Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak: 60 million years in the making - expedition reunion programme

Please join us to celebrate the original geographical and caving survey of the Gunung Mulu National Park by the Sarawak Forestry Department and the Society in 1977-1978.

About the Gunung Mulu National Park 1977-1978 expedition

This pioneering expedition, operating from ‘Long Pala’, the temporary longhouse on the river Melinau, in the pristine rainforests of Sarawak, Malaysia, brought together a multidisciplinary team of over 100 geographers, cavers, biologists and taxonomic scientists (notably the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Natural History Museum), from 11 different nations, to explore, document, and map the park’s remarkable karst systems, biodiversity, and unique ecosystems

The survey led by Robin Hanbury-Tenison resulted in groundbreaking discoveries, including the mapping of some of the world’s largest cave chambers and passages, such as the iconic Sarawak Chamber and Clearwater Cave.

This fieldwork was possible due to the skills and expertise of the local Berawan and Penan communities, who worked alongside the scientists, on foot operating from a network of sub-camps on Gunung Mulu and near the caves and sharp limestone pinnacles of Gunung Api.

The scientific outputs from this expedition significantly contributed to our understanding of tropical karst landscapes, cave hydrology, and the ecological significance of the region’s flora and fauna.

What you can expect at the reunion

The reunion will be an opportunity for members of the expedition to reconnect, share memories, and reflect on the lasting impact of their work. Presentations and discussions will revisit key achievements, such as the pioneering use of advanced caving techniques, the rich biodiversity catalogued, and the foundational role the expedition played in the designation of Gunung Mulu as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Guests will also enjoy updates on recent scientific studies in the park, showcasing how the legacy of the 1977-1978 survey continues to inspire ongoing research and conservation efforts at the Park’s headquarters today.

Making a booking

If you would like to attend multiple events, here are instructions on how to book for all the events together, excluding the Monday night lecture:

1. Select ‘book now’ on one of the events.
2. Fill in the booking details.
3. Select ‘next’ and you will arrive at your cart.
4. Go back to ‘Events’ (top right-hand tab) or follow this link to book the other events if you wish. Your cart will be saved while you do this.
5. Once you have added all the events you want to the cart, you can ‘proceed to checkout’ and pay.

Events programme

For full details of the programme, click on 'more info' under each event listing below.