Explore Sabah’s premier birding destination with specialist guides through well-maintained forest trails. From Blue-headed Pitta to Sabah Partridge, discover rare endemic species in undisturbed wilderness.
From the haunting call of the Bornean Bristlehead to the vibrant flash of a Blue-headed Pitta, Maliau Basin offers one of the most rewarding birdwatching experiences in Southeast Asia. Guided by birding specialists, you’ll explore lush rainforest trails, walk canopy bridges, and scan for rare endemics like the Sabah Partridge, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, and Black-throated Wren-babbler.
This 6-day, 5-night journey combines expert-guided birding with immersive rainforest trekking, remote camp experiences, and opportunities to encounter wildlife in one of the most undisturbed habitats on Earth.
Why visit Maliau Basin?
Experience the majesty of Sabah’s most spectacular waterfall system, including the crown jewel, Maliau Falls.
Maliau Basin only allows a handful of visitors each day, helping to preserve the site for future generations.
Spot rare hornbills, various primate species, and nocturnal creepy crawlies with expert rangers.
Explore the mysterious basin formation and rare mud volcanoes found nowhere else.
✅ Services Included
❌ Not Included
2:00 PM: Arrive at Maliau Gate – welcome drink and light snacks at the Shell Building
3:00 PM: Transfer to Maliau Basin Studies Centre (MBSC)
3:30 PM: Check-in and gear orientation; free time to explore the trails around the centre
5:00 PM: Visit the Nature Gallery – intro to Basin’s biodiversity, habitats, and birdlife
7:00 PM: Dinner at Dalit Dining Hall
8:00 PM: Evening bird checklist and trip briefing with your specialist bird guide
Optional: Night Safari Drive (possible nocturnal birds: Brown Wood Owl, Buffy Fish Owl)
📍Overnight: MBSC Lodge
6:00 AM: Pre-breakfast birdwatching around MBSC trails (species: Chestnut-naped Forktail, Diard’s Trogon, Black-crowned Pitta)
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Visit the Maliau Sky Bridge for canopy-level birding (Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Great Argus)
11:30 AM: Return for lunch
2:00 PM: Guided birding walk along the EE Trail beside the river
4:30 PM: Rest / checklist update
7:00 PM: Dinner
8:30 PM: Optional: Night walk for owls, frogmouths, and nocturnal mammals
📍Overnight: MBSC Lodge
6:00 AM: Dawn birding session en route to Agathis Camp
7:00 AM: Packed breakfast en route
8:00 AM: Begin 7.5 km trek to Nepenthes Camp, birding along the way
🔍 Look for: Bornean Spiderhunter, Sabah Partridge, Rufous-collared Kingfisher
1:00 PM: Arrive at Nepenthes Camp (945 m) – check-in, rest
4:00 PM: Short afternoon walk to Giluk Falls (optional), forest edge birding
7:00 PM: Dinner and bird checklist session
📍Overnight: Nepenthes Camp (dormitory)
6:30 AM: Birding near camp and surrounding trails (species: Black-and-crimson Pitta, Green Broadbill)
8:00 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM: Trek to Takob-Akob, Fowzi, and Giluk Falls (easy trails, great for foraging flocks)
12:30 PM: Packed lunch in the field
2:00 PM: Return to camp – rest, birding around camp clearing
7:00 PM: Dinner
8:30 PM: Night checklist review and optional stargazing
📍Overnight: Nepenthes Camp
6:00 AM: Breakfast and pack-up
7:00 AM: Begin 10 km trek to Maliau Falls, birding along the way (key targets: Bornean Leafbird, Bulwer’s Pheasant)
12:30 PM: Lunch at the falls – soak in the scenery and scan for raptors and hornbills
2:00 PM: Short final hike to Ginseng Camp
4:00 PM: Optional: Visit nearby Ginseng Falls
7:00 PM: Dinner and bird checklist update
📍Overnight: Ginseng Camp
6:30 AM: Early morning birding near camp
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: 9 km return trek to Agathis Camp, birding along key habitats
1:00 PM: Transfer to Maliau Gate
2:00 PM: End of tour – farewell and onward travel
Endemics: Blue-headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Bornean Bristlehead, Whitehead’s Broadbill
Forest Gems: Diard’s Trogon, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Bornean Wren-babbler
High-value Targets: Sabah Partridge, Bulwer’s Pheasant, Great Argus
3 nights in Jungle Camps, 2 nights at study center
Learn more about our accomodation options here
💪 Fitness level
Moderate fitness required. Suitable for children 8+ with basic trekking experience.
☀️ Seasonal availability
Available year-round. Dry season (April-September) recommended for optimal family experience.
🎒 Essential items
Leech socks, insect repellent, muscle cramp spray, personal medications.
👉 Group size
Maximum 20 participants per trip ensures personalized attention.
4,890 MYR per person (children same rate)
✨ Available Add-Ons
*Price upon request
Yes. All permits are arranged in advance as part of the tour.
Transfers from the nearest airport or your hotel can be arranged.
Yes. All hikes are guided; independent hiking is not permitted.
Tours are offered in three levels: Easy, Medium, and Advanced.
Short walking days at a relaxed pace, suitable for most visitors and families with children.
Up to 10 km per day with 300–400 m elevation gain, requiring good general fitness.
Visitors with good fitness and multi-day hiking experience, comfortable with longer and more demanding days.
Group sizes are kept small in line with conservation and permit requirements. Specialist group tours have a maximum of 20 participants.
Rainforest trails, uneven ground, and occasional river crossings
Year-round access is possible; trips are planned around seasonal conditions.
Exceptional birdlife and a chance to encounter mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Lodges, research facilities, or approved camps, depending on the itinerary.
A packing list is provided in advance, and we assist with preparation.
Yes. Travel insurance covering hiking activities, medical treatment, and emergency evacuation is required.
Yes, selected Easy and Medium programmes are designed with families in mind.
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