One of the best birds nest cave in the world, visit Gomantong Cave for a serene view as well as encounters with swiftlets, insects and millions of bats.
Opening hours
| Monday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Thursday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Friday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Saturday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Sunday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
What to expect?
What to expect?
Located in the Gomantong Hills, the Gomantong Cave has been a famous site since the early 1900s as it contains a prized commodity; plenty of birds nests. These birds nests made by swiftlets that reside high up in the caves are favoured by traders from China and all over the world for their medicinal properties. Gomantong Cave is the largest cave is located within Gomantong Forest Reserve of the Kinabatangan District.
Travellers can find a total of 19 caves in the Gomantong Cave system. The two main cave complexes here are Simud Hitam and Simud Putih. Simud Putih requires a permit and is a far distance away to hike to but it contains more birds nests. Most tourists head to Simud Hitam, which is easily accessible and open to the public.
Expect an Indiana Jones-like adventure as you are greeted with the unmistakable stench of guano or bat poop and a cave floor that is crawling with cockroaches, scorpions and centipedes. Gomantong Cave is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Other wildlife that can be seen here are serpent eagles and kingfishers. On some occasions you can even spot a wild orangutan and the snakes that feed on the smaller insects here inside the cave.
Travellers can find a total of 19 caves in the Gomantong Cave system. The two main cave complexes here are Simud Hitam and Simud Putih. Simud Putih requires a permit and is a far distance away to hike to but it contains more birds nests. Most tourists head to Simud Hitam, which is easily accessible and open to the public.
Expect an Indiana Jones-like adventure as you are greeted with the unmistakable stench of guano or bat poop and a cave floor that is crawling with cockroaches, scorpions and centipedes. Gomantong Cave is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Other wildlife that can be seen here are serpent eagles and kingfishers. On some occasions you can even spot a wild orangutan and the snakes that feed on the smaller insects here inside the cave.
What to bring?
What to bring?
- Sport shoes with a good level of grip. Wear socks as well.
- Hat to protect from guano droppings.
- Mask to avoid the ammonia smell.
- Plenty of water.
- Light snacks.
What are the facilities provided?
What are the facilities provided?
- Information centre
- Meeting room
- Exhibition room
- Prayer rooms
- Canteen
- Toilets
- Outdoor and indoor boardwalks at Simud Hitam cave
Who should I travel with?
Who should I travel with?
Couple , Friends , Group
Safety tips
Safety tips
- Watch your step when walking on the boardwalk as some planks may have rotted away and the slippery guano may cause you to lose your footing.
- Check any surface you touch and be wary of the insects and snakes that wander the cave.
Insiders’ tips
Insiders’ tips
- From Sandakan, head towards Sukau on a 90-minute journey by car to get to Gomantong Cave.
- If you wish to explore Gomantong Cave, there are plenty of tour operators that can help you arrange a trip here. Most packages also include Kinabatangan River in the tour.
- Make sure to stick around until dusk to witness the bats in the caves swarm out in the millions to the surrounding jungle for their nocturnal hunting session.
- Bring a mask to protect you against the smell of ammonia that arises from the guano droppings.
- If you are lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of a wild orangutan at the mouth of the cave.
- The railings can be really dirty. Wear gloves if you do not want to place your hands on the railings provided.
- The caves are off limits during certain times of the year for birds nest harvesting, so make sure to do your research before visiting.
- There will be a surcharge for photography equipments here in Gomantong Cave.
What to expect?
What to expect?
Located in the Gomantong Hills, the Gomantong Cave has been a famous site since the early 1900s as it contains a prized commodity; plenty of birds nests. These birds nests made by swiftlets that reside high up in the caves are favoured by traders from China and all over the world for their medicinal properties. Gomantong Cave is the largest cave is located within Gomantong Forest Reserve of the Kinabatangan District.
Travellers can find a total of 19 caves in the Gomantong Cave system. The two main cave complexes here are Simud Hitam and Simud Putih. Simud Putih requires a permit and is a far distance away to hike to but it contains more birds nests. Most tourists head to Simud Hitam, which is easily accessible and open to the public.
Expect an Indiana Jones-like adventure as you are greeted with the unmistakable stench of guano or bat poop and a cave floor that is crawling with cockroaches, scorpions and centipedes. Gomantong Cave is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Other wildlife that can be seen here are serpent eagles and kingfishers. On some occasions you can even spot a wild orangutan and the snakes that feed on the smaller insects here inside the cave.
Travellers can find a total of 19 caves in the Gomantong Cave system. The two main cave complexes here are Simud Hitam and Simud Putih. Simud Putih requires a permit and is a far distance away to hike to but it contains more birds nests. Most tourists head to Simud Hitam, which is easily accessible and open to the public.
Expect an Indiana Jones-like adventure as you are greeted with the unmistakable stench of guano or bat poop and a cave floor that is crawling with cockroaches, scorpions and centipedes. Gomantong Cave is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Other wildlife that can be seen here are serpent eagles and kingfishers. On some occasions you can even spot a wild orangutan and the snakes that feed on the smaller insects here inside the cave.
What to bring?
What to bring?
- Sport shoes with a good level of grip. Wear socks as well.
- Hat to protect from guano droppings.
- Mask to avoid the ammonia smell.
- Plenty of water.
- Light snacks.
What are the facilities provided?
What are the facilities provided?
- Information centre
- Meeting room
- Exhibition room
- Prayer rooms
- Canteen
- Toilets
- Outdoor and indoor boardwalks at Simud Hitam cave
Who should I travel with?
Who should I travel with?
Couple , Friends , Group
Safety tips
Safety tips
- Watch your step when walking on the boardwalk as some planks may have rotted away and the slippery guano may cause you to lose your footing.
- Check any surface you touch and be wary of the insects and snakes that wander the cave.
Insiders’ tips
Insiders’ tips
- From Sandakan, head towards Sukau on a 90-minute journey by car to get to Gomantong Cave.
- If you wish to explore Gomantong Cave, there are plenty of tour operators that can help you arrange a trip here. Most packages also include Kinabatangan River in the tour.
- Make sure to stick around until dusk to witness the bats in the caves swarm out in the millions to the surrounding jungle for their nocturnal hunting session.
- Bring a mask to protect you against the smell of ammonia that arises from the guano droppings.
- If you are lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of a wild orangutan at the mouth of the cave.
- The railings can be really dirty. Wear gloves if you do not want to place your hands on the railings provided.
- The caves are off limits during certain times of the year for birds nest harvesting, so make sure to do your research before visiting.
- There will be a surcharge for photography equipments here in Gomantong Cave.
One of the best birds nest cave in the world, visit Gomantong Cave for a serene view as well as encounters with swiftlets, insects and millions of bats.
Opening hours
| Monday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Thursday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Friday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Saturday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
| Sunday | 08:00 am to 06:00 pm |
