Maliau Basin has earned the nickname “Sabah’s lost world” for good reason. The first expeditions into this remote basin occurred as recently as 1988 and it remains very much “off the beaten path” to this day. Visitors willing to take up the challenge of hiking to its numerous stunning waterfalls are rewarded with a rich and diverse habitat of vine-clad old-growth forest. Over 2000 species of plants and animals have been discovered in this remote corner of Sabah but many more remain a secret. If your main goal is wildlife sightings then trekking in Danum Valley or taking a wildlife cruise on the Kinabatangan river may be more rewarding, but for those in search of a truly remote, off the grid, jungle trekking experience, look no further than Maliau Basin. You can expect 5 to 8 hours of trekking per day in hot & humid conditions with steep and potentially slippery terrain. Visitors to Maliau Basin must be physically fit and have travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation.
Accommodation
Part of the beauty of Maliau Basin is that there are no high end resorts here. For the first night at Maliau Basin Study Centre you will stay in a private fan-cooled Standard twin-room (other options on request) but from the second night onwards, basic accommodation & meals are provided at jungle camps throughout the trek, immersing you further into the green heart of the basin. Maliau Basin Study Centre has 2 large dormitories split by gender with simple shared bathroom facilities, plus Standard rooms (fan cooled, 2 single beds, ensuite bathroom) and Deluxe rooms (air-conditioned, 2 single beds, ensuite bathroom). Generator electricity & air-conditioning is available at MBSC from 7am – 5pm and 6pm – 11pm. Nepenthes & Ginseng jungle camps offer bunk beds / stretcher hammocks with mosquito nets and sheets provided, along with basic bathroom facilities.
Trekking In Maliau Basin
Maliau Basin treks operate on the principle that you will be in a small group with a maximum of 8 people per guide, and you will also be accompanied by a Maliau Basin ranger. On a typical trekking day you will cover around 9km – whilst the distance isn’t that great, the terrain and humidity make this a challenging trek recommended for physically fit travellers. Children below 12 years old are not recommended for this trek. Accommodation at the camps is very basic dormitory-style, with no private room options. This is a very remote trek and all visitors must have travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation in the event of an emergency.
Getting To Maliau Basin
Maliau Basin is approximately 6 hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu each way. It is also possible to travel via Semporna or Tawau.
What To Pack
Recommended items for packing to go to the jungle: insect repellent (deet is best), a comfortable hiking backpack, a sleeping bag, a light raincoat, a sun hat, binoculars, a torch, sunscreen, comfortable trekking shoes, long sleeve shirt and long/short trousers (for mosquitoes), a basic first aid kit, a light travel towel, a light sweatshirt or fleece for evenings as it can get slightly cold in the huts, 3 litres of water per day’s trekking (can be refilled each morning), and some high energy snacks.
