Danum Valley flagship
Situated on the Danum River inside a primary rainforest of a lineage some 130 million years old, this 31-chalet lodge offers high-end comfort and expert wildlife guiding 2.5 hours from Lahad Datu.
Welcome
Borneo Rainforest Lodge places 31 air-conditioned chalets on the bank of the Danum River, 97 kilometres from Lahad Datu. The primary forest starts directly at your veranda rail and the dedicated wildlife guides begin their trekking schedules before dawn. You will appreciate the 24-hour power and hot showers after searching for Bornean orangutans in the 43,892-hectare lowland dipterocarp reserve.
Guided days begin before breakfast, when bird activity is highest. Routes follow recent sightings and the group's fitness, with lunch and a rest back at the lodge. Afternoons allow time for Danum Valley experiences like the canopy walkway or guided rafting; after dinner, boardwalk walks and electric buggy drives seek nocturnal wildlife.
You will appreciate the 24-hour power and hot showers after searching for Bornean orangutans in the 43,892-hectare lowland dipterocarp reserve.
Our view
The lodge stands deep inside the 43,892-hectare Danum Valley Conservation Area, with the primary forest starting at your door.
The lodge has 31 air-conditioned chalets and villas connected by elevated boardwalks that protect the forest floor.
Bornean orangutans are seen on most stays and gibbons are heard at dawn from the riverside rooms.
Your stay includes guided forest treks, night drives and canopy walkway access.
It suits couples and photographers seeking air-conditioned comfort and 24-hour power in the primary forest.
Accommodation
All chalets and villas have air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, 24-hour power and forest or river views.
28.8 sq m, sleeps 2, outdoor deck
The entry-level rooms sit slightly back from the river and feature an outdoor deck with direct views into the jungle canopy.
31 to 68 sq m, sleeps 2 to 3, private balcony
A private balcony features an outdoor oversized bathtub as well as a private plunge pool, looking over the river or into the jungle.
97 sq m, sleeps up to 4, private balcony
These family chalets have generous living areas, floor-to-ceiling river views and a private balcony with a plunge pool.
103 sq m, designed for couples, private infinity plunge pool
This tier brings the outside in using floor-to-ceiling glass walls to give panoramic views of the river and a seating area.
179 sq m over 2 floors, private infinity pool
The largest accommodation provides extensive living space on the first floor while the ground floor opens to a private infinity pool and an outdoor tub.
Dining
Full-board meals are served at The Restaurant and Bar in the main lodge. The kitchen combines Chinese, Malaysian, local Asian and international dishes, with buffet and a la carte service. The food is excellent despite the remote setting. Vegan, strict gluten-free and other dietary requirements can be catered for when you tell the team at booking.
Activities
Sound sections remain accessible while work bypasses unstable trees along the walkway.
Electric buggy drives use spotlights to seek nocturnal forest wildlife.
Guides select forest trails to suit sightings and group fitness.
The reserve supports over 320 bird species, including all 8 Bornean hornbills.
Guided river rafting along the Danum River replaced river tubing.
A Kadazandusun burial site and the valley laid out below.
Wildlife
The singular draw of Danum Valley is the density of rare endemic Bornean wildlife in an unlogged habitat. The biodiversity is resident all year round.
The property
Rates on enquiry: no prices are published.
Reviews
“The setting is majestic, in a bend on the Danum river right in the middle of primary rainforest. The lodge blends into its environment. So thoughtfully designed. The guides are amazing. We saw many wildlife on the trails, but being in the rainforest itself was a truly magical experience.”
“We were lucky enough to spot pygmy elephants on the way in. During our stay we also saw wild orangutans, flying squirrels, civets during the night drive, and an amazing variety of birdlife throughout the rainforest. Truly one of the most memorable wildlife experiences I’ve had.”
“This is paradise in the middle of the jungle. The nature is incredible, the facility just beautiful, all meals are amazing. The best part of the lodge is truly the staff. They are always smiling, attentive, helpful and so welcoming.”
Practical matters
Rain falls all year in Danum Valley, and wildlife is resident year-round. April and May are statistically the least wet months in the interior.
A Sipadan permit can be guaranteed with a pre-booked dive package at the right island resort.
Yes. Encountering leeches is an unavoidable reality of walking the trails in a primary rainforest. The lodge provides leech socks keeping them off your skin effectively.
Yes. Children are welcome, and the team confirms the arrangements for your family's ages when you enquire.
Getting there
Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu, then take the lodge's scheduled 97-kilometre transfer, lasting 2.5 hours. The team aligns flights with convoy times and arranges conservation permits with your stay. Travel and health insurance is advised; emergency evacuation cover is sensible for this remote setting.
Destinations
Combine your stay with Kinabatangan river safaris or Sipadan wall diving. Other wildlife bases include Tabin Wildlife Resort and the Danum Valley Study Centre.
The property
Tell the team your dates to plan your search for endemic wildlife and secure your room at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
