MY · Sabah · 5.52°N 118.07°E

gomantong caves

Cathedral-sized cave where bird's nest collectors climb rattan ladders.

Best time
Any time of year. Nests are harvested in set seasons, roughly February to April and July to September; you may see collectors at work, though access can be limited during harvesting.
How long
Half a day, usually combined with the Kinabatangan River
Getting there
Fly from KL to Sandakan (about 2.5–3 hours), then drive about 2 hours. Most people visit on a tour that includes river cruises from nearby Sukau.
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MY · Sabahgomantong caves5.52°N 118.07°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Cathedral-sized cave where bird's nest collectors climb rattan ladders.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGomantong CavesMY, Sabah
KLgomantong caves
≈ 1,835 km from KL, as the crow flies
Caves of Sabah, Malaysia: Gomantong Cave; Entrance to Simud Hitam

Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Gomantong is the largest limestone hill in the Lower Kinabatangan, and inside it is a vast cave system where swiftlets build the nests used in bird's nest soup. A boardwalk leads into the main cave, and in harvest season collectors climb rattan ladders and ropes high into the roof.

Things to do

  1. Simud Hitam (Black Cave)The main cave, reached by a short forest walk and a boardwalk under a towering roof.Map ↗
  2. The nest harvestWatch collectors climb rattan ladders and ropes to the cave ceiling during harvest season.Map ↗
  3. Bats at duskHuge numbers of bats stream out of the caves around sunset, often chased by raptors.Map ↗
  4. Kinabatangan RiverNearby Sukau is the base for river cruises to see proboscis monkeys, hornbills and, with luck, elephants.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Wear covered shoes with grip; the boardwalk is slick with guano and there are cockroaches everywhere.
  • Bring a hat and a torch.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.