The whole trip was very well organised and we enjoyed every minute of it. We are very grateful for all your help and we will recommend “Responsible Travel ” to our relatives and friends.
Danum Valley Rustic Trek: Wildlife & Adventure
Authentic Jungle Immersion
Budget-Friendly Exploration
Hands-On Wildlife Encounters
The Danum Valley Rustic Trek: Wildlife & Adventure is a 3-day, 2-night tour tailored for budget-conscious travelers who crave an authentic Borneo rainforest experience. Based at the Danum Valley Field Centre, a research-oriented facility with basic yet comfortable dorm-style or private room accommodations, this tour emphasizes raw exploration of one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Guests engage in guided jungle treks, night walks, and optional activities like 4×4 night drives, all led by knowledgeable local guides. The itinerary focuses on wildlife spotting—think orangutans, gibbons, and reptiles—while offering simple, buffet-style meals that cater to various dietary needs. Perfect for adventurers who prioritize nature over luxury, this tour delivers an unfiltered connection to Danum Valley’s biodiversity at an accessible price point.
Tour Highlights
Guided Jungle Treks: Traverse various trails, including the Coffin Cliff trail leading to ancient burial sites.
Canopy Walkway Exploration: Experience the rainforest from elevated perspectives.
Night Safaris: Discover nocturnal creatures during guided night walks.
Wildlife Spotting: Opportunities to see orangutans, hornbills, and other endemic species.
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
Itinerary
Trip Details
Price
Accommodation: Danum Valley Field Centre
- Adults (13 +): MYR 2,800
- Children (3-12 years old extra bed): MYR 2,214
- Children (0-2 sharing bed): MYR 840
- Single Supplement (non-sharing room): MYR 530
- Minimum 2 Adults to guarantee departure
- Based on Twin Sharing Room basis
- Children Policy:
- 0-2 years old (Sharing Bed): 30% of Adult’s price
- 3 – 12 years old (Ex – Bed): 75% of Adult’s price
Departure Time
Pickup time at the airport (depending on flight schedule)
Meeting Point
Lahad Datu Airport
Availability
Year-round, Monday – Sunday
Duration
3 days, 2 nights
Group Size
Minimum 2 adults, maximum 12
Difficulty Level
Moderate level of fitness is required
What´s Included
- Transportation & English- speaking driver/guide
- Meals are provided as stated in the itinerary
- Twin sharing room:
- 2 nights @ Danum Valley Field Centre, Danum Valley
Tour excursions:
-
- Walks and nature observations as per the overview
- Guides to accompany trekking, night walks
- All fees & entrances
- Accommodation at Danum Valley Field Center (Standard Resthouse).
- Meals as stated (served in buffet style; simple and basic meals). Vegetarians and special diets catered for
- Drinking water, coffee & tea all-day
- Return airport transfer to Lahad Datu Airport or town hotel
Not Included
- Juices and alcoholic beverages
- Tourism tax MYR 10.00 per bed/room is applicable for foreigners or non-Malaysians, payable upon check-in
- Tip/gratuity is at your discretion
- Camera & video fees at certain site visits
- Medical & travel insurance
- Hotel accommodation after the tour ends
- Any other items not in the tour itinerary
What to Bring
- Multiple sets of spare casual clothing, including long trousers and shorts, hat/cap, sandals, and extra walking shoes.
- Personal care: small towel, toiletries, personal medication, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.
- Camera and chargers, dry bag, torch/flashlight, and sunglasses.
- On day trips, bring snacks and extra mineral water.
- Passport with 6 months validity and spare pages (additional immigration check at Sarawak’s entry points) and travel insurance details.
About Your Guide
Our community guides and boatmen are from the local villages and more than willing to share their knowledge of local culture and the remarkable diversity of local fauna and flora.
We want you to have plenty of information about your journey in this beautiful natural area, and at the same time ensure safety and great FUN in this remote area!
What You'll Do
Day 1 : Arrive to Lahad Datu Airport - Resort
Step into the jungle in Sabah’s largest protected Lowland Rainforest, Danum Valley Conservation Area, for the ultimate Borneo Experience!
Option 1: (L/D)
Start your adventure in Danum Valley with a pickup transfer from Lahad Datu airport for the transfer into the Danum Valley on a gravel road (2.5 hours journey). Upon arrival, register at the welcome center upon arrival and check-in after a briefing by the reception staff. Meet your guide, settle-in, and enjoy your local lunch. After lunch, chat with your guide to plan your days at the Danum Valley. Relax or take an afternoon siesta before going on a late-afternoon walk in the area as an introduction to the Borneo rainforest. The area surrounding the center is teeming with wildlife! Return to the accommodation before sundown and enjoy dinner at 7:00 PM. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide Night Walk in search of nocturnal wildlife around the vicinity (1 hour) before returning to the center. Goodnight! Light off at 11.00 pm
Optional 2: (D)
For guests arriving in the afternoon (recommended arrival before 2pm), Start your adventure in Danum Valley with a pickup transfer from Lahad Datu airport for the transfer into the Danum Valley on a gravel road (2.5 hours journey). Upon arrival, register at the welcome center upon arrival and check-in after a briefing by the reception staff. Relax and chilling around the nature. Enjoy dinner at 7:00 PM. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide Night Walk in search of nocturnal wildlife around the vicinity (1 hour) before returning to the center. Goodnight! Light off at 11.00 pm
Meals: 1 Dinner
Accommodation: Danum Valley Field Centre (Standard Resthouse) Twin-sharing bed, Attached bathroom, Ceiling Fan, Attached veranda, Basic room facilities, Coffee & Tea
Day 2 : Jungle Trekking
Wake up early for an early breakfast at Dining Hall before a walk to Rhino Pool (Full Loop – 4 hours trekking) with packed lunch along the pit stops. Arrived back at the Centre and rest. In the afternoon, visit the Old Burial Site / Coffin Trail (1.7KM @ a return trip – 2 hours). Return to the centre in the late afternoon, in time to watch the sky change color as the sun sets. After dinner, go on an included night 4×4 night drive in search of nocturnal wildlife (pending on availability).
Meals: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Accommodation: Danum Valley Field Centre (Standard Resthouse)
Day 3: Tour Concludes
The next day, wake up early for more wildlife sighting possibilities and then return to the lounge for breakfast, and spend the rest of your morning at leisure until check out time at 9:30AM. Transfer to Lahad Datu Airport.
(Suggested Flight MH3019, Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu: 16:05pm – may defer depending on the date)
Meals: Breakfast
**End of Service**
Good to Know
- Age restriction: All participants must be aged 7 and over
- A moderate level of fitness is required
- Accommodation: Standard room with air-conditioning private bathroom. Due to the remote location, note that the electricity at DVFC only runs via generator 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM so there will be no fan or a/c past midnight but the temperature is pleasant in the evening
- Wildlife sightings are more frequent near the Centre, so the trail may be adjusted to maximize opportunities for encounters.
- Trekking times may vary depending on individual fitness levels.
- The guide/ranger reserves the right to advise guests to return to the Centre or suggest a shorter trail if they are unfit for longer treks (e.g. due to injury or health concerns), or if weather conditions are unsuitable for trekking activities.
- The standard time of transfer schedule (please see below) TO and FROM Lahad Datu (any request for an early or late checkout, there will be an additional surcharge for unscheduled transfer, subject to availability, and additional lunch, for a late checkout, please contact us for rates)
- Lahad Datu – Danum Valley: 9:30 AM/3:00 PM
(Available Monday – Friday)
Recommended Flight to take:
1) MH3012 ETA LDU 8:00 AM
2) MH3016 ETA LDU 2:05 PM - Danum Valley – Lahad Datu: 9:30 AM
(Available daily)
Recommended Flight to take:
1) MH3015 ETD 1:35 PM - We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
- During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
- Check out OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT.(opens in a new tab)
- Please do not take pieces of coral or other endangered plant life home as a souvenir.
- Optional activity (can be arranged with the assistance of your guide)
- Unschedule transfer: MYR 60
- Private Transfer 1-4 pax: MYR 400
- Private Transfer 5-8 pax: MYR 700
- Night Walk Min 3 pax: MYR 60
- Night Drive Min 3 pax: MYR 60
- Sunrise Sighting Bukit Atur Min 3 pax: MYR 60
