The Great Cave

The Great Cave is approximately 3 km from the Park Office and is easily reached via the plakwalk which is enclosed on both sides by dense primary rainforest. The stroll along the planwalk is fascinating in its own right, as you pass close to giant tapang trees (Koompassia excelsa (Becc) Taub.) 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 maner of unsual insects and invertebrates are commonly seen. If you are lucky, you may see monkeys, flying lizards and the ocasional hornbill.

The first significant rock formation you reach is the Trader's Cave, which is really an extended rock overhang rather than a cave proper. This is where the birds nest and quano 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 over 60m high and 250m wide, it is one of the world's most spectacular cave entrance leading to an even larger chamber within. On the left of the cave mouth the archaeological excavation are clearly visible.

Photographer should come prepared as the view from the cave mouth out over the surounding jungle is quite unique and the jagged stalacites, overhang and dangling creepers of the cave mouth make a dramatic frame for a very memorable photo.

Proceeding into the cave, the sound of disembodied voices mingles with the squeaking of million 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.

The Large Chamber (Padang)

The passage at the back of the Great cave leads to the large chamber known as 'Padang' where shafts of sunlight stream down from the large holes in the cave roof to illuminate the bizzarre rock formations in the Burnt Cave. This ia another excellent spot for taking photos. After the Padang, the cave passage becomes pitch black and it is here that you will need the flashlight, not only to find your way along the plankwalk but to view the extraordinary shapes and weathering effects found in the Moon Cave.

The Painted Cave

Shortly after the moon Cave, the plankwalk emerges into daylight and a short pathway through the forest leads to the Painted Cave. This is the site of the famous Niah cave paintings and the place where the 'death-ship' were found. The contents of the death-ships have since been transferred to the Sarawak Museum, but the wall behind the fenced-off burial site.

The paintings can be difficult to see unless you allow your eyes to become accustomed to the light. They are rendered in red hematite and cover a long narrow strip (approximately 30m) at the back of the wall. They potray spread-eagled human figures, probably representing warriors and hunters, some of the animals of the souls of the deceased on the dangerous journey to the land of the dead.

Although the burial site at the painted cave is far more recent than those at the Great Cave, it is no less important as it offers a clear insight into the develoment of the traditional religions of Borneo. It is worth spending some time at the Painted cave, as the atmosphere of the place is very tranquil and relaxing resting place for their ancestors.

Birds Nest

The guanocollectors are not the only people who earn a living from the cave. Strategically positioned bamboo poles and leaders are evidence of the birds nest collectors, local people who have practised this dangerous occupation for generations. The half million swiftlets that live in the cave make their nests purly from their own salivary secretions and when the nests are cleaned and cooked they produce the famous birds nest soup, which is as highly regarded in Chinese cuisine as caviar is in the West.

Wildlife And The Rainforest

If you leave the Great cave and return along the plankwalk around clouds intermingling. This is the nighty 'changing of the guard' half a million swiftlets are returning to their nests, whilst half a million bats fly out to forage in the forest. although this is one of Niah's most spectalucar sight, it represents only small niches in a complex ecosystem. One of Niah's other notable sights is the unsual number of luminous fungi (which can be clearly seen from the plankwalk at night)..