Accounts from travellers who have arranged rentals with us — day trips around Sandakan, inter-state drives, and extended Sabah journeys.
Back to Home340+
Rentals Completed
4.7/5
Average Rating
3+
Years Operating
98%
On-Time Availability
From customers who have used Optimari's rental arrangements across Sabah.
Ahmad Mukhriz
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Used the weeklong plan for a full Sabah circuit — Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, and back through Telupid. The mid-week check-in was actually useful; they suggested an alternative stretch of the return route that saved a noticeable amount of fuel compared to what I'd originally planned.
April 2025
Rachel Lim
Sandakan, Sabah
I needed a compact vehicle for a day to visit a few sites around Sandakan. The process was simple — called ahead, confirmed the plan, collected the car in the morning. The fuel notes sheet had one or two things I hadn't considered for city driving. Returned it in the afternoon without any issues at all.
April 2025
Norhaliza Ibrahim
Kuala Lumpur (visiting Sabah)
Chose the three-day plan for a trip through the Kinabatangan area. The route review was practical — it pointed out that the road timing I had in mind would likely put me in heavier traffic. I adjusted, and it made a difference. Vehicle was clean and in good condition. Only minor thing: I arrived slightly early and had to wait about 20 minutes for the briefing to begin.
May 2025
Farid Azhari
Tawau, Sabah
I travel regularly for work in eastern Sabah and have used Optimari twice now — once for the three-day plan and once for the weeklong. What I appreciate is that the price is the price. No surprises on the invoice. The briefing is thorough without being drawn out, and the vehicles are consistently well-maintained.
March 2025
Siti Thuraiya
Tuaran, Sabah
Used the compact day plan for a Sandakan heritage trail and the Sepilok area. The vehicle was fine for that purpose — easy to park, comfortable enough for a full day. The fuel sheet was a nice touch, especially the note about idling in traffic, which I didn't realise was as impactful as it apparently is.
April 2025
James Kristal
Penampang, Sabah
Rented the three-day mid-size for a research trip to several locations east of Sandakan. The route review identified one road section I should avoid in the afternoon due to typical congestion — accurate advice as it turned out. The journey summary at the end of the weeklong plan I'd seen a colleague receive also looked genuinely useful as a record-keeping document.
May 2025
Three customers share their experience with Optimari from enquiry to return.
Weeklong Touring Plan · 7 days · Touring-class vehicle
The Situation
A researcher needed a reliable vehicle for a seven-day circuit covering Sandakan, the Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, and Semporna. The main concern was fuel cost on a long self-drive with multiple stops and uncertain daily distances.
How We Helped
We matched them to the touring-class vehicle, prepared a route review covering the corridors they intended, and scheduled the mid-week check-in for day four. The check-in led to an adjusted return route that reduced unnecessary backtracking.
The Outcome
Journey completed over 7 days across approx. 1,400 km. The journey summary documented consumption per day and was used as supporting material for the customer's travel budget reporting. Customer has returned for a subsequent three-day arrangement.
"The check-in call on day four was genuinely helpful. It wasn't intrusive — just a quick conversation that led to a better return route."
— Research professional, Kota Kinabalu
Three-Day Plan · 3 days · Mid-size vehicle
The Situation
A family of four travelling from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu over three days wanted a mid-size vehicle that could handle the distance comfortably while keeping fuel costs reasonable on a holiday budget.
How We Helped
We arranged the three-day plan with a mid-size vehicle suited to highway driving. The route review covered the main federal route sections and highlighted the timing windows with lower traffic density for smoother, more efficient travel.
The Outcome
Journey completed on schedule. The family noted that the briefing at pickup helped them pace the drive more sensibly than previous long road trips. They described the vehicle as appropriate for the family size and the distances involved.
"We didn't expect a briefing to be included — that's not something we've experienced with any other rental we've used in Malaysia."
— Family traveller, Sandakan
Arrange a rental or ask a question directly with our team in Sandakan.
Phone
+60 19-642 8175Address
73 Jalan Tiga, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm
Sat 9:00am–1:00pm
Recognised by the Sabah Tourism Board under the lower-impact travel services category.
All vehicles maintained in line with Malaysian road transport regulations since establishment.
Active member of the local business community in Sandakan, Sabah since 2023.
Arrange a rental with Optimari and experience the difference that considered, well-prepared vehicle provision makes to a Sabah journey.
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