Your bag
Bag whispers: "Fill me!"
Order Total
$0 USD
Checkout

Deramakot Forest Reserve

Borneo's best-kept secret for wildlife spotting

All Deramakot Forest Reserve Experiences

Loading...

Browse Collection



















Love letters from our guests

4.8
|
474 reviews
4D3N kinabatangan and deramakot tour We had an incredible trip! We started at the Kinabatangan River, where we saw the Big 5 of Borneo and so much more in just three tours. The tour guides did their best to find everything possible. In Deramakot, we were completely alone, which is not normal, but of course made everything even more special. Our tour guide Bobby and driver Sam were absolutely incredible people. We were very lucky again and saw an incredible amount, especially at night, thanks to Bobby's exceptionally good eyesight. Food and drinks were always provided and the Malaysian cuisine was extremely good. Don't expect too much from the lodge in the jungle (Deramakot): single beds, lots of insects (absolutely normal in the jungle) and everything is a bit old. We can only recommend it to everyone, and if you are lucky enough to have the dynamic duo Bobby and Sam as your guides, you will have one of the best tours ever. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Rahel Bürki
Fantastic! Highly recommend. Our guide Bruno and driver Sam were knowledgeable and friendly. Deramakot and Kinabatangan both fantastic. Agree with website that only book Deramakot if you are OK with more basic rooms (has aircon), bumpy roads and long drives. Would book again and spend more time.
Emily
Our tour was with Greenview Lodge, booked through SeekSophie. Both companies we very easy to communicate with. We spent 2 nights in Deramakot Forest Reserve doing 4x4 jungle safaris, and then 1 night in Sukau doing cruises on the Kinabatangan River. Day 1 was a long drive to Deramakot. 2hrs on the highway with a lunch stop (included), 1hr through a Palm Tree plantation and then 1hr through the Deramakot forest. I suggest being alert for the last hour for wildlife. Later that evening we did a 2hr night safari. An early 3hr sunrise safari (including tea break) was followed by a long break, and then a 4hr sunset safari (again with tea break in the jungle from a camp stove). An early start on day 3 for the return drive and then on to Sukau, 4hrs travel with a lunch stop. That afternoon we had a 2hr river cruise, and another one that night. Final day was a sunrise cruise, then a 2hr drive back to Sandakan. Enough boilerplate chat... Whilst it is of course possible not to see anything, we saw lots of wildlife! On the river there are lots of boats and the guides are in contact with each other so can pass on information about animal sightings. They also know the usual hang outs for a few species, so it's pretty likely to see plenty. It felt safe and sustainable. The accommodation at Greenview lodge is clean and modern and there is phone signal. In Deramakot it's harder to spot wildlife, but incredibly rewarding if achieved. It's out and back on a dirt road, again feeling very safe and sustainable. The accomodation is basic and the camp feels very secluded, and there is no phone signal but you can pay something like 25RM for a 3GB satellite link. I would suggest getting up before sunrise to wander the camp looking for wildlife in the trees and skies. A shout out to the staff - we had an excellent bus driver called Along, a really friendly 4x4 driver called Sam, and a sharp-eyed genius guide called Reswan. All were very professional, happy to help out and went the extra mile for us. You definitely need waterproofs, and I'd also suggest a small umbrella. You also need sunglasses, sunhat, suncream, insect repellent and a torch. My top tip would be the binoculars. I wish I had some stronger ones, but just having a pair at all had a big impact on our experience. As seeing wildlife is not guaranteed, attached photos just show the environment of the tour... But we saw the Borneo Big 5 and a host of other amazing creatures!
Ian & Leonora

Deramakot Forest Reserve FAQs

What activities are available at Deramakot Forest Reserve?

Visitors to Deramakot Forest Reserve can enjoy activities such as jungle trekking, night safaris, bird watching, and camping.

Is it possible to see a rare and endangered species at Deramakot Forest Reserve?

Yes, Deramakot Forest Reserve is known for being a habitat to the critically endangered Bornean sun bear, offering visitors a rare chance to encounter this remarkable species.

What is the best time of year to visit Deramakot Forest Reserve?

The best time to visit Deramakot Forest Reserve is during the dry season from March to October when wildlife sightings are more common due to reduced foliage.

What wildlife can be spotted at Deramakot Forest Reserve?

Deramakot Forest Reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife including orangutans, pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, and various bird species.

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.
Only the good stuff
So.. who's Sophie?
We get asked that a lot! There’s no one on the team actually named Sophie. Sophie means wisdom in Greek. We wanted Seek Sophie to be about travel that helps you discover more about yourself and the world—travel that fills your heart and leaves you feeling more connected.
Let’s be friends!
Get the scoop on secret spots and hidden gems delivered straight to your inbox.
English
USD
English
USD
© Seek Sophie 2026PrivacyTerms
Travel Agent Licence TA03435