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Showing posts with label Sandakan Division. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandakan Division. Show all posts

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Madai - Baturong Forest Reserve Nature Centre

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Another treasure of the Sabah’s East Coast is the Madai Baturong Forest Reserve Nature Centre. This 3,436.5 hectares large area is located about 50 kilometers from Lahad Datu, 15 kilometers from Kunak.

Madai is basically a bird cave where the popular birds nest delicacy originates, while the Baturong cave is riddled with several caverns which contain ancient coffins.

The Madai – Baturong Forest Reserve Nature Centre has been classified as a Class 1 forest reserve and is an excellent place for a day of cave exploration trip. Outdoor lovers will delight at the opportunity to familiarize with various aspects of tree species, caves, and the endemic flora and fauna in the area.

In addition to its canopy walkway, visitors of this forest reserve should not miss the chance to take a dip in the cool crystal clear stream of its scenic waterfalls.

Opening Hours

Visiting Hour:
Pre-arrange with the Kunak Regional Forestry office

Getting There

To get to the Madai - Baturong Forest Reserve Nature Centre, visitors can either take a 55-minute flight (MAS) from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu or travel by road by taking a 7-hour bus ride.

Admission Fee

Entrance fee is RM1.00/pax
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Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

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In the centre of the mangrove forests of Semawang is the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can see Borneo's indigenous proboscis monkeys. This privately-owned sanctuary located within an oil palm estate gives you the chance to observe these animals up close and personal.

The remarkable males sport big dangling noses, reddish flat-top hairstyles, white tails and markings, and pot bellies. The females on the other hand, are much smaller and have up-turned noses.

Take a night tour for a chance to see wild boars, flying squirrels, fireflies and crocodiles. The sanctuary also has a lodge with aircondtioned twin or double rooms, family chalet and dormitaries for those who wish to stay overnight.

The sanctuary also provides transfers, daytrips and overnight stays. You can also go through a local tour operator.

Opening Hours

Hours / Feeding times
Platform A : 09:30am & 02:30pm Daily
Platform B : 11:30am & 04.30pm Daily

Getting There

Travel along Jalan Labuk (heading towards Kota Kinabalu) and turn off at the SPS 3 junction at Mile 19 (adjacent to Consolidated Sabah Farms). From here, the sanctuary is a 15km further along the road.
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Monday, 5 May 2014

Kinabatangan River

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Kinabatangan River sustains one of the world's richest ecosystems. Other than being home to Borneo's indigenous orang utan and proboscis monkey, the surrounding forest is also one of only two known places in the world where 10 species of primates are found. 

All the eight species of hornbill found in Borneo make the area their home.

A trip up the river at dawn or dusk is the best opportunity to see the wildlife. You might even sight an Asian elephant wandering through the trees. 

Optional tours can be arranged for night safaris as well to spot crocodiles, birds and nocturnal animals.

Many major local tour companies run lodges in the Sukau area with packages that include accommodation, transportation, meals and guided tours. 

Alternatively, you may want to experience the homestay programme which is available at surrounding villages and which provides a good opportunity to truly experience the life of the Orang Sungai. 

Join in their cultural activities or even try your hand at the local way of farming!

Getting There

The overland trip from Sandakan to Sukau covers 135km where 42km of the journey is on gravel road through palm oil plantations. A 350km drive from Kota Kinabalu is also possible but will take at least six hours. Transportation can be arranged with local tour operators.
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Sunday, 4 May 2014

Gomantong Cave

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There are two cave complexes - Simud Hitam (Black Cave) soaring up to 90 metres high and the more accessible of the two, and Simud Putih (White Cave), where the more valuable nests are found. Simud Hitam is a five- minute walk from the registration centre. 

A well-maintained boardwalk gives you easy access to do some exploring or watch the skilled harvesters at work.

The resident creatures of the caves include swiftlets (from which the nests are collected) and bats among others. Outside, other birds such as serpent eagles, bat hawks and kingfishers can be seen. 

You might even spot an orangutan or two. You will need to make prior arrangements for exploring the more challenging Simud Putih which calls for more serious caving.

Facilities include a picnic area as well as the Gomantong Rainforest Chalet which can accommodate up to 30 people a night.

Further Information

Birds' nest collecting is done usually between February and August.

Opening Hours

Daily from 8.00am till 6.00pm

Getting There

A 1½ hour bus ride leaves from Sandakan to Sukau for the 95km trip. You can arrange your visit through local tour operators or the Sabah Forestry Department.
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Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

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You can now get close to the world's most smallest bear! The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is located next to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and to all wildlife lovers out there, Sepilok is a must-visit. The centre is equipped with key facilities including an observation platform, boardwalk and a visitor centre.

Opening Hours

The centre will be open daily from 9 am - 3:30 pm.

Please note that the Centre does not have feeding time so visitors are welcome to visit at any time the Centre is open. However, sun bears are most active from 9:30 am to 3
pm.

Getting There

Public transportations are available from Sandakan town. The centre is next to Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre and the distance between town and the Centre is about 23KM.  The Labuk Road Bus Company vehicles depart from the front of the Sandakan Town Council (Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan or MPS) from 6.00 am onwards but it will only stop at the junction to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. You will have to walk about one and a half km in. You can also hire a taxi for a return trip.
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Batu Tulug

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Agop Batu Tulug is a steep limestone cliff that stands 39 meters high and is part of the 20-25 million- year old Labang limestone formation. The word ‘agop' in the Orang Sungai language means cave. There are three main caves, agop suriba (lower) on the forest floor, lintaga (middle) and sawat (upper) betweeen 12-15m high.

Inside the middle and upper caves are more than a hundred carved wooden coffins dating back 200-250 years, watched over by bats and swallows. Batu Putih village can be viewed from here as well.

The coffins resemble different animals associated to the beliefs of the Orang Sungai but it has also been said that they are the coffins of the Chinese who once settled in the area as Chinese artifacts were found among the remains.

A site Museum since 1996, it has facilities such as an information center, stairs leading to the caves, toilets and resting huts.

Opening Hours

Daily from 9.00am till 5.00pm

Getting There

The drive to Batu Tulug takes one and a half hours from Sandakan or 45 minutes from Lahad Datu. You may self-drive or go through a tour operator.
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Agnes Keith House

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This British colonial government quarters, called Newlands, was once occupied by famous American writer, Agnes Newton Keith, who penned Land Below The Wind in 1939. The house became home to Agnes and her family, Henry (also referred to as Harry) George Keith, who was the Conservator of Forests and their son, George.

Today the house has turned into a heritage house, providing interesting insights to life during British North Borneo. It is furnished with a reproduction of colonial furniture and antiques. A gallery on the first floor tells the story of this remarkable woman, her books and her family.

"The new house is beautiful. Round trippers on world boats would come up to see it, carrying their cameras and calling, Why look!" (Agnes Keith, White Man Returns, 1951, p.87)

Opening Hours

Seven days a week (Monday - Sunday), from 9am to 5pm

Getting There

The Agnes Keith House is part of the Sandakan Heritage Trail. From Sandakan town, it is a 20-minute walk. You can also take a taxi.
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