Tawau

Tawau

Tawau is Borneo's raw, beating heart, where wild, untamed nature meets wonder, a gateway destination for travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, and the ultimate gateway to world-class diving sites near Semporna. It is also the famous gateway to Maliau Basin National Park, which is sharped like a basin inside the Bornean, offering an authentic wild experience away from the crowd.
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2 tours in Tawau

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Tawau: 4D3N Maliau Basin Trekking Expedition
4.0(2)
Malaysia

Tawau: 4D3N Maliau Basin Trekking Expedition

Duration

3 - 5 days

Group size

0 - 8
from1,600 $ 1,100 $ /person

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FAQ’s about Tawau

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What's the weather like?
Tawau has a tropical rainforest climate that is generally hot, humid, and wet all year, with daytime temperatures ranging from 29°C to 32°C (84°F to 90°F) and nighttime lows of 24°C (75°F). Rain falls all year, with a peak between October and December, so brief afternoon or evening showers are common.
Which is best way to get around?
Grab's ride-hailing app provides safety, comfort, and transparency, making it ideal for Tawau travel.The most convenient way to travel to diving destinations such as Semporna or Tawau Hills Park is to rent a car or arrange for private transportation. Traditional taxis are available at major hotels, bus terminals, and airports, both metered and unmetered. Intercity buses are a low-cost and convenient way to travel to and from other Sabah destinations such as Lahad Datu and Sandakan. However, it is critical to negotiate the fee before beginning your journey.
How to go Maliau Basin National Park and Sipadan islands?
Travelling from Tawau is heavily reliant on the destination you select, as they are in completely opposite directions. To get to Maliau Basin, drive west through the jungle in a 4-5 hour 4WD vehicle or book a tour package that includes transportation. To get to Sipadan, drive for a few hours east to the coastal town of Semporna, where you can get a government-approved diving permit and board a 1-hour boat with a tour operator.
How to stay safe?
Although mainland safety is typically upheld, great care should be taken.Due to the risk of kidnapping for ransom, stay away from offshore islands and maritime regions close to the eastern Sabah coast. If there are any real-time security alerts, get in touch with the Sabah Tourism Board before making a reservation.Although it requires careful navigation, Tawau is a thriving gateway to Eastern Sabah, known for its seafood and environmental reserves. However, non-essential travel to offshore islands and maritime borders is strongly discouraged by international warnings.

Regards from travelers

Zuzana Kovacsova

Spent 5D4N trekking in the basin and had a wonderful time. This place is truly unique, teeming with life. The research centre has great staff, clean accommodation and tasty food, the provided ranger for our trek was very knowledgeable. This was one of the best experiences of my life. Yes, it might seem a bit pricey, but the cost covers permits, food, guides, transport and also the maintanence of barely accessible, but good accommodation and the paths in the basin. The centre also provides shorter treks for those with less time.

Zuzana Kovacsova

Prague, czech republic

Jermaine JJ

Went there for a nature orientation course and was definitely amazed by the natural beauty of the place. The hostel was comfortable and equipped with many beds and a nice toilet and shower. I hope to visit there to make many more new memories 👍

Jermaine JJ

GAMMA OTZ

The place was lit bro. I straight took my new born twins on a whale watching expedition in the Maliau river. Sadly, we didn't see any whales, but we definitely saw alot of elephants. The wagyu beef cows of the safari. mmmmhhmmmmm.

GAMMA OTZ

Australia

Chen Fa-kyun

Sipadan's top three dive sites are also world-renowned scuba diving destinations. Here you can see incredibly large barracuda storms. However, one thing to note for prospective divers: The stronger the current, the more easily the fish gather, and the larger the groups become. This really tests a scuba diver's ability to swim against the current.

Chen Fa-kyun

Taiwan

Bryce B

Really amazing place, I would like to go back again. Staff are nice, but could use some more instruction on providing information about the facilities, shop, trails. Guide was Izzul, generally a good guide, he should try to not get too far ahead of his guests, especially at the ladders. If Borneo had more Maliau-type establishments, then there might be a better balance between development and natuee. There is utter and total destruction being wrought on biodiversity via the oil plantations which are 90% of the landscape experience on Borneo. I would wager, based on previous studies easily accessible on Google, that a combo of ecotourism like that of Maliau plus selective logging is far more profitable than monoculture of palm oil. I want more Maliau!!! Interesting studies could be done on ecological services stemming from Maliau to form a water fund and help pay for the area via payments for ecological services (water provisioning) received by the plantations.

Bryce B

UK

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