- Address: Maleisië, Marudi, Sarawak, Malaysia
The largest cave on the planet is Deer Cave, which is located in Malaysia in the territory of the Gunung Mulu National Park . This is the main attraction of the protected area, attracting hundreds of tourists every day.
general information
The deer cave got its name in ancient times, when hunters from the tribes of Baravan and Penan drove here artiodactyls or brought already killed carcasses. Archaeologists have discovered here the skeletons of these animals.
In order to imagine the size of the landmark, it should be said that it will accommodate about 5 St. Paul's temples or about 20 Boeing-747 aircraft. There is no exact data on the area of the Deer Cave in Malaysia , but scientists suggest that its length reaches 2 km, the width is 150 m, and the altitude ranges from 80 m to 120 m.
Unusual inhabitants
At present, bats live in the grotto. The total number of individuals has long exceeded 3 million. In the evening, the bats wake up and leave their shelter in search of food.
They are chosen in a rather unusual way: first they gather in flocks in a cave. Then they fly out into the open spaces of the jungle in small groups and form a giant spiral in the air. This sight fascinates all visitors and is considered the most popular among tourists. Bats eat plants and insects. On the day they eat about 15 tons, and their litter (guano) is a valuable fertilizer and is protected by the state. Its cost is about 8 dollars per 1 kg.
What else is famous for the Deer Cave in Malaysia?
Grotto strikes with its amazing beauty and uniqueness:
- Multicolored stalagmites and stalactites created real works of art. At the entrance you should look back to see how the famous profile of the American president - Abraham Lincoln - is drawn in the contours of the cave.
- Such speleobrazovaniya, as stromatolites, created unusual and bizarre figures. They resemble fantastic characters and outlandish animals.
- In the Deer Cave there is an unusual river, which is inhabited by transparent fish and blind cuttlefish. They are blinded because of the constant darkness.
- Here there is a cascading waterfall, which is called the "soul of Adam and Eve." It flows down from the ceiling of the cave from a height of 120 m and increases in size during the rains.
- Deep in the cave there is a real Garden of Eden. This is a completely isolated valley from the outside world, on which wild orchids grow and deer and roe deer graze. You can get here only by crossing the distance of 2 km. This area is of special interest for scientists and travelers.
Features of visit
The deer cave in Malaysia belongs to the territory of the national park , so you can not visit it on your own. At the entrance there is an administrative building in which all guests must take a special permission to enter. Here, tourist groups are formed, accompanied by an experienced guide.
If you decide to wait for the departure of bats, then for this near the entrance to the grotto there is a wooden platform, which was equipped especially for tourists. There are benches and an information stand.
How to get to the Deer Cave in Malaysia?
From Kuala Lumpur to the village of Marudi (Marudi) you can fly by plane. The journey takes about 4 hours. In the city you need to hire an experienced guide or buy a ticket for the tour .