Beyond Danum · Accessible birding

Rainforest Discovery Centre

Sepilok's canopy walkway and towers — probably the easiest world-class birding in Borneo, with bristlehead a realistic target from a steel walkway.

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Why go

Serious birds, zero suffering

The RDC's steel canopy walkway and towers put you at crown height on flat, solid footing — which means trogons, broadbills and, on good mornings, the Bornean bristlehead, without a single muddy kilometre. Birders with limited mobility rate this place for exactly that reason; so do photographers, because the light on the Trogon Tower at 7am is very kind.

There's a plant discovery garden below, kingfishers along the lake, and night walks for slow loris, tarsiers and flying squirrels. It's in Sepilok, so it stacks naturally with the orangutan and sun bear centres — birds at dawn, apes at the 10am feeding.

Wildlife & highlights

What you're likely to see

  • Bornean bristlehead — the RDC is one of the most reliable sites anywhere
  • Trogons, broadbills and mixed flocks from the towers
  • Kingfishers along the lake edge
  • Slow loris, tarsier and flying squirrels on the night walks

Best time

Dawn is everything here — be on the walkway when it opens. Birding is good year-round. Placeholder — confirm months and opening hours with the client.

Pairing it with Danum

How it fits the trip

For birders it's the warm-up act before Danum's main event: tick the bristlehead in comfort here, then go and earn the pittas at the Study Centre. See the combination itineraries for suggested day splits.

Getting there

In Sepilok, ~25 minutes from Sandakan (SDK). Combine with the rehabilitation centres on the same day. See getting there.

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