Madai Caves
Madai Caves is located at Tawau Division of Sabah, in between Lahad Datu and
Tawau on the East Coast of Sabah. Madai Caves is the habitat is a large number
of swiftlets. Their nests are usually harvested twice a year for the renowned
Chinese delicacy, the birds nest soup.
For more than five centuries, the Ida'an people have been harvesting the nests
as they own the harvesting rights in Madai Caves.
Madai is also one of the most important archaeological sites where traces of
human existence and inhabitation can be traced from over 15,000 years ago. These
traces of human were found preserved in layers and layers of bat droppings which
are found in abundance inside the caves.
There are village houses right outside the caves which offers place to stay
especially during the harvest period when people throng to the caves for their
share of the bird nests.
About 16 kilometers from Madai is Baturong. This is another huge limestone
massif of archaeological importance. Baturong was once part of the Tingkayu Lake
which was washed away a few thousands of years ago around 15,000 BC. The
Baturong Caves were believed to be inhabited for over 5000 years until they were
abandoned around 10,000 BC. However, they were again inhabited together with the
Madai Caves till the end of the Paleolithic Age.
Though Madai Caves can be easily accessed, the same cannot be said for Baturong.
Baturong can only be reached by a one-hour drive and another hour of walking
through the palm oil plantations.
Getting There
The caves can be easily found and located as it is only about 1.5 kilometers
from the main road. The best way to get to Madai Caves is by car as one has to
use the Lahad Datu-Tawau Highway to get to the caves.
folder_open Attractions in Sabah