Deramakot Forest Reserve

Borneo's best-kept secret for wildlife spotting

All Deramakot Forest Reserve Experiences

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What other guests say

4.8

223 reviews

An excellent experience with LOST BORNEO company. My guide Mr Connelly was a man with 10 years of experience with Deramakot and he very clearly knew the place inside and out. He was able to spot so many different species of wildlife so easily and helped me find so many of my target species. Although we didn't manage to spot and photograph any wild cats, I still had an excellent trip thanks to him.

Nicholas Lo

Booked: 4D3N Deramakot Forest Reserve Wildlife Tour | From Telupid

Absolutely surpassed expectations. Our guide Bruno was deeply knowledgeable and enthusiastic and our driver Sam negotiated the rough terrain safely and with skill. Deramakot - an absolute privilege to be able to visit this environment that few travel to. Excellent birding. We spotted many forest inhabitants including pygmy elephants, orangutans, civets, slow loris and a leopard cat. Food was delicious. Kinabatang - excellent for wildlife - monkeys aplenty (including proboscis), lots of hornbills. The new accommodation buildings are very good. Tips - be prepared for wet weather and maybe to get a bit muddy. Bring patience - it will pay off! The accommodation at the deramakot forest is basic and only has power during certain hours so plan charging devices and shower accordingly. A head torch is very handy. Often no phone signal, which can be an excellent thing, but useful to know if you need to let anyone know you'll be offline whilst you're there.

Ellie

Booked: 4D3N Deramakot and Kinabatangan River Exploration

Deramakot Forest 4 days 12-15 August The best. from the organising & communication from Rajis, to the trip back to the hotel. Huge thank you to Con / Mitch & Max. Without their knowledge and tracking / spotting skills, this would have just been a normal trip. They do not stop, from dawn to dusk. Always make you feel welcome and safe. Con is so knowledgeable, The next Attenborough in the making. Room was good & comfortable. amazing food. Mitch does the best eggs I have ever had. Very professional team. Very lucky to see orangutans peacefully sitting and eating. elephants / Leopard cats and many many more. Huge big thanks to the team. Really made our holiday & year.

John & Louise Turner

Booked: 4D3N Deramakot Forest Reserve Wildlife Tour | From Telupid

I had a fantastic time during the 3D2N Deramakot tour. We were able to spot many endemic mammals including orangutans, civets, the elusive leopard cat, langur, and many more. The Deramakot reserve is full of life and even on this short adventure the sightings were truly wild and authentic. Without the crowds of fellow tourists you are able to truly immerse yourself into the jungle.

Keyan Malecha

Booked: 3D2N Deramakot Forest Reserve Wildlife Adventure

We loved our guide Con whose passion and enthusiasm for natyre shone through. We were a snall group of 2 which gave us more flexibility but it would be fine as a bigger group, saw orang utan hornbills galore, slow loris and numerous other creatures. Deramakot is a beautiful forest. Its more difficult to see animals than at Kinabatangan river but patience rewards, Food cooked by driver was excellent The only bad thing was having to wait nearly 3 hours between being dropped off by the car from KK and being picked up for the forest. Otherwise excellent

Kati and Andrew

Booked: 3D2N Deramakot Forest Reserve Wildlife Adventure

This was one of the most memorable trips of our lives. Kon, our guide from LOST, was one of the best wildlife guides we’ve ever had. He’s an ex-poacher from the local community, he's been in the jungle since he was four years old and knows the jungle like the back of his hand. He is incredibly knowledgeable, humble and caring and is one of the best wildlife guides we’ve had in all our years of travel Deramakot is a challenging and very interesting place. We spotted a herd of pygmy elephants, a VERY hidden clouded leopard (we only saw part of its head - but we were super lucky!!), macaque monkeys, civet cats and flying squirrels. We weren’t expecting to see so much because the jungle setting is very dense so it’s actually much harder to spot wildlife than places like Tanzania and Kenya. But the guides were honestly great and we were super lucky! If you’re up for a super off-the-beaten-path trip, this is definitely for you! Don’t come expecting to see wildlife (but hope for the best!) but just come to see an ancient rainforest in the most off-grid way you can see it. When we were there we were the only travellers around! So it’s perfect for travellers who want something that few people have seen before.

Rob

Booked: 3D2N Deramakot Forest Reserve Wildlife Adventure

Deramakot Forest Reserve FAQs

What is Deramakot Forest Reserve?

Deramakot Forest Reserve is a protected forest reserve located in the Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of Borneo. It is one of the largest protected forests in Sabah, covering an area of approximately 55,000 hectares.

What can visitors expect to see in Deramakot Forest Reserve?

Visitors to Deramakot Forest Reserve can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife, including orangutans, elephants, deer, civets, and many species of birds. The forest is also home to the Malayan sun bear and the clouded leopard, two of the rarest animals in Southeast Asia. However the forest reserve is dense so you shouldn't come expecting to see the amount of wildlife that you will in an African savannah. Here it's more of an explorer's journey. You may encounter a herd of elephants, or you may end up seeing just a glimpse of a clouded leopard's paw in the moonlight. That's part of the excitement!

What activities are available in Deramakot Forest Reserve?

There are several activities available to visitors in Deramakot Forest Reserve, including guided jungle walks, night drives, birdwatching, and camping. Visitors can also observe the wildlife from observation towers and watchtowers located throughout the reserve.

How is Deramakot Forest Reserve managed and protected?

Deramakot Forest Reserve is managed and protected by the Sabah Forestry Department, which is responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of the state's forests. The department has implemented a number of measures to protect the forest, including strict regulations on logging and hunting, as well as the promotion of eco-tourism activities that support conservation efforts.

Why is Deramakot Forest Reserve important for conservation?

Deramakot Forest Reserve is important for conservation because it provides critical habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, including many that are threatened or endangered. The reserve is managed using sustainable forestry practices, which helps to maintain the health and productivity of the forest ecosystem while also providing economic benefits to the local community. By preserving this important forest area, Deramakot Forest Reserve helps to maintain the region's biodiversity and supports the long-term sustainability of the local economy.

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Deramakot Reserve: Asia's Best Kept Secret for Wildlife

Nestled deep within the heart of Sabah’s lush rainforests...