Known for being the oldest rainforest in the world, Danum Valley is spectacular and well worth the visit if the budget allows it. Far away from civilization, Danum Valley provides one of the best authentic rainforest experiences in Sabah showcasing an unmatched biodiversity and an incredible variety of wildlife. Alternatively to visiting Danum Valley, the closeby Kawag Forest Reserve is a more affordable option to discover this fascinating area. Visiting either Danum or Kawag can act as an alternative to visiting the Tabin Wildlife Reserve not too far away. Continue reading to find out what makes Danum Valley and Kawag Forest worth the while.
Danum Valley in short
As a protected conservation area located in the eastern part of Sabah, Danum Valley accounts for 440 square kilometers of unspoiled rainforest. Most notably Danum is renowned for being the oldest rainforest in the world, estimated to be over 130 million years old. As this virgin rainforest has been untouched by mankind, the area is also well regarded as one of the world’s most complex and diverse ecosystems and showcases unmatched biodiversity. The only presence in the area has been by tribes passing through centuries ago leaving some burial caves in the area to explore.
Danum Valley is the largest remaining area of virgin undisturbed lowland rainforest in Malaysia. Reaching up to 1090 meters at Mount Danum, the valley is geographically speaking a hilly landscape. With 200 species of trees per hectare, mostly lowland dipterocarp and riverine forest, Danum Valley is also one of the richest conservation areas in the world.
Wildlife
Besides the sheer natural beauty of the rainforest, Danum is renowned for its diverse wildlife including several rare and endemic species. This includes orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, tarsiers, and sambar deer. Other mammals such as clouded leopards (very rare), leopard cats, and Bornean pygmy elephants can also be spotted in the area. For birdwatchers, there are over 300 species of birds (and counting) to be spotted, including hornbills, trogons, and broadbills.
Orangutans
Research has shown that out of all areas in Sabah, Danum Valley has one of the highest populations of Orangutans in the state with around 500 individuals living here. According to the study, four significant populations of Orangutans occurred in isolated protected areas within Sabah: Tabin Wildlife Reserve (about 1,400 individuals), Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary ( 1,100 individuals), Kulamba Wildlife Reserve (500 individuals), Danum Valley Conservation Area (500 individuals).
Designated as a Class I Protection Forest Reserve, Danum Vally is managed by the Sabah Forestry Department and is a vital research and conservation site. Here researchers and scientists conduct studies on various aspects of the rainforest’s ecology. This contributes to conservation efforts and understanding of the importance of preserving such ecosystems.
The main research facility in the area is the Danum Valley Field Centre. Established in 1986, this field center is the main scientific research center studying the area and the various flora and fauna that live within the Danum Valley area. According to their website, this center is one of the leading research and field centers in Southeast Asia.
Staying at Danum Valley
As access to Danum Valley is restricted, visiting the area comes with a hefty price tag. However, this also depends on where you decide to stay. Visiting the area requires prior permission and arrangements with authorized operators or the Sabah Forestry Department. As day trips to Danum are not possible, heading here requires booking an overnight tour package at one of the accommodations in the area. With the luxurious Borneo Rainforest Lodge or the more affordable (but still pricy) Danum Valley Field Centre or INAFPRO, there are 3 options to choose from. The packages these accommodations offer include transfers from and to Lahad Datu, excursions like trekking, wildlife watching, birdwatching and night safaris, as well as all daily meals. Read more on each of the accommodations in the below table.
More into the heart of Danum Valley, Borneo Rainforest Lodge is a very luxurious accommodation in total immersion of the rainforest. This lodge, operated by Borneo Nature Tours, only has 30 chalets available, each coming with a balcony. Expect an abundance of luxury ranging up to chalets with outdoor bathtubs as well as newly built premium villas. Also, there are VIP services available that include a personal escort tour guide, personal butler, transfers with a private jeep, and buffet lunch at the Jacuzzi Pool.
Besides the sheer luxury of the accommodation, the lodge provides a range of activities including guided jungle treks, night drives, and wildlife spotting opportunities. One of the highlights of this lodge is the canopy walkway, suspended from the treetops 27 meters high above the forest floor. This elevated walkway provides breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and a unique perspective to observe wildlife from above.
At the lodge, the most popular trails are the Hornbill Trail, the Nature Trails and the Coffin-Cliff trail that leads to the Jacuzzi Pool and an ancient burial site of a local tribe. Also the lodge offers the possibility to visit the spectacular Serpent and Fairy waterfall.
Contrary to the luxurious Borneo Rainforest Lodge, more adventurous travelers may find Danum Valley Field Centre a more economical and satisfying alternative to visiting Danum Valley. This field center provides a unique experience with an extensive network of trails that mostly goes through the rainforest floor. There are also some canopy walks to enjoy and an observation tower in Bukit Atur that offers the best panoramic view of the rainforest canopy at dawn.
Although designed for research purposes, the center nowadays also facilitates basic accommodation via private rooms and dorms. It is especially welcome to naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts, and travelers interested in the studies conducted here. Hence, here you can learn about the vital work being done to protect and conserve precious ecosystems.
Unique to the center is that electricity is only available from 6 AM to 11 PM. With minimal power supply and internet available, staying at Danum Valley Field Center is all about experiencing the rainforest in its purest form.
Find out more about this center via their website – www.danumvalley.rainforestlodge.com/
Mostly unknown to visitors heading to Danum Valley is INFAPRO. This center in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve is a buffer zone to Danum Valley. Established in 1992, INFAPRO is a tree nursery project base responsible for replanting areas of forest that have been logged in the past. Accommodation here is clean and basic but comfortable, including a simple restaurant for all daily meals. All activities like trekking, safaris, night walks, and drives occur at the Danum Valley Field Centre, approximately 30 minutes from INFAPRO.
There are multiple tour agencies offering trips to INFAPRO including transfers to Lahad Datu, excursions, and all daily meals. Besides the jungle activities, visitors can participate in environmental education and INFAPRO-initiated awareness programs to learn more about the conservation and rehabilitation of the forest.
Initially a Dutch initiative, INFAPRO is actually involved in various projects across 4 different countries and is short for Innoprise-FACE Rainforest Rehabilitation Project. Over time, the project has planted 2 million trees and became a role model of forest rehabilitation in Southeast Asia. Find out more about this center via their website – www.facethefuture.com/
Kawag Forest
Alternatively to Danum Valley, Kawag offers a more affordable option for anyone visiting the wider Danum Valley area. Contrary to Danum’s virgin and primary rainforest, Kawag is located within Ulu Segama Malua Forest and is a secondary rainforest that has been mostly logged in the past. However, past expeditions show that the rainforest around Kawag is regenerating healthily. Wildlife found at Kawag includes orangutans, pygmy elephants, deer, bearded pigs, gibbons, monkeys, and over 150 species of birds.
Staying within the Kawag reserve is only possible at the Kawag Nature Lodge. This lodge was set up in 2016 by the Sabah state government to facilitate watching wildlife at Kawag. Located east of Danum Valley, the lodge is approximately 0.5-1 hour nearer to Lahad Datu than accommodations at Danum Valley. The lodge offers 20 rooms connected by boardwalks, 10 deluxe rooms including aircon, and 10 standard rooms with fans. Facilities at the lodge include a buffet restaurant, observation tower, and boardwalks.
At Kawag Nature Lodge there are a number of jungle trails including the Kingfisher Trail (2 km), Woodpecker Trail (1.5 km), Argus Trail (2 km), Elephant Trail (2 km), and River Exploration Trail (1.5 km). The lodge also operates night safaris using 4×4 wheel drives.
What to do at Danum Valley and Kawag Forest
Discover more about the activities in and around Danum Valley and Kawag Forest below.
Jungle trekking
Going jungle trekking through the dense rainforest is the most popular activity at Danum Valley and Kawag. All accommodations have numerous trails to explore including canopy walks and boardwalks. Stays at INFAPRO use the trail networks of Danum Valley Field Office.
Wildlife and birdwatching
With over 100 species of mammals and over 300 types of birds, there is always something to spot on the ground, in the trees, or flying through the air.
Wildlife – Commonly sighted mammals include orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and gibbons, as well as mouse-dear, sambar, and Malay sun bears. Also, the Bornean pygmy elephant, clouded leopards and sun bear can be spotted here if lucky.
Birdlife – The area of Danum Valley offers one of the best birding destinations in Sabah. The birdlife includes various types of hornbills, babblers, flycatchers, trogons and six species of pittas.
Canopy walks
Both Borneo Rainforest Lodge and Danum Valley Field Office have suspended canopy walks through the trees. They are great for spotting wildlife from above and in the trees like orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and a variety of birds.
Night walks and safaris
One of the best times to spot wildlife at Danum and Kawag is during night walks and safaris. This is when much nocturnal wildlife like owls, civet cats, sambar deer, snakes, and nocturnal birds can be spotted. Nightwalks always occur under the supervision of well-trained guides who are also very good at spotting wildlife.
When to go
The most popular time to visit Danum Valley or Kawag is during the dry season from March to October. During this period there are likely only short showers of rain during the day. Also, this is the peak time to watch the orangutans and many other wildlife in the rainforest.
The least good months to visit the area is during the wet season which usually falls between December and February. As there is a higher chance of heavy and longer-lasting rainfall during this period, spotting wildlife can be more difficult as they usually hide when it rains.
How to get here
In order to get to Danum Valley or Kawag requires to book an overnight package at either of the accommodations mentioned earlier. Similar to going to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, the transfer to both reserves departs from Lahad Datu, a small town on the east coast of Sabah and a main hub for palm oil within the region. The journey to Danum Valley is approximately a 2-hour drive, whilst Kawag Forest is 1-1.5 hours away. The road is mostly via dirt roads, requiring a 4×4 wheeled car.
See below how to reach Lahad Datu.
By flight to Lahad Datu
The quickest option to Tabin is taking one of the daily flights from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu using MASwings (part of Malaysia Airlines). The flight takes approximately 1 hour. Conversely, from Sandakan, there is a daily flight to Lahad Datu that takes 35 minutes.
By road to Lahad Datu
Until Lahad Datu the roads are well-maintained from both directions north (Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan) and south (Semporna and Tawau).
Via Kota Kinabalu – Lahad Datu is approximately 400 kilometers and a 7-7.5 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. Driving here allows to pass through other main highlights around Sabah like Mount Kinabalu, Sepilok and Sandakan, and the Kinabatangan River.
From Sandakan, it is a 4-hour drive to Lahad Datu whereas from Sukau at the Kinabatangan River it is a 2-hour drive.
From Semporna or Tawau going to Lahad Datu takes around 2-2.5 hours.
