It is an integral part of the limestone hills range located within the Baturong Madai Forest Reserve.

[1] The earliest known human settlement in northern Borneo existed 20,000–30,000 years ago, as evidenced by stone tools and food remains found by excavations along the Darvel Bay area at Madai-Baturong caves near the Tingkayu River.

[5] Twice a year (between February and April, and between July and September), licensed collectors risk their lives climbing to the roof of these caves using only rattan ladders, ropes, and bamboo poles precariously attached together.

[5] It is a special festival event for the local Ida'an villagers,[6][7] who have held the rights to Madai Caves for over 20 generations.

[3] The cave was featured during the American adventure race programme of Eco-Challenge in the 2000 edition, where participants had to climb rattan ladders.