Description: The following article is a follow-up to the article
entitled "The Conservation
of Danum Valley,The Lost World of Borneo". For nature lovers who
are planning a Nature Tour to Danum Valley, this article will
provide some brief insights on "where to stay" and "what to do"
while you are at Danum Valley.
To visit
Danum Valley, staying at least a night is a must given the
traveling distance to the Danum Valley Conservation Area. But what
a way to stay overnight in the lush tropical lowland virgin
rainforest in unison with over 200 species of birds and over 100
species of mammals including some that are endemic to Borneo.
For the standard visitors, the only feasible option is to stay at
the prestigious Borneo Rainforest Lodge, about 2 hours by road from
Lahad Datu town. Established in 1994, the Borneo Rainforest Lodge
caters specifically for visitors to Danum Valley.
The Lodge offers luxurious accommodation built with local timber and
river stones. The chalets or “sulap” are designed after the
dwellings of traditional Sabah Kadazandusun, the major indigenous
group.
There is in fact another accommodation option at the Danum Valley
Field Centre, about 35km from the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, but it is
restricted to only researchers and scientists on assignment. The
Centre, nevertheless, occasionally provide educational nature
programs for specific group visits.
However, if you wish to visit and stay at the Danum Valley Field
Centre, you would need to obtain permission from the Sabah State
government via the Yayasan Sabah (i.e., Sabah Foundation).
While staying at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, visitors can also
participate in exciting excursions organized by the lodge in the
fascinating natural environment of Danum Valley. There are guided
nature walks or treks, tree top canopy walk (i.e., a suspension
bridge in the canopy of trees), unlimited bird watching, beautiful
waterfalls and rivers where you can have a 'wonder dip'.
There are also video and slide presentations by the naturalist
explaining further the flora and fauna, and the mission behind the
Danum Valley Conservation Area. Additionally, do not miss out on
visiting an ancient burial site of the Kadazandusun where many
legendary tales can be foretold. Another must, is the 'Night Safari'
(weather permitted).
If you do not wish to follow the standard nature tour or excursion,
you can always make own arrangement with the rangers at Danum Valley
for another more challenging excursions. This is more for the true
adventures or trekkers. However, prior arrangement (i.e., before
your arrival at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge), is advisable to avoid
any disappointment.
If you are on a package tour, you can request your tour company to
arrange for you. Normally, there will be no change in your package
rate although you will need to make own payment to the rangers.
Rest assured that the rangers are professionals with long experience
and excellent knowledge of this astonishing world, and trekking with
them will not only be educational, but make your visit and nature
tour to the "Lost World" in specific, and Sabah in general, truly
unforgettable.
For more info on Danum Valley nature tour, please visit the URLs below:
http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-ld01.shtml
http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-ld02.shtml
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About the Author:
e-borneo.com is one of the leading Borneo-based
Borneo Travel and
Trip Advisor
web sites, which also serves as a Borneo travel gateway and tour
intermediary for the best and cost-effective custom/full-package
vacation deals to Malaysia Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) and Brunei
Darussalam. Check out some of
Sabah
Tourism packages or visit our sister site
Borneo
Tropical Vacation for more information on Sabah.
Copyright © 2007
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