Danum Valley Tour | 4 Day | Sabah, Borneo

Danum Valley Tour – Wildlife and Rainforest Adventure in Sabah, Malaysia

Danum Valley is renowned for its rich variety of both plants and wildlife. Borneo’s mammals found in the Danum Valley include extremely rare and endangered species such as the Sumatran Rhino, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Clouded Leopard, Bornean Gibbon, and Leaf Monkey. This pristine rainforest is also home to more than 340 species of birds, 124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles, 56 species of Amphibians and a staggering 200 species of plants per hectare.

During this 4D3N tour, you will stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, located in Danum Valley Conservation Area. Danum Valley Conservation Area is the largest protected area of lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Sabah, covering 43800 hectares of pristine and undisturbed tropical flora and fauna located in the eastern part of Sabah. You can also choose to spend more or less time at Danum Valley with our 3-Day Danum Valley Package or 5-Day Borneo Rainforest Lodge Tour.

Experience Ancient Rainforest During a 4D3N Danum Valley Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

Borneo Rainforest Lodge, situated alongside the Danum River in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, features 30 individual chalets equipped with fans and en-suite bathrooms, accommodating up to 60 guests per day 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.

A stay at Danum Valley works very well when combined with a trip to the Kinabatangan River or Turtle Island, helping you maximise your wildlife encounter opportunities. The Kinabatangan River and Turtle Island offer a more relaxed way to observe wildlife, allowing you to rest your feet after your treks at Danum Valley.

Trip Itinerary – Danum Valley Tour, 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 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 2.5-hour journey inland to the lodge in Danum Valley.

DAY 2

07:00hrs: Breakfast at the Lodge.

09:00hrs: Join a morning jungle trek to the Kadazandusun burial site – “Coffin Cliff”. For those wanting a longer trek, continue onward to Fairy Falls and enjoy scenic views. Descend to the “Jacuzzi Pool” for a refreshing dip.

12:30hrs: Enjoy a relishing lunch at the Lodge.

In the afternoon: For trips up to the 31st March, 2026, choose from a range of optional activities: join a guided afternoon jungle trek or (weather permitting) go for a relaxing session of ‘tubing’ down the Danum River. You can also choose to relax at the lodge and enjoy the sounds of the Danun Valley rainforest. For trips from 1st April, 2026, you’ll experience the Canopy Walkway – a 360-meter-long suspended bridge offering panoramic views of the rainforest canopy.

19:00hrs: Dinner at the Lodge.

20:30hrs: Join a Night Walk or a Night Drive in search of nocturnal animals.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

DAY 3

07:00hrs: Breakfast at the Lodge

09:00hrs: Join a morning jungle trek along the Segama Trail to discover an estimated 500-year-old strangling fig tree.

12:30hrs: Lunch at the Lodge

In the afternoon, choose from Jungle Cycling or River Rafting for a rainforest adventure experience. Alternatively, opt for a guided Jungle Trek, or you can chill out at the Lodge.

19:00hrs: Dinner at the Lodge

20:30hrs: Join a Night Drive or Night Walk in search of nocturnal animals.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

DAY 4

07:00hrs: Breakfast at the Lodge.

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

12:00hrs: 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 – 4D3N Danum Valley Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

There are no specific prerequisites for joining the Danum Valley Tour. 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 (at the scheduled times) from Lahad Datu to Borneo Rainforest Lodge, meals as mentioned, 3-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 RM10 per room per night, will be charged to non-Malaysian or foreign tourists.

Recommended Packing List For The Trip – Danum Valley Tour

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 – Danum Valley Tour, 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.