Tawau Hills Park - Tawau, Sabah

Li X. L.

Spent a rather rushed 2 hours in this park. It's quite expansive and would have liked to explore more. There is a small fee to enter. Visited during Merdeka public holiday- the river was quite crowded with many families enjoying the water. Public toilet OK, well-maintained. Saw various flora & fauna (I'm convinced I saw a rhinoceros hornbill at some stage). Closing time 4pm.

James G.

Decent park - there is a good range of flora, fauna, and fungi on the trails, however they are very muddy. Not enough hiking trails and the bridge to the hot springs had collapsed so up can’t access them at the moment. Also there were some people burning plastic inside so there could be more and attentive staff

WS H.

What World Tallest Tropical Tree!!
My first visit to Tawau Hills. It’s almost 1 hr plus drive from Tawau Airport.. using google maps.. it’s pretty easy to reach there. You do need to purchase tickets for car entrance (RM5) and entrance fee RM6/person).. there’s a small canteen nearby..for you to get quick snacks and drinks.. the path into the deep Forrest is mix… the early part of the journey is with man made path, with woods panels and concrete slabs.. while the deeper part is nature walked up and down the hill… the tallest tree was indeed a surprise for me… it’s sooooo tall !! And standing by it.. am so tiny… psst.. the park attendance told me there’s another taller one!! But not made official yet…unfortunately to visit that tree.. you need a permit.. 😔

Pls bring your hiking gears… shoes, long pants and stick… also if you are afraid of leeches.. pls bring anti leeches spray… anti mosquitos spray is given k… do bring along torch or LED lights.. if you are interested to take photos of fungi, inserts, etc… long binoculars would be good for you to spot the monkeys and birds and others ..

It’s kinda wet and muddy during this time (Mar).. I think to visit when it’s dry time is the best..

Verdict.. love to come back again.. to be able to visit the world tallest tree (tropical) ..I mean the “other” one..which is > 88meters!!

Thank you park rangers and authorities for caring the Forrest.. 👍

flyzal

Tawau Hill Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Tawau or Semporna, particularly for day campers seeking an immersive experience in nature. This natural gem offers an escape into the beauty of untouched wilderness, providing a serene and refreshing retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The park is home to the world's tallest tropical tree, a remarkable wonder that draws nature enthusiasts and photographers from around the globe. This towering giant, alongside diverse flora and fauna, makes the park a paradise for those passionate about wildlife and plant life.

Affordable accommodation options within the park allow visitors to enjoy an extended stay without breaking the bank. Whether you're looking to camp under the stars or stay in comfortable lodges, Tawau Hill Park offers facilities catering to various preferences and budgets.

Some trails, however, could benefit from higher maintenance to ensure safety and enhance the hiking experience. Still, the paths that are well-maintained lead to breathtaking viewpoints, crystal-clear streams, and even a majestic waterfall. These features make the park ideal for both adventure seekers and those looking to relax amidst nature.

While the park features a hot spring area, it may not meet everyone's expectations and could be seen as a bummer by some visitors. Despite this, the overall experience at Tawau Hill Park is enriched by its natural beauty and tranquility.

In summary, Tawau Hill Park is an exceptional destination that promises a memorable experience filled with natural beauty, peace, and adventure. With the world's tallest tropical tree and other natural wonders, it's a perfect addition to your travel itinerary when visiting Tawau or Semporna, especially for those who enjoy day camping in a stunning natural setting.

David ?. E. H. J.

Very interesting place for nature lovers, and it's the only park I encountered which closes at 4.00 PM. By 3.30, they close the gates, and this is for safety reasons. Nice waterfalls, trails and tall trees.

Dominik

We only were at the southern/lower part of Tawau Hills Park. Where they have their office and facilities.

We've been to the highest tropical tree, the botanical garden and to the waterfalls.
It's lovely to walk around: we saw many insects, mystical-looking trees and also red leaf monkeys.
The paths are all managed and quite easy to walk. There's signs where and how far to walk to all sights.

Make sure you bring proper shoes or in best case hiking boots. Especially the trek to the Gelas Waterfall has its steep ascendts/descents 200m before getting to the waterfall.
Some locals are doing it barefoot or in flip-flops, but also had their difficulties with mud and slippery stones/branches.

The entrance fee for international adults is RM20 and you pay it at the entrance gate.
You get there with a Maxime Taxi or Grab, from Tawau town within ~25-30min.

I highly reccommend to arrange the return trip yet on the way to the park, maybe asking the driver if he can pick you up for a fix price.
Alternatively you might be waiting for a Maxime Taxi for 30-60min and you might to bid a little higher price (+5-10RM) so that a driver is willing to drive from town to the park and back.

At weekend there's much more locals in the park, for swimming under the waterfall snd especially for barbecue and picknick near the park entrance area, which is also quite nice.

The park opening hours are 08:00am to 04:00pm. After 03:30pm people are disappearing quickly and you may only see local residents and kids. And many monkeys (macac). I reccommend going back to town latest around 03:00pm hence.

Chiara N.

a really nice national park to hike, you can visit certain places without a guide (the water fall, the hot spring & the tallest tree) / I would reccomend everyone to visit it! there are hostels/hotels at the HQ of the park, the phone number we called never answered, that‘s why we spent the nights at the city center and booked a grab in the morning to go to the park. to get back, ask the lady at the entrance to organize a ride back, you won‘t be able to book a grab. You can try to call a maxim taxi (similar to grab), it worked quite well for us.

Han

타와우 힐 파크 평일에 방문, 아무도 없었습니다😅 입장료 20링깃(외국인), 세계에서 가장 높은 열대나무와 온천을 구경했습니다. 대부분 약간 오르막의 평지이고 트래킹하기 좋습니다. 다만 진흙이 많아 반드시 긴바지에 신발을 신어야 합니다.

처음 경험해본 원시 열대우림이라 상쾌하고 좋았습니다. 들어가는 입구쪽엔 작은 슈퍼마켓이 있어서 간단한 간식을 구매하기 좋습니다.

다만 아쉬웠던 부분은 보존되어야 할 숲에 쓰레기를 버리고 간 사람들이 있었던 것 같습니다.