Part 2 Photo album contains activities at Maliau Basin Conservation Area (also known as Sabah's Lost World):
Day 5 (15 March 2017) – After breakfast at 7:30 a.m., drive to Maliau Basin; at Tawau, buy groceries for cooking at Maliau; arrive at Maliau Basin at 6pm; dinner and overnight at Maliau Basin resorts.
Day 6 – Transfer by 4WD to Agathis Camp; start trekking to Ginseng Camp (5 hours inclusive of eating packed lunch); relax at Ginseng waterfall; cook our dinner; overnight at Ginseng Camp.
Day 7 – Cook breakfast; pack our lunch; start trekking to Maliau Falls (2 hr 30 min); relax and eat packed lunch at the waterfall; trek back to Ginseng Camp; cook our dinner; overnight at Ginseng Camp.
Day 8 – Cook breakfast; pack our lunch; trek back to Agathis Camp; transfer by 4WD to Maliau Basin resorts; refresh at hostel toilet; at 3:15pm, drive back to Tawau town (4 hours); sumptuous seafood dinner; 2 hours of karaoke session.
Day 9 – Free and easy at Tawau; fly back to Kuala Lumpur.
Do CLICK HERE to view photos (Part 2 photo album) courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).
All are ready for trekking to Ginseng Camp and Maliau Falls
At the abandoned Agathis Camp weighing the groceries to be carried by the porters to Ginseng Camp, chargeable by the kilograms
Comparison between Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) and Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA):
Comparison between Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) and Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA):
The distance apart between DVCA and MBCA is almost a 10-hour drive, inclusive of lunch break at Tawau. Starting the journey at 8am from DVCA Centre, we only reached Maliau Basin resort at 6pm. DVCA is near to Sandakan while MBCA is near to Tawau, both towns are accessible by flights. DVCA is a smaller and more established park, and the waterfall is just a small one. There is much more wildlife here, and so are the abundance of fast and furious leeches. DVCA attracts many mat salleh visitors.
Taking a breather while trekking to Ginseng Camp by the only trail
At MBCA, we could not see any animal other than the in-house wild boar near to the resort kitchen area which looked amuse when it saw us. There wasn’t any other tourist/visitor. The edge of Maliau Basin is 1,700 meters high (higher than Gunung Nuang peak at 1,500m); many of the wild animals could not have climbed over the ridge (of the basin) other than birds or those that fly. The basin covers a much larger area; possibly, the wildlife is scattered and thus difficult to spot them. The trails are deeper into the forest and more adventurous, leading to the spectacular Ginseng waterfall and Maliau Falls. The Ginseng Camp – 9km or 5 hours of trekking from the trailhead – only provides the empty structures for dormitory, kitchen, toilet and dining areas. Bunk beds with leather-covered mattress and cooking utensils are available; but food, groceries and cooking gas are required to be carried in for cooking.
|Arriving at Ginseng Camp and relaxing at the Ginseng waterfall which is about 10 minutes away
Ginseng waterfall
Night Safari at DVCA – Other than the facilities and trekking activities, I quite like the night safari where eight persons were seated at the back of an opened-top 4WD with no-frill cushion seats. In front, a ranger will use a powerful light beam to shine swiftly at huge trees 100 meters away looking for wildlife. It was amazing that he could scan the trees at fast speed; possibly, he was looking at the reflection from the eyes of the wildlife. On a lighter note, if one could not see much wildlife, at least one can enjoy the cool night breeze for two hours.
Night Safari at DVCA – Other than the facilities and trekking activities, I quite like the night safari where eight persons were seated at the back of an opened-top 4WD with no-frill cushion seats. In front, a ranger will use a powerful light beam to shine swiftly at huge trees 100 meters away looking for wildlife. It was amazing that he could scan the trees at fast speed; possibly, he was looking at the reflection from the eyes of the wildlife. On a lighter note, if one could not see much wildlife, at least one can enjoy the cool night breeze for two hours.
Ginseng Camp showing the common toilet (left) and the dormitory ... photo angle from the dining pondok
Chong's group for cooking the dinner ... with him are Abbie Foong, Choo, Sau Chein and Kertijah
Ervie Yeo's team for cooking the breakfast ... with her are Adrian Foo, Hooi Miin, Jack Oh, Elaine, (back) SC Yong and KC Leong
A pleasant place for dining overlooking the entire campsite
Getting ready to trek to Maliau Falls
At Maliau Falls
Do CLICK HERE for Part 1 of the journey and photos.
Posted by KC Leong
