu National Park (Taman Nasional Kinabalu)
What to Bring
For non-climbers, bring jacket, poncho / umbrella, drinking water, cash and MyKad (or Passport), and wear comfortable walking shoes. Temperature in Kinabalu Park can drop below 16°C sometimes.
How to get there
Drive there yourself is the best option. It’ll be so easy with navigation apps like Waze (Where to: Kinabalu Park or see Location Map). You can park your car inside or outside the park. You will pass by Tamparuli town on the way. Do stop by for a breakfast and try the famous Tamparuli Mee (noodle).
Mini-bus station near Padang Merdeka Field in Kota Kinabalu City Centre
By Bus: take a mini-bus that goes to Ranau from bus station near Padang Merdeka Field in Kota Kinabalu City Centre. The fee costs about RM20 one way. The mini-bus will move once it’s full with passengers. Be there as early as 7am because first departure fills up faster. Ask the bus driver to drop you in front of Kinabalu Park. 5 or 6-seat Limo is also available on sharing basis for around RM35 one way.
Taxi / Grab: If you plan to visit other places in Kundasang besides Kinabalu Park, you better charter a taxi or Grab to save time.
Nearby Attractions
A visit to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs is enough to keep you busy for a day trip, which is what most tourists do. However, to have a more enjoyable and relax trip, I advise you to spend a night or two around Kinabalu Park to cover more places of interest mentioned below.
1. Poring Hot Spring, Canopy Walk
About 40 KM away from Kinabalu Park Headquarter, Poring is also part of Kinabalu Park. You can reuse the Kinabalu Park ticket to visit Poring on the same day. Poring is above 400 Metres above sea level, so it’s warmer than Kinabalu Park. The popular activities there are soaking in their sulphurous hot springs and a thrilling walk on the 40-metre-high canopy walkway.
Poring Hot SpringsCanopy Walk and Langanan Waterfall in Poring
2. Rafflesia Flower
On your way to Poring Hot Springs, keep an eye on roadside. In lucky day, you would see banner that announces the blooming of rafflesia. Rafflesia is a parasitic huge flower without root, leaf and stem. The blooming is rare and lasts only 6 days. The flower looks best in second and third day of blooming and starts to turn dark after that.
Roadside notice of blooming rafflesia flowerBlooming rafflesia (species: Rafflesia keithii), the largest flower of Sabah
Stop for the rafflesia site where tourist bus parks because travel agents always pick the site with the most beautiful bloom. The entry fee is about RM20 (negotiable) and camera fee will add another RM10.
3. DESA Cattle Farm in Mesilau
This is a family-friendly destination. Your kids will love it. Go to Mesilau to see milk cows feeding on green pasture under Mount Kinabalu. You would think that you are in New Zealand.
DESA Cattle Farm in MesilauFeeding little lamb and trying the ice cream in DESA Cattle Farm
DESA is the producer of Sabah cow (and goat) milk. You must try their gelato or yogurt ice cream, and check out the milking station. After that, go to the barn to milk or hand feeding the cute baby cows and little lambs. » Read more about DESA Cattle Farm
4. Kundasang War Memorial
Even if you are not a history buff, you will appreciate the beautiful gardens of Kundasang War Memorial. During World War II, 1,787 Australian and 641 British prisoners of war died when they were forced by Japanese to walk 265 KM from Sandakan to Ranau, an infamous event called Death March.
Beautiful garden of Kundasang War Memorial
To commemorate the soldiers, Kundasang War Memorial is built with four garden themes, namely, Australian Garden, English Rose Garden, Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden. Visitors can stroll in this memorial to learn and feel the historic past of the Death March, and leave with a deeper appreciation of peace and freedom.
5. Nabalu Town
It’s hard not to notice this busy town packed with tourists, when you are 12 KM before Kinabalu Park. Most people like to stop briefly in this town for a short (toilet) break after a long drive.
Mount Kinabalu viewing platform of Nabalu TownShopping in local market of Nabalu Town
At the end is an observatory platform for visitors to selfie with Mount Kinabalu. There is a long house piled with tons of souvenirs for you to shop and bargain. The little fruit and vegetables market there also draws many people to sample some local fruits such as tarap and langsat. » Read more about Nabalu
6. Paragliding in Lohan
Need some adrenaline rush to feel great being alive? Paragliding at Lohan is for you then. At the junction to Poring Hot Springs, you can turn to Lohan Hill for an exciting ride. Pay around RM200+ for a 5 to 7 minute tandem ride to fly like a bird and enjoy the wonderful aerial view of hilly countryside. You need to book the flight in advance. » Read more about Paragliding in Lohan
Paragliding in Lohan near Ranau town
7. Climbing Maragang Hill
Located in Mesilau (near Kundasang), Maragang Hill is 2,232 Meters high and a new climbing destination that is gaining popularity really fast. The climb is an easy 1.6-Kilometer hike to the peak and takes only half-day. On the peak of Maragang Hill, you can have one of the closest and most magnificent view of Mount Kinabalu. » Read more about Climbing Maragang Hill
Hiking only 1.6 Kilometers to get this view? It’s a steal!
8. Kundasang fruit and vegetables market
This one is the favourite part of mothers. On the way back to Kota Kinabalu, stop by the Kundasang market to buy some fresh fruits and vegetables. Local snacks are popular buy too. You know it’s the right place to shop when you see so many mom around.
9. Climbing Sosodikon Hill
Sosodikon Hill in Kundasang is only 70 Metres tall. Climbing to its peak takes less than 15 minutes and you can have a breathtaking panoramic view of Kundasang Valley from the top. » Read more about Climbing Sosodikon Hill
Climbing to the peak of Sosodikon Hill takes less than 15 minutes and everyone can do it.
