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 here include such extremely rare and endangered species as the Sumatran Rhino, Benteng 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, located alongside the Danum River in Danum Valley Conservation Area, is home to 30 individual chalets with fans and 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.
A stay at Danum Valley works very well when combined with a trip to the Kinabatangan River or Turtle Island to help 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.
For a cheaper option for visiting the Danum Valley Conservation Area, you could consider a stay at Danum Valley Field Center – a working Research Facility. The Field Center offers simple, basic facilities (hence the cheaper price) and still provides the opportunity to experience the beauty of this pristine rainforest.
Trip Itinerary – Danum Valley Tour, Sabah, Malaysia
DAY 1
07:55hrs: Meet & greet at Lahad Datu Airport upon arrival (the recommended arrival flight to meet the scheduled transfer is MH3012 BKI/LDU ETD 0710 hrs ETA 0805 hrs), or pick up from the hotel within Lahad Datu, and proceed to Borneo Nature Tours office for registration & briefing.
09:30hrs: Depart for your 2 and a half hours overland journey on the gravel road to Danum Valley Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Danum Valley has located 80km from Lahad Datu. The journey starts with the first 15km of the main Lahad Datu-Tawau road. The rest of the ride is on an unsealed private logging road.
12:00hrs: Arrive & check in at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Time for lunch.
14:30hrs: Slide presentation in the Conference Room.
15:00hrs: Afternoon Trek: Introduction to the forest through “Nature Trails” and the treetop “Canopy Walkway”. The Canopy Walkway is 300m in length and 26m at the highest point for a close-up observation of the rainforest.
19:00hrs: Dinner at the Lodge.
20:30hrs: Night Drive in an open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal animal.
Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley.
DAY 2
07:00hrs: Breakfast at the Lodge.
09:00hrs: Morning Jungle Trek: Trek to the Kadazandusun 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.
12:30hrs: Lunch at the Lodge.
15:00hrs: Afternoon Jungle Trek or go for a relaxing session of ‘tubing’ down the Danum River.
19:00hrs: Dinner at the Lodge.
20:30hrs: Night Walk in search of nocturnal animals.
Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
DAY 3
07:00hrs: Breakfast at the Lodge
09:00hrs: Morning Jungle Trek: Trek to the Fairy Falls and Serpent Falls to experience more of the sound & sights of the Rainforest.
12:30hrs: Lunch at the Lodge
15:00hrs: Afternoon Jungle Trek or go for a relaxing session of ‘tubing’ down the Danum River
19:00hrs: Dinner at the Lodge
20:30hrs: Optional 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.
12:00hrs: Lunch at the Lodge.
12:30 or 13:30 – Check out from the lodge and depart on the scheduled transfer to Lahad Datu, a 2-and-a-half-hour drive. The scheduled transfers depart from Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley, at the following times depending upon your drop-off location: –
- At 1230hrs, depart the lodge for Lahad Datu Airport for MH3019 (16:30 flight departure)
- At 1330hrs, depart the lodge for Lahad Datu Town
Trip Pre-requisites – 4D3N Danum Valley Tour, Sabah, Malaysia
There are no specific prerequisites for joining the Danum Valley Tour, however, we recommend you are average fitness or above and comfortable at trekking for a couple of hours in tropical conditions. 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, 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
Non-scheduled transfers are at an additional surcharge, items not mentioned above. The new Tourism Tax – the Tourism Tax is currently set with a flat rate of RM 10 per room per night and will be charged to Non-Malaysian or Foreign tourists from 1st September 2017.
Recommended Packing List For The Trip – Danum Valley Tour
Binoculars, insect repellent, long sleeve shirts & long pants, raincoat, sun hat, swimwear, comfortable trekking shoes, torch light, water bottle & personal toiletries and leech socks.
Notes – Danum Valley Tour, Sabah, Malaysia
Leeches are plenty on all trails. It is recommended you use leech socks when trekking.
Package prices are per person and are based on 2 persons booking together and twin or double sharing one Chalet. Prices are valid for trips up to 31st March 2024. For Danum Valley packages booked between 1st March – 30th April & 15th July – 15th October, the peak season surcharge price is applicable.
Nikki –
This was the absolute highlight of our trip to see wildlife in Borneo. Borneo Rainforest Lodge is lovely in itself ( great architecture, delicious food etc)but add the incredible experience of seeing the rainforest wake up in the morning from a walkway above the canopy, wild orang-utans, gibbons and red leaf monkeys in the trees and a brilliantly well informed guide, Syadiq, we will never forget this experience.