Borneo Rainforest Lodge Adventures, Danum Valley

The award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) is nestled in a magnificent setting alongside the Danum River flowing through Sabah's largest protected Lowland Rainforest - Danum Valley Conservation Area - 43,800 Hectares of pristine and undisturbed tropical flora and fauna in the eastern part of Sabah! This pristine rainforest is also home to more than 340 species Birds, 124 species of Mammals, 72 species of Reptiles, 56 species of Amphibians and a staggering 200 species of plants per hectare.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge is an exclusive retreat in the rainforest has its own trails and a canopy walkway which is a great attraction for its guests and visitors.

Image source above: Borneo Post

Besides visits by famous international and local celebrities, Britain’s Prince William and his wife Catherine Middleton, had also made the BRL their choice of stay when they visited in 2012. Reports by Borneo Post and The Telegraph.

The Chalets has only 31 individual chalets with fans and en-suite bathrooms, accommodating up to only 60 guests on any one day and on a Full-Board basis.

An extension to the Tree Top Canopy Walkway makes it one of the most spectacular canopy walkways in Sabah, with multiple viewing platforms, spanning approximately 300m in length and stands at 26m at the highest point. At each suspension point there is an octagonal shaped observation platform which allows the user time to rest before the next airy bridge.  The BRL walkway has five support trees.

 
The Walkway is designed and engineered to be ‘tree friendly’ without rigging any of the steel cables direct onto the trees. The spacious and sturdy platforms provide a safe and unobstructed up-close view of the 130 million year old virgin jungle’s canopy.
 
The suspension cables are hung between emergent dipterocarp and mengaris trees at 15-25m up the trunks – barely half the height of these enormous trees but sensationally within the rainforest canopy.

The other accommodation in Danum Valley Conservation Area is the basic and non-tourist-ready research-based, Danum Valley Field Center.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge

There are 2 types of rooms. Standard and Deluxe. Deluxe rooms has the addition of a bathtub on the verandah, a little larger and a little bit more luxurious.

Click on accommodation images to enlarge

Rates per person and in Ringgit Malaysia

Discounted Rates valid 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019

No additional GST

* If there are 2 children below 12 years, an extra mattress will be placed in the room.

Itinerary

4 Days 3 Night Program (3 Days 2 Night program excludes Day 3)

Day 01: (Lunch / Dinner)
Recommended ARRIVAL Flight from Kota Kinabalu (BKI-LDU): MAS MH3010 / 0700

0755 Meet & Greet at Lahad Datu Airport upon arrival and proceed to Borneo Rainforest Lodge office for registration & briefing
0930 Depart for 2 and a half hours overland journey on gravel road to Danum Valley Borneo Rainforest Lodge. This is the largest protected area of lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Sabah, covering 43800 hectares
1200 Arrive & Check In at the Lodge (Lunch)
1430 Slide presentation at Conference Room
1500 Afternoon Trek: Introduction to the forest through “Nature Trails” and tree top “Canopy Walkway” 300m in length and 26m at the highest point, for a close-up observation of the rainforest
1900 Dinner at the Lodge (Dinner)
2030 Night Drive in an open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal animal

Day 02: (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
0700 Breakfast at the Lodge (Breakfast)
0900 Morning Jungle Trek: Trek to the Kadazandusun burial site – “Coffin Cliff” before proceed to “View Point” for a bird’s eye view of the area. Descend to the “ Jacuzzi Pool” for a refreshing dip
1230 Lunch at the Lodge (Lunch)
1500 Afternoon Jungle Trek or go for a relaxing session of ‘tubing’ down the Danum River.
1900 Dinner at the Lodge (Dinner)
2030 Night Walk in search of nocturnal animals

Day 03: (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
0700 Breakfast at the Lodge (Breakfast)
0900 Morning Jungle Trek: Trek to the Fairy Falls and Serpent Falls to experience more of the sound & sights of the Rainforest
1230 Lunch at the Lodge (Lunch)
1500 Afternoon Jungle Trek OR relax
1900 Dinner at the Lodge (Dinner)

Day 04: (Breakfast / Lunch)
0700 Breakfast at the Lodge. Guests at own leisure (Breakfast)
1200 Lunch at the Lodge (Lunch)
1330 Check Out & depart for Lahad Datu airport (2 and a half hours drive)

Recommended Departure Flight to Kota Kinabalu (LDU – BKI): MAS MH3023 1725hrs

What does it include?

Accommodation at Borneo Rain, meals (L/D/B) at the Lodge, guided jungle activities,
scheduled transfer, entry permit and taxes.  Jungle activities itinerary covers jungle trekking, night safari, canopy  walkway and interpretative services.

What does it exclude?

Insurance, flights and items not stated

What to wear / bring?

Suggest to wear and bring quick-dry nature colored outdoor clothing, leech socks, and good hiking shoes/ sandals.

Bring toiletries, personal medication, pocket money, sunglasses, insect repellent, water bottle, day bag, walking stick, swim wear, hat, extra batteries for electronics, good zoom camera, good quality binoculars, high powered torchlight/ flashlight/ headlamp, snacks and drinks.

Getting Here

The nearest town to Danum Valley Conservation Area is Lahad Datu in the south eastern coast of Sabah, which is accessible overland from Sandakan, Tawau and Kota Kinabalu. The 97 km drive from Lahad Datu to Borneo Rainforest Lodge, takes about two hours.  The first 15 km is on a sealed road along the main Lahad Datu - Tawau Highway.  At Silam turn off and travel on a gravel road of approximately 82km over two hours to BRL.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge is located about 1 hour drive from Danum Valley Field Center.

Daily air access from Kota Kinabalu is via MASWing. Please check with Malaysia Airlines (MAS)