The four main Borneo wildlife destinations
Ready to pick a Borneo wildlife destination and venture beyond the wildlife rehabilitation centres in Sepilok? For wild encounters with larger mammals such as orangutans, pygmy elephants, wild cats, proboscis monkeys, gibbons and langurs, look no further than Borneo’s four main wildlife destinations: the Kinabatangan river, Danum Valley Conservation Area, Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Deramakot Forest Reserve. Choosing which of these to visit comes down to your budget and the type of experience you are looking for. Read on to understand how each of these places fits into your trip to Borneo.
First up: your budget
If you are travelling on a tight budget then the choice is simple: the Kinabatangan river is the only one of the four that offers budget-friendly accommodation and tours. For 2 nights in Danum Valley, Tabin Wildlife Reserve or Deramakot Forest Reserve, expect to pay between RM2,500 – RM3,500 per person (approx. USD600 to USD750 pp), or double that for the luxurious Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley. At the Kinabatangan river, tours start from around RM500 per person for 2 nights at the most basic lodges or jungle camps.
How do you picture your wildlife encounters?
The main difference between these four areas is not what you will see, it is how you will see it. Do you want to see wildlife whilst trekking through the forest, seated in a boat, hanging out on the back of a 4×4 or enjoying a combination of these?
The Kinabatangan river – Easily accessible & wildlife-rich
At the Kinabatangan river you will see most wildlife along the river bank whilst seated comfortably in a boat. The breeze will help to keep the mosquitoes away and keep you relatively cool. Leeches are non-existent on the boat and relatively few during jungle walks. This, together with it’s proximity to Sepilok and Sandakan airport, is why the Kinabatangan river is often described as the “easiest place” to see wildlife in Sabah. It is also one of the best. If you only have time to visit one place, make sure you choose a lodge that also offers jungle walks & night walks to complement your river cruises, and pack accordingly. Hornbill Lodge has an excellent network of jungle trail with frequent primate sightings.
Best for: River cruises, night walks & jungle walks, families and all types of travellers.
Danum Valley – Ancient rainforest & trekking
If a good wildlife encounter for you means sweaty hours trekking through pristine primary rainforest to perhaps be rewarded with a glimpse of an orangutan or a red-leaf monkey, look no further than Danum Valley. The forest is stunning but wildlife can be harder to spot because of how dense it is. As our guides will tell you themselves, the majority of the wildlife sightings in Danum Valley are in the vicinity of the accommodation where the access roads and clearings give you a better vantage point to spot movement in the trees. Night walks in Danum Valley are particularly rich in amphibians, reptiles and insects. If your budget allows, stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, but if not, the wildlife at the field centre is just as good!
Best for: Pristine rainforest, trekking, photographers, wildlife-enthusiasts, families with older children
Tabin Wildlife Reserve – A reliable all-rounder
Tabin Wildlife Reserve gets bonus points for offering diverse wildlife sightings via both 4×4 safaris and jungle walks. Activities are suitable for families as well as serious wildlife-watchers & birders and the lodge is only 1.5 hours away from Lahad Datu airport. The forest however is mainly well-regenerated secondary forest rather than the ancient primary rainforest found in Danum Valley and some visitors are uncomfortable with the close proximity to palm-oil plantations. Read our post on choosing between Tabin and Danum Valley if this is the specific question you are struggling with.
Best for: A good mix of activities and shorter walks than Danum Valley. Families, independent travellers, birders, photographers.
Deramakot Forest Reserve – A safari-focused stay
In Deramakot, practically all of your wildlife sightings will come from your 4-wheel drive safaris. Be prepared for multiple hours of bumpy drives staring up at a spotlight in the trees. Travelling by vehicle means you can cover more ground and increases your chances of seeing wild cats, orangutans, elephants and more.
Best for: 4-wheel drive safaris, photographers, wild-cat enthusiasts, second-time visitors looking to delve deeper into Borneo’s wildlife reserves.
Customise your trip
Whether you are an avid bird-watcher, travelling with small children, looking to get off the beaten path or would simply prefer to create your own itinerary, we are here to help. Every year we plan hundreds of custom itineraries for visitors to Borneo and have some great tips on how best to maximise your time and get the most out of your budget. Contact our team today to start planning your Borneo adventure!
