Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Nature Tour in Sabah - Getting down with Nature


Nature lovers have everything they want in Sabah. They can walk in the mists in Kinabalu Parks, with the cool mountain air blowing on their face. They just have to look up and they will be able to gaze at the morning sun as it unveils the craggy top of Mount Kinabalu; they can wake up to the roar of the waves at any islands they want or the distant call of monkeys.

They can add Maliau Basin, ‘The Lost World” to their string of affairs. People are welcome there but access is strictly controlled and earlier written permission must be sought from the Sabah Foundation or Yayasan Sabah. Maliau Basin is located in the south central part of Sabah, about 200 kilometres form Tawau. It is a circular shape which accounts for it being named ‘Basin.’

The highest point is Mount Lotung. Maliau is a single water catchment, drained by a set of tributaries and out into our longest river, Kinabatangan-Maliau Basin has beautiful waterfalls and home to many kind of animals, endangered and otherwise.

They include the Sumatran Rhino and Proboscis monkey. I believe the abundance of flora and fauna there that will fascinate nature lovers for a while.

Then there is the Danum Valley. This place is actually Sabah’s largest protected area of lowland dipterocarp forest, also managed by Yayasan Sabah.

Nature lovers will just adore this area, especially if they stay at the Danum Valley Field Centre. It is fascinating and slightly awe-inspiring to be staying in the world leading tropical rainforest research and environmental education establishments in Southeast Asia. I like the ambience at night, the call of insects and nocturnal animals are just fascinating.

Where wildlife is concerned, there are Orang Utans, Asian Elephants, mousedeers and even Sumatran Rhinos dwelling in this area. If you are lucky enough you will glimpse one or more of these animals. There is also a waterfall there, located about an hour and half walk from the field centre.

A lodge called the Borneo Rainforest Lodge is available, with 31 chalets to pick from. If you need a guide, talk to them staff there. Still in Lahad Datu area; the Tabin Wildlife Reserve is also a good and interesting place to go.

This reserve allows wild animals to roam freely and live their life in peace, except for the Oil Palm Plantations. There is also a mud volcano there that is an endless source of fascination for both animals and men, generically speaking. If you want to go there; stay with the Tabin Wildlife Resort. They have perfectly nice chalets that overlook the river there.

The jungle trek is stimulating for if you stop and look around you, you can well imagine how this land of ours actually looked like a long time ago.

So if you want to get in touch with nature, these are some of the places that you can go.

Courtesy of: New Sabah Times 'In' Sites - Sabah Travel and Leisure Guide

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