Danum Valley
Borneo's Most Pristine Primary Rainforest
A 438 square kilometre wilderness of primary lowland dipterocarp forest, 130 million years old and never logged. One five star lodge, one canopy walkway, and some of the last genuinely undisturbed rainforest left in Southeast Asia.
Begin Your Danum Valley SafariDipterocarp Forest
Than the Amazon
Nothing Else Inside
Bird Species
Mammal Species
Danum Valley has never been logged. Not once, not partially. That single fact separates it from almost everywhere else you can stay in Borneo, and it is why the canopy here rises higher, the understorey runs darker, and the wildlife behaves like it has never been disturbed, because for 130 million years, largely, it has not.
What Danum Valley Is
A Class I forest reserve with only one door in
The Danum Valley Conservation Area sits roughly 80 kilometres, about two to three hours by road, inland from Lahad Datu on Sabah's east coast. Unlike Deramakot or Tabin, this is not a working forest. It is a fully protected Class I reserve, one of the largest remaining tracts of undisturbed lowland rainforest in Southeast Asia, and a site of genuine scientific importance, home to research that has run continuously for decades and still turns up species new to science on major expeditions.
Only one resort sits inside the reserve itself: Borneo Rainforest Lodge, a multiple award winning eco luxe property on the Danum River with its own private canopy walkway. A short distance outside the core reserve, three further options exist for guests who want a different pace or a lower cost, the newly opened Langom Research Station, the night drive focused INFAPRO reforestation site, and the more rustic Danum Valley Field Centre. We explain how each differs further down this page.
Above the Canopy, Then Deep Below It
The canopy walkway is the single most photographed vantage point in
Danum Valley, a
suspended walk through the upper storey where hornbills, gibbons and the occasional
orangutan pass at eye level rather than overhead. It is a genuinely rare thing: exclusive access, belongs to the lodge alone.
The rest of a Danum Valley stay happens on foot, guided treks along an established trail network, to Fairy Falls and Serpent Falls, and to a natural jacuzzi pool on the Danum River. Three ancient ironwood burial sites, two near the Field Centre and one below the cliff overlooking the lodge itself. Night walks reveal the forest's nocturnal side: slow loris, wild cats, civets, flying squirrels, tarsiers and an extraordinary density of insects and frogs found almost nowhere else. We also arrange private 4x4 Night Drives for our guests.
Danum Valley rewards guests who came to disconnect entirely. There is no phone signal, no road noise, nothing but 130 million years of rainforest healing its guests.
Our Approach
Privately guided, on trails that reward patience
Danum Valley is explored on foot far more than any other Borneo destination we operate in, and a shared trekking group changes the experience more than most guests expect. Pace matters on a jungle trail. A group of eight moves loudly and stops for the lowest common denominator; a private pair moves quietly, stops when your guide actually spots something, and can linger at the canopy walkway or turn back early after a long morning without negotiating with strangers.
We arrange completely private guided activities in all properties in Danum Valley, from the canopy walkway to the night walks, and can request a guide with a specific interest, birds, herpetofauna or photography, when we book. We also offer private Night Drive for our guests. Private vehicle transfer from Lahad Datu, including unscheduled transfers, can also be arranged rather than the standard shared shuttle.
Why We Only Operate Privately in Borneo →The Wildlife of Danum Valley
Genuinely wild, genuinely undisturbed. These are the species our guests come specifically to find on the trails and night walks of the reserve.
Bornean Orangutan
A healthy wild population moves through the reserve's untouched canopy, occasionally visible from the walkway itself during fruiting season.
Bornean Pygmy Elephant
Small herds range through the valley's river corridors, a genuine highlight when a sighting coincides with your trek or drive.
Sunda Clouded Leopard
Borneo's apex cat, elusive here as anywhere, but Danum's night walks and drives give a genuine, patient chance across a longer stay.
Bornean Sun Bear
The world's smallest bear, mostly nocturnal, with fresh claw marks on trailside trees a common sign well before any actual sighting.
Red Leaf Langur
Danum's quiet, canopy dwelling monkey, a signature sighting on any guided trek through the reserve's primary forest.
Western Tarsier
A tiny, enormous eyed nocturnal primate, one of the most sought after finds on a Danum Valley night walk.
Sunda Colugo
The so called flying lemur, gliding between trees at dusk on membranes stretched from limb to limb. Neither a lemur, nor truly flying.
Rhinoceros Hornbill
One of eight Bornean hornbill species recorded in the reserve, unmistakable in flight above the canopy walkway.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is the only property inside Danum Valley. Let us check availability first.
Four Ways to Experience Danum Valley
One award winning lodge inside the reserve itself, and three further options nearby for guests who want a different pace, focus or budget.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
The only resort inside the Danum Valley Conservation Area, on the banks of the Danum River, with its own private canopy walkway. Room categories run from standard jungle chalet to premium villa, and we arrange entirely private guided activities throughout your stay.
- Private canopy walkway, exclusive to the lodge
- Premium villa available for stays of 3 nights or more
- Multiple award winning eco luxe property
Langom Research Station
A newly accessible research station by the river, with only limited visitors admitted. Guests do 4WD game drives as well as guided nature walks. We recommend it particularly for guests who prefer safari drives over long treks, in genuinely untravelled wilderness.
- 4WD game drives and guided trekking
- Only limited visitors admitted per stay
- In the same primary rainforest ecosystem
INFAPRO Research Centre
A tree nursery and forest rehabilitation project little known to regular tourists, but a hidden asset for serious wildlife enthusiasts. Its safari tracks make for some of the most productive night drives in the wider Danum area, especially for elusive wild cats.
- Dedicated night drive tracks for nocturnal wildlife
- Daytime trails at Langom or the Field Centre nearby
- A genuine alternative when Deramakot is full
Danum Valley Field Centre
Southeast Asia's largest tropical biodiversity study facility, previously reserved for scientists and now open to guests wanting a simpler stay. It holds a 50 hectare plot of unspoiled primary forest among the most thoroughly researched in the region, with an established trail network.
- Rustic, research station style accommodation
- Long established, well marked trail network
- A working scientific facility, not built for tourism
Before You Travel
Useful information for your Danum Valley trip
Danum Valley is the only undisturbed primary rainforest, hours from the nearest town of Lahad Datu. A little preparation goes a long way, and we brief every guest on the specifics well before departure.
Booking and Availability
Beds at the Field Centre, Langom and INFAPRO are genuinely limited, and Borneo Rainforest Lodge fills early. We recommend booking several months in advance, and always ask us to confirm current availability before you commit to dates.
What to Pack
Headlamp, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, binoculars, a dry bag, swimwear, comfortable trekking shoes and a light trekking pack. Pack leech socks and some antiseptic cream, considerable walking is involved here, unlike Deramakot's drive focused format.
Guiding and Permits
Independent visits are not possible. A licensed guide is required to enter the reserve, and self driving is prohibited, permits are only issued to accredited operators. We handle every permit, the room booking and the guide together.
Weather and Timing
March to October is generally drier and more favourable for outdoor activity. November to February brings more rain but a lusher forest, fewer visitors and some exclusive low season rates.
Getting to Danum Valley
Rarely a simple point to point transfer. We plan the routing around whatever else is on your Borneo itinerary.
The standard route
Fly into Lahad Datu, reachable by domestic flights from Kota Kinabalu, or by road from Sandakan, then transfer by road to the reserve. Allow two to three hours for the transfer.
Combining with other reserves
Danum Valley pairs naturally with Deramakot, Kinabatangan and Tabin. We recommend visiting one or more of these before or after Danum Valley to get the complete flavour of Borneo.
How long to stay
Three nights and four days in Danum Valley is our standard recommendation, enough time for the canopy walkway, a night walk, a night drive and treks, extendable for guests who want more.
From the Journal
Everything else we have written about Danum Valley
Field notes, lodge reviews and the full reserve comparison, for guests who want to go deeper before they travel.
Is Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Worth It?
An honest look at Borneo's most awarded rainforest lodge, and whether the premium over the Field Centre is worth paying.
Read the Journal →
Wildlife Seen in Danum Valley
The complete species list, from wild orangutans to the elusive Sunda pangolin, and where each is most likely to be found.
Read the Journal →
Langom Research Station, Danum's New Hotspot
Why this newly opened, strictly limited research station is quickly becoming our favourite alternative inside the Danum Valley circuit.
Read the Journal →
INFAPRO, a Genuine Deramakot Alternative
What INFAPRO's night drive tracks can offer when Deramakot's single lodge is fully booked for your dates.
Read the Journal →
Deramakot, Every Mammal Watcher's Bucket List Forest
All five Bornean wild cats have been recorded in this working forest a few hours from Danum. A natural pairing for a longer Sabah itinerary.
Read the Journal →
Deramakot, Danum Valley, Kinabatangan or Tabin?
Four legendary Sabah reserves, four completely different wildlife experiences. The full side by side comparison, and how to combine them.
Read the Journal →Danum Valley Intelligence
Questions we are asked first
Answered with the specificity a generic travel site rarely offers.
Planning & Availability
Why should I book Danum Valley so far ahead?
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is the only resort inside the Danum Valley Conservation Area, and it is reserved months ahead. Beds at the more modest INFAPRO, Langom and Field Centre options are similarly limited. We recommend booking several months ahead, and always ask us to check current availability before committing to dates.
Can I visit Danum Valley independently, without a guide?
No. A licensed guide is required to enter the reserve, and self driving is prohibited, permits are only issued to accredited operators. Contact us and we arrange the permits, the room booking and a private guide together.
Can I visit Danum Valley in the rainy season?
Yes. November to February brings more rain and the forest at its most lush, with fewer visitors and a quieter, more intimate stay. Some trails can become slippery, so we advise proper footwear and waterproof gear, but a full day's activities are rarely disrupted. We also offer special promotion in these months.
Which is better, Borneo Rainforest Lodge or the Field Centre?
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is the award winning, five star option with the reserve's only private canopy walkway and privately guided activities throughout. The Field Centre, Langom Research Station and INFAPRO are more rustic, research station style stays on established trails, and night drives/night walks. We recommend the Lodge for most guests and can advise which suits your priorities.
In the Field
Is a lot of walking involved?
Yes, considerably more than a drive focused reserve like Deramakot or than the cruises in Kinabatangan. We always recommend a private guide in Danum for the added flexibility to control your pace, distance and to decide the trail route where you like to go. Guided treks reach the canopy walkway, the View Point at Bukit Atur, Fairy and Serpent Falls, and a natural jacuzzi pool on the Danum River. However, most of the Safari Acacia guests focus more on wildlife viewing opportunities, and so a shorter, slower but longer hour walks are arranged with specialised private guide. Trails range from short walks to a genuine half day trek.
Can I see orangutans and pygmy elephants in Danum Valley?
No responsible operator can promise a sighting. Danum holds a genuinely wild population of both. Clouded leopards, sun bears and red leaf langurs are also regularly recorded here.
Is Danum Valley good for birdwatching?
Very much so. 340 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, including hornbills visible from the canopy walkway itself, and Danum is regarded as one of Borneo's premier birding sites. A specialised Bird Hide exists in Danum Valley to observe and photograph the great argus, Bornean ground cuckoo, among others.
What camera lens should I bring?
At least 300mm reach for wildlife. A semi pro zoom in the 150 to 600mm range, paired with a 70 to 200mm, covers most sightings well, and a 24 to 70mm is useful for canopy walkway landscapes. A fast lens and a body that handles high ISO cleanly will matter more than reach alone in the forest's low light.
Danum Valley's only lodge is genuinely limited. Planning ahead is not optional.
We run no group departures to Danum Valley. Every programme is private, built by a team that knows the reserve, the guides and the current room availability directly. If Borneo Rainforest Lodge is full for your dates, we will already have an alternative ready.