On Day 7 of the 11-day Sabah Road Trip, we drive from Tawau to the Maliau Basin. We drive along beautiful winding roads through the stunning green nature of Sabah, dotted with palm trees. Several stops are possible along the route for a drink or a bite to eat. This route offers plenty of natural beauty and outdoor activities.

We visit Tawau Hills Park; this park is home to countless plant and animal species. It is best known as the home of giant tropical tree species, the Shorea faguetiana (commonly known as Yellow Meranti).

Visit the 2-hectare Lowland Gardens, where an amazing selection of flora can be found, such as the Elephant Ear Orchid (Phalaenopsis gigantea). Tawau Hills Park is also a favorite spot for hikers looking to train their endurance. The challenging hilly terrain features three mountains (Gunung): Mount Magdalena (1,310 meters), Mount Lucia (1,202 meters), and Mount Maria (1,083 meters). All climbers must obtain a permit from Sabah Parks before the climb. Mountain guides and porters are also available.

The hot springs and Galas Falls are the other attractions of this beautiful park. It is no wonder that Tawau Hills Park has become a popular recreational spot for families and friends to picnic or, for the outdoor enthusiast, to spend a night camping under a blanket of stars. Chalets and hostels managed by KOKTAS are available for those looking for more comfortable options.

We drive along the beautiful winding road “Jalan Tawau – Kalabakan” to Kalabakan, a small village on the Kalabakan River, where we stop for lunch. There are a number of small restaurants here where you can eat dishes from Malaysian cuisine.


After lunch, we continue driving via the “Jalan Nabawan - Kalabakan” to our final destination. This road is also a delight, offering beautiful rolling scenery. Along the route, there is plenty of space to stop safely to take photos. The end point of the day is the Maliau Basin Berlian Camp in one of the most beautiful remaining wilderness areas of Malaysia, “The Maliau Basin”. Please note that the road to this location is not on the TomTom map; it is approximately a 26-kilometer drive from the reception along a narrow, winding unpaved road.

Bounded by a slope reaching more than 1,675 meters above sea level, the nearly circular “The Maliau Basin” encompasses 390 km² of pristine forest, a virtually self-contained ecosystem, never permanently inhabited and with large areas yet to be explored and documented.

It is remarkable that the entire basin is one enormous drainage basin, drained by only one river, the Maliau River, which flows through a gorge in the southeast of the basin and joins the Kuamut River and ultimately the Kinabatangan River.

In 1981, the Maliau Basin, along with Danum Valley (day 5), was designated a protected area for forest management by Sabah. While Danum Valley flourished into a world-renowned tropical research center, Maliau Basin remained in the shadows as Sabah's Lost World.

Maliau Basin Conservation Area is not only an ideal place for research and environmental education, it is also perfect for adventurous jungle treks, birdwatching, nature photography, night drives to spot nocturnal animals, swimming in waterfalls, recreation, and simply experiencing the sensation of being in a truly pristine wilderness.

With more than 70 km of marked trails, only about a third of Maliau is open to visitors, and so far, less than half of the basin has been explored by researchers.

Maliau Basin Conservation Area is a remote location where safety procedures must be followed. These include having insurance that covers emergency helicopter evacuation. You may only enter the forests accompanied by Maliau rangers. Hunting is strictly prohibited, and you may not take stones, plants, or other specimens.

The Maliau Basin contains many exceptional natural features, including probably the largest number of waterfalls anywhere in Malaysia. The most famous of these are the spectacular Maliau Falls, with 7 levels on the Maliau River, the highest drop of which is a magnificent 28 meters. Maliau is also home to the legendary Lake Linumunsut.

For overnight stays, they offer chalet, resthouse, and hostel accommodation, as well as camping facilities at the Maliau Basin Studies Centre.