
Borneo Nocturnal Mammal Tour
With our highly experienced and knowledgeable guides, explore Deramakot Forest Reserve and the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley, spending the nights out on wildlife spotting trips in our customized vehicles. This trip makes a priority of seven hours per night out in the vehicles and our guides have been consistently praised for their attention to detail and for their knowledge of the area.
Overview
This is a special wildlife trip that focuses on diurnal and nocturnal rarities such as the Clouded Leopard, Flat Headed Cat, Marbled Cat, Otter Civet, Tufted Ground Squirrel, Pangolin, Tree Shrews, Tarsier – the list goes on. We have designed this trip to give you total freedom of movement to explore throughout the night, which is often hard to do. You have your own guide, vehicle and cook to give you maximum flexibility and the best chances of spotting some of Borneo’s magnificent mammals. The price is calculated for small numbers up to four in twin rooms, and for those with specific requests and aspirations to see certain species and a desire to be out for most of the night. Accommodation is in riverside lodges on the Kinabatangan, jungle chalets in Deramakot and at the Infapro centre in Danum Valley. Do please contact us first to check availability for your preferred dates and your preferences.
What Our Adventurers Think:
Borneo – a wonderful and unforgettable experience with so many fantastic memories. Did so much in 3 weeks. This trip will be with me for a long time to come. Would not hesitate using AA again (this was my 2nd time) as feel safe and secure with such a responsible company and for all what they stand for.
Borneo Nocturnal Mammal Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival into Sandakan airport and transfer to Deramakot Forest Reserve (~ 4 hours) in time for the first evening drive
Days 2-7: Deramakot Forest Reserve. Night time safari drives and daytime walks if desired.
Days 8-9: Transfer to Kinabatangan River and river safaris with accommodation at Sukau Greenview lodge.
Days 10-12: Transfer to Danum Conservation Reserve for more night time safaris and accommodation at Danum Infapro.
Day 13: Depart from Lahad Datu airport.
Our meeting point is Telupid Town, which is in the centre of Sabah state, at 1pm or we can assist with transfers from Sandakan airport or from your lodge near Sepilok, which is a two hour drive.
Meet your guide for lunch and then transfer 2 hours in 4×4 to Deramakot Forest Reserve. The first part of our journey is through an oil palm plantation before reaching the adjacent Tangkulap Reserve and onwards to Deramakot HQ.
Deramakot at 55,000 hectares is the jewel in the Sabah Forestry Department’s crown. It was the first logging concession in South East Asia to be sustainably certified and until recently was virtually unvisited and unheard of. It is now proving to be the best location to see Borneo’s rare and endemic wildlife with about 75% of mammals in Sabah being found there. It is a key habitat for five globally threatened large mammals, namely Orangutan, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Tembadau (Banteng), Proboscis Monkey and Clouded Leopard. Deramakot consists of lowland mixed dipterocarp forests dominated by the family Dipterocarpaceae. As a working logging forestry concession with adjacent forest reserves, levels of hunting and poaching are low. This may partly explain the level of good wildlife sightings in Deramakot.
Deramakot consists of one major 30 km road that runs through the core area from HQ to the river with a number of side trails to explore. It is on this main road that most of the hours will be spent looking for the elusive mammal life. In addition there is abundant and diverse birding to see.
The 7 hours of 4*4 use included per 24 hours will be spent entirely during the nights as the target species are aimed for. The time out may begin after dinner or even later so as to finish around dawn. Extra hours can be requested whilst there depending on availability, at a cost of RM300 per hour.
The hot daylight hours will be for resting or exploring on foot around the HQ where gibbons and orangutans are sometimes seen and the calls of the hornbills and Argus Pheasant are a daily occurrence.
Provided for your stay at Deramakot are a private guide, driver and our 4WD and a private cook for greater flexibility for safari timings. The rooms are simple, clean, they have air conditioning and are ensuite with hot water bathrooms. Laundry facilities are available.
(D)


Each of the evening’s outings will depend on recent sightings, weather conditions and your guide’s proposals. Whilst it is hoped the nights remain dry, rain is possible at anytime so be prepared accordingly.
Apart from the main targets the sheer diversity of the mammal life in Deramakot will ensure there is always an unexpected surprise and possible at anytime. Common wildlife sightings have included:
Moon rat, Slow loris, Western tarsier, Red leaf monkey Silvered langur, Proboscis monkey, Long-tailed macaque, Pig-tailed macaque, Bornean gibbon, Orang-utan, Pangolin, Long-tailed porcupine, Common porcupine, Thick-spined porcupine, Sun bear, Yellow-throated marten, Malay badger, Oriental small-clawed otter, Malay civet, Otter-civet, Binturong, Masked palm civet, Common palm civet, Banded palm civet, Short-tailed mongoose, Collared mongoose, Clouded leopard, Flat-headed cat, Leopard cat, Asian elephant, Bearded pig, Lesser mouse-deer, Greater mouse-deer, Bornean yellow muntjac, Red muntjac, Sambar deer, Tembadau or Banteng.
(B, L, D)
Clouded leopard
Marble Cat with cub in Deramakot Reserve

After breakfast, we’ll depart back to Telupid and onto the village of Sukau on the popular Kinabatangan River. On the river we use a variety of lodges but mainly the Sukau Greenview Lodge. Upgrades are available for other lodges like the Kinabatangan Wildlife Resort (KWR).
Whilst surrounded by vast tracts of oil palm plantation the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary still boasts an astonishing diversity of wildlife. It is one of only two places in the world inhabited by ten species of primate and over 200 species of birds.
The main focus for the two night stay will be the Flat Headed Cat. A very erratic creature, the best chances to view will be along the river banks at night and extended time will be spent in the boats searching for it.
There will also be good chances to view the Pygmy Elephant, Orangutans, Maroon and Silver Langurs and the bizarre Proboscis Monkey. Also all 8 species of the hornbill can be found along the river.
(B, L, D)


The final destination will be to the renowned Danum Valley Conservation Area.
Consisting of 438,000 hectares of protected lowland forest, research has shown no evidence of permanent human settlement and since becoming a research centre very low levels of hunting and poaching.
Danum is home to an astonishing variety of plants and wildlife; including more than 340 species of birds, 124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles and 56 species of amphibians. The flora is as rich as the fauna with over 200 species of plants found per hectare. In 2019 researchers discovered the tallest tropical tree in the world when they found a giant reaching 100 metres.
Accommodation is at the Infapro base about 30 minutes drive from the Field Centre gate; staying here allows for unrestricted time for night safaris (otherwise restricted at other locations).
Rooms at Infapro are basic and clean and the food is simple Malay style. The days can be spent on the trails at the Field Centre but the main activity will again be in the evenings on the road where we’ve spotted the Clouded Leopard on a number of occasions.
(B, L, D)

From Danum the easiest domestic airport to depart from is Lahad Datu, from where you can fly to Kota Kinabalu or back to Sandakan. There are several flights which can be bought from the MASWings website.
(B)
Ready for an Adventure in Borneo?
Choose a scheduled date or contact us about private dates or a bespoke itinerary. A 30% deposit is required to confirm all bookings at Deramakot two weeks after making reservation so therefore we ask that all deposits for this trip are £1000.00 per person.
Fixed Itineraries
Start Date | End Date | Days | Price (per person) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
10/03/2026 | 22/03/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
10/04/2026 | 22/04/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
14/05/2026 | 26/05/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
23/06/2026 | 05/07/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
15/07/2026 | 27/07/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
13/08/2026 | 25/08/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
01/09/2026 | 13/09/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
06/10/2026 | 18/10/2026 | 13 | £4,000.00 | Book Now |
Private Itineraries
Our Borneo Nocturnal Mammal Tour Experts
Tom Hewitt manages the operations in the office in Sabah and Sarawak, and provides years of knowledge and expertise in Borneo for all the enquiries that we have for our wildlife holidays. He can give the best advice on your holiday and is up-to-date on all of the latest sightings in the reserves, as well as the best logistics for any itinerary.
Tom is also working with us in developing new wildlife holidays in Papua New Guinea and has led many trips for our clients. He divides his...
Borneo Nocturnal Mammal Tour Cost
The price for this trip is based on 2 to four people, please contact us for a quote if you are travelling solo and would like your own vehicle and guide.
INCLUDES
- Accommodation throughout the trip based on twin/double sharing:
- All meals listed in the itinerary (B,L,D)
- 4×4 safari vehicle for up to six people in Deramakot for up to seven hours per 24hrs
- Minibus or car transport for transfers between reserves
- Park permits as per the itinerary
- Professional wildlife guide and cook
- 6% government sales tax for all holiday expenses
EXCLUDES
- Flights to Sandakan and out of Lahad Datu (available on the MASWings website
- Transfer to Tellupid
- Lunches and dinners not listed in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Visa – please check regulations here
- Tips
- Hotel tax of 10RM (~£2.50) per night paid in cash at check in (only for hotel and lodge accommodation)
Borneo Add-on Trips
Before or after your trip there are also a number of optional Add-on trips / activities, or hotels that you may like to take advantage of to extend your holiday, or just to cover accommodation before or after joining us. Some of the options are shortened versions of some of our main Borneo trips, others are adventure or relaxing wind downs in their own right. These can be found on the ‘More Information’ tab on this trip page and the options include:
- A 3D2N ascent of Mount Kinabalu.
- A visit to the tropical islands off the coast of Sandakan including glamping on Turtle Island or Libaran (or a bespoke diving trip to Sipadan Island).
- 2D2N visit to the Hibiscus Beach Resort, which is a stunning and idyllic boutique beach chalet set in a secluded cove on the Kudat peninsula on the northern tip of Borneo.
- 3D2N Big Fin Beach resort for snorkelling, diving, paddle boarding or relaxing at this private and secluded beach resort, just off the coast of Kota Belud, near Kota Kinabalu.
- Additional nights accommodation in Kota Kinabalu or for sightseeing and visiting the islands, staying in the Hotel Sixty 3.
Key Information & Guides
General Borneo Information
Health and Safety Guides
Preparation & Kit Guides
Book Your Adventure of a Lifetime Now
Discover our trips to other Countries
Other Trips You May Enjoy



Our Borneo Posts
We’re dedicated to helping you make the most of your next adventure trekking holiday. That’s why we’ve created our travel blog full of in-depth trekking guides, travel inspiration and other fantastic information. Having done all of these climbs many times already, we want to pass on our wealth of trekking wisdom to you.

Alcey’s Survival Skills Course at Lupa Masa Jungle Camp
In celebration of International Rural Women’s Day, we’re talking about Alcey Kangit Gordon! Alcey is from Kiulu, a small rural village in...

How challenging is a Maliau Basin Trek?
The Maliau Basin has only partially been explored, leaving over 50% of the area completely untouched. It is conservation reserve of dense, untamed...

Hammock Life – Volunteering in Borneo
Nothing quite beats waking up to the sound of the rainforest while gently swinging in a weightless cocoon; the dappled sunlight...

Top 10 Facts about Borneo’s Maliau Basin
A UNESCO World Heritage sight, the Maliau Basin is an enormous forested hollow in the state of Sabah, Borneo. It is home to a huge variety of flora...