River Junkie – fuel the addiction
River Junkie – fuel the addiction

River Junkie Tours Sdn. Bhd. — licensed Kota Kinabalu tour operator (KPL/LN5696), MATTA member, running wildlife safaris, Mount Kinabalu climbs and cave trips across Sabah and Sarawak since 2008.

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Leopard cat in Deramakot

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Deramakot

3D2N Deramakot Wildlife Safari (ex-Sandakan)

3 days
2 nights
Departs Sandakan
Basic
Price fromRM 2,990
2 pax booking, per person, small group (max 8)
Duration3 days
2 nights on the road
DepartsSandakan
Groupmin 2 pax
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About this trip

A must do for all wildlife enthusiasts! The Deramakot Forest Reserve is home to a remarkable amount of biodiversity with an impressive 75% of Sabah's mammal species found within the reserve. All five species of Bornean cat, Sunda Clouded Leopard, Bornean Bay Cat, Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat and Flat Headed Cat are found in Deramakot as well as 8 species of hornbills, orangutans, gibbons, pygmy elephants and more! Entry into Deramakot Forest Reserve is via a 4 wheel drive accessible gravel road from the small town of Telupid, located between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. Despite it's remote location, Deramakot Forest Reserve offers basic but comfortable forest park-style chalet accommodation furnished twin or double bed, air-conditioning and an attached bathroom with heated shower.

Highlights

  • Day & night 4WD safaris
  • Off-road adventure into Deramakot Forest Reserve
  • 75% of Sabah's mammal species found within the reserve
  • Excellent bird watching
  • Frequent sightings of wild cats & primates

    • Trip facts

    Deramakot
    Birding, Jungle walks, Night Drive, Wildlife
    3 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 2 / 5
    Departs from Sandakan
    Minimum 2 pax per departure
    Rates: Rates quoted are per person and are valid until 31st Dec 2026
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Transfer to Deramakot & night safari

    Pick up from Sandakan airport or hotels at 9.30am- 10am for a 2½ hour transfer to Telupid town. After stopping off for lunch, continue your journey on a 2 hour gravel road to Deramakot Forest Reserve. On arrival, check into your accommodation and have an orientation to the area with your guide. Settle in, relax or take a walk to explore the surrounding area. After dinner, embark on a 2 hour 4x4 night safari with your guide in search of nocturnal animals. (L, D)

    Day 2

    Dawn, afternoon & night 4x4 drives

    Wake up early for a 4x4 dawn drive in search of wildlife and to experience the beautiful sights and sounds of the lush green rainforest in the morning. Return to the lodge for breakfast, and spend the rest of the morning resting or go on a nature walk on the trails in the area if you wish. After lunch, head out for an afternoon 4x4 drive for more wildlife sighting possibilities. After dinner, join your final 4x4 night drive in search of wild cats, slow loris, flying squirrels and more (B,L,D)

    Day 3

    Free morning & return to Sandakan

    After breakfast, you are free to explore the area surrounding the lodge until check out time at 8.30am. Your estimated arrival time back in Sandakan is at 2pm (B)

    Where you'll stay

    Chalet accommodation at Deramakot Forest Reserve

    Deramakot Forest Reserve

    Deramakot Forest Reserve, Sabah
    Simple forest chalets managed by the Sabah Forestry Department and reached only by 4WD along a gravel road from Telupid. Each chalet contains 3 rooms with air-conditioning and attached bathrooms with hot showers. Your meals will be prepared by the local community using locally available produce. This is a simple no-frills place with no hotel-style services on site. It's all about the wildlife safaris!
  • Private twin or double roomSimple air-conditioned room with ensuite bathroom.
    • FacilitiesBasic forest park-style chalets with several bedrooms and a communal living area. Fan and air-conditioning, attached bathroom with hot shower. Blankets, pillows, towels, soap and shampoo are provided.
    Good to knowElectricity is available from 10am - 2pm and 6pm - midnight daily. Access is 4WD only. Bring binoculars, insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, leech socks, a raincoat, sun hat, covered shoes with decent grip, a torch and a water bottle. The night drives here are among the most reliable places in Borneo to see wild cats.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • Scheduled transfer Sandakan to Deramakot
  • Accommodation in simple private air-conditioned twin or double room with ensuite bathroom
  • Meals as stated
  • Guided 4x4 safaris and activities on a join-in basis

    • Not included

  • Flights
  • Unscheduled transfers & alternative pick up / drop off locations
  • Malaysian Tourism tax RM10 per room per night (applicable to non-Malaysian passport holders)

    • Prices

    3D2N Deramakot wildlife safari (ex-Sandakan) - 2 paxRM 2990per person
    3D2N Deramakot wildlife safari (ex-Sandakan) - 3-4 paxRM 2650per person
    Pricing notesMalaysian Tourism tax per room per night (applicable to non-Malaysian passport holders) — RM 10
    ChildrenThe minimum age to join a small group trip is 12 years old. Families with children younger than 12 will require a private guide, please contact us for a quotation
    Rate validityRates quoted are per person and are valid until 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I get to Deramakot, and how long is the journey?
    You will be picked up from Sandakan airport or your hotel between 9.30am and 10am for a 2.5 hour transfer to Telupid town, where you stop for lunch, then continue for 2 hours on a gravel road into Deramakot Forest Reserve. On your final day check out is at 8.30am and your estimated arrival time back in Sandakan is 2pm. Alternative pick up and drop off locations are available on request, with additional charges.
    How much wildlife watching is actually included?
    Your arrival day includes a 2 hour 4x4 night safari to get to know the area's wildlife. Each subsequent full day in Deramakot Forest Reserve includes 7 hours of 4x4 wildlife safaris, plus the chance to explore the trails around the accommodation on foot. On this 3D2N trip that gives you one full day of 4x4 drives at dawn, in the afternoon and after dinner.
    Can I book a private tour?
    Yes. If you would prefer to have your own 4WD vehicle and guide please ask us for rates.
    What is the accommodation like?
    You stay in a simple private air-conditioned twin or double room with an ensuite bathroom. This is included in your package along with your scheduled transfer from Sandakan, meals as stated and guided 4x4 safaris and activities on a join-in basis. Electricity is variable, sometimes it is available 24 hours but other times it only available 10am - 2pm and 6pm till midnight but it feels quite cool overnight in the rainforest.
    Is this trip suitable for children?
    The minimum age to join a small group trip is 12 years old. Families with children younger than 12 will require a private guide, so please contact us for a quotation. Tabin Wildlife Reserve tours are better for young children as the 4WD activities are shorter and combined with walks & waterfall swimming.
    What should I bring?
    Binoculars, insect repellent, long sleeve shirts and long trousers, leech socks, a raincoat, sun hat, comfortable trekking shoes, a torch, a water bottle and personal toiletries.
    What makes Deramakot special?
    Deramakot Forest Reserve is a mixed-dipterocarp forest spanning over 55,000 hectares in the interior of Borneo and is one of the island's best wildlife destinations. Sustainable logging is still permitted here, and in 1997 Deramakot became the first tropical forest in the world to be awarded well-managed status by the Forest Stewardship Council. Conservation and reduced impact logging continue to co-exist under continuous FSC assessment, and some visitors stay a week or longer in search of the perfect clouded leopard photograph.
    What can I see aside from wild cats?
    Deramakot also offers excellent primate-spotting opportunities and is home to approximately 1400 wild orangutans. It is a popular location for bird-watching and elephants roam freely through the forest. We have even had multiple sightings of sun bears in Deramakot which is extremely rare.
    How likely am I to see a clouded leopard?
    If you are only in the reserve for 2 - 3 nights then it takes some luck. There may be multiple sightings in a week followed by no sightings for 2 weeks. If you stay for a longer period then it becomes more likely. The good news however is that there is plenty else to see. Enjoy spotting leopard cats, civets, orangutans and hornbills and keep the clouded leopard or marble cat as your "icing on cake" if it happens.

    Photos from this trip

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    Ready to book, or still deciding?

    Tell us your dates and we will come back with availability, the total cost and honest advice — including when a different trip would suit you better.

    Getting between destinations: we also run private van and 4X4 transfers across Sabah and a daily Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan shuttle — ask us to add either to your trip.

    WhatsApp / phone: +60 11 1265 8581
    Email: info@river-junkie.com
    Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Sunday
    Office: Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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