Deramakot Forest Reserve

FAQ, so where is the best place to see wild orang utan in Sabah? The answer is Deramakot Forest Reserve. Located about 90 km from the small and quiet town of Telupid, this is one of the best place to spot wildlife.

Managed by the Sabah Forestry, this 55,507 hectare lowland rainforest jungle is the world’s first timber consession that practiced “Reduced Impact Logging” certified by the Forest Stewardship Council since 1997.

A concept where only trees that have minimal impact on soil and the surrounding forests will be removed. Sustainable eco-tourism is seen as the alternative resources to contribute income for the ecological conservation fund.

Bla bla bla.. ladida ladida let’s save your time and get to the best part.

Apart from Orang Utan what else can you see here? Well, this is the home for other primates as well. Bornean Gibbon, Red Langur, Hose Langur, Proboscis Monkey, Long and short tailed macaque.

Large animal, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Bornean Banteng, Sun Bear, cats that can climb up to 20m tall tree – Marbeld Cat, Clouded Leopard, also the one that does not like height – Leopard Cat, Fishing cat and the least studied Bornean Bay Cat. All of the 8 species civets and the Bear Cat that technically not a cat. Imagine a sun bear an a civet have baby, that is what it looks like.

Not a cat person? no worries feast your eyes with over 200 different species of colorful birds that makes different sound. Bring along your bird checklist and a binocular with bazooka lense sit quietly while sipping hot coffee or tea or what ever you normally drink. Perhaps if you are lucky you will spot other ‘flying’ residents – The flying snakes, lizards and squirrel. You will definetly find happinness.

So you are not into mammals or birds but more towards thier food? i mean insects. Worry not my friend you will be amazed with thier jaw dropping size.

I always told my client that in africa the vegetation is short and mammals grow bigger like when you go to mc donalds supersized your meal kind of thing. In Borneo it is the opposite, our mammals are smaller but our insect, they are massive my friend. Some of them looks like they just fall from planet Mars or Jupiter very ugly. Your macro lense will be happy.

Aand yess, of course they are reptiles as well, big snakes, posionous snakes, lizard but let’s just skip this part, because i am not a big fan of reptiles. My colleague yes!

Second FAQ, so what is the accommodation looks like? Please refer to the picture, this place is run by a 24 hours generator, rooms with attached bathroom with water heater and toilet. Windows with mosquito net.

Third FAQ, Food? Before you enter the reserve, your guide will stop and get fresh vege, meat, fruit, bottled water bla bla. They will cook for you during your stay.

Fourth FAQ, So how do you find the animals? Two methods, first safari – you sit behind the open top truck while driving slow inside the old logging road with your hawk eye guide helping you to spot the wildlife. second – walk inside the trail of course with your guide.

Activities such as night drives focus on the nocturnal wildlife mostly mammals such as the Flying Squirrel, Civet Cat, Slow Loris, Western Tarsier, Pygmy Elephant, Leopard Cat, Clouded Leopard, Sun Bear, Porcupine, Owls, Frogmouth and more.

Both morning and afternoon drives focus on birds (Hornbill, Eagle, Trogon etc.) primates (Orang Utan, Red Leaf Langur, Bornean Gibbons and Macaque) and also specific diurnal wildlife (Pygmy Elephant, Wild Boar, Muntjac, Mouse deer etc.)

Afternoon/night walks inside the jungle focus on insects, spiders, amphibians and reptiles. Morning walks focus on birds.

Bring along rain jacket, headlamp, water, binocular, camera and other stuff that is necessary for the activity. It is going to be a big day. Earth coloured long pants with short sleeve t shirt and hiking shoes is recommended.

Final four FAQ, How do i get there? How to book the trip? What is the program looks like? Price?

You can contact us via email at lostborneojungletrekking@gmail.com or chat us on Facebook or Instagram or Whatapp at +6 013 877 6671 or visit our website at https://borneojungletrekking.com

If you love to see more of my jungle and wildlife pictures follow/like our fb and iG.

more about Deramakot in foreign language click here; https://www.wanderlustig.nl/azie/maleisie/borneo/deramakot-forest-reserve/

What are you waiting for? Pack your stuff and get yourself a flight!

See you at Deramakot (happy face emoji)