Maliau Basin
Maliau Basin which is a staggering 588.4 square kilometers. Maliau Basin
consists of 12 types of forest which is mainly made up of the lower montane
forest which are dominated by the majestic Agathis trees, rare montane heath
forest and lowland and hill diperocarp forest.
The main highlight of the Maliau Basin is the trek up the 7-tiered Maliau Falls.
Maliau Basin is actually a part of the 10,000 square kilometers timber
concession which is possessed by the Yayasan Sabah.
The basin was actually discovered in 1947 by a pilot but it was not until 1988
that the first scientific expedition by the Yayasan Sabah and WWF Malaysia took
place.
The area was inhabited by the Muruts but they have never settled in the
forbidden basin. The Maliau Basin is easily distinguished by its almost circular
perimeter as the region surrounding it is rugged. The basin is sharply delimited
on all sides by cliffs or very steep slopes of up to 1,500 meters in height.
This makes it insurmountable on foot from most directions. Gunung Lotung which
is on the north rim is thought to be the highest point at the basin with over
1,600 meters in elevation.
The basin represents a single catchments area and is drained by a set of
radiating tributaries of the Maliau River which descends a breath-taking series
of waterfalls known as the Maliau Falls. Many other smaller waterfalls have also
been discovered throughout the basin. The diversity of the flora and fauna found
here is so wide and have yielded many new species than many other places of many
years of study.
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 with helicopter 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.
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