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Tawau Hills National Park, Sabah |
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The lush forest of the Tawau Hills on the east coast of Sabah serves as an important water area for Tawau and Semporna. The area was gazetted as a National Park to protect the natural environment that has unique flora and fauna as well as to ensure an uninterrupted water supply for the region. Rugged volcanic terrain covers the natural landscape, in sharp contrast to the neatly cultivated plantations of oil palm, cocoa and rubber on the flat coastal plains. It covers an area of 27,972 hectares. |
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Flora and Fauna |
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Lush dipterocarp forest vegetation and lianas cover the lower region, giving way to thick and damp mossy forests as the altitude gets higher and temperatures get colder. The variety of plant life found within the park includes Agathis, Mountain Ru, Tree ferns and different species of orchids and begonias. An interesting species is the Mengaris tree, where its smooth grey trunk makes it difficult to climb. Wild bees protect their store of honey from voracious honey bears by keeping their honeycombs high up the Mengaris tree. Macaques, creamy white leaf monkeys, giant tree squirrels, civet cats and leopard cats inhabit the park's dense primary forest. Borneo's largest wild cat - the clouded leopard, is rarely seen but is not uncommon. It preys on smaller mammals such as rats and wild pigs. Other inhabitants of the harmless kind include hornbills, pheasants and the slow moving tortoise. |
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Planning an Itinerary |
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Cool streams winding through a lush tropical forest and waterfalls cascading into the rocky pools make an ideal location for picnics and a quick dip, leaving behind any strains from everyday life. There are also hot springs - Mother Nature's very own spa - where you can ease tired muscles and weary bones while luxuriating in the therapeutic warmth of the 'geo-thermal' pool. Explore the forest using jungle trails and study its varied plant life at a closer range. You might get lucky and spot a shy inhabitant. For something more challenging, climb the Bombalai Hill. At 530 metres above sea level, it offers a sweeping view of plantations, Tawau town and the Sulawesi Sea. |
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| Click here to check out more at Sabah's interesting destinations |
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How to get there |
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The park headquarters at the southern boundary is merely 24 kilometres away from Tawau. Visitors have to make their own transport arrangements to the park, which is accessible through rough roads - but that's part of the adventure! |
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(Click the map to enlarge) |
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