Primary rainforest
Danum Valley
Located 2.5 hours by road from Lahad Datu, Danum Valley is 438 square kilometres of lowland rainforest that was never logged, with 3 very different places to stay inside it.
Our view
The deep primary forest
Danum Valley is the forest people fly to Sabah to see. It is a massive tract of ancient trees in the eastern interior where the canopy closes over your head. Look for wild orangutans high in the canopy, or walk a suspension bridge before breakfast to watch for hornbills crossing the river. Stays include luxury chalets and a research station.
The conservation area protects 438 square kilometres of primary lowland rainforest that was never logged. Because the core was never logged, the forest structure remains entirely intact. The canopy is dense and intercepts up to 90 percent of the available sunlight. The wildlife is entirely wild and unprovisioned so sightings require patience and a good guide.
Resident wildlife
Canopy primates and nocturnal mammals
- Wild unhabituated orangutans and red leaf monkeys reside in the canopy.
- Over 320 bird species, including Bornean bristleheads and 8 resident pittas.
- Resident Bornean elephants use logging access roads to bypass thick riverine vegetation.
- Flying squirrels and civets are regular on night drives.
- A 360-metre canopy walkway hangs 27 metres above the forest floor.
When to come
Rain falls year-round, with April and May the least wet months. Heavy rain can interrupt canopy walks and night drives. Pack dry bags and silica gel for camera equipment.
Accommodation
The 3 distinct jungle properties
There are 3 distinct places to stay in the Danum Valley area and each offers a very different experience. The flagship luxury property is Borneo Rainforest Lodge with 31 chalets spread along boardwalks under the trees.
Getting there
Lodge-arranged transfers from Lahad Datu take about 2.5 hours along mostly unpaved logging roads. Travel and health insurance is advised; emergency evacuation cover is sensible. Read about getting thereand how long to allow.
Alternatives
Other Sabah wildlife destinations
Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan floodplain holds the highest concentration of wildlife in Borneo. This is where you go to track orangutans and proboscis monkeys from a boat.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
A 122,500-hectare lowland reserve bordered by oil palm, Tabin is Sabah’s premier destination for night drives. The sharp forest edge concentrates small cats and civets along the boundary roads.
Sepilok
25 kilometres west of Sandakan, the Sepilok complex holds Sabah's principal orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation centres, set on the edge of a protected dipterocarp forest reserve.
Travelling Sabah Alone
Sabah works well for independent travellers. This guide covers how lodge activities work, how rooms work for solo travellers and practical safety advice.
Destinations in Sabah
Danum Valley, and the places a Danum trip continues to: the Kinabatangan, Sepilok, Tabin, Sandakan and the Semporna islands.
Conservation area
Plan your Danum stay
Tell the team when you want to track wild orangutans in the primary forest and they will check availability at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.