National park · Malaysia
Danum Valley Conservation AreaCông viên Bảo tồn Danum Valley
Visit Danum Valley for a day hike: join a minivan from Lahad Datu to the Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC) and walk a ranger‑led trail (1–7 h) for RM96; for a longer stay, book a night at Borneo Rainforest Lodge (RM78 dorm) and do the canopy walk.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
438 km² (169 sq mi)169 sq mi (438 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Mar–Jun, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
- Sabah ↗Sabah runs its own immigration controls, separate from Peninsular Malaysia; requirements differ by nationality and route — check current rules before you fly.
- Sabah ↗Several governments have issued travel advisories covering parts of eastern Sabah and its outlying islands; check your own government's current advisory before booking.
At a glance
- Country
- Malaysia
- Area
- 438 km² (169 sq mi)169 sq mi (438 km²)
- Approximately 438 km² (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Danum Valley Conservation Area protects a pristine lowland rainforest in Sabah, offering ranger‑led walks, a canopy walk and night wildlife tours.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
438 km² (169 sq mi)169 sq mi (438 km²) · national park since 1990
Approximately 438 km² (check).
Why go
- Experience untouched Bornean lowland rainforest with high biodiversity.
- Spot large mammals such as sambar deer, bearded pig and long‑tailed macaque on short trails.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails muddy
- FebRainy, high humidity
- MarStart of drier season
- AprDry, good trail conditions
- MayDry, wildlife active
- JunDry, warm
- JulWarm, occasional showers
- AugWarm, occasional showers
- SepWarm, occasional showers
- OctEnd of dry season
- NovRain increases
- DecRainy, trails slippery
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sambar deer, bearded pig, long‑tailed macaque, muntjacAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds and butterfliesMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lahad Datu town
Authorized minivan arranged by DVFC or BRL; three days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri).
≈3–4 h drive
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC) | Research station, short trails (1–7 h), basic dormitory. | Permit required; minivan from Lahad Datu. |
| Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) | Tourist lodge with canopy walk, upgraded rooms. | Permit required; minivan from Lahad Datu. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the conservation area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day hike (DVFC ranger‑led trail) | MYR 96 (≈ US$25) | person | Includes minivan transfer; price 2026 estimate (check). |
| Overnight dormitory (Borneo Rainforest Lodge) | MYR 78 (≈ US$19) | person | Basic dorm bed; price 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Visit permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- RM96≈ US$25
- RM78≈ US$19
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Unauthorized access
- Forbidden; only authorized minivan visitors with permit may enter.check
- Guides
- Ranger guide required for all trail walks beyond the immediate DVFC area.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the forest; stay only at lodge or field centre.
Where to stay
In the park
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Dormitory rooms, private cabins; meals included.
In the park
Danum Valley Field Centre
Basic dormitory; limited facilities.
Safety
Rain and slippery trails medium
Wild animal encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Access via minivan from Lahad Datu; road is unpaved, may be rough after rain.
Visiting lightly
- Book only through official DVFC or BRL offices; avoid unofficial guides.
- Carry out all waste; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Danum Valley?
A day hike with a ranger guide and minivan transfer costs about RM96 per person; overnight dormitory at Borneo Rainforest Lodge is about RM78 per night (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Danum Valley?
Short ranger‑led trails ranging 1–7 hours from the Field Centre; the canopy walk at Borneo Rainforest Lodge is a short, easy walk above the canopy.
When is the best time to visit Danum Valley?
The dry season from March to October offers the best trail conditions; the wet months November to February are wetter and trails can be slippery.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. All trail walks beyond the immediate DVFC area require a ranger guide; the canopy walk is accessible to lodge guests without an extra guide.
Can I camp in the forest?
No. Camping is not permitted; stay at the official lodge or field centre.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Danum Valley Conservation Area
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