Maliau Basin is one of Sabah’s most remote wilderness areas — and trekking here is very different from a typical rainforest excursion. There are no roads into the heart of the basin, no comfortable lodge rooms and no easy shortcuts. This is several days of walking through untouched rainforest, staying in basic jungle camps and carrying what you need with you. Here’s what you can realistically expect.
How difficult is trekking in Maliau Basin?
Maliau is a proper multi-day jungle trek, and you should be reasonably fit before attempting it.
The trails are uneven and can be muddy, with plenty of roots, rocks, steep sections and stream crossings. The tropical heat and humidity add considerably to the effort, particularly when you are carrying a backpack.
The distance itself isn’t extreme, but walking for several consecutive hours through rainforest is very different from hiking on a well-maintained trail.
If you regularly hike or exercise, you should find it challenging but manageable. If your experience is limited to occasional short walks, some preparation beforehand is advisable.
What are the trails actually like?
Don’t expect a wide, clearly defined hiking path.
The trails through Maliau’s interior are narrow jungle tracks, often surrounded by dense vegetation. After rain they can become slippery and muddy, and there are sections where you will need to negotiate tree roots, rocks and fallen branches.
The route also involves considerable changes in elevation. The climb towards Nepenthes Camp is one of the more demanding sections, while the trek to and from Maliau Falls involves further steep sections.
Good footwear matters far more than speed.
Take your time, watch where you put your feet and expect to get dirty.
What will I see along the way?
The biggest attraction is the rainforest itself.
Maliau is exceptionally rich in plant life, with huge trees, orchids, ferns, mosses and several species of pitcher plants found along the trails. The forest also supports orangutans, gibbons, macaques, deer and an impressive variety of birds.
But Maliau is not somewhere you should visit expecting constant wildlife sightings.
Unlike a Kinabatangan safari, where your guide can search the riverbanks from a boat, wildlife in Maliau is spread throughout a huge area of dense forest.
You may see a monkey swinging through the canopy or hear gibbons calling in the distance. You may also walk for several hours without seeing a large animal at all.
For Maliau, the wilderness experience is the attraction — wildlife encounters are a bonus.
What is Maliau Falls really like?
Maliau Falls is the big reward.
The spectacular seven-tiered waterfall lies deep inside the basin and can only be reached by trekking into the interior. Getting there involves several hours of walking through the rainforest, so arriving at the falls feels very different from visiting a waterfall that you can simply drive to.
For many people, this is the highlight of the entire trek. You’ll have earned it!
Where do you sleep?
This is one of the biggest differences between Maliau and most other wildlife destinations in Sabah.
Your first night is normally at the Maliau Basin Studies Centre, where accommodation is relatively comfortable. Once you enter the interior, however, things become much more basic.
Nepenthes and Ginseng Camps are simple jungle camps with dormitory-style accommodation. Facilities are limited and there is no expectation of hotel-style comfort.
You should be prepared to sleep simply, shower with cold water and go without many of the conveniences you would normally have on holiday.
Do I have to carry everything?
You will need to carry your personal belongings for the trek, so pack light.
Bring a medium backpack containing your clothes, toiletries, water bottle, headtorch, sleeping bag and other essentials. You can leave excess luggage at your hotel in Kota Kinabalu or at the Studies Centre while you trek into the basin.
Keeping your pack light makes a surprisingly big difference by the third or fourth day.
What about leeches?
Yes, you may encounter leeches. They are particularly common after rain and are simply part of trekking in a tropical rainforest. We provide leech socks for you and your guide will be able to advise you on dealing with them.
They are unpleasant rather than dangerous, and most people quickly stop worrying about them once they realise how much more interesting everything else around them is.
Should I choose 4D3N or 5D4N?
Both itineraries include a night at the Study Centre, 2 nights at Ginseng Camp and a visit to Maliau Falls. The 5D4N itinerary includes an additional night at Nepenthes camp with the option to visit Takob Akob falls on day 2.
For a full immersion into Maliau Basin, take the 5D4N option. If you are unsure whether sleeping in basic jungle camps is for you, then 4D3N may suit you better.
So, is Maliau Basin trekking worth it?
Absolutely — provided you understand what you’re signing up for.
Maliau isn’t a comfortable rainforest holiday. You will sweat, get muddy, carry a backpack, sleep in basic camps and spend several days without the conveniences of normal life. But that is exactly what makes it special.
There are very few places in Sabah where you can walk for days through genuinely remote rainforest and reach places that cannot be accessed by road.
If you want comfort, choose a lodge-based wildlife experience. If you want to experience Sabah’s wilderness on foot, Maliau Basin is hard to beat.
Ready to trek Maliau Basin?
River Junkie can arrange Maliau Basin trekking with accommodation at the Studies Centre and jungle camps, guided trekking and the logistics needed to get you into one of Sabah’s most remote wilderness areas.
Browse our Maliau Basin trips or talk to us about whether the trek is right for you.
