Deramakot Forest Reserve is one of Borneo’s best-kept secrets thus becoming one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations in Sabah. Covering over 55,000 hectares of lowland dipterocarp rainforest, this reserve is home to more than 75% of Sabah’s mammal species including the orangutan, bornean elephant, leopards, civets and more. Thus making it a paradise for wildlife watchers, birders, and nature photographers seeking authentic, uncrowded encounters.
What makes Deramakot truly special is its story. It became the first tropical rainforest in the world certified as “well managed” under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Since 1997, Deramakot holds the record as the longest FSC-certified tropical forest globally.
Deramakot is not a typical tourist destination, but it is a working forest reserve managed for conservation and sustainable logging, making it one of the best examples of responsible forest management in Southeast Asia.
In addition, the forest remains one of the best places in Sabah to experience wildlife without crowds.
The population here is estimated at 900 to 1,400 individuals, one of the healthiest remaining populations in Sabah. Daytime sightings along access roads and near the lodge are frequent, and you will often spot old nests high in the canopy during guided forest walks.
Herds move through the reserve on their own schedule, most often spotted during early morning and evening 4WD wildlife drives. There is nothing quite like rounding a bend and finding a family group crossing the road in front of you.
This is the animal that draws serious wildlife photographers and mammal watchers from around the world. Deramakot offers some of the most reliable clouded leopard spotlighting opportunities anywhere on the planet. No guarantees, but the odds here are as good as they get.
Wild cattle that are increasingly scarce across Southeast Asia. Sightings are a genuine privilege.
Deramakot is one of the few places on Earth where the Clouded Leopard, Marbled Cat, Leopard Cat, Bay Cat, and Flat-Headed Cat have all been documented. That alone puts it in a category of its own for wild cat tourism in Borneo.
Night drives reveal a completely different forest. Sun bears, binturongs, slow lorises, colugos, flying squirrels, civets, porcupines, and Malay stink badgers all become active after dark. The beam of a spotlight picking out eyeshine in the darkness never gets old.
More than 300 bird species have been recorded here. The standout prize for Borneo birders is the complete set of eight Bornean hornbills: Rhinoceros, Helmeted, Oriental Pied, Bushy-Crested, Wreathed, Wrinkled, Black, and White-Crowned. Add broadbills, kingfishers, frogmouths, bee-eaters, sunbirds, and owls, and you have enough material to fill memory cards for weeks.
Deramakot Forest Reserve offers a range of immersive wildlife experiences designed for nature lovers, photographers, and bird enthusiasts. Each activity is conducted under a low-impact tourism system to ensure minimal disturbance to the forest ecosystem.
The core experience in Deramakot is the wildlife drive safari, conducted along forest tracks deep inside the reserve. Depending on the itinerary, guests will experience:
Moreover, each drive offers a completely different perspective of the rainforest, from active daytime wildlife to elusive nocturnal species.
To ensure comfort and quality viewing, all safari vehicles are strictly limited to a maximum of 8 guests per vehicle. This small group size allows:
This to ensure that guests have a higher chance of spotting wildlife while enjoying a more exclusive safari experience.
Deramakot is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with over 300 recorded bird species inhabiting its diverse rainforest ecosystem.
During birdwatching sessions, visitors may encounter a wide range of species, including:
In addition, the mix of primary and secondary forest creates multiple habitats, making bird activity rich and highly varied throughout the day.
Deramakot is widely regarded as one of the most rewarding wildlife photography destinations in Sabah due to its unique combination of accessibility, lighting, and habitat structure.
Unlike dense primary jungle, Safari areas in Deramakot feature open roadside viewing opportunities, where wildlife often moves through or across forest tracks.
This creates ideal conditions for photography because:
In addition, the diversity of species, from large mammals to rare birds—makes it possible to build a highly varied wildlife portfolio within a single trip.
Thus, Deramakot is especially popular among:
Ultimately, every drive offers unpredictable but highly rewarding photographic opportunities, making each expedition unique.
Accommodation in Deramakot Forest Reserve is designed for travellers seeking an authentic rainforest experience rather than luxury resort facilities. Furthermore, staying inside the reserve allows visitors to maximise wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for early morning birding sessions and night safari drives.
Apart from that, the accommodation area is surrounded by rainforest, creating a peaceful atmosphere where guests can often hear insects, frogs, and gibbons directly from the lodge area.
The lodges in Deramakot are simple, comfortable, and suitable for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, photographers, and researchers visiting the reserve.
Guests can generally expect:
Upon arrival, our guests will be picked up from Sandakan Town, Sandakan Airport, or the Sepilok area before beginning the journey to Deramakot Forest Reserve.
The transfer takes approximately 4 hours, passing through rural townships, oil palm plantations, and gradually transitioning into the untouched rainforest of Deramakot. As the landscape changes, you will begin to feel the remoteness and wilderness of this conservation forest.
Upon arrival, enjoy some leisure time to settle in and relax before dinner at the lodge.
In the evening, we begin our first 2-hour night safari drive, offering the chance to spot nocturnal wildlife such as civets, owls, and other rainforest species. After the safari, return to the lodge for rest and overnight stay.
Enjoy your breakfast then, we head out for a 2-hour morning safari drive. This is one of the best times for birdwatching and spotting diurnal wildlife such as primates orangutan, gibbon, and hornbills.
In addition, guests may enjoy leisure time at the lodge to relax or review photographs. For those who wish to extend their experience, additional safari hours can be arranged at an extra cost, allowing more time in key wildlife areas.
In the afternoon, we continue with a longer exploration combining both late afternoon and night safari drives, maximizing opportunities to encounter elusive species as the forest transitions from day to night.
As a result, guests experience one of the most complete wildlife viewing opportunities in Sabah’s rainforest ecosystem.
Early in the morning, we begin a final 2-hour dawn safari drive, when the forest is most active and wildlife encounters are often at their peak.
Then, after the drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and some short rest.
Finally, check out at around 10:00 AM and begin the return journey to Sandakan Town or airport, bringing your Deramakot wildlife expedition to a close
The drier months are generally considered the best period for wildlife safaris and photography. Forest roads are usually in better condition, making night drives smoother and allowing easier access deeper into the reserve.
During this period, visitors often enjoy:
The rainforest becomes greener and more atmospheric during the wetter months. While heavy rain can occasionally affect road conditions and safari schedules, this period can still provide excellent wildlife experiences.
Advantages of visiting during the rainy season include:
Birdwatching is excellent year-round in Deramakot, but many birders prefer the earlier part of the year when bird activity is often higher and forest mornings are more active.
The best birding conditions are usually:
Deramakot Forest Reserve is not just a wildlife destination—it is one of Sabah’s most important working conservation forests and a global example of sustainable forest management.
Unlike fully protected national parks, Deramakot operates under a carefully managed system that allows controlled low-impact logging alongside conservation efforts. In addition, it is designed to minimise environmental damage and protect biodiversity. This unique model has made it one of the first forest reserves in Malaysia to achieve international certification for sustainable forestry.
As a result, Deramakot has become a rare example of how conservation and responsible resource use can exist side by side
Deramakot is divided into 3 different management zones:
Thus, large sections of the forest remain untouched, providing safe habitats for wildlife such as:
This zoning system is one of the key reasons Deramakot can support both forestry and conservation.
