# Pesta Kaamatan in Sabah: Getting Around by Car During the Harvest Festival

> Visiting Sabah for the Kaamatan harvest festival in May? What to expect on the roads around Kota Kinabalu and Penampang, public holiday closures, parking, and which car to book early.

Language: en
Published: 2026-11-11 (November 11, 2026), 3 min read
Source: https://northborneorental.com/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car/

Pesta Kaamatan is the harvest festival of Sabah's Kadazan-Dusun community. It is celebrated across the state in May, and the main public holidays fall on 30 and 31 May. It is one of the best times to see local culture, and one of the busiest times on the road.

## What to expect

- **Events everywhere.** Villages and towns hold their own celebrations through May. The state-level celebrations are usually in Penampang, a short drive from Kota Kinabalu.
- **Public holidays.** Many offices and shops close on 30 and 31 May, and some restaurants have shorter hours. Plan meals and fuel the day before.
- **More traffic.** Local families travel back to their villages and visitors come for the festival, so roads and car parks fill up.

## Driving around Penampang

Leave early and park a little way from the main venue, then walk. On the busiest days, parking close to the events can take a long time. Allow extra time to return to Kota Kinabalu in the evening.

## Be a good guest

- Ask before you photograph people, especially in traditional dress.
- If you are offered rice wine or other drinks, do not drive afterwards. Arrange a driver, taxi or ride home.
- Dress neatly for events and village visits.

## Book the car early

Festival dates are popular, so reserve your car as early as you can. A small car such as the Perodua Myvi 1.5 (RM160 a day) is easy to park near busy venues. For a group visiting several villages, the Perodua Alza 1.5 (RM270 a day) seats seven. See all cars on the [fleet and prices](https://northborneorental.com/fleet/) page.

![Perodua Myvi 1.5](https://northborneorental.com/cars/myvi-640.webp)

*Perodua Myvi 1.5, RM160 a day*

## Plan the rest of the trip

Add a day out of town after the festival, such as our [Kota Belud and Tuaran day trip](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car/). For the full picture of seasons and holidays, read [the best time to visit Sabah by car](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-by-car/). Every booking also includes a [free itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/free-itinerary-with-every-booking/).

[Book a Kaamatan car on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/60168400017)

## Read next

- [Rent a Car in Kota Kinabalu: Which Car Should You Hire?](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-rental-car-kota-kinabalu.md)
- [Free Itinerary with Every Kota Kinabalu Car Rental](https://northborneorental.com/blog/free-itinerary-with-every-booking.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang by Car: Kinabalu Park Day Trip](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kinabalu-park-kundasang-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [Corporate and Long-Term Car Rental in Kota Kinabalu](https://northborneorental.com/blog/corporate-long-term-car-rental-kota-kinabalu.md)
- [Driving in Sabah as a Tourist: Licence, Roads and Car Hire Tips](https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-tourist-guide.md)
- [3 Days in Kota Kinabalu by Car: A Self-Drive Itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-3-day-self-drive-itinerary.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Kudat and the Tip of Borneo: a 2-Day Drive](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kudat-tip-of-borneo-2-day-drive.md)
- [Kota Belud and Tuaran Day Trip by Car from Kota Kinabalu](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and Sepilok by Car: a 3-Day Route](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-to-sandakan-sepilok-by-car.md)
- [Best Time to Visit Sabah by Car: Weather, Holidays and When to Book](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-by-car.md)
- [Driving in Sabah in the Rain: Safe Tips for Tourists](https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-in-the-rain.md)

## Other languages

- [English](https://northborneorental.com/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car.md)
- [简体中文](https://northborneorental.com/zh/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car.md)
- [日本語](https://northborneorental.com/ja/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car.md)
- [한국어](https://northborneorental.com/ko/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car.md)
- [Bahasa Melayu](https://northborneorental.com/ms/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car.md)

## Contact

North Borneo Rental Car, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

- WhatsApp (bookings): [+60168400017](https://wa.me/60168400017)
- Email: northborneorental@gmail.com
- Website: https://northborneorental.com/