Deramakot Forest Reserve

Deramakot Forest Reserve is Borneo's best-kept secret for wildlife spotting. Here, there are orangutans, elephants, the clouded leopard, deer, civets, and sunbear. The forest is dense, wildlife here is unpredictable and capricious, and the safari is unlike any other. You might see nothing, your jeep might be surrounded by a herd of elephants.

You can do a jeep safari here, and some wildlife walks in the daytime.

Try to go during dry season from May to October, though it's hard to predict these days. So just go prepared with rain gear and you'll be ok. Also, the cats (e.g. clouded leopard and civet cat) really like coming out after the rain, as they love splashing in the mud. So though it's not comfortable when it rains, you might see more wildlife afterward!

Wildlife and nature lovers who really love off-the-beaten-path activities, and are up for a true adventure. Deramakot is not for everyone. The journey there is long, the forest is dense and you may see no wildlife. But it is one of the most unique wildlife safaris we have even been on, and if you're lucky you might have some incredible sightings here.

• Don't come to Deramakot with any expectation, other than just a wild adventure to somewhere that very few people in the world have seen.
• It's so unknown that very few guides will take you there. The guide we recommend here works with ex-poachers and directly helps villagers stop poaching in the area, and conserve the wildlife.