A ginormous bowl of virgin tropical rainforest rests mysteriously within the expanse of the Heart of Borneo. Remote, primal and vast, there’s almost something sacred about this place. Adorned with pretty cascading waterfalls and impressive gorges, they definitely didn’t call it the Lost World of Sabah for nothing. When exploring Maliau Basin, you’ll definitely feel like you’ve been transported into a real life Jurassic Park- Minus the dinosaurs, of course.

The magnificent Maliau Basin features Mount Lotung, the highest point of Maliau which towers at 1,667 metres, the remarkable 7-tiered Maliau Falls, and Lake Linumunsut, a drowned river valley, which the indigenous Murut believe that a dragon dwells in its depths.
Maliau Basin holds together one of the world’s abundant resources of biodiversity that’s invulnerable to the passing of time. A virtually self-contained ecosystem surrounded by extraordinary ridges that forms an almost-circular basin, Maliau Basin Conservation Area is a 58,840 ha of perfectly pristine wilderness and is one of Malaysia’s finest protected rainforests- That’s nearly the size of Singapore! Much of the immense area still remains to be explored and studied by experts and researches.

Revealing itself as Nature’s treasure trove, Maliau Basin homes some of Sabah’s rarest and endangered wildlife species, including the Banteng, Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey and golden-red Bay Cat amongst others. So far, there are over 80 mammal species which are confirmed within the conservation area, including the Bornean Pygmy Elephants, Clouded Leopard and Malayan Sun Bear.
With a long list of remarkable birds that comprises of nearly 300 species recorded to date, Maliau Basin is an incredible destination to discover and spot some of the world’s most unique avifauna. This includes the spectacular Bulwer’s Pheasant and Bornean Bristlehead. It’s definitely a birder’s paradise. Besides that, do expect to find an array of amphibians while you’re exploring the wonders of Maliau Basin. There are 35 species of amphibians that can be found there so far, including the odd species of frog which makes its home in pitcher plants. Interestingly, Maliau Basin is also home to some extraordinary new species of fish, crab and water beetle and there’s no doubt, more new species are yet to be discovered within this self-contained ecosystem.

So it’s really no surprise that Maliau Basin is a wonderland for researches, environmentalists, conservationists, as well as nature and wildlife enthusiast. This rainforest playground is an ideal destination for those who love the outdoors to explore. It’s an excellent site for jungle trekking, bird watching, wildlife and nature photography, spotting nocturnal wildlife and many other activities. It’s a truly wonderful and exciting way to experience the unspoilt wilderness in all its glory.
Read more about Maliau Basin and the Heart of Borneo in our Wild Borneo 71 issue!

Want an adventure in Maliau Basin, Sabah’s Lost World, just contact us at info@borneoecotours.com.