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The Gomantong Caves are a complex cave system inside Gomantong Hill. Gomantong Caves well-known as " the best-managed edible birds" nest care in the world. The hill is the largest limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan area, Sandakan. Gomantong Caves situated in a Sabah Parks forest reserve, surrounding area are a protected area for wildlife, especially Orang Utans.

Gomantong Caves in the heartland of the Gomantong Rainforest Reserve have been the focus for bird's nests for centuries. The birds' nests collection is an ancient tradition, and the trading of these nests has been done since 500A.D.

The main cave systems is divided into 2 parts : the more accessible with soaring up to 90 metres, Simud Hitam (Black Cave) which takes 5 minutes walk from registration centre and Simud Putih (White Cave) is a steep 30 minutes further climb to the mountain where valuable nests are found. The cave system is home to many other animals, including massive population of cockroaches and bats.

Locals with licenses climb to the roof of the caves using only rattan ladders, ropes, and bamboo poles, and collect the nests twice a year. A well-maintained wooden walkway gives u an access to explore and watch the skilled harvesters at work. It tooks approximately 1 1/2 hours bus ride from Sandakan to Sukau which takes 95 km trip. After all, edible birds' nests are protected under the Birds' Nest Ordinance and the Forest Enactment of 1968.

VISIT TIME : 0800 - 1800