Enjoy your adventure in Malaysian Rainforest!
Borneo’s rainforest in Malaysia offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore a vast array of distinctive flora. The ecosystem has been evolving for millions of years, resulting in a diverse flora. It is home to over a thousand types of orchids, numerous carnivorous pitcher plants, and more than 3,000 tree species, including the impressive yellow meranti, which can reach heights comparable to the Statue of Liberty. Additionally, the Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers guests a tranquil setting to recuperate after a day of exploring. Keep scrolling to check out more details!
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is an award-winning lodge situated right in the heart of one of world’s oldest rainforests, Danum Valley. It is a cosy and luxurious eco-resort that provides guests with a unique and comfortable experience within the midst of the pristine wilderness of Danum Valley. They own 31 individual chalets with fans and en-suite bathrooms, accommodating up to only 60 guests on any one day and on a Full-Board basis.
How to get There
The closest town to the Danum Valley Conservation Area is Lahad Datu in the South-Eastern coast of Sabah, which is accessible by land from cities such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, or Tawau.
Bus: You can be take from Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, Sandakan and Tawau.
Flight: Daily flights from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu are available via the regional airline MASWings. The 97 km journey from Lahad Datu town to Danum Valley takes about 2 hours, with the first 15 km on a sealed road along the Lahad Datu-Tawau highway and at Silam turn off and travel on a gravel road of approximately 82km over two hours to Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
Things to do in the Danum Vally Rainforest
Trekking trails
You can enjoy an intense and adventurous day trek with experienced nature guides on any of the 22 marked trails, totaling over 23km. Encountering wildlife might be met by chance. A self-guided Nature Trail on an elevated boardwalk with interpretation is wheelchair accessible and suitable for children, the elders, and lower fitness groups.
Night drives and night walks
Breezy night drives along the 4km road from the lodge offer a good chance to see nocturnal creatures. It is not uncommon to come across mouse deer, civet, silicates, slow loris, western tarsier and red giant flying squirrels gliding from one tree to another. The night walk is more exploratory with a higher chance to see smaller beings like snakes, frogs, tarantulas, insects and even glow-in-dark fungi.
Waterfalls and pools
Natural jacuzzis in rocky booths flow down in a waterfall over a large scenic pool called the Jacuzzi pool. The pool is a pleasant place to chill and refresh after a tiring hike and has tiny little fish that nibbles on your feet, giving you a ‘fish massage’. The magical Fairy fall (1,550m) hides a tall waterfall in a secluded yet windy spot while Serpent Fall (1,750m) nearby is situated in a mossy environment.
Viewpoint
A hike to the Viewpoint platform on a 1,225m trail is challenging but very rewarding especially if you catch the morning mist shrouding over the lush green forests, hills, rivers and chalets. If you are lucky, you will look down to see gibbons playing in the trees below or hornbills flying in pairs.
River tubing
A relaxing tubing session sown the tranquil Dannum River is a must-do when the weather permits with a suitable river water level. Floating in ain’t tubes among dainty damselflies in the cooling water, greeted by swaying tropical trees along the river lobes makes a relaxing and unforgettable experience.
Coffin cliff
The ancient burial site for the “Sugpan” tribe who transported bodies of their deceased all the way up the limestone caves in this high cliff. Ther coffins, made of ironwood were then stored there as their belief that the higher the burial site of their loved ones, the closer they
would be to heaven.
Canopy walkway
Tree-top canopy walkways span approximately 360 meters in length and stand at 27m at the highest point. It has multiple viewing platforms with seating areas where guests can experience a walk among the crowns of trees while having a bird-eye-view of arboreal animals in the canopy of the forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any permits to visit Danum Valley?
Yes. You will need an entry permit to get into the Danum Valley Conservation Area. This permit can be arranged by making a reservation with a tour operator before visiting Danum Valley.
Best time to visit Danum Valley?
From March to October the recorded rainfall recorded is slightly lower, therefore, it is generally considered the best time to visit for higher chances of wildlife sightings. Due to limited accommodation availability, it is advisable to plan your trip to Danum Valley in advance and book early to avoid disappointment. The bed spaces in Danum Valley fill up quickly particularly in the months of April, July, and August.
How long should I stay in Danum Valley?
A stay of at least 3 days 2 nights is recommended to fully immerse yourself in the rainforest experience and increase your chances of wildlife encounters.
Which airport is closest to Danum Valley?
Lahad Datu is the nearest local airport to Danum Valley. If you travel from Tawau airport, you will need to take a bus or taxi to go to Lahad Datu which is about 120 kilometres from Tawau airport.
Can I explore Danum Valley on my own?
No, visitors are required to be accompanied by licensed guides to explore the conservation area.
Is there internet and phone coverage in Danum Valley?
Internet and phone coverage might be limited or unavailable in most areas of Danum Valley due to its remote location. Only certain areas have internet, and you may find that downloading or uploading of large files can be very slow due to the limitation of satellite-based bandwidth.
What is special about Danum Valley?
Danum Valley’s rainforest is known to be the oldest in the world, with an age of over 140 million years. This primary virgin rainforest boasts one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth and stands as one of the most ecologically essential forests worldwide. There are more than 340 different bird species, 124 different mammal species, 72 different reptile species, and 56 different amphibian species found in Danum Valley.
What type of forest is Danum Valley?
Danum Valley is primarily classified as a tropical rainforest. It is renowned for its diverse and pristine ecosystem, characterized by lush vegetation, high biodiversity, and a humid climate.
What is the climate in Danum Valley?
Danum Valley has a tropical rainforest climate in which there is no dry season. It is typically hot and wet throughout the year and rainfall is both heavy and frequent. One day in an equatorial climate can be very similar to the next.
