Danum Valley Conservation Area Holidays

This very beautiful 438 km2 lowland dipterocarp rainforest is a 2hr,30min drive by 4-wheel drive vehicle from Lahad Datu. The locality is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife.  Visiting birders expect to tick off up to 70% of their Sabah species list, while of course chalking up some wonderful mammal sightings including wild Orangutans. Other sought-after flagship mammals that are often seen are the eccentric-looking Bornean bearded pig; Bornean bearded gibbon and the Red leaf monkey (Maroon langur). During night excursions, Red giant and Thomas's flying squirrels are often sighted - the former is truly impressive, being roughly the size of a house cat. 

 

Nocturnal excursions can also deliver Lesser chevrotain and two nocturnal primates, the Sunda slow loris and Western or Horsfield's tarsier. Also occasionally seen are the strange Binturong; Sunda colugo, Common palm civet, Malay civets and Leopard cat. The near-mythical Bay cat is known to occur in the rainforest, as is the incredibly elusive Sunda clouded leopard. (The latter two are exceedingly difficult to find, however). 

 

Among the numerous birds recorded from this locality are the wonderful Crested fireback; Raffle's and Red-billed malkohas; Blue-banded and Black-crowned pittas; Scarlet-rumped and Diard's trogons; Banded kingfisher; Whiskered tree-swift and striking Black- and- yellow and Green broadbills - the list is impressive and long. Twitchers are also attracted here by the likes of Black-throated and Bornean wren-babblers (these are held in as high esteem as Pittas are); the iconic Bornean bristlehead and for those seeking very scarce megaticks, the Critically Endangered Helmeted hornbill. To get the most of this rainforest, we do recommend that serious birders consider staying 3, or even better, 4 or 5 nights here. (Book long in advance to avoid disappointment). 

 

There is a wonderful canopy walk and a system of well-mapped trails, which are graded as 'easy'. The superbly located Danum Valley Lodge by the Danum River offers top-drawer accommodation. Night drives start at 19:15 and 20:30; these are coordinated at the lodge. Some wildlife drives are conducted in electrical vehicles.