Overview
Editorial note: Gomantong Caves are located in Sabah, Malaysia — a state of Malaysian Borneo — not in Brunei. This guide covers the Sabah site. If you arrived here seeking caves in Brunei itself, the closest comparable attraction is Deer Cave in Sarawak or smaller limestone features within Brunei's Temburong district.
Gomantong Caves (Gua Gomantong) sit within the Gomantong Forest Reserve in the Lower Kinabatangan region of Sabah, roughly 32 km north of Sukau and about 110 km from Sandakan. The cave system is among the largest in Borneo and is best known as a source of edible swiftlet nests — the key ingredient in bird's nest soup — which have been harvested here for centuries under a licensed, regulated system.
The reserve contains two main cave chambers: Simud Hitam (Black Cave), which is the larger and more accessible of the two, and Simud Putih (White Cave), reached by a steep climb and generally off-limits to casual visitors. Simud Hitam features a boardwalk loop that allows visitors to explore the chamber interior without disturbing the cave ecosystem.
Beyond the caves themselves, the surrounding forest reserve is rich in wildlife. The access road and nearby Kinabatangan River corridor are notable for proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, and — especially at dusk — the spectacular nightly exodus of millions of bats spiralling out of the cave mouth.
Before You Go
Permits and Entry
Gomantong Caves fall under the management of the Sabah Wildlife Department. An entry permit and, in some cases, a wildlife fee are required. Fees and procedures should be verified directly with the Sabah Wildlife Department or with a licensed tour operator before your visit, as these details change periodically.
Visas
Gomantong is in Sabah, Malaysia. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and may differ from rules for Peninsular Malaysia. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Immigration Department of Malaysia website for current requirements before booking travel.
What to Bring
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes with grip — the boardwalk can be slippery and guano-covered
- Long-sleeved clothing to protect against insects and cave debris falling from above
- Insect repellent
- A small torch or headlamp (even during daylight, interior sections are dim)
- A face mask or buff is advisable; ammonia levels from bat guano can be strong near the cave floor
- Cash for entry fees, as card facilities are not reliably available on site
Health Considerations
The cave interior harbours cockroaches, cave crabs, and other invertebrates that feed on guano — stay on the boardwalk at all times. Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection associated with bat and bird droppings, is a remote but real risk; avoid disturbing dried guano and wash hands thoroughly after the visit.
Getting There
From Sandakan
Sandakan is the most common gateway, approximately 110 km from the caves. The journey by road takes roughly 2–2.5 hours depending on conditions. Most visitors arrive on organised day tours departing from Sandakan town or from riverside lodges along the Kinabatangan. Independent travellers can hire a private vehicle or taxi, but should confirm road conditions locally, as unpaved sections exist near the forest reserve entrance.
From Sukau / Kinabatangan Lodges
Many travellers combine Gomantong with a Kinabatangan River wildlife stay. From Sukau, the drive is approximately 30–40 minutes. Most Kinabatangan eco-lodges offer Gomantong as an add-on excursion; this is often the most convenient option.
From Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is approximately 400 km away; most visitors from KK either fly to Sandakan (check current airline schedules) or combine Gomantong with a longer Kinabatangan itinerary. Verify domestic flight schedules and availability locally or through airline websites.
Things to See & Do
Simud Hitam Boardwalk
The main visitor experience is a circular boardwalk through the Simud Hitam chamber. The cave ceiling rises dramatically and is covered with the dome-shaped nests of Black-nest swiftlets. Licensed collectors scale rattan ropes to harvest nests during regulated seasons — if you visit during a harvest (verify dates locally), you may witness this centuries-old practice.
Bat Exodus at Dusk
On evenings when conditions are right, millions of wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats emerge from the cave in a continuous spiralling column that can last 20–40 minutes. Bat hawks and other raptors typically gather at the cave mouth to intercept stragglers. This is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in Borneo. Arrival time matters — ask your guide or lodge for the best positioning.
Wildlife Along the Access Road
The forest road into the reserve is a productive wildlife-watching corridor. Proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, and various hornbill species are frequently seen. Slow down and scan the forest edge, particularly in early morning or late afternoon.
Birdwatching
The cave and its surrounds support significant bird diversity, including multiple swiftlet species, cave swiftlets, and raptors associated with the bat colony. The surrounding lowland dipterocarp forest holds species typical of Borneo's interior.
Practical Information
Opening Hours and Fees
Verify current opening hours and entry fees directly with the Sabah Wildlife Department or your tour operator before visiting — these details change and are not reliably replicated on third-party sites.
Facilities
Facilities at the site are basic. A small shelter and toilet block exist near the car park, but do not count on food or drink being available on site. Bring sufficient water, particularly if visiting during warmer months.
Mobile Signal
Mobile coverage inside and immediately around the caves is limited. Download offline maps and any necessary information before departing your accommodation.
Best Time of Day
For the bat exodus, arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset. For a quieter cave visit with better light in the entrance chamber, mid-morning is preferable. Combining both — arriving mid-afternoon, exploring the cave, then staying for the bat exit — makes for an efficient full experience.
Guided vs. Independent Visits
While independent visits are possible in principle, a licensed guide adds significant value: they know bat exodus timing, can identify wildlife en route, and ensure you navigate permit requirements correctly. Many Kinabatangan tour operators include guiding as part of their package.
Safety
Stay on the designated boardwalk at all times inside Simud Hitam. The cave floor is uneven, wet, and covered in guano and live invertebrates; stepping off the boardwalk risks both injury and ecological disturbance.
Falling debris — nest fragments, guano, and occasionally small invertebrates — drops from the ceiling. A hat or buff worn over the head and shoulders is practical rather than paranoid.
Do not attempt to enter Simud Putih (White Cave) without explicit authorisation from the Sabah Wildlife Department. The climb is exposed and the cave is managed separately.
For general emergencies in Malaysia, the national emergency number is 999. Confirm whether there is any local ranger contact at the site on the day of your visit.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Bird's nest harvesting at Gomantong has a recorded history stretching back several hundred years and remains an economically significant practice in Sabah. The harvest rights are licensed and regulated by the Sabah Wildlife Department; collecting outside permitted seasons or by unlicensed individuals is illegal.
The nests — built from the saliva of swiftlets — command very high prices internationally, primarily in Chinese culinary markets. When visiting during a harvest, observe quietly and follow any guidance from rangers or guides regarding distance and photography; harvesters are working in genuinely hazardous conditions and deserve respect rather than spectacle.
The surrounding Kinabatangan area is home to indigenous Orang Sungai communities with long-standing connections to the river and forest. If your itinerary extends into the Kinabatangan, engage with community-based tourism initiatives where available.
