Name: Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Rating: 4.5

Maliau Basin Conservation Area

Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah Overview

Maliau Basin Conservation Area is a 25-km wide bowl-shaped catchment depression which is now a popular rainforest in Sabah, Malaysia. It is one of the world's greatest biodiversity zones housing almost 2000 types of flora and fauna. Maliau Basin attracts adventurers, trekkers and naturalists. The River Maliau flows into the Kinabatangan River , making the Basin extremely prestigious . The water catchment was gazette as a Class I Protection Forest in 1997.

The conservation area was declared a protected area a few decades back and since then has attracted scarce visitors throughout the year . Popularly known as ‘’ Sabah's Lost World”, the forest lives up to the name as it is almost deserted , apart from the seasonal hikers and adventurers . The rainforest bowl covers an area of 58840 hectare ., with numerous waterfalls and campsites. The terrain is quite rough for a beginner, but the prepossessing basin and views make up for it . Welcome yourself to a challenging hike this summer , as you expedite around the 12 zones of forests, explore the fascinating waterfall cascades and rummage one of the most unique parts of Peninsular Malaysia .

Fees and permits.

Entrance Fees approximately range around RM 4000 for 4 days.

You may need to apply for visitation permission online from the Park HQ several months prior to visiting the forest, so keep yourself updated and plan your trip accordingly . However, you can also get a permit that is going to be written to you at the entrance. The accommodation service can also be set up from the Main Entrance and Park HQ. You need to hire a guide to expedite the basin.

Documents are required to be shown to assess the level of physical fitness to trek the basin reserve.

Is pre-booking required? How to book without the resort?

You can pre book a guided tour from the resort or any other tour agency that offers a trip to the destination. Booking is also available online .

Traveling in groups is recommended as the expenses are on the higher end.

Trekking and guided tours

All the tours inside the forest and guided as most the forest hasn’t been explored and excavated yet.

Trails to the various camps , Maliau fall and Mount Lotung are often explored during the dry seasons between January to July, The forest has around 70 Km of trails leading to the main fall and other paths that lead to Mt. Lotung, that staggers a height of 5469 ft above the sea level.

The groups are likely to usually hike around the basin and camps.

Agathis Camp

This camp marks the commencement of the trail . It used to previously be mostly abandoned due to the havoc created by the elephants that left the place in ruins.A bench area and a devastated old building is all that remains now .

Nepenthes Camp or the Camel Trophy Camp

This camp is about 7-8 km from the Agathis Camp ( that has been demolished ) . Quite nearby is the Takob Akob Waterfall and the Giluk Waterfall , which you can visit on the way . The observational station at the camp provides a mesmerizing view of the forest. Watch the beautiful orange sunrise after spending a thrilling eve at the camp base after almost an 8 hour stretch to the destination.

Ginseng Camp

This camp is about 9 kilometres away from the Agathis Camp and is situated right next to the Ginseng waterfall. You can spend the night at the camp , with some comfortable and plain mattresses made of rubber , pillows and a dining area. Swim by the falls to feel rejuvenated after a tiresome trek to the camp.

Swimming

Feel free to tread the waters and float in the falls of Ginseng, Takob Akob and Giluk while you are camping in the area . Spend a leisurely afternoon soaking yourself out of the tension and detoxing amidst the nature in these lesser populated areas . Keep some spare pieces of clothing while you’re camping in these regions.

Maliau Basin Conservation Area