Maliau Basin

The Lost World of Maliau Basin Tawau Sabah

The Maliau Basin is a place set on a sprawling 588.4 square kilometers land in Tawau, at the South Central Part of Sabah. On south of Mount Kinabalu The area of Maliau Basin is bordered with crater like wall that fall hundred meters down that make it a separated area from the rest of rainforest which is why it's called Maliau "Basin". The isolated habitat has naturally protect its biome  from  human touch for so long until 1981 and nurtured the unique species of fauna and flora that exist there. Because of this condition Maliau Basin got its other name  "The Lost World of Malaiu Basin".

Maliau Basin 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 & Tariffs

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.

Trips to the Maliau Basin are best done in large groups. A 5-day, 4-night stay at Maliau Basin costs RM2730 nett for 2 pax adults (Malaysian) and RM3610 nett (non-Malaysian). For a group of 8 to 12 people, the rate for adults is RM1450 nett (Malaysian) and RM2270 (non-Malaysian).

The rates in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) are inclusive of meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), returned transfer (overland – Tawau to Agathis Camp), conservation and user fee (Campsites), rental of VHF radio, forest ranger cum radioman and guide.

Sime Darby offer help in SAFE project

Sime Darby has play its part towards environment and rainforest conservation by offering help in SAFE project and at the same time help lifting its Corporate Image as responsible company that know its responsibility towards environment other than enlarging its palm oil plantation at place of rainforest.

Deep in the heart of the Maliau Basin lies a lost world awaiting to be discovered by scientists and thrill-seekers.It is home to the largest ecological experiment ever established in Asia, and dubbed the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) project. SAFE is a 10-year project funded by the Sime Darby Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Society- Southeast Asia Rainforest Research Programme (SEARPP) and Sabah Foundation, which manages the Maliau Basin.

The SAFE project basically takes an in-depth look at how biodiversity is affected as forests undergo changes (from a primary forest to an oil palm plantation) which cause disruptions to ecosystem processes and services such as carbon sequestration, decomposition and pollination. And it is a huge task, considering that the Maliau Basin is as big as Singapore -- at 58,840ha. This is also the reason why it will take scientists at least 10 years before they can come up with the findings.

Sime Darby Foundation, which kicked off SAFE in January last year, is taking a big leap of faith in the project as the results may prove or dispel criticisms from environmental proponents that plantations are the destroyers of biodiversity.

Whatever the results, Sime Darby Foundation chairman Tun Musa Hitam, at the launching of SAFE, said they would serve to improve Sime Darby's commitment to conservation and sustainable development as the company was prepared to make the necessary changes to its management policy if need be.

For this purpose, Maliau Basin has a Research Studies Centre providing facilities to nature researchers and nature education programme participants. There's an office building equipped with a library, mini-theatre, reception and souvenir shop. Housing is also available in the form of dorms and plush VIP houses. There is also a laboratory where certain researches are conducted.

However, most of the actual research work takes place in the field at several satellite camps established within the Maliau Basin. Right now, scientists are working hard at finding the answers. In the meantime, scientists are on a gradual exploration of the Maliau Basin, which is also said to hold many "secrets".

Yayasan Sabah Group conservation and environmental management division group manager Dr Waidi Sinun said: "Maliau Basin is touted as a 'lost world' because the first successful human expedition to the area was only made in 1981.

"To date, scientists have only uncovered 20 per cent of the area, discovering a diverse range of flora and fauna."

"For example, more than 1,800 plant species have been identified, including six species of pitcher plants and more than 80 species of orchids. The rare rafflesia tengku-adlinii has also been found in Maliau Basin, one of only two known localities in Sabah."

"But more outstanding are the waterfalls. The uniqueness of the Maliau Basin is in its geology and the shape of the basin which creates an enclosed ecosystem. We have discovered more than 40 waterfalls.

"Among the most spectacular is the seven-tiered Maliau Falls. There should be more due to the shape of the basin."

Dr Waidi said scientists also discovered two new species of small fish, palm tree and several types of insects.

"We still have more space to cover. We hope that as we venture deeper into the basin, maybe in the next 50 years, we will be able to find new species of larger animals," he said.

The Maliau Basin is located near Tawau. From Kota Kinabalu, the Maliau Basin is a five-hour journey on logging roads by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The Takob Akob Waterfall At Maliau Basin

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.

Further Information:

For further info, do pre-arrange with 

Borneo Nature Tours Sdn Bhd (KPL/LN 3719)

Block D, Lot 10, Ground Floor,

Sadong Jaya Complex,

88100 Kota Kinabalu,

Sabah, Malaysia

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/15mmb/Article#ixzz1E2eJi5fG