PARC NATIONAL DE TAWAU HILLS

Located 24 km from the center of Tawau, this park with its contrasting topography was created in 1979. It is distinguished by its tropical forest and rugged volcanic terrain, separated by wide plains where rubber, palm and cocoa trees are grown. It is home to one of the world's tallest tropical trees, standing at 96.9 metres. The area is famous for its hot springs, waterfalls and 3 peaks over 1,000 metres high, Mount Maria (1,080 m), Mount Magadalena (1,310 m) and Mount Lucia (1,202 m), which are ideal for superb hikes through the jungle. A botanical garden introduces visitors to the flora of the region, including magnificent orchid species. Accommodation is available at the park headquarters, which offers 10 basic but comfortable air-conditioned rooms and a family bungalow. There's also a small canteen serving delicious local cuisine, which doubles as a mini-market.

The park's fauna is varied, and walks in the forest enable you to observe several species in their natural habitat: the gibbon, the rufous semnopithecus, the rhinoceros or bicorn hornbill, the tarantula, the pangonlin, as well as numerous species of birds, reptiles and amphibians, including one of the world's smallest frogs.

It's best to visit the park on weekdays to enjoy its peace and quiet, because at weekends it's a popular destination for families who come to relax.