Tawau: 3D2N Maliau Basin Wildlife Tour

Stayed here for a couple of weeks while on a research trip for uni. Amazing place to experience, beautiful river to swim in and plenty of wildlife to see. The accommodation is basic (dorms) and the food is even more basic (but not horrible) however the surrounding rainforest more than makes up for what is lacking in accommodation. We saw pygmy elephants, civets, a moon rat, squirrels, snakes, deer, wild pigs, macaques and lots more! Top tip: take a decent sized water bottle with you and plenty of mozzie repellant.

You have to be fit to venture into the "Lost World of Sabah" - Maliau Basin. What one could encounter in this vicinity is nothing but NATURE! The plants, the gigantic trees, the trials of wild boar, the waterfalls, and on top of all, the blood sucking leeches, would paint a unique experience in your life time.

I escorted two clients and a student after a month in the jungle elsewhere. Tabin is higher end tourism and you pay for the experience. The lodge is really nice and the rooms private A frames on the river. Gibbons can be seen near the camp, a rarity elsewhere. The guides are really knowledgable locals and so friendly they became real friends. The night drives and hikes are really wild.
You drive an hour through the ever present Oil Palm plantations; a boon and a bane for locals and for wildlife. These vast tracts of monoculture make large reserves like Tabin critical for protecting endangered birds, mammals and other wildlife. Because of the proximity to the oil palm, the animals come in and out to feast. We saw leopard cats, 6 species of hornbills (!!!), three spp of civet cats and macaques and silverleaf monkeys. The birding is great, and the walks not too strenuous even to the mud volcano where we saw a montjac. The jeeps take the less able to great viewing locations. When we were there the lodge was about half full so very peaceful. In all, it really is like going on safari in SE Asia.

No words can fully describe how much amazing experiences I had in Maliau Basin.
From nature, jungles, trees, environment, and staffs, they amaze me in every corner.
Staffs are friendly, informative, and always there to assist you. Food is okay. Wild life and animals are everywhere. Exotic plants and tropical jungles makes you feel so close to nature. Don't worry about water, they have clean heated water, powered electricity from 7am-12am (lights out at 12am in studies centre, 830pm at camps area), night safari and night trekking is a must.

Lots of animal to discover.
My 3days visit gave me experiences to discover flying squirrel, rhinoceros hornbills, crested fireback, bearded boars, owls, herrings, lizards, numerous colorful birds, insects and butterflies, deers, and plenty of tropical flowers and plants that can only be found in borneo island.

If you love nature and untouched jungle, Maliau basin is a place for you. To enter Maliau Basin, you need to apply for permission prior 6-12months before your trip. Pay for longer trips, so you can visit 7 tiers of Maliau falls and other waterfalls.
Less than 10000 human population ever entered this conservative area (a size of almost whole Singapore country). Be one of the lucky person!
On extra note, I'll definitely come back again next time.

Maliau Basin is a Nature Conservation Area remains largely unknown to Malaysian locals.
The best way to discover the place is to make a trek into the natural forest reserve and spend a few nights at the campsites...and take a dip at the beautiful 7-tiered Maliau Basin Falls!
Expect leeches along the trails and many other exotic plants and creepy crawlies.

A pristine hideout in the wilderness, a land of many waterfalls and high cliff. Indeed it's a retreat for those who loves the great outdoor.

Stayed 3d2n at Maliau Basin studies centre and did several trails. Namely the ones and sky bridge near the studies centre as well as Agathis research station.
Also did a night trail and night drive near the studies centre.

The trails we took were not too difficult even for beginners but one needs to be prepared w trekking essentials i.e. insect repellant, proper gears and shoes. The roads that lead from Maliau basin conservation area gate to the studies centre are still rough and rocky, one is advised to have 4WDs to gain assess.

Accommodation in studies centre is clean, decent, simple with mainly wooden structures. Some rooms are equipped with air conditioning and the others fans. We had a comfortable stay throughout at the rest houses with the company of some 'resident' bearded boars. Food was great in general and we enjoyed our stay with the company and guidance of helpful and friendly local guides.

Some of the highlights were: Maliau River Sky bridge Night drive Night trail Tallest tropical tree Observation tower Flora and fauna observed: Daytime: Gibbon Bearcat (Binturong) Hornbills Cicada 'Jelly mushroom' Nighttime: Flying squirrels Rhinoceros hornbills Sambar deers Owl Lizard Pitta Tragon

All in all, we had an enjoyable stay and trekking despite some overnight rain. It was a great short getaway of trekking and tranquility amongst giant trees, sounds of cicada and the signature calls of hornbills in the lost world of Borneo.

Just a short mention of the leeches: there are leeches definitely especially after rain, but does not pose as too big a problem. Just wear insect repellant spray, socks, long tights/pants. If you are keen, anti leech socks.

Personally wore kg Adidas for the trekking- good grips, great for muddy grounds. (Our short trip did not include the magnificient Maliau falls which would require more days of trekking.)