Night Safari in Deramakot: Borneo Wildlife Adventures After Dark
Explore the thrilling night safari in Deramakot Forest Reserve, Sabah. Spot nocturnal wildlife, rare wild cats, and experience an authentic, uncrowded Borneo rainforest adventure.
Deep in the heart of Sabah lies one of Borneo’s most rewarding wildlife destinations – the Deramakot Forest Reserve. Remote, wild, and remarkably rich in biodiversity, Deramakot offers an authentic rainforest safari experience far from the crowds.
While daytime drives reveal primates, hornbills, and the lush beauty of Borneo’s rainforest, it is after sunset that the forest truly awakens. A night safari in Deramakot is widely considered one of the best wildlife experiences in Borneo, offering rare opportunities to encounter elusive nocturnal mammals that remain hidden during the day.
A Remote Rainforest Sanctuary in Sabah
Covering more than 55,000 hectares of mixed dipterocarp rainforest, Deramakot is one of Sabah’s most important wildlife habitats. The reserve contains around 75% of Borneo’s mammal species, making it an extraordinary destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and naturalists.
Despite being a sustainably managed forest concession, Deramakot has become one of the island’s best places to observe wildlife thanks to careful conservation practices and controlled visitor access. Its extensive network of forest roads allows guides to explore deep into the jungle, creating exceptional opportunities for wildlife spotting both day and night.
Why Night Safaris Are the Highlight of Deramakot
When darkness falls, the forest transforms. The humid night air fills with insect calls, distant bird sounds, and the rustle of movement in the trees. Many of Borneo’s most fascinating mammals are nocturnal, making night drives the most exciting time to explore the reserve.
Guided safaris typically take place in 4×4 vehicles equipped with powerful spotlights, slowly scanning the forest edges and canopy for glowing eyes reflecting in the beam of light.
On a typical night drive, you may encounter:
Leopard cats hunting along the roadside
Various species of civets moving through the trees
Slow lorises and western tarsiers perched quietly in branches
Flying squirrels gliding between tall rainforest trees
Mouse deer and sambar deer grazing in forest clearings
Nocturnal birds such as owls and frogmouths
Occasionally, lucky visitors may even spot one of the most elusive predators in Asia — the Sunda clouded leopard.
5D4N Private Deramakot Safari Tour
We meet you at Sandakan airport or any hotel nearby Sandakan airport at 10am in the morning, and drive you to Telupid town by tourist van or small car according to the no. of pax. Driving distance of ~120 kms and takes ~2.5 hours on paved roads.
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You will have lunch at this small town (from a veg/non-veg/vegan choice of basic fried rice, fried noodles, rice with local curry and some canned drinks) before we embark on our adventurous journey to the Deramakot forest reserve by a well-equipped 4wd vehicle. The last leg of the journey will be through unpaved challenging roads frequented by wild elephants. Nocturnal animals will not be active yet, however primates, birds and monitor lizards are not uncommon. We will reach the camp around 5 pm. There is a restroom at the main entry point of Deramakot forest reserve. Â
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Upon arrival at the camp, you will be transferred into your respective rooms to freshen up, followed by a sumptuous dinner. After that we will start our first night safari of 2 hours. This will be more towards an understanding of the forest and the terrain, our naturalist will brief you accordingly.Â
Our naturalist will discuss with you and decide on the time of the morning safari. You will wake up to the sound of Bornean gibbons, mostly the males and followed by the females. Usually the primates are active once the first Sunlight falls on the trees, that is, around 7 am. Depending on the weather condition and last night’s animal activity, you might also start a bit early when it will be still dark and the wild cats might still be seen. You will be back to the camp for breakfast. Take a nap afterwards, or stay at the balcony of the dining hall to photograph leafbirds, broadbills, serpent eagles, hornbills and many other birds. After lunch you can take a rest for a while before we start our afternoon safari to see mainly primates and birds. We will come back for dinner and then will go for the night safari. On average, we will spend on an average 7 hours each day on safari.
We can follow a similar schedule as the previous day. Alternatively, we can skip the morning safari and after lunch we can proceed with packed dinner, driving all the way to the riverside and only after sunset we will start our night safari from that spot. A romantic sundowner can be arranged, weather permitting. Boat rides upriver can also be arranged with additional charges occasionally.
A repeat of Day 2. Or can be adjusted according to your preference after discussing with your private guide on previous night.
The last day is free and easy. After breakfast we will leave Deramakot for Sandakan via Telupid town. We will drive slowly and will stop for interesting photo opportunity on the way.
Package includes:
- Private Transfers Telupid, and other transfers can be arranged at additional prices.
- All National Park Permits and Entry Fees, naturalist fees and Guide charges, Still Camera charges etc.
- Three full meals daily.
- Mineral Water during your stay.
- All applicable taxes.
Package excludes:
- Personal spending money for drinks of any kind.
- Any food item not mentioned.
- Laundry, phone calls or any personal charges.
- Tips and gratuities.
- wifi cost at the forest chalet.
Private Deramakot
4N5D Deramakot safari package-
All-inclusive Safari package
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Senior specialist guide
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7 hours Daily Game Drives
Wildlife Encounters Beyond the Night
Although night safaris steal the spotlight, daytime drives are equally rewarding. During morning or afternoon excursions you may see:
Bornean orangutans nesting high in the canopy
Bornean pygmy elephants crossing forest roads
Banteng (wild cattle) grazing in open clearings
Gibbons and macaques moving through the trees
Hornbills, including the spectacular rhinoceros hornbill
Birdlife is exceptional, with more than 300 species recorded in the reserve, making Deramakot a paradise for birdwatchers as well.
A Rare Chance to See Borneo’s Wild Cats
Deramakot is famous among wildlife watchers for a remarkable reason: all five species of Bornean wild cats have been recorded here.
These include:
Sunda Clouded Leopard
Marbled Cat
Bornean Bay Cat
Flat-headed Cat
Leopard Cat
While sightings of the rarer species are never guaranteed, Deramakot offers some of the best chances anywhere in Borneo to encounter these secretive predators.
Plan your Dream Safari Travel
Get in touch today and receive a complimentary consultation.
A Safari for True Wildlife Enthusiasts
Unlike many famous wildlife destinations, Deramakot remains quiet, remote, and uncrowded. Visitor numbers are limited and accommodation is simple, ensuring that the focus remains on wildlife rather than luxury.
This sense of exclusivity creates a deeply immersive experience. Long hours spent quietly driving through the forest often reveal extraordinary wildlife moments that would be impossible in busier parks.
For photographers and naturalists, Deramakot offers something increasingly rare in today’s world – a genuine rainforest safari where nature still feels wild and unpredictable.
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If you are looking for one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in Borneo, a night safari in Deramakot should be high on your list.
Few places in Southeast Asia offer such remarkable biodiversity combined with the chance to encounter some of the region’s most elusive animals.
As darkness falls and the forest comes alive, every turn of the road holds the promise of discovery – a glowing pair of eyes in the spotlight, the silent glide of a flying squirrel, or perhaps the shadowy silhouette of a clouded leopard disappearing into the jungle.
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In Deramakot, the real adventure begins after dark.
