Lahad Datu Town

Lahad Datu Heritage

Lahad Datu is a town and district located in Tawau Division, in the east ofSabah, eastern Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It occupies the peninsula on the north side of Darvel Bay. Its population was estimated to be around 118,000 in 1991 and 156,059 in the 2000 census. Lahad Datu is surrounded by stretches of cocoa and oil palm plantations. It is also an important timber exporting port. The town has an airport for domestic flights.

A settlement is believed to have existed here in the 15th century, as excavations have unearthed Ming dynasty Chinese ceramics. Just east of Lahad Datu, is the village of Tunku, a notorious base for Lanun pirates and slave traders in the 19th century. Lahad Datu is a gateway to theDanum Valley Conservation Area, the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in the east, and Madai Caves further south.

In the end of the 14th century, it was believed that Islam was first introduced in Sabah. This based on a jawi manuscript in the Idahan language dated 1408 A.D, which gives an account of an Ida'an man named Abdullah in Darvel Bay who embraced Islam.[1]

Lahad Datu is also home to Sabah's population of Orang Bajau and Cocos Island Malays, who were settled in this area in the 1950s when the Cocos Islands became part of Australia.

Besides, Lahad Datu also has palm oil refineries.

The Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC)[2] is located near the Lahad Datu Port and will be completed by Mid-2007. It consists of 1,150 acres (5 km²) of land developed (with a centralised bulking facility and a jetty, currently under construction, which will have a draft of 20 meters, making it one of the few deep sea ports in the world) specifically for palm oil downstream industries. To date, 18 companies have bought land in POIC with eight being companies involved in the production of palm biodiesel. POIC is a wholly State-owned company under the purview of the Ministry of Industrial Development. Its Chairman is the current minister, Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin and the Chief Executive Officer is Dr. Pang Teck Wai.

Lahad Datu is also the base of Borneo Child Aid Society (Locally Humana Child Aid Society Sabah) Homepage which provides education for more than 5000 children of plantation workers and others without access to basic education.

List Of Attraction around Lahad Datu

Danum Valley Conservation Area
Lahad Datu

On a sprawling 438 square kilometer undisturbed land, 70 kilometers (44 miles) west of Lahad Datu, lies nature’s jewel called the Danum Valley Conservation Area. This conservation area boasts one of the richest conservation areas in the world with over 200 species of tree per hectare thriving on it.

Recognized as one of the world’s most complex ecosystem, this forest serves as a natural home for endangered wildlife species such as the Sumatran rhino, banteng, Asian elephant, clouded leopard, orang utan, proboscis monkey, as well as a vast range of Sabah’s lowland fauna.

Being remote from human habitation and almost alien to modern civilization makes the Danum Valley Conservation Area a naturalist paradise. Drink in the beauty of this virgin forest by taking nature walks with experienced naturalists through tranquil rivervine and lowland dipterocarp forest.

Avid birdwatchers will appreciate the 300-meter-long and 27-meter-high canopy walkway which offers a peek into abundant bird life in the forest canopy. The Danum Valley Conservation Area also has beautiful waterfalls and rivers including Sungai Purut 7-tiered pools—one of the most spectacular waterfalls and pools found in Danum Valley Conservation Area.

Here, visitors also get the chance to visit an ancient Kadazandusun burial site, complete with belian coffins and ceramic spirit jars. Three burial sites have been discovered in Danum Valley—two near the field centre and one below the cliff, overlooking Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

On the way down, visitors can take a dip in the jacuzzi pool that is leech-free and safe for swimming. Later in the evening, go for a wildlife watching night drive in an open jeep. Depending on luck, wildlife photography enthusiasts will get an excellent opportunity to catch snapshots of the elusive wild inhabitants of the Danum Valley Conservation Area.

Be more enlightened about nature and wildlife by watching an educational video and slide presentations. Those planning extensive wildlife photography are recommended to stay for at least 3 days to have better success at finding wild animals frolicking about.

Please pre-arrange with the travel agent regarding your booking.

Further Information
For bookings and enquiries contact:
Borneo Nature Tours S/B (KPL 3719)
Block D, Lot 10, Ground Floor, Sadong Jaya Complex,
88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
P.O.Box 1162, 88817 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Tel: 088-267637 Fax: 088-251636

E-mail: info@borneonaturetours.com
Website: www.borneonaturetours.com

Madai - Baturong Forest Reserve Nature Centre
Lahad Datu

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.

Tariff:
Entrance fee is RM1.00/pax

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.

Further Information:
Kunak Regional Forestry office
P.O.Box No 2
91207 Kunak
Tel: 60 89 851863Fax: 60 89 851862

Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Lahad Datu

Imagine a close encounter with wildlife as if starring in a National Geographic documentary; and getting in touch with Mother Nature in her purest, most untouched form-Tabin Wildlife Reserve gives you this and more.

Nestled amidst 120, 500 hectares of dipterocarp rainforest, Tabin Wildlife Reserve is home to various endangered wildlife such as the Borneo Pygmy elephant, the Sumatran rhino, Tembadau and exotic birdlife. Wildlife photography aficionados and birdwatching enthusiasts will find their visit to Tabin a truly priceless experience!

Enhance your life with the experience of rainforest life as you listen to the calming sounds of nature in Tabin. Covered in euryspecies lowland rainforest, Tabin nurtures a colossal number of tropical plants; some of which are rich in medicinal and therapeutic values.

Pamper your skin by indulging in Tabin's mineral-rich mud volcanoes and salt springs. This gift of nature also serves as salt-lick for the wildlife and bird populations. Naturalists can drink in the best of nature's offering by trekking through the rainforest for a journey of 23 kilometers. Along the way, there are campsites for overnight stays.

After an exhilarating adventure, make your way to Sunbird Café to have your meal served, chill out, and share your venture experience with other like-minded visitors. Dubbed the "happening place" to eat, a must-try dish in this café would be the pakis dish-where tender tips of wild fern, a healthy vegetable abundantly growing in Tabin, are whipped to a meal of perfection. Following a sumptuous meal, sit back and relax as you sip coffee while enjoying the spectacular view of the forest and the river nearby.

Whether you're a wild adventure seeker, an environmentalist earth mother, a photography lover, an animal activist, or simply just someone looking out for something fun; Tabin extends her arms in welcome. Here, you'll get a taste of nature like nowhere else.

Tariff

	Particulars	Tariff
Day Visit		RM570.00
2 Days / 1	Night (Lodge )	RM1780.00 (Twin share)
		RM2270.00 (Triple share)
3 Days / 2	Nights (Lodge)	RM2500.00 (Twin share)
		RM3260.00 (Triple share)

*All price are estimated and subject to change

•Rates are based on minimum 2 person and twin-sharing basis

 •Rates include permit, accommodation, meals and guided activities as per itinerary, schedule return transfer.

 •Children age 5 – 12 years old enjoy a 50% discount on extra pax rate provided he/she stay in twin-share room with two paying adults and do not utilized extra bed. Full adult rate applies if extra bed utilized.

Getting There
By Air

Daily flights connect Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu. Flight duration is about 1 hour. From Lahad Datu, a 1:15 hour drive, part of it on gravel road, will take you to Tabin.

By Road

• Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu (7 hours)
• Sandakan to Lahad Datu (4 hours)
• Tawau to Lahad Datu (4 hours)

Contact
Tabin Wildlife Holidays Sdn Bhd
Lot 11-1, 1st Floor, Block A, Damai Point,
Jalan Damai, 88300 Kota Kinabalu

Tel: +6088 267266 (reservation and inquiries)
Fax: +6088 258266
E-mail: enquiry@tabinwildlife.com.my
Website: http://www.tabinwildlife.com.my