MY · Sabah · 4.83°N 116.90°E

maliau basin

Sabah's Lost World: a walled-off basin of untouched rainforest and waterfalls.

Best time
The drier months, roughly March to September, make the trails and access road easier. Expect rain at any time.
How long
4 days, 3 nights
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tawau (about 2.5–3 hours), then about 4–5 hours by 4WD to the conservation area. Visits are arranged through the Maliau Basin management or approved tour operators, who handle the transfer.
Save postcard
MY · Sabahmaliau basin4.83°N 116.90°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Sabah's Lost World: a walled-off basin of untouched rainforest and waterfalls.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMaliau BasinMY, Sabah
KLmaliau basin
≈ 1,698 km from KL, as the crow flies

Maliau Basin is a huge, roughly circular basin in the middle of Sabah, ringed by steep cliffs and nicknamed Sabah's Lost World. It's a conservation area managed by Yayasan Sabah, with multi-tiered waterfalls, rare plants and very few visitors. Getting in takes effort, and that's part of the point.

Things to do

  1. Maliau FallsA multi-day trek to the seven-tiered falls at the heart of the basin.Map ↗
  2. Jungle campsNights at simple trekking camps deep in the forest.Map ↗
  3. Night walksGuided walks after dark for frogs, insects and, with luck, larger animals.Map ↗
  4. Pitcher plants and orchidsThe forest on the basin's rim is home to rare pitcher plants and orchids.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Permits and guides are compulsory and numbers are limited, so book well ahead.
  • The treks are long and muddy. You need decent fitness, leech socks and good boots.

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