Danum Valley, Malaysia

Danum Valley, Malaysia is situated about 83 km southwest of Lahad Datu and is very rich in wildlife. The valley comprises of a large area of virgin forest rich in flora and fauna. The area has been recognized as one of the world's most complex ecosystems.

You will come across rare species such as the Sumatran rhinoceros, orang utans, gibbons, mousedeer and bearded pigs roaming around the forests of Danum Valley. You will also come across over 270 species of birds in the area. The Danum Field Research Centre is located within the confines of this forest reserve and was found by the Sabah Foundation in 1986. The field center is a tropical rainforest research and environmental education station. Accommodation at the Research Center is available only for researchers and scientists on assignments. You could visit the center if you wish to but you need to take permission from Sabah Foundation at their Lahad Datu office.

Danum Valley also boasts of one of the first eco resort which is known as the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. The Lodge features a restaurant, a bar and comfortable chalets that overlook the Danum River. Some of the activities that you could find here include jungle trekking, river swimming, bird watching, night jungle tours, and excursions to nearby logging sites and timber mills.

You could travel to Danum Valley by air and land. In order to get there you would need to take a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu in the morning, and then travel another 2½ hours by road to reach the valley.