Desa Dairy Farm sits on the cool slopes near Kundasang, at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, and it is one of the most photographed stops on the road to the park. Green pastures, grazing Holstein cows and a backdrop of mountain make it look like a corner of a far cooler country, which is why it is often nicknamed Sabah's Little New Zealand. Visitors can walk through the farm, watch the cows, see the milking areas where they are open to visitors and taste fresh milk, milk tea, ice cream and cheese in the cafe. Most people visit as part of a day trip that also includes Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs, and some tours add the farm as a short, easy stop between the two. It is a simple, pleasant place that children and adults enjoy, and it gives the long drive a welcome break.
Why go
The farm is a gentle, scenic stop. The air is cool, the grass is green and the mountain often fills the view behind the paddocks. Seeing dairy cows grazing a few degrees from the equator is a small surprise. The cafe offers milk-based drinks and snacks, which are a good reason to stop on the way up or down. If you are travelling with children, the animals and the open space make it a favourite stop of the day.
How the day works
The tour we link to combines Kinabalu Park, the Desa Dairy Farm and the Poring Hot Springs in one day from Kota Kinabalu, with transport and a guide. The drive takes around two hours each way, and the farm is usually a stop of an hour or less.
Ask about the order of stops, entrance fees and whether the farm is open and accessible on your date. The farm is also a stop on tea garden and highland tours, so if you take another Kundasang day, check whether the farm is included.
What to expect
The farm is a working farm, so what you see depends on the time of day and the activities of the herd. Mornings are usually clearest, and clouds can cover the mountain by afternoon. Some visitors find the farm pleasant but small, so treat it as a short stop rather than a full-day destination. The cafe can be busy at lunchtime, and prices are modest.
Tips and trade-offs
Bring a light jacket, because the highlands are cooler than the coast, and a rain layer for sudden showers. Keep your distance from the animals, do not feed them unless staff invite you to and follow the farm's rules. If you want a longer day in the highlands, think about adding the tea garden and the Kundasang memorial, or choose the Rafflesia trip, while the Kinabalu Park and Poring day remains the best all-round option for first-time visitors.
The farm is an easy, family-friendly add-on that costs little time and adds a smile to the day.
Visit with a little patience, because the best light and the quietest paths come early, and a short walk away from the cafe usually brings you to a quieter corner with a better view of the slopes and the peak. If the cloud comes down, enjoy the cool air and the milk tea and treat the mountain as a bonus rather than a promise, because in the highlands the weather decides what you see.
What to expect
The experience
A highland farm stop on a guided day trip that also visits Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs.
Best time
Mornings are usually clearest, with the mountain visible behind the pastures.
How long
A farm stop is usually an hour or less within a day of about ten hours.
Tips
Bring a light jacket and a rain layer. Keep your distance from the animals and follow the farm's rules.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and photographers who want an easy, pretty stop on the mountain road.
- Families
- Children enjoy the cows and the milk drinks, and the open space is easy to manage.
- Couples
- A cool, green and relaxed break between the park and the hot springs.
- Pair with
- Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs, which are on the same route.
- Time needed
- One hour within a full-day highland trip.
Good questions
Why is it called Sabah's Little New Zealand?+
The green pastures, grazing Holstein cows and cool air make it look like a New Zealand farm, with Mount Kinabalu as a backdrop.
Can I visit the farm on its own?+
Most visitors go as part of a day trip, because it is about two hours from Kota Kinabalu. The tour we link to combines it with the park and Poring.
What can I eat and drink there?+
Fresh milk, milk tea, ice cream and other dairy snacks are usually available in the cafe. Offerings and prices change.
How long do I need?+
About an hour is enough for a walk, photographs and a drink.
What should I wear?+
A light jacket and a rain layer, because Kundasang is cooler and wetter than the coast. Wear shoes that can handle damp grass.
