Nature and Adventures In Sabah

PLACES OF INTEREST Nature and Adventures

Danum Valley Comprises of 43,800 ha (108,186 acres) of virgin forest reserve of lush tropical low land forest rich with flora and fauna and is one of the world's most complex ecosystem.the Danum Valley field centre is established in 1986 by the Sabah foundation as a tropical rainforest research and environmental education centre. Accommodations at the this centre is only reserved for researches and scientist on assignment. to visit this centre, you need to obtain a permission from Sabah foundation at Lahad Datu's office.

Madai Caves Madai Caves, accessible by land from Lahad Datu or tawau as it is only located 1.6 km from the main road. It is also a habitat for swiftlets whose bird's nest are harvested twice a year. the nests are harvested by the ida'an who owns the rights to the area for More than five centuries.madai is one of Sabah's most important archeological sites where traces of human existance could be traced way back to More than 15,000 years through the layers of guona (bat droppings) found inside the caves. Some wooden houses are located outside the caves which are seasonally occupied (during harvesting) and is guarded by a few local residents against illegal harvesters.

Madai Waterfall Located near madai cave is the Madai Waterfall which is just beside the highway from Lahad Datu to tawau. just 16 km away from madai is baturong, another huge limestone massif. Boturong is once part of tingkayu lake which drained away leaving traces of human existence as far as 16,000 years ago. baturong is only accessible by one hour drive and an hour's walk through virgin jungles. For those who wish to go to baturong, it is highly recommended that you engage the services of a guide or sign up with tour companies. On the way to baturong, you will also see a mud volcano through the oil palm eStates.

Tawau Hills National Park Tawau Hills National Park was gazetted in 1979 and comprises of 27,972 ha. located 24 km from tawau town, this area is accessible by road and there is a park head quarters located at the entrance of the park. the highest point of the park is gunung madalena, at 1310 m. The park is popular with tawau local residents as picnic spots on weekends. There are 2 hostels and a jungle lodge are available for visitors. and also a campsite can accommodate 500 to 1000 campers. The park is gazetted as a protection for water catchment for the people of Tawau town and Semporna peninsula. The Tawau river flows through the park and with attractive rainfall throughout the year, there is a natural swimming pool with shelters, toilets and changing rooms near the Table Waterfall. A trail will lead you further into the forest in a bubbling Hot Springs, another 3 hour trekking will lead you to another waterfall. Trek up Bombalai Hill (530m) for half-an-hour and you will get a panoramic view of BAL plantations to Tawau town and across Sulawesi Sea!