There are two caves in Gomantong : The White Cave and the Black Cave. White Cave is further up on the hill difficult for visitor to reach. Black Cave is the cave developed for tourists.

To make walking to the cave through the thick green forest easy, a wooden plank walk is  constructed between the office entrance and the entrance of the Black Cave (Simud Hitam).

The Wooden walkways continue throughout the Black Cave. This help keep visitors safely above the  of guano deposited by the millions of resident bats. 

The cave entrance reaches up to 300 feet high.

We did not visit the White Cave (Simud Putih) because it is much more difficult to reach. And must get special permission from the park.

Wildlife: Pay attention and walk quietly during the 15-minute walk from the office to the cave entrance, sometimes endangered orangutans and red leaf monkeys make special appearances.

Inside the Caves: Be on the lookout for interesting cave dwellers such as crabs and giant centipedes. The presence of crabs reinforces the theory that the cave was once submerged.

Entrance fee are in 2 categories : Malaysian and Non Malaysian

The entrance fee for Non Malaysian is $10; children under 12 years old cost $5. An additional $10 to bring a camera inside.

Detail fees effective 1st January 2002 as following :

Wooden Walkway

The Wooden walkways (see above photo) continue throughout the Black Cave. This help keep visitors safely above the guano (dropping) deposited by the millions of resident bats.

Some parts of the wood walkways are slippery with guano. Below the walkways are heaps of guano. So wear  walking shoes with good traction (not beach sandals).

Wear a hat to keep your heat free from occasion dropping. Two million bats of  this  Cave add guano deposits on the floor below  while you are visiting their home.

Cockroaches

Entering the cave is not for the weak minds; a horde of beetles and cockroaches make a squirming feast of guano and dead swiftlets that fell out of nests.

Lighting

Lighting inside the Caves is poor. 300-foot-tall ceilings render flash nearly useless.

But there is a hole opening in middle of the cave that allow some sun ray into the cave during the mid day when the sun is positioned on top.

 If you are not a professional photographer traveling with a tripod and professional SLR, consider avoiding the camera fee by just telling the gate officer that your camera is only  a simple pocket digital camera like the boy above is using.

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