Research station stay
Deep inside the Danum Valley Conservation Area, this working research station offers a stay focused entirely on the 50-kilometre trail network and the rainforest ecology.
Welcome
The Danum Valley Study Centre sits on the banks of the Segama River inside 438 square kilometres of unlogged lowland rainforest. The forest here is 130 million years old and features a towering canopy and a high concentration of fruiting trees. You can wake up early and spend the day exploring the 50-kilometre trail network before returning to a quiet room.
If you want to wake up early and spend all day exploring the 50-kilometre trail network before returning to a quiet room, this is the place to do it.
The station is managed by Yayasan Sabah and serves as the headquarters for the South East Asia Rain Forest Research Partnership. Scientists run long-term ecology projects from the laboratories here as part of conservation work in Danum Valley.
Our view
Located inside the 438-square-kilometre Danum Valley Conservation Area, the primary activity is walking the forest trails.
Twin chalets, resthouses and 96 hostel beds suit naturalists and university groups.
Orangutans are seen on most stays alongside many Bornean endemic birds, with guides who know the terrain intimately.
Morning treks, the canopy walkway, night walks and guided drives are led by resident naturalists.
The centre suits birdwatchers, photographers and researchers wanting long days on the trails in a quiet atmosphere.
Accommodation
Accommodation is spread across the campus, with comfortable rooms for rest after long days outside. All packages are full board.
Sleeps 2 · air-conditioned
These rooms have twin beds, an attached private bathroom with a heated shower, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a sofa and a working table.
Sleeps 2 · air-conditioned
Each room has twin beds, an attached private bathroom with a heated shower, air conditioning and a working table.
Sleeps 2 · ceiling fan
These rooms have twin beds, a ceiling fan and an attached private bathroom with a heated shower.
96 beds · communal bathrooms
The centre has 96 dormitory beds arranged in 4-bed cubicles and divided evenly between male and female blocks.
Multiple twin rooms
Families can book multiple twin rooms; connected suites are unavailable. The team confirms the arrangements for children when you enquire.
Meals
All packages are full board. Meals are served cafeteria-style in the main communal dining hall where you collect your food alongside the research staff. The kitchen prepares local Malaysian dishes suited to feeding large groups with breakfast from 7am to 8am, lunch from noon to 1pm and dinner from 7pm to 8pm.
Activities
An English-speaking naturalist guide leads groups of up to 8 guests on a scheduled itinerary.
The 300-metre canopy walkway is suspended up to 27 metres above the forest floor.
Night walks and four-wheel-drive night safaris run after dinner when the weather is clear.
Take a 6am trek the next morning to see the canopy wake up.
The valley holds more than 317 bird species and the centre is a superb base for finding them.
Mid-morning hikes often head to the Coffin Cliff burial grounds to see the Kadazandusun history.
The wildlife
Orangutans appear on most stays alongside gibbons and monkeys. Pygmy elephants and Bornean sun bears are seen with luck; clouded leopards are resident.
The campus
Rates on enquiry: no prices are published.
Stays run from 3 days and 2 nights, full board, with a scheduled itinerary led by a naturalist.
Ask about this route
Choose a 4-day package to allow more time on the trails after the long arrival journey.
Ask about this route
The centre suits photographers wanting long days on the forest trails.
Ask about this routeQuestions
Yes. Danum Valley is a Class I Protection Forest Reserve and all entry requires a conservation permit. This is arranged as part of your booked package.
There is no strict age limit but the rough roads, the heat and the long walks mean the trip suits older children who are steady on their feet.
There is a 500-metre self-guided nature trail near the main campus for independent walking. For all other routes, you must go with your assigned naturalist guide.
The forest receives rain all year and never closes. The months from March to October are excellent for general wildlife viewing with April and May historically the least wet.
Getting there
The centre is 81 kilometres west of Lahad Datu and you reach it by private transport organised by the lodge. The journey takes 2.5 hours in a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a specialised van along an unpaved gravel logging road. Permits are arranged with your stay. Travel and health insurance is advised for any visit to Danum Valley and cover that includes emergency evacuation is sensible in a place this remote.
Alternatives
Explore river safaris on the Kinabatangan River, night drives at Tabin Wildlife Resort or tree-planting at INFAPRO Conservation Stay near the reserve entrance.
Our view
Tell the team your dates, group size and wildlife interests for your Study Centre stay. They will confirm room availability, arrange entry permits and schedule your transfers from Lahad Datu.
