Review Author: Elisabeth

Review Date: 07 Feb. 2023

Review Body: Spent 5 amazing days in Deramakot Forest and the Kingabatan River with Adventure Alternative Borneo and can highly recommend the experience! Despite having to rebook several times due to Covid, it was very easy to arrange things with Tom and we appreciated the flexibility to adapt the trip to our needs. The trip itself was seamless as the transfers were smooth and the guides were excellent. We really appreciated being able to make the jeep and boat safaris in smaller groups (in fact, it was just our family) as compared to the larger groups we saw on the Kingabatan River. Accommodation and food were also fine, although please note that there is really only one option in Deramakot. AAB provided a cook for our stay and we were satisfied with the meals. As others noted, lots of wildlife to see and we appreciated having qualified guides. The highlight was a alpha male orangutan on the ground crossing the road, which was a quality encounter as he hung around in a nearby tree. Loads of civets, flying squirrels, other monkeys and even a porcupine. The 4x4 jeep safaris are really a must as there are limited hiking opportunities in Deramakot, but they are likely the best way to spot the wildlife. Definitely one of the highlights from our 3 weeks in Sabah and we will always cherish the chance to spot and observe orangutans and proboscis monkeys in the wild.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Elisabeth

Review Date: 07 Feb. 2023

Review Body: Spent 5 amazing days in Deramakot Forest and the Kingabatan River with Adventure Alternative Borneo and can highly recommend the experience! Despite having to rebook several times due to Covid, it was very easy to arrange things with Tom and we appreciated the flexibility to adapt the trip to our needs. The trip itself was seamless as the transfers were smooth and the guides were excellent. We really appreciated being able to make the jeep and boat safaris in smaller groups (in fact, it was just our family) as compared to the larger groups we saw on the Kingabatan River. Accommodation and food were also fine, although please note that there is really only one option in Deramakot. AAB provided a cook for our stay and we were satisfied with the meals. As others noted, lots of wildlife to see and we appreciated having qualified guides. The highlight was a alpha male orangutan on the ground crossing the road, which was a quality encounter as he hung around in a nearby tree. Loads of civets, flying squirrels, other monkeys and even a porcupine. The 4x4 jeep safaris are really a must as there are limited hiking opportunities in Deramakot, but they are likely the best way to spot the wildlife. Definitely one of the highlights from our 3 weeks in Sabah and we will always cherish the chance to spot and observe orangutans and proboscis monkeys in the wild.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: danyang

Review Date: 01 Dez. 2025

Review Body: I joined a Deramakot trip with Adventure Alternative Borneo and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. Our guide Adi and our driver Alex were both extremely professional and friendly. I especially want to highlight Adi: she is a very talented young female guide, and I felt truly lucky to have her as my guide on this trip. In a remote and demanding destination like Deramakot, seeing such a young woman leading with so much confidence, knowledge and professionalism was really inspiring. Adi is incredibly knowledgeable about the local wildlife and ecosystem. She patiently answered all our questions, shared many interesting facts along the way, and was always eager to help us spot animals and explain their behavior. Because of her, the trip was not only fun, but also very educational. Alex is also an excellent driver. He made us feel safe and comfortable even on rough roads, and he was always kind and helpful. The itinerary was well planned with a good balance between activities and rest, and both the accommodation and food exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend Adventure Alternative Borneo to anyone who wants to experience real Bornean rainforest and see wildlife in Deramakot. And I especially want to say that Adi is a wonderful role model for young women in this industry – she truly made this trip special.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Eduardo R

Review Date: 15 Mai 2024

Review Body: My friend and I just spent 4 days/3 nights in Deramakot Forest Reserve with Adventure Alternative Borneo. Their organization from europe was very easy and they arranged pick up near Kinabatangan and drop off at Sandakan airport. Their guide, Mike, is the best guide i ever had in the multiple years travelling around the world watching wildlife. The food was decent, the room was good without luxury, clean and with hot water. Our first night was very successful with multiple exciting sightings, the second and third nights were more silent but we had some amazing sightings like an elusive Banteng or a Banded Palm Civet. When we met we told Mike some target animals i always wanted to see and he was always looking for them. He found for us some of the animals i always wanted to see like a Binturong eating fruits in a tree or a slow loris moving slowly down a tree. Our sightings included 3 Leopard Cat, 2 slow loris, binturong; banded civet, island palm civets, malay civet, bornean striped palm civets, banteng, pigmy elephant, buffy fish owl, barred eagle owl, crested serpent eagle, white-bellied rat snake, sunda skunk, 4 orangutan, flying fox, colugo, flying squirrels and others. Thank you to the team of AABorneo and Mike! Can’t wait to be back!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rachel

Review Date: 07 Apr. 2026

Review Body: My husband and I did a 6-day trip of Sepilok, Deramakot, and Kinabatangan with the Adventure Alternative team and couldn't have asked for a better time. Not only were the guides and wildlife spotters amazingly talented and personable, but the transit was handled seamlessly. That's to say nothing of the astonishing wildlife we saw -- from leopard cats to tarsiers, slow lorises to pythons, not to mention wild gibbons, orangs, and proboscis monkeys -- the diversity of life and breathtaking beauty of the rainforest was unmatched anywhere we've ever been. The only bad part, which AAB bear no responsibility for -- is the shocking devastation that palm oil plantations have exacted in destroying the most ancient rainforest on earth. That said, buy traveling to remote places like Deramakot and spluttering sustainable tourism there, you can provide the government with some incentive to preserve the rainforest for generations to come.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Paul

Review Date: 03 Juni 2026

Review Body: My wife and I went for a customized 12-night tour of Bornean natural history in late May/early June 2026, visiting Kinabalu NP, Deramakot, Sepilok, Kinabatangan River, Gomantong Cave, and Danum Valley. Everything went amazingly smoothly and everyone we worked with at AA--especially our guide, Jason--were a pleasure to work with and provided everything promised. We ended up seeing over 160 species of birds, 26 species of mammal, and numerous other species of plants and animals, including elephants, leopard cats, a python, orangutans, and seven of the eight species of hornbill. Lodgings were generally not fancy but were very comfortable. One of our last sightings was of an alpha male orangutan crossing the trail ahead of us, as if to say good-bye and come again. It was the trip we'd envisioned, the trip we worked with them to plan, and a trip worth every penny of their very reasonable price.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Patty

Review Date: 11 Feb. 2025

Review Body: Four of us did a trip with Adventure Alternative Borneo in February to Sepilok, Deramakot, and the Kinabatangan River. Our guide, Siti, was amazing. We joked that without Siti, the only animals we would have seen were the pygmy elephants. She was truly amazing at spotting wildlife, sending us lists of our sightings, informing us about the wildlife and the local culture, and just generally being really kind, personable, and helpful. In addition, the whole trip was very well organized -- transportation, itinerary, advance information, etc. And I enjoyed all the lodgings and food! If you're planning a trip to this part of the world, I highly recommend Adventure Alternative Borneo!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Priscillia

Review Date: 12 Nov. 2019

Review Body: We had such an amazing time in Sabah with 2 nights in Kinabatangan and 3 nights in Deramakot. I wanted to visit Deramakot for more than 4 years already and all I can say is that it was way more than I expected. I knew the place was amazing but it was just awesome and I will definitely be back at some point. We saw so much wildlife and even if we could not see the rare ones we definitely saw a lot, and came really close to an elephant and a group of Banteng 😍. We managed to get amazing photos and footage and can't wait to see the results of all this. The wildlife in both places was just a blast. Thanks to everyone at Adventure Alternative Borneo for such a great trip.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Anke

Review Date: 01 Apr. 2026

Review Body: We have booked a total of 3 tours. It was a very good decision to choose Adventure Alternative Borneo. Communication went absolutely smoothly, Ayres was very reliable and always responded very quickly. Even Aisha from KK was available even on Easter Sunday and solved a small travel delay immediately! Thank you very much! The guides were all three dedicated, reliable and could give valuable tips. Without them, we would never have seen so many different animals. I would always book with Adventure Alternative Borneo. Anke , Germany

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Gabriel

Review Date: 31 März 2026

Review Body: Have used these guys twice now for trips to Dermakot, also Danum Vallley, Sepilok and the Kinabatagan river. Both times they really excelled. Their guides are excellent with great English. I had Mike and Theo. They really work hard to give you the best experience you could ever want. Everything is well organised and very comfortable. You will definitely not regret a trip with them and you never know you might get lucky and see the elusive clouded leopard!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Depart from Telupid to Deramakot Forest Reserve & Night safari

Itinerary Description: 1:00 PM – Arrive at 77 Restaurant in Telupid (recommended). You may wish to take lunch here before you start the trip (at your own expense). 2:00 PM – Meet your driver and depart for Deramakot Forest Reserve. The journey takes around 2–2.5 hours, travelling through oil palm plantations before entering the reserve via an unsealed forest road. Around 4:30 PM – Arrive at Deramakot, check in, and meet your guide for a briefing. Your safari schedule will be planned based on recent wildlife sightings and weather conditions. Evening – Enjoy dinner before heading out on a guided 2-hour night safari, one of the best times to search for nocturnal wildlife.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: 3 Wildlife Safaris for wildlife and Night Spotting

Itinerary Description: Spend the day exploring Deramakot on a series of guided 4WD wildlife safaris, timed for the best wildlife activity. Your guide will adjust the schedule based on recent sightings and weather conditions, with safaris typically taking place in the early morning, late afternoon, and after dark. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. A total of 7 hours of guided safari time is included, allowing you to search for rare wildlife such as pygmy elephants, orangutans, gibbons, civets, and, with luck, elusive species like the clouded leopard. Between safaris, relax at the headquarters or enjoy self-guided birdwatching around the lodge grounds, where wildlife is occasionally spotted.

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Dawn walk and breakfast then depart Deramakot back to Telupid

Itinerary Description: Early risers can enjoy a self-guided walk along the main road before breakfast. 7:30 AM – Depart Deramakot. Around 9:30 AM – Arrive back in Telupid to continue your onward journey. Private transfers to your next destination can be arranged upon request.