Desa cattle, Mesilau, Kundasang,Ranau

The Desa Dairy Project ,tenusu desa, of Desa Cattle (S) Sdn. bhd. is located at the foothills of Mt.Kinabalu at the Mesilau Plateau, Kundasang , Ranau  about 30 minutes drive from kinabalu park and 10 minutes from kundasang town. Milk production commenced in March 1981. The project is now capable of producing 900,000 litres of milk per year. It is one of the subsidiaries of Desa Group of Companies which is wholly owned by the state government of Sabah, Malaysia.

The total area of this farm is 199 hectars of which 133 hectars have been planted with improved pasture such as Kikuyu, Narok Setaria and legume (white clover).
Most of the milking cows are Friesians and producing daily average of 14 litres high quality milk per cow. Friesians are the highest milk producers of all dairy cattle breeds and are most popular temperate breed worlwide. The milk contains a specially pleasing balance of cream, proteins, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals unique to milk produced in mild temperate climates.
  “It’s not just about the milk! It’s a Desa Dairy Farm experience!”

The farm, apart from being one of the main attractions in Kundasang, also serves as an educational platform for children as well as adults to understand how milk is processed.

Friesian cattles are reared at the farm to produce about one million liters of high-quality fresh milk every year and fully automated processing plants are used at all stages of production. Processed fresh milk in its original flavor and chocolate as well as souvenirs are available for purchase at the lobby.

Dairy products (cow and goat milk) and souvenirs (t-shirt, mug, book mark, etc)

Food and beverage kiosk products:

a) Ice cream vanilla and chocolate made from Desa fresh milk

b) Waffle

c) Sausage with tomato/chili sauce

d) Pop corn

e) Soft drinks (Gardenia)

Calf pen activities:

a) Free entrance fee

b) Feeding calf with bottled milk

c) Feeding goat with grass

With Mount Kinabalu as its backdrop and cool breeze, the Desa Dairy Farm is a picturesque ranch – picture taking is allowed so don’t forget to pack your camera and make sure you document your visit as well as your way up to the farm. As many of those who have visited the farm said, “It’s not just about the milk! It’s a Desa Dairy Farm experience!”

Mount kinabalu

    

Desa Cattle

Kinabalu Park

Kinabalu Park was established in 1964 and covers an area of 750 square kilometers (300 square miles). Translated, it is bigger than Singapore Island. Two expeditions to explore the mountain and its flora in 1961 and 1964 were led by Professor John Corner, on behalf of the Royal Society of London, which led to the formation of Kinabalu Park.

The main entrance into the Kinabalu Park is at the Park Headquarters which is located about 92 km on the Kota Kinabalu - east coast highway. The highway lies at an elevation of 1520 meters above sea level. The park is in Sabah but more specifically in the district of Kundasang.

The Park is situated in the East Malaysian state of Sabah (British North Borneo before 1963) and stretches through the entire west coast of Sabah.One of the highest mountains in south East Asia standing at 4095.2 meters (13,455 feet).

                                                                                                                               

The lowest elevation in Kinabalu Park is at Poring Hot Springs (550 meters/1,805 feet), which lies near the Park’s southern boundary. Therefore temperatures decrease from 25° C hot and humid at Poring to a cool and crisp 4°C at Mount Kinabalu’s summit. The climatic changes provide a diverse range of habitats for thousands of plant species.

Highways and sealed roads have made the park easily accessible. Now it’s an easy 2 hour scenic drive from Kota Kinabalu. It is a popular getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city where visitors can enjoy the cool invigorating air. Or, for the more intrepid to explore the forest trails or conquer Mt.Kinabalu itself. While the focus of the park is the mountain, about 80% of the visitors don’t climb all the way to the peak but come simply to enjoy the serenity of place.

Surrounding the kinabalu park is a multitude of natural attractions and enjoyable activities.A variety of accommodation is available within the park and in its surrounding areas,ranging from basic hostels to luxury chalets.

Climbing Mt Kinabalu

Mt Kinabalu (4095m) is one of the tallest mountains in South-East Asia and is situated in the Kinabalu National Park in the province of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Thousands of tourists visit Kinabalu National Park each year and most come with the intention of climbing Mt Kinabalu.  At sunrise, the views from the Mt Kinabalu's summit at Low's Peak are spectacular, making all the effort worthwhile.

Most climbers take two days to ascend and descend Mt Kinabalu. The eight-kilometre climb generally starts from the the Timpohon Gate near park headquarters (1800m), with an overnight stay at one of the guest houses at Laban Rata (3273m), before pushing on to the summit early next morning. Mt Kinabalu's summit is usually reached in time to view the sunrise, before returning to Laban Rata for breakfast. Climbers then descend the mountain, generally reaching the park headquarters by mid-afternoon.


This site contains all you need to know about climbing Mt Kinabalu: preparation, equipment, transport, costs, accommodation and a blow by blow account of the climb itself.

The price is cheaper than those offered by travel agencies. However, you need to book your place  6 months before the climb and the package does not include transport from/ to the airport to/ from Kinabalu National Park.

In general, the 3D/2N package prices offered by travel agencies ranged between RM950 - RM1,400 per person depending on the itinerary and number of people in a group. It should cover everything that includes:

• Accommodations and food of the entire trip starting from the airport
•  Climb permit, insurance, park entrance fee, return shuttle from Park's HQ to Timpohon gate, mountain guide, etc.
• Transport to pick you up from the airport until the last day sending you back to airport.

There should be no extra cost. However, things vary depends on the climbing package that you order. Please check clearly before you place your booking.

climbing package includes:

• 1 night stay at Laban Rata (Dormitory).
•  2 beakfast buffets on day 2 and day 3.
• 2 lunch buffets on day 2 (lunch pack prepared for you to eat during your climb to Laban Rata) and day 3 (at  Kinabalu National Park right after descent).
• 2 dinner buffets on day 1 (arrival at Kinabalu Park) and day 2 (Laban Rata)
• 1 supper (at Laban Rata 2am before your climb to summit).

Variations of the Standard Travel Package of Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Beside the standard 3D/2N climbing option, there are variations offered by different travel agents at different prices:

• some packages offer longer period of stay, some offer 2D/1N climb (very limited offers available)
• some offer more places of visit, i.e. islands hopping & scuba diving at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Poring Hot Spring, white water rafting at Padas river, etc.
• some offer luxury day climb with 2 days on the mountain
• some offer a different climbing experience Via ferrata (Mount Kinabalu has the highest Via ferrata in the world)
• etc.