MY · Sabah · 4.99°N 118.07°E

taliwas river conservation area

Clear jungle streams, two waterfalls and family picnics in a forest reserve outside Lahad Datu.

Best time
The drier months, roughly March to September, are best for camping. It rains all year, and the rivers rise fast after a storm.
How long
Day trip, or 1 night camping
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tawau (about 2 hours 45 minutes) and drive about 2–2.5 hours to Lahad Datu, or connect through Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu's small airport. Taliwas is about 50 minutes' drive from town.
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MY · Sabahtaliwas river conservation area4.99°N 118.07°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Clear jungle streams, two waterfalls and family picnics in a forest reserve outside Lahad Datu.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingTaliwas River Conservation AreaMY, Sabah
KLtaliwas river conservation area
≈ 1,828 km from KL, as the crow flies

A protected forest about 50 minutes' drive west of Lahad Datu, run by Yayasan Sabah. Clear streams, a small lake and two waterfalls make it a favourite local spot for picnics and camping. It's an easy taste of the same lowland rainforest as Danum Valley, without the long road in.

Makan

  1. Packed nasi campurThere's no restaurant in the reserve, so buy rice and lauk in Lahad Datu before you drive out.Map ↗
  2. Seafood in Lahad DatuFish and prawns, cooked simply, at the town's seafood restaurants on the way back.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Taliwas WaterfallThe most visited of the falls, along a forest trail from the recreation area.Map ↗
  2. Vanila WaterfallThe second main fall, usually saved for a longer camping trip.Map ↗
  3. A river picnicShady spots and shallow pools along the river, the classic local weekend out.Map ↗
  4. CampingCool nights at the campsite, then gibbons calling at dawn.Map ↗

Good to know

  • You need a vehicle permit, collected from the Danum Valley office in Lahad Datu, before you drive in.
  • Get out of the water if it starts rising or turning brown. Flash floods come down fast after rain upstream.
  • Take all your rubbish back to town.

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