Aerial view of Danum Valley and Borneo Rainforest Lodge from the peak of the Coffin Cliff trail.
(Feb 9): My first visit to Danum Valley was back in June 2010; around the same time when Martha Stewart came to visit Borneo. The visit was a company-sponsored familiarisation trip, and just like how it is with any work trip, our schedule was packed and I hardly had time to enjoy my time and my beautiful room at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL). So, I promised myself to return one day — as soon as the right deal drops at the MATTA Fair!
Danum Valley the naturalist playground
Danum Valley Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located east of Sabah, Malaysia. It is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including over 125 species of mammals, 275 species of birds, and 2,000 species of plants. The park is also home to several indigenous tribes, including the Dusun Subpan, who have lived there for centuries.
Danum Valley Canopy Walkway.
At an ancient 130 million years old, this tropical rainforest covers a sprawling 438 square kilometres tract of relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest and is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Among the wide variety of plants to be found here include endangered plants such as the Danum tree fern, which is found nowhere else in the world.
Danum Valley is also a refuge for elusive animals like elephants, gibbons, red leaf monkeys, the rhinoceros hornbills, orangutans, as well as the Bornean clouded leopard, which is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Being a lush and protected area makes Danum Valley an iconic destination for naturalists and researchers alike. It is a great place to experience the beauty and diversity of the Bornean rainforest. The conservation area offers several hiking trails to be explored, with and without a guide.
Regardless of where you are in the world, your journey to Danum Valley won’t necessarily be a short and sweet one. If you’re travelling from Kota Kinabalu, you’ll have the option of travelling by road for circa 8-10 hours (depending on your speed and number of stops taken) or by air, which is the better option; as it only takes 55 minutes and is only slightly pricier.
Once you’ve reached Lahad Datu, the journey into Danum Valley will take approximately another 3-3.5 hours, mainly on gravelled roads, so brace yourself! But worry not, your long journey will all be worth it once you reach your destination!
The Jacuzzi Pool.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge: a sustainable haven
Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Danum Valley Conservation Area, the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) is an award-winning eco-resort that offers guests a unique and immersive experience in the heart of Borneo’s oldest rainforest.
This palatial, luxury lodge consists of 31 individual chalets with fans and en-suite bathrooms, accommodating up to 60 guests on any day. Each chalet is designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding rainforest, offering guests a tranquil and intimate connection with nature. The architectural designs of the chalets are also meant to enable wildlife to move easily underneath them.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is committed to sustainable practices and minimising its environmental impact.
The lodge has implemented many eco-friendly initiatives, such as using solar power, recycling wastewater with Effective Microorganism (EM), and composting food scraps for fertilisers.
If you ask me, BRL would be the best place to enjoy with a group of friends or your family over the long weekend. One chalet (depending on your room type) can easily sleep 3-4 persons and each three-day, two-night package is already inclusive of three full buffet meals daily, plus guided activities with knowledgeable tour guides. It’s a clear winner for value and experience!
Also, if you have children, a weekend getaway in the jungle will help instil in them a love for nature and wildlife. In a time when it’s normal to see children with their heads buried in their iPads, it’s great to get them to look up and breathe in the fresh jungle air.
Guided activities at Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Depending on how long you’re planning to stay, you will be able to squeeze in an average of two activities per day.
Among the must-do activities during your stay at BRL is jungle trekking to the Coffin Cliff trail and the View Point platform. The Coffin Cliff trail features an ancient burial site, with remnants of two ironwood coffins of Dusun Subpan warriors (and pieces of skeletons intact!). The ironwood coffin remains are believed to be at least 250 years old. Although the remnants of the coffin and the skeleton are within grasp, visitors are not allowed to touch them for obvious reasons.
The trek to the View Point platform can be a bit steep and challenging. Depending on your fitness level, trekking up can take up to 1.5 hours, but rest assured that once you reach the platform, all your sweat will be worth it!
Situated at approximately 300 metres above sea level, the View Point platform overlooks the lodge and the Danum River, offering a bird’s eye view of Danum Valley and its majestic rainforest. If you are a birdwatcher, the View Point platform will also allow you to spot numerous birdlife such as hornbills.
On the way back, you will make a pit stop at the Jacuzzi Pool for a cooling dip under the waterfall. Bear in mind that the Jacuzzi Pool is home to the Pelian fish that’s fond of nibbling on human toes! Therefore, you may want to keep your shoes on if you’re ticklish, as they can get pretty aggressive with their nibbling!
Another highlight at Danum Valley is the Canopy Walkway which features a network of hanging bridges connected by giant dipterocarp trees. The view from the canopy walkway is simply breathtaking! A caveat: it’s best to avoid looking down if you have a fear of heights! The view, while beautiful, can still be overwhelming for some.
In the evening, just before dinner, take part in an exciting night safari drive on a golf buggy for a chance to spot nocturnal animals like the Malayan civet, flying squirrel and western tarsier. If you’re into reptiles, the night walk may be more of what will tickle your fancy. Visit the frog pond and look closely along the trails as you may find interesting frog species, such as the dark-eared tree frog, the tarantula spider and many other macro wildlife.
Looking for a local getaway this year? Consider a trip to BRL. You’ll be inspired and rejuvenated by its pristine natural beauty, and you’ll also gain valuable insights into sustainable practices and responsible tourism. Wander wise!
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