Virgin forest
Giant trees.
Christopher Michel — CC BY 2.0 · Gido from The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Gido from The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Gido from The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Mike Prince from Bangalore, India — CC BY 2.0
Danum Valley is a 438-square-kilometre conservation area of largely undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia, about 71 km west of Lahad Datu in a straight line and about two hours' drive on mainly logging roads. There were no human settlements in the area before it was protected, so it was spared hunting and logging, which makes it almost unique. Yayasan Sabah manages it for conservation, research and education, with a field centre and a nursery for dipterocarp trees. The valley is bowl-shaped, rising to 1,093 metres. The rainforest stretches like a green sea of towering giant trees, wrapped in mist in the morning, with the clear Danum river running between the rocks. Rare species live here, including the Bornean orangutan, gibbons, clouded leopards and over 270 bird species. Visitors stay in a few lodges inside the reserve, walk the forest trails with guides, climb observation towers, swim in the river and go on night tours to see animals. Booking ahead is essential, and staying three nights gives a better chance of wildlife sightings.
Giant trees.
Over the forest.
Rare animals.
Danum Valley Conservation Area, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Yes, in advance through the lodges.
About three.