Introduction
I Location
Map I Treks
& Trails I Getting
There I
Early Human
Settlements I Visiting
The Park I The
Great Cave I
The Painted
Cave I Birds
Nests I
Wildlife and The Rainforest
The Great Cave is approximately 3 km from the park headquarters,
and is easily reached via the plankwalk, which is enclosed on
both sides by dense primary rainforest. The stroll along the plankalk
is fascinating in its own right, as you pass close to giant tapang
trees with their enormous buttressed roots, padanus plants twice
the size of a person, and colourful, exquisitely formed orchids
and tree fungi.
It is worth taking your time and walking quietly along the way,
as you may well see some of the park's wildlife. Colourful birds,
squirrels, lizards, butterflies and all manner of unusual insects
and invertebrates are commonly seen. If you are lucky, you may
see monkeys (you will certainly hear them), flying lizards and
the occasional hornbill.
The first significant rock formation you reach is the Trades's
Cave, which is really an extended rock overhang rather than a
cave proper. This is where the birds nest and guano traders conduct
their business, hence the name.
A few minutes later, the West Mouth of the Great Cave comes into
view, and you are left in no doubt that this cave deserves its
name. At after 60m high and 250m wide, it is one of the world's
most spectacular cave entrances, leading to an even larger chamber
within. On the left of the cave mouth, the archaeological excavations
are clearly visible. Photographers should come prepared, as the
view from the cave mouth out over the surrounding jungle is quite
unique, and the jagged stalactites, overhangs and dangling creepers
of the cave mounth make a dramatic frame for a very memorable
photo.
Proceeding into the cave, the sound of disembodied voices mingles
with the aqueaking of millions of bats and swiftlets to create
an eerie atmosphere. The voices belong to the guano (bird and
bat excrement) covering the cave floor. The guano is then carried
in sacks to the Sungai Niah, where it is graded and sold as fertiliser.
