Written by new-contact on Nov 11, 2010. Posted in On Location

Scubazoo films in the Malaysian jungle

Natural history and underwater specialist Scubazoo has journeyed into the lush Malaysian jungle to capture the Maliau Basin on film. The expedition was organised for an educational DVD produced for Malaysia’s Sabah Bioversity Council.

The Maliau Basin is in a remote part of Malaysia’s Sabah state and is a long drive from state capital Kota Kinabalu. Roger Munns, Director and Senior Cameraman with Scubazoo, said: “Access to the research centre is about six hours overland from Kota Kinabalu or Tawau. Half of the journey is on tarmac road, the other half is on unsealed road and four by four vehicles are necessary. Once at the research centre the various camps are accessed on foot. The research centre and some camps have helicopter access.”

Scubazoo took its own equipment into the Basin and naturally dressed for the jungle, including jungle boots and leech socks. Yayasan Sabah (the operational name of the Sabah Foundation) runs a series of camps near the Basin itself.

The climate is one of the biggest challenges visitors face in the Maliau Basin. Humidity can be difficult for both people and electronics. Then there’s the lack of light. The rainforest canopy keeps out the sun and daylight hours are only 12 hours long as the region is so close the equator.

Munns said of the camps themselves: “Agathis is equipped with hammock-style accommodation for up to 30 visitors, electricity from a generator from 6am to 11pm and a kitchen, toilets and showers. Ginseng can accommodate up to 20 visitors, has a toilet, shower and kitchen, with electricity from 6pm to 11pm. It’s a couple of hours walk from Maliau Falls and has a helipad. Camel Trophy has beds, solar-powered lights and running water pumped from the river below. There’s a helipad too. Belian camp offers a camping ground with space for 20 double tents, a large kitchen, toilet and showers, and an attractive pavilion.”

For visitors who prefer a few more creature comforts, the area has a research centre that offers rooms more like a hotel, including hot and cold water, internet facilities and phone services. Mobiles can be used from here, but communications are restricted to VHF radio links inside the Basin.

Images courtesy of Jason Isley/Scubazooimages.com.