Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area
Danum Valley Conservation Area 88100 Malaysia
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#1 of 1 lodge in Danum Valley Conservation Area
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Travellers' Choice
The award winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) is nestled within 43,800 hectares of protected virgin rainforest of the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah. The immense biodiversity of 200 species of plants per hectare in this pristine 130 million years old rainforest is home to more than 320 species of birds and 124 species of mamals. It is also listed as an Important Birding Area (IBA MY24) as a site for international importance for conservation of birds. Accessible via a 55 minutes flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and 2.5 hours overland drive from Lahad Datu (LDU), BRL has 30 chalets and a spa which adopts eco sensitivity, sustainability and minimum impact as the core principles of designs and operations. Full board packages include guides and return transfer of LDU-BRL-LDU. Reviews recommends a 4 days/3 nights package to experience the vast biodiversity of this magical 130 million years old rainforest and to pamper yourself with traditional Borneo massages at the in-house Spa.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Plunge pool
Free breakfast
Hiking
Airport transportation
Spa
24-hour security
Public wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Special diet menus
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Umbrella
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Coffee / tea maker
Minibar
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Seating area
Telephone
Private bathrooms
Electric kettle
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Non-smoking rooms
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Languages Spoken
English, Malay
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Stunning location to visit and to see wild orangutans in primary forest - this lodge is exceptional in every way... from being greeted at arrival to the gorgeous lodges and the food was EXCEPTIONAL especially as they had a minimum of three vegetarian mains (as well as fish and meat dishes) - different for every meal... all buffet style, but with additional salad bar and specials also; hot food cooked in front of you exactly as you wanted, breakfast, lunch and dinner... of course the settings was fantastic, deep in the rainforest, but do note it is a 3-4hr bumpy drive to get to it - but understandable considering where it is... and of course guided walks to spot orangutans in their natural habitat was the highlight during the for days we stayed
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
Outstanding and unspoiled surroundings. High standards, very polite and helpful staff and of course opportunity to see orangutans in their natural habitat. Paradise for any little creature’s lovers. Don’t forget to take your leech socks when you exploring ;) Highly recommended!! ;)
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Leech socks and hand torch
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
Wow what an amazing place! The Danum Valley is a magical place with virgin rainforest teeming with life. Our family spent 4 days and 3 nights at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge doing jungle treks, swimming in waterfalls, going on night wildlife walks and even tubing down the river. The wildlife was so incredible with multiple orangutan sightings, eastern borneo grey gibbons, maroon langurs, long tailed macaques and colugo. Cassy our guide was terrific! The rainforest lodge is nothing short of luxury. It is really beautiful, set on the river bank and surrounded by rainforest. They cater for every need and the food is amazing. There were lots of vegetarian options for our party too. It was a trip of a lifetime that we will never forget!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
The Rainforest Lodge is a five star experience - that is not the same as being a 5 star hotel. It is in the middle of the rainforest - it was a (comfortable and enjoyable) 2 1/2 hour drive to and from the airport to the Lodge. However that said the rooms were fantastic and the food both wide ranging and delicious. We stayed for 3 nights. There is effectively 3 activities per day - a longer morning excursion, a slightly shorter afternoon experience in the heat of the day and either a night drive or night walk. No two activities were ever the same. Wildlife is abundant but sighting of particular animals not guaranteed. That said there are numerous orangutans living in close proximity. A reasonable level of fitness is required for some activities - although the guides seemed very adept at tailoring activities to those in their group. The animals are wild - this is not a zoo nor a release facility where food is put out to attract them. You will encounter leeches - they might bite (I thought we were very well prepared but they are so persistent we still had one bite!) - they will not kill you! However, do be prepared for this. All of the guides were fantastic - however I thought Sherwood was simply the best of the best and went out of his way to find us amazing encounters. The rainforest is quite dark and presents a challenge for rank amateur hobby photographers such as myself but I attach a few shots of what we saw. Note you are not going to encounter all of the big 5 at this Lodge - but the range of animals you do see was still phenomenal - as was the experience of being in primary rainforest. All of the staff were just so friendly and courteous and genuinely went out of their way to to ensure you had a fantastic stay. It's not cheap - but you are contributing to saving the local biodiversity by supporting eco-tourism rather than palm oil plantations. A huge mention to the catering staff (both customer facing and kitchen staff) - you were amazing. My wife has asked me to give special mention to egg station at breakfast! Downsides - leeches (be prepared - they get everywhere - especially if your guide takes you off piste), rooms could have been a little cleaner (although this is not helped by either their design or the climate). These are but minor points however and this is an exceptional place for a nature lover to visit. …
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: If you are a nature lover - go!!!!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
We stayed two nights at the end of our tour with Borneo Eco Tours. Warmly welcomed by the friendly staff, found our room to be in great condition, fridge was replenished every day and air conditioning working. The location can't be beat and while it is a 3 hour drive from Lahad Datu, you are right in the middle of the rainforest. The food was excellent and so were our guides who spotted amazing wildlife. We saw Orangutans, the rare Gibbons, red leaf monkeys, rufous backed kingfishers and plenty of other birds... Highlight was a big male orangutan who visited the lodge one day and mom and baby orangutan in the jungle. A once in a lifetime experience.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
We stayed at BRL for 2 nights at the end of our trip and we definately saved the best til last! The office in Lahad Datu is very nice and we were given a freshly brewed coffee whilst we filled in the reg and waiting for our transport- 3 hour drive in a very comfortable 4x4 but did stop for 2 toilet breaks which was welcomed! The trip is bumpy on dirt tracks but no where near as bad as the road to Tabin! Unpon arrival we were escorted upstairs for a welcome drink and given a talk about the resort and met our guide Helen (who was amazing). We had some time before our room was ready (usuak check in is 2pm) so we had lunch. Every meal at BRL was incredible, by far the best food we had on our trip- all cooked fresh and some really amazing local dishes! Id go back just for the food! Our lodge was the standard lodge but was extremely comfortable. Only criticism is the top of the walls were open with only a mesh covering sk whilst it was amazing to hear the rain, it meant the room didnt really cool down with the AC or fan. Room can equipped with a fridge which was replenished each day, so a nice touch- hot shower and bed really soft so the room was a winner. The activities we did ranged from a night drive and boad walk (the one in the morning was amazing, felt like being in Jurassic park) to a very touch trek up to Coffin Cliff- never sweated so much in my life but the view at the top was well worth the 2 hour trek! We saw a couple of Orangutans, flying squirals and Mcacs along with various Hornbills and Eagles- Helen had lazer eyesight and was very knowledgeable and its the people that really make this place special! From the front of house to the chefs and management everyone makes a real effort and learns your name- they even offered to put the Rugby on at 3am (as the World cup was on) which was sureal in the middle of the jungle! We'd be back in a heartbeat so wholeheartedly recommend BRL for a bit of luxury, amazing food and great people!…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Bring leach socks!!!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
An amazing all round experience, on an 4 night stay. Accommodation, food and guide all excellent. Special mention to chef Jack for special birthday food, restaurant managers for being so welcoming and to our very knowledgeable guide Hairee who answered our endless questions and was flexible around our requests. We had orangutan “interactions” and saw a Clouded Leopard on our first afternoon. Thoroughly recommend for a special trip.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
Fantastic! The service and accommodation (premium deluxe villa) was outstanding. Helen was a great guide - wildlife wasn't as plentiful as I expected but she did a great job of discovering and showing us things. Deborah at the front desk was very helpful with all our requests including moving us to another room further from the lodge. Had our laundry done for us on the last night and returned by the time we were back from dinner. Great variety of food in the restaurant (all meals included) - all delicious particularly the daily chefs bbq choice. Friendly team in all areas of the lodge. Highly recommend staying here. Note - you don't actually need leech socks. Just long pants and long socks over the top - keep a constant eye out for the little suckers.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: PD villas - ask for one of the middle ones. Get your laundry done on the last night. Binoculars...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Great stay. Only let down was the deluxe river view room. There was nothing deluxe about it. It was in great need of renovation, the air condition unit leaked water so was a hazard, one of the lights in the bathroom did not work, the room was redculously dark do if you have poor eyesight it is not suitable for you and the so called dip pool was not even a pool and had no water in it. The good side was the food was excellent and the head waiter was very charming, welcoming and made sure all diets were catered for. The other highlight was our private guide Nicholad who could not do enough for us from making sure we had the best wildlife viewing, great photo moments and even gave us certificates for completing the challenging coffin trail hike which is definitely recommending if you are fit. …
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Room Tip: No pool
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This is amazing. We loved the food, the lodges, the outdoor bathing and the setting. It really is a stunning location with great place to go. The local guides are exceptionally skilled at finding orangutans and other wildlife. It’s remote but once you get there it’s heaven on earth.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Remember your insect repellent and leech socks
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
borneo rainforest hotel sabah, borneo rainforest lodge
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahDanum Valley Conservation Area
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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Claim Your ListingBORNEO RAINFOREST LODGE, DANUM VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA: UPDATED 2023 Hotel Reviews, Price Comparison and 1,681 Photos - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area
What are some of the property amenities at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a seating area.
What food & drink options are available at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area?
Yes, guests have access to a plunge pool during their stay.
Does Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area have airport transportation?
Yes, Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Malay.