Danum Valley Package | 3 Day | Sabah, Borneo

Danum Valley Package – Explore Pristine Rainforest in Sabah, Borneo

Danum Valley Conservation Area, commonly referred to as Danum Valley, is a must-see destination in Borneo for keen naturalists and those seeking to experience the beauty of the undisturbed 130-million-year-old ancient rainforest. Danum Valley Conservation Area is the largest protected area of lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Sabah, covering 43800 hectares of pristine tropical flora and fauna located in the eastern part of Sabah. Danum Valley is renowned for its rich variety of both plants and wildlife. Borneo’s mammals found here include rare and endangered species such as the Bornean Orangutan, Sumatran Rhino, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Clouded Leopard, Bornean Gibbon, and Red Leaf Monkey. This pristine rainforest is also home to more than 340 species of birds, 124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles and 56 species of Amphibians – amazing! Danum Valley is also home to over 15,000 plant species, with most of the plants belonging to the dipterocarp genus and the chance to see a wide variety of pitcher plants.

There is one lodge located in Danum Valley Conservation Area, which is aimed at tourists – Borneo Rainforest Lodge – where you will stay for this 3D2N package. Borneo Rainforest Lodge is nestled alongside the Danum River, which flows through the Danum Valley Conservation Area. During your stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, you’ll join guided walks along lowland rainforest trails accompanied by an experienced Nature Guide in search of wildlife. Bird watching is especially popular. Alongside the guided treks, you will have the opportunity to join other activities during your stay.

Explore the splendour of Danum Valley – Ancient Rainforest and Wildlife

Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers high-quality accommodation in the Danum Valley Conservation Area. The Lodge has 30 individual chalets with en-suite bathrooms, accommodating up to only 60 guests on any one day and on a full-board basis. The Standard Chalets (with ceiling fan) offer views of the Jungle and have an outdoor deck area. The Deluxe Chalets (with air conditioning) come with an outdoor tub and balcony or deck area.

If you’d like to spend more time in Danum Valley Conservation Area, then you should consider the 4D3N Danum Valley Package – it is also possible to add an extension night to this to turn it into a four-night stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

A visit to Danum Valley works really well when combined with a visit to the Kinabatangan River. So you spend time trekking in the ancient rainforest in Danum Valley, followed by relaxing river cruises in search of wildlife in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. We can help arrange the combo rainforest & wildlife package for you.

Trip Itinerary – 3D2N Danum Valley Package, Sabah, Malaysia

DAY 1

Your day begins with a warm welcome at Lahad Datu Airport (the recommended flight BKI-LDU is the MY3012 ETA 8:15 am). Then, head to the lodge’s Lahad Datu office for a quick registration, briefing, and safety overview.

Join a road journey to W Bay Payang. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a tasty breakfast by the water. Next, join a boat ride to the mesmerising Blue Rings Reef and colourful Laila Reef. Here, you’ll have the chance to snorkel along a vibrant, shallow coral reef and see colourful tropical fish. Enjoy a relaxing surface interval on the boat whilst enjoying the views of Darvel Bay. You’ll then continue by boat to Palau Baik and visit the visiting a historic Japanese shipwreck, a sunken cargo ship, with its stern at 5 metres below the surface.

You’ll return to the coast, where you’ll have a chance to shower and enjoy a relaxing seaside lunch. At 2:00 pm, you’ll start your 2.5-hour journey (joining a shared scheduled transfer) inland to Danum Valley and begin the next chapter of your adventure. Upon arrival at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, settle into your accommodation. You’ll start your rainforest adventure with a guided activity in the dark, either on a Night Walk or a Night drive. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley.

PLEASE NOTE: There is an option for guests to NOT join the morning snorkel trip to Blue Rings Reef on day 1. Advance notice is required if you wish to switch to this option (Mount Silam option). Instead, after breakfast at W Bay Payang, you will be taken to visit the lookouts on Mount Silam. Mount Silam is known for its rare ecosystem and stunted mossy trees. From the lookout points, enjoy views of the Darvel bay archipelago. Join a guided trek through the highland forest. Keep an eye out for the endemic Red Crabs, exotic Pitcher Plants, Hornbills and Red Leaf Monkeys. After the trek, you’ll be transferred back down to W Bay Payang for lunch. After lunch, all guests will join the scheduled 2.5-hour journey inland to the lodge in Danum Valley.

DAY 2

07:00 – Breakfast at the Lodge.

09:00 – Morning Jungle Trek: Trek to the ancient Dusun Subpan burial site – “Coffin Cliff” – before proceeding to “View Point” for a bird’s eye view of the area. Descend to the “Jacuzzi Pool” for a refreshing dip.

12:30 – Lunch at the Lodge.

In the afternoon, explore the 314-metre-long Canopy Walkway, suspended 27 meters above the forest floor and enjoy views across the rainforest canopy. Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy river rafting or jungle cycling (available for an additional fee).

19:00 – Dinner at the Lodge.

20:30 – Night Walk or a Night Drive in search of the rainforest’s nocturnal wonders.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

DAY 3

07:00 – Breakfast at the Lodge.

Guests at their own leisure – free and easy to relax at the Lodge. Those seeking more adventure can opt for a morning walk. Check out of your chalet by 11:30hrs.

12:00 – Lunch at the Lodge.

12:30 – Depart from the lodge on the scheduled transfer to Lahad Datu, a 2-and-a-half-hour drive. You can be dropped off in Lahad Datu town or at Lahad Datu Airport (you may book the MY3019 flight departing at 5.35 pm).

Trip Pre-requisites – 3D2N Danum Valley Package, Sabah, Malaysia

There are no specific prerequisites for joining the 3D2N Danum Valley Package. However, we recommend that you have average fitness or above and be comfortable trekking for a couple of hours in tropical conditions. For younger children, the elderly and those with a lower fitness level, you can choose the self-guided nature trail on an elevated boardwalk (rather than joining the guided treks along some of the 22 marked trails). Upon arrival at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, you will be asked to complete a liability form.

Trip Inclusions

Return land transfers from Lahad Datu to Borneo Rainforest Lodge (on the scheduled transfers), meals as mentioned, 2-night accommodation in Borneo Rainforest Lodge, activities as per the itinerary, English-speaking licensed Nature Guide and 0% Sales & Service Tax on the tour price as applicable from 6th May 2019.

Trip Exclusions

Private transfers incur an additional surcharge, and items not mentioned above are subject to extra charges. The Tourism Tax, currently set at a flat rate of RM10 per room per night, will be charged to non-Malaysian or foreign tourists.

Recommended Packing List For The Trip

Bring clothing suitable for a tropical environment and any personal items you may need. Some essential items include light clothing, a pair of leech socks, trekking shoes/boots, a pair of binoculars, a walking stick, a small backpack, a raincoat/poncho for the river/water activities, a flashlight/head torch for the night walk, dark long-sleeved clothing for the night drive, sunscreen lotion with a high SPF, insect repellent, a camera, a hat, sandals/flip flops, toiletries, first aid and personal medication. For the coastal trip on day 1 (for trips starting from 1st April, 2026), please bring a small dry bag, clothing to protect you from the sun (reef-safe sunscreen), swimwear and a towel if you wish to go in the sea, a reusable water bottle and a change of clothes.

Notes – 3D2N Danum Valley Package, Sabah, Malaysia

Leeches are plentiful on all trails. It is recommended that you use leech socks when trekking.

There are safety measures in place for the Blue Rings Reef snorkelling activity – you need to be 12 years or older and comfortable snorkelling in open water to join this activity.

Package prices are per person and are based on 2 persons booking together and twin or double sharing one Chalet.