Visiting Mahua Waterfall in Kg Patau, Tambunan is always a treat even if one has been there multiple times. The tranquil majestic tropical rainforest, the river and the waterfall are balms to the senses, especially if one want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, or the humdrum of everyday life.
This seemed to be the case after the stay-at-home period of the Movement Control Order (MCO) recently. As the months progressed and the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) came into being, people were once again flocking into this beautiful and breathtaking spot.
During the first week of the RMCO, some 300 people visited the touristic spot, which was a boost to the Government’s bid to promote domestic tourism, necessary to ensure the economic recovery in the country.
Sabah Park Ranger Rizwan Yunin , stationed at Mahua said the three months of MCO and staying at home was very restrictive and it was not surprising that a little bit of leeway made people go out again.
Mahua substation sited within the Crocker Range Reserve Park, he shared, adding that it is the largest land park with an area of 139, 919 hectares, adding that it lies within eight districts and mostly covered by dipterocarp forests.
He shared that the main attraction there is the 17-metre high waterfall which falls into a pool with a depth of 1.3 metres.
“In Mahua we have a lot of wildlife and although they may not be easy to spot, we know they are there because of their tracks,” he said, adding that this included civet cats, wild pigs and deer among others.
He believed that the human traffic there is also a deterrent for wildlife to wander too near the waterfall and river.
“Most of the animals and birds we have in Borneo are available within the Crocker Range Park,” he enthused.
He said that the spot was quite popular not only among locals who drop by at any given time, but also among students who wished to camp out, or carry out research and study within the area. Scouts also visit the place to hone their jungle survival skills. About 150 people can stay at the campground at any given time.
“They are only allowed a day in, but if they want to stay a few days within the area, they have to have a written permission from our office. Even then we will monitor them,” he said.
On the tourism aspect of Mahua, he said in the past some 400 people would visit the park in a week, and sometimes there would be more. This was especially true during public holidays where they recorded 1000 visitors. But with the MCO, the park had been quiet, but he believed that it would return to normal soon. He stressed that they adhered to the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) though.
He also shared that trekkers might like the 12-kilometre jungle trail that starts from Gunung Alab and ends at the waterfall. A hard and arduous trek’s perfect ending is a dip in the pool at the waterfall, to refresh, according to him.
There are accommodations available for those who wish to stay over and a restaurant to cater to their needs, but it is wise to call beforehand to find out about their availability at 019–8620404.
The Mahua substation is 12 kilometres away from Tambunan township.-BNN
