Malaysia Destinations | Places of Interest in Malaysia

Sabah > Danum Valley

Danum Valley

Step into Borneo’s Eden and discover some of this region’s most exotic and exciting flora and fauna! The Danum Valley Conservation Area is Sabah’s largest protected area of lowland dipterocarp forest. All 43,800 hectares are managed by Yayasan Sabah for the purposes of conservation, research, education and training.

The forest has more than 200 species of trees per hectare, which growing in this Borneo Eden. Some of which are the oldest and tallest (and most diverse) on the planet. In terms of wildlife, the forest comes alive with the Orang utan, Asian elephant, Malayan sun bear, clouded leopard, bearded pig, three species of deer, and two of mousedeer, just to name a few. It also provides one of the last refuges in Sabah for the critically endangered Sumatran rhino. If you look closely, you might even come across the rare Wallace’s flying frog, soft-shelled turtles and vipers.

The lowland dipterocarp forest of Danum Valley is home to several species of birds that are endemic to Borneo. It is also home to all eight species of the Bornean Hornbills and six species of Pitta, including the impressive Giant Pitta. The rainforest surrounding the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley offers birdwatcher’s both average and avid, ample opportunity to observe and enjoy the abundant bird life while staying at the comfortable lodge. Danum Valley is indeed a birdwatcher’s paradise!

Visitors to Danum Valley usually spend their time jungle trekking, taking photographs of wildlife and bird watching. Also worth checking out is the Tembaling waterfall, about 1 to 2 hour walk from the Field Centre. Three burial sites have also been identified in Danum Valley. Burial caves have a special place in the myths and legends of the Orang Sungai (river people) of Borneo. Two burial sites are found near the centres and another is located below the cliff overlooking the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Fancy some mountain climbing? Trek up, Mount Danum the highest peak in Danum Valley at 1,093 m. A leisurely hike may take 3 days and 2 nights. However, some hard-core trekkers have been known to reach the peak in only 4 hours! A word of advice: Hire a guide from the centre whenever you plan to go jungle trekking to avoid getting lost in the forest.

Spend a night or two at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge when in Danum Valley. Their 31 chalets can accommodate up to 60 persons. Other facilities include a restaurant and an air-conditioned meeting room for 20 persons. Guided nature walks are also provided.

The lodge was established so tourists may benefit from the scholarly works carried out at the Danum Valley Field Centre —one of the world’s most foremost tropical rainforest research and environmental education establishments in Southeast Asia.

There is a lot of activities and places of interests you must visit. Therefore, visitors are recommended to stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge and planning for the 3 days 2 night trip at Danum Valley. Tourists should participate in the following activities:

Nature interpretation during guided walks along nature trails led by our experienced naturalists in undisturbed riverine and lowland dipterocarp forest.
Trekking along an escarpment trail for a panoramic view over one of Borneo 's best remaining wild orang utan habitat, the Danum Valley .
Experiencing the 107m Canopy Walkway among tall 'Mengaris' and mighty 'Majau' trees 27m above the ground to watch tree top wildlife, or just using binoculars to have a closer view of birds flying by.
Learning about the forest on well-marked self-guided nature trails.
Opportunities for wildlife photography.
Experienced sleeping in Tented Camp to be one with nature.
Trekking to an ancient Kadazandusun burial site.
Birdwatching.
Driving at night in an open truck for spotting of nocturnal animals.
Swimming in the natural ‘Jacuzzi Pool’.
Tubing down the Danum River .
Day trip to Danum Valley Field Centre.
Guided visits to reforestation and research areas.

What To Bring List

Insect repellant
Long sleeved shirt
Long trousers
Raincoat
Sunhat or cap
Swim-suit
Comfortable walking shoes or trekking boots
Flashlights
Binoculars
Personal items Insect repellant

Contact

For further enquiries or reservations, please call

LAHAD DATU, HEAD OFFICE: - ( KKKP : 3026 )
Block 3, Lot 20, Ground Floor, MDLD 3285, Fajar Centre,
P.O. Box 61174, 91120 Lahad Datu,
Sabah, Malaysia
Tel : 6-089-880207 / 880206
Fax : 6-089-885051

KOTA KINABALU, BRANCH OFFICE: - ( KPL/LN : 3719 )
Block D, Lot 10, Ground Floor,
Sadong Jaya Complex, 88100 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia
Tel : 6-088-267637
Fax : 6-088-251636
E-Mail : ijl@po.jaring.my / info@borneonaturetours.com
Website: http://www.brl.com.my

Getting There

Borneo Rainforest Lodge is situated in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in the south-east of Sabah, the heart of Borneo. The office is located in the nearest town of Lahad Datu from where the staff will bring you to the Lodge.

To get to Borneo Rainforest Lodge there are a few options: -

Take a direct 55 minutes flight from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu Airport.
Take a direct 2 hours 50 minutes flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau or Sandakan Airport.
Take a bus from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu for a scenic ride through the hills, with the option of viewing the majestic Mount Kinabalu.
Take a bus from any of the other destinations in Sabah to Lahad Datu:
- 2 hours 45 minutes drive from Sandakan
- 2 hours 30 minutes drive from Tawau
- 2 hours drive from Semporna

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