Deramakot Forest Reserve

Pickup from the airport or your hotel in Sandakan around 0800 hours and begin your journey to Deramakot Forest Reserve. Deramakot is located approx. 190 kilometres from Sandakan. The first part of the journey is on sealed roads whilst the last 70 km is on bumpy gravel tracks. Have lunch in a local restaurant along the way. Deramakot is rich in wildlife with 75% of Sabah’s mammal species found within its 55,507 hectares of mixed dipterocarp forest. Deramakot is a logging area with 10% of the forest set aside for conservation and 90% set aside for reduced impact logging. It is also the longest Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified tropical forest in the world, having been first certified in 1997.

Although it is a logging concession Deramakot is one of Sabah’s best wildlife watching destinations. Orangutan, pygmy elephants, Banteng (wild cattle), proboscis monkeys and clouded leopards are just some of the iconic species that are found at Deramakot. Upon arrival check-in to the park-style chalet accommodation. Then attend a briefing on the lodge and its facilities. Late afternoon go on drive to look for wildlife. As night falls you will return to the lodge, ‘spot lighting’ along the way as you search for wildlife. Have dinner at the lodge. After dinner attend a briefing on the next day’s activities and watch a presentation on sustainable logging at Deramakot. Overnight at Deramakot lodge.

Early morning wake up call at 0500 hours. Then depart for a pre-dawn four-wheel drive safari. Drive along the various tracks in the reserve looking for wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast go on a jungle walk (optional). Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon is free at your own leisure. Late afternoon go on another drive through the reserve to look for wildlife. After enjoying the night safari return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Deramakot lodge.

Continue to explore the biodiversity of Deramakot via treks and four-wheel drive safaris. Start the day with a pre-dawn wildlife safari. Return to the lodge for breakfast then go a jungle walk. Afternoon is free at your own leisure. Late afternoon depart the lodge and go on safari returning to lodge after dark. Dinner and overnight at Deramakot lodge.

Early morning wake up call at 0500 hours. Approx. 0530 hours depart for a final four-wheel drive safari. Return to the lodge and have breakfast Depart Deramakot around 1000 hours and drive back to Sandakan. Arrive in Sandakan around 1500 hours and be dropped off at the airport or your hotel.