VISITING MALAYSIA’S LOST WORLD

 

Malaysian Borneo is one of those rare places where you can sense the adventure in the air, along with the green smells from thousands of miles of rainforest just waiting to be explored. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world, and a virtual paradise on earth for anyone who shares a love for plants, wildlife, and adventure.

The island of Borneo is divided between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the small, independent nation of Brunei. 

The Indonesian part of Borneo -- known as Kalimantan -- covers around 73% of the island, while Malaysian Borneo occupies the rest along the northern edge.

Malaysian Borneo has two states, Sarawak and SABAH, which are separated by the independent country of Brunei. Sarawak's capital of Kuching and Sabah's capital of Kota Kinabalu are the usual entry points, and act as hubs for exploring Borneo's wild attractions.

A tropical paradise of soft sand and crystal-clear waters together with world-class resorts and facilities.

This is Sabah Malaysian Borneo, create perfect enriching experience that’s more than just business.

 

1)Maliau Basin

Nature explorers will simply love the Maliau Basin as it is an excellent site for jungle trekking and bird watching. It contains an unusual assemblage of 12 forest types, comprising mainly of lower montane forest dominated by majestic Agathis trees, rare montane heath forest and lowland, and hill diperocarp forest. The highlight of the adventure is to trek the majestic 7 tiers Maliau Falls.

Keen visitors must, however, obtain a permission to enter the Maliau Basin in advance from Yayasan Sabah. Also bear in mind that Maliau Basin is a remote, atavistic and isolated area with limited access, communications and safety facilities.

Activities

Nature explorers will simply love the Maliau Basin as it is an excellent site for jungle trekking and bird watching. 

At night, visitors may also take a night drive for wildlife spotting. Water babies can also take a dip in the beautiful waterfall.

Getting There

Maliau Basin Conservation Area is reachable by road either via Tawau or Keningau. The journey is on four wheel drive and depends so much on the weather as most of the journey is on logging roads to reach the Maliau Basin Security Gate.

Journey from both Tawau and Keningau to the Security Gate of Maliau Basin Conservation takes 5 hours; the distance from Tawau to Maliau Basin Conservation Security Gate is 190 kilometers. Flying is another fabulous option should you have extra allocations for this luxury. 

There are several helipads available which can be used for emergency evacuations or by visitors who prefer to fly rather than walk.

2) Danum Valley Conservation Area

Being remote from human habitation and almost alien to modern civilization makes the Danum Valley Conservation Area is a naturalists’ paradise. 

Recognized as one of the world’s most complex ecosystem, this forest serves as a natural home for endangered wildlife species such as banteng, Asian elephant, clouded leopard, orang utan, proboscis monkey, as well as a vast range of Sabah’s lowland fauna.

Here, visitors also get the chance to visit an ancient Kadazandusun burial site, complete with belian coffins and ceramic spirit jars. 

Three burial sites have been discovered in Danum Valley—two near the field centre and one below the cliff, overlooking Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Getting There

Lahad Datu has direct daily flights from Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur. Another way of transportation would be air-conditioned coaches from Kota Kinabalu which will take about 7 hours drive to reach Lahad Datu.

Sources: Malaysia Tourism, Agencies