Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah Overview
Maliau Basin Conservation Area is a 25-km wide bowl-shaped catchment depression which is now a popular rainforest in Sabah, Malaysia. It is one of the world's greatest biodiversity zones housing almost 2000 types of flora and fauna. Maliau Basin attracts adventurers, trekkers and naturalists. The River Maliau flows into the Kinabatangan River , making the Basin extremely prestigious . The water catchment was gazette as a Class I Protection Forest in 1997.
The conservation area was declared a protected area a few decades back and since then has attracted scarce visitors throughout the year . Popularly known as ‘’ Sabah's Lost World”, the forest lives up to the name as it is almost deserted , apart from the seasonal hikers and adventurers . The rainforest bowl covers an area of 58840 hectare ., with numerous waterfalls and campsites. The terrain is quite rough for a beginner, but the prepossessing basin and views make up for it . Welcome yourself to a challenging hike this summer , as you expedite around the 12 zones of forests, explore the fascinating waterfall cascades and rummage one of the most unique parts of Peninsular Malaysia .
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Photos of Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Read More on Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Fees and permits.
Entrance Fees approximately range around RM 4000 for 4 days.
You may need to apply for visitation permission online from the Park HQ several months prior to visiting the forest, so keep yourself updated and plan your trip accordingly . However, you can also get a permit that is going to be written to you at the entrance. The accommodation service can also be set up from the Main Entrance and Park HQ. You need to hire a guide to expedite the basin.
Documents are required to be shown to assess the level of physical fitness to trek the basin reserve.
You may need to apply for visitation permission online from the Park HQ several months prior to visiting the forest, so keep yourself updated and plan your trip accordingly . However, you can also get a permit that is going to be written to you at the entrance. The accommodation service can also be set up from the Main Entrance and Park HQ. You need to hire a guide to expedite the basin.
Documents are required to be shown to assess the level of physical fitness to trek the basin reserve.
Is pre-booking required? How to book without the resort?
You can pre book a guided tour from the resort or any other tour agency that offers a trip to the destination. Booking is also available online .
Traveling in groups is recommended as the expenses are on the higher end.
Traveling in groups is recommended as the expenses are on the higher end.
Trekking and guided tours
All the tours inside the forest and guided as most the forest hasn’t been explored and excavated yet.
Trails to the various camps , Maliau fall and Mount Lotung are often explored during the dry seasons between January to July, The forest has around 70 Km of trails leading to the main fall and other paths that lead to Mt. Lotung, that staggers a height of 5469 ft above the sea level.
The groups are likely to usually hike around the basin and camps.
Trails to the various camps , Maliau fall and Mount Lotung are often explored during the dry seasons between January to July, The forest has around 70 Km of trails leading to the main fall and other paths that lead to Mt. Lotung, that staggers a height of 5469 ft above the sea level.
The groups are likely to usually hike around the basin and camps.
Agathis Camp
This camp marks the commencement of the trail . It used to previously be mostly abandoned due to the havoc created by the elephants that left the place in ruins.A bench area and a devastated old building is all that remains now .
Nepenthes Camp or the Camel Trophy Camp
This camp is about 7-8 km from the Agathis Camp ( that has been demolished ) . Quite nearby is the Takob Akob Waterfall and the Giluk Waterfall , which you can visit on the way . The observational station at the camp provides a mesmerizing view of the forest. Watch the beautiful orange sunrise after spending a thrilling eve at the camp base after almost an 8 hour stretch to the destination.
Ginseng Camp
This camp is about 9 kilometres away from the Agathis Camp and is situated right next to the Ginseng waterfall. You can spend the night at the camp , with some comfortable and plain mattresses made of rubber , pillows and a dining area. Swim by the falls to feel rejuvenated after a tiresome trek to the camp.
Swimming
Feel free to tread the waters and float in the falls of Ginseng, Takob Akob and Giluk while you are camping in the area . Spend a leisurely afternoon soaking yourself out of the tension and detoxing amidst the nature in these lesser populated areas . Keep some spare pieces of clothing while you’re camping in these regions.
Trek to the Maliau Falls
Maliau Waterfalls have to the ultimate highlight and pleasure of this destination lying at the heart of the mesmerizing Maliau Basin .
The 7- layered falls is the furthest that you can wander to. Take off the heat after a strenuous hike to the falls with a mighty dip in the pools under the supervision of your tour guide, as the tides may vary and often get dangerous.
The 7- layered falls is the furthest that you can wander to. Take off the heat after a strenuous hike to the falls with a mighty dip in the pools under the supervision of your tour guide, as the tides may vary and often get dangerous.
Flora and fauna
Even though the wildlife here is extremely dense and populous , there is often some difficulty in expediting and looking at these wild creatures. Some very rare and endangered species that only reside in Borneo , belong to the Maliau Basin –forest including the nearly extinct Sumatran rhinos and pygmy elephants .
Some of the more accessible species are the various species of hornbills ,North Borneo Gibbons, civets , leopard cats, and deer .
The canopy rainforest is filled with various kinds of vegetation including the rarely occurring aquilaria trees, agar wood , pitcher plants and Rafflesia flowers .
Some of the more accessible species are the various species of hornbills ,North Borneo Gibbons, civets , leopard cats, and deer .
The canopy rainforest is filled with various kinds of vegetation including the rarely occurring aquilaria trees, agar wood , pitcher plants and Rafflesia flowers .
Where to stay and where to eat inside the park.
-Maliau Basin Study Centre is open to the visitors for the stay. You can pick your accommodation service among dorms, rest houses and chalets. The two rooms of dorms have comfortable bunk beds, toilets and showers.
-You can also camp at the various camp sites of Ginseng and Nepenthes.
-There is a common dining service available for breakfast-lunch-dinner along with a barbeque facility. The food overall is scrumptious and full-filling with main courses like rice,prawns with french beans and fruits .You can bring your own food to gather a more favourable experience, especially while camping overnight.
There is a team of staff including research assistants and rangers who stay there at all times.
-You can also camp at the various camp sites of Ginseng and Nepenthes.
-There is a common dining service available for breakfast-lunch-dinner along with a barbeque facility. The food overall is scrumptious and full-filling with main courses like rice,prawns with french beans and fruits .You can bring your own food to gather a more favourable experience, especially while camping overnight.
There is a team of staff including research assistants and rangers who stay there at all times.
How to reach
Take a flight from Kota Kinabalu to East Sabah . The Maliau basin takes roughly around 6 hours to reach from Tawau (approx . 128 km).
A 4WD is recommended as the road to the destination tends to get rocky and wobbly along the way.
A 4WD is recommended as the road to the destination tends to get rocky and wobbly along the way.
Tips
You need to be an experienced trekker to hike through the forest of challenges and top-sy turvy.
Travel with a group, to cut down on the expenses and have a better chance at exploring the forest and treks.
Carry leech socks, mosquito repellents, shoes and other safety measures.
Travel with a group, to cut down on the expenses and have a better chance at exploring the forest and treks.
Carry leech socks, mosquito repellents, shoes and other safety measures.
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