Kinabatangan caves-hike on the elephant path to the Sukau caves
Kinabatangan caves-hike on the elephant path to the Sukau caves
If you are planning your cinema tangan river trip or looking for the Sukau caves, I bet that you are already thinking of the Gomantong caves. Did you know, however, that there was another epic Kinabatangan hollow system directly near the Sukau river village?
The cave path is only a few minutes' walk from the popular cinema tangan River Cruise Village Sukau and leads through dense rainforest along a path carved by elephants. As I found out, this means that they have to be particularly careful to avoid territorial wild animals that call the Sukau jungle at home.
Sukau on the river Kinabatangan
For those who want to spend a little time to explore the Kinabatangan River and make the best of the incredible wildlife river cruises from here, then you will probably spend the night in Sukau.
The village itself is quite small and is located directly on the banks of the river. There are no ATMs or supermarkets here, so you have to prepare. To help you, I wrote a detailed blog about how to come here, where to stay here and what to expect.
Other cinema tangan cavity and river cruise option
If you prefer to visit the larger Gomantong caves, you can book a cave and river cruise online. I didn't do this option because I decided to stay in Sukau for a few days. However, if you prefer a collection from the hotel and a guided tour of Sandakan, you can book this trip for less than $ 90
If you are looking for further information about the Gomantong caves, this detailed blog may be helpful.
Interested on river cruises independent? Read this blog.
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How to find the Sukau-Höhlen
Of course you can organize a driver or guide from Sukau to drive to the Gomantong caves. Unfortunately I didn't have a day. So instead, I set out to explore the elephant path that leads to the Sukau caves, as was dependent on my Lodge owner.
You will find the beginning of the path at the very end of the street in Sukau, which leads downstream. The official name of the area is Tomanggong Limestone Area and you will find the beginning of the hiking trail under this name on Google Maps.
The best advice is to simply follow the road downstream, past the lodges and small restaurants.
If you reach a house that looks like it is the end of the street, just go under the small temporary bridge. Then drive further through the palm trees and finally cross a wooden board that leads into the jungle.
Hike on the elephant path of Sukau-limestone area Tomanggong
Hiking route: 8 km back and forth; Total length: 2-3 hours; Hiking difficult: simple, but can be very wet and swampy.
As I mentioned, the path was created by local Pygmäen elephants, which roam the jungle area near the cinema tangan caves and the river. As a result, the path winds and cuts back several times, which forced them to cross deep sludge sections.
Overall, the path is quite flat and you will find small red and pink ribbons that are attached to the trees and show the way to the Sukau caves. My advice is to keep an eye out for the labels and ribbons, because you can get lost quite easily.
If you approach the cave, you have to follow the path a little up the hill and expose a huge cave opening.
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Kinabatangan-wild animal
However, you definitely have to be careful. Since I grew up in Australia, I tend to forget the dangers of wild animals besides that of the toxic variety. As a result, the result of the hike could have been much worse if I unknowingly and innocently got into a pack angry wild boar or a territorial elephant bull.
The truth is that we came across a pack of wild boars and were hunted by them. Read the lower section for history.
What you expect in the cinema tangan caves
The hike itself is very beautiful and leads through the dense and moist jungle interior, which you may expect from Borneo.
The Sukau cave itself has two main cavities. It looks like it also increases deeper into the surface. There are bats everywhere in the main cave, so you have to be prepared for it if you are a bit squeamish.
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hunted by wild boar
Yes. These things were monsters. If you have never seen a Borneo game boar, I ask you to google a picture of it. The thing is wild and looks super frightening when it stares at you and grunts through the bushes in the thicket of a swampy jungle.
Although we found the caves, we had to flee from an angry and territorial wild boar on the way back. Fortunately, we both survived to tell the hilarious, but afterwards happy history of our great boar from the Sukau caves.
More photos of the Sukau caves and the hiking trail
Here are some other photos that we have taken along the way to the Sukau caves (cinema tangan caves).
If you choose the hike, let me know by leaving a short comment below.
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