3D2N Deramakot Wildlife Safari

Experience the wild heart of Sabah on a 3D2N Deramakot Wildlife Safari, an immersive journey deep into one of Borneo’s most remarkable rainforest destinations. Designed for travellers with limited time, this short safari combines 4WD wildlife drives, night safaris and rainforest exploration in search of some of Borneo’s most elusive animals.

Located in the interior of Sabah, Deramakot Forest Reserve covers approximately 55,500 hectares of rainforest and is managed under sustainable forest management principles. Its extensive network of forest roads provides exceptional opportunities for wildlife watching, particularly after dark.

If you are looking for a short Borneo wildlife tour, a chance to see wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, civets, binturongs and, with luck, the elusive Sunda clouded leopard, Deramakot is an outstanding choice.

Why Choose a 3D2N Deramakot Safari?

Three days and two nights may be short, but Deramakot offers something very different from a conventional rainforest tour.

The safari is focused on wildlife observation rather than sightseeing. Instead of visiting a zoo or wildlife centre, you travel along remote forest roads looking for animals in their natural environment.

The biggest advantage is the opportunity for night wildlife drives. Many of Deramakot’s most interesting mammals are nocturnal, becoming active after sunset when the forest comes alive.

A 3D2N safari is ideal for:

• First-time visitors to Deramakot

• Travellers with limited time in Sabah

• Wildlife enthusiasts

• Nature photographers

• Birdwatchers

• Couples looking for an adventurous Borneo experience

• Travellers combining Deramakot with Kinabatangan, Danum Valley or Sepilok

For serious mammal watchers, we generally recommend staying longer because additional nights provide more opportunities to search for target species.

Deramakot Forest Reserve Wildlife

Deramakot is particularly famous for its diversity of Bornean mammals. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the reserve offers the opportunity to encounter species that can be extremely difficult to find elsewhere.

During your safari, you may encounter:

Wild Orangutan

Seeing a wild orangutan in the rainforest is one of the most memorable experiences in Borneo. Depending on the season and recent animal movements, orangutans may be encountered along forest roads or during daytime exploration.

Bornean Pygmy Elephant

Bornean pygmy elephants occasionally move through the forest and along the roads. Encounters are unpredictable and completely dependent on their natural movements.

Sunda Clouded Leopard

The Sunda clouded leopard is one of Deramakot’s most sought-after species. This elusive forest cat is difficult to find, making any sighting a truly special wildlife experience.

A safari should never promise a clouded leopard sighting. The excitement comes from searching the forest and never knowing what may appear in the spotlight.

Marbled Cat and Leopard Cat

Deramakot is also known for its smaller wild cats. Night drives provide opportunities to search for marbled cats and leopard cats, which are rarely seen by ordinary rainforest visitors.

Binturong, Civets and Other Nocturnal Mammals

After dark, the forest becomes a completely different world. Binturongs, civets, porcupines, flying squirrels and other nocturnal animals may appear along the roads.

This makes Deramakot particularly attractive to wildlife photographers and serious nature enthusiasts.

3D2N Deramakot Safari Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at Deramakot & First Night Safari

Your adventure begins with the journey towards Deramakot Forest Reserve. The final approach takes you deep into the interior of Sabah, away from the busy tourist areas and into the rainforest.

After arriving at the forest base, check in to your accommodation and enjoy some time to rest.

After dinner, the real adventure begins.

Your first Deramakot night safari takes you along forest roads in a 4WD vehicle. With experienced local guides and spotlights, you will slowly search the roadside vegetation and forest canopy for nocturnal wildlife.

Keep your eyes open for civets, flying squirrels, porcupines, leopard cats, binturongs and other creatures of the night.

Return to the accommodation after the night drive and rest in the heart of the rainforest.

Overnight: Deramakot Forest Reserve

Day 2 – Full Day Wildlife Safari

Wake early for your first opportunity to explore the forest during daylight hours.

Morning is an excellent time to search for birds, monkeys and other wildlife before the heat of the day increases. Your guide will adjust the route according to recent wildlife activity and current conditions.

After breakfast and time to rest, continue your wildlife exploration later in the day.

As afternoon turns into evening, the forest begins to change. Diurnal animals become less active while nocturnal species start to emerge.

After dinner, embark on another Deramakot night drive.

Night safari is one of the highlights of visiting Deramakot. The darkness, forest roads and quiet surroundings create the perfect atmosphere for searching for elusive mammals.

Your guide will carefully scan the roadside and trees with a spotlight, stopping whenever wildlife is detected.

Overnight: Deramakot Forest Reserve

Day 3 – Final Wildlife Search & Departure

Enjoy a final morning wildlife experience before breakfast and departure.

After breakfast, leave Deramakot and continue your journey towards your next destination in Sabah.

For travellers continuing their Borneo wildlife journey, Deramakot can be combined with destinations such as Kinabatangan River, Sepilok or Danum Valley.

What Makes Deramakot Different?

Many visitors come to Sabah looking for orangutans and rainforest wildlife. Deramakot offers a different type of experience because the focus is on wildlife in a remote forest environment.

The reserve has an extensive network of forest roads, allowing safari vehicles to access areas that would otherwise be difficult to explore. The official Deramakot infrastructure includes around 70 km of all-weather roads, making vehicle-based wildlife observation an important part of the experience.

Most importantly, Deramakot is not about ticking animals off a guaranteed list.

It is about spending time in the forest, following fresh wildlife signs, listening to the sounds of the jungle and giving yourself the opportunity to experience Borneo's wildlife on its own terms.

Best Time for a Deramakot Wildlife Safari

Deramakot can be visited throughout much of the year, but wildlife conditions can change with weather, rainfall and animal movements.

For peak travel periods, early booking is strongly recommended because visitor capacity is limited and accommodation inside the reserve is small.

The reserve is a remote destination, and availability can be much more limited than at conventional tourist lodges.

If you have specific target species such as clouded leopard, marbled cat or pygmy elephant, we recommend allowing more nights whenever possible.

Is 3D2N Enough for Deramakot?

Yes — 3D2N Deramakot is a good introduction for travellers who have limited time.

However, wildlife is unpredictable. A longer stay naturally gives you more safari hours and more opportunities to encounter rare species.

If wildlife is the main purpose of your trip, we recommend considering 4D3N or 5D4N Deramakot instead.

If your itinerary already includes Kinabatangan or Danum Valley, however, 3D2N can be an excellent way to experience Deramakot without making your overall Borneo trip too long.

Responsible Wildlife Tourism

Deramakot is managed as a sustainably managed forest reserve, and responsible tourism plays an important role in maintaining the area's natural environment.

Wildlife encounters should always be conducted respectfully. We do not feed animals, chase wildlife or guarantee sightings.

Our approach is simple: observe, photograph and appreciate wildlife without disturbing its natural behaviour.

This is especially important when searching for sensitive species such as wild cats and orangutans.

What to Bring for Your Deramakot Safari

We recommend bringing:

• Lightweight, comfortable clothing

• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Rain jacket

• Insect repellent

• Refillable water bottle

• Binoculars

• Camera with a suitable telephoto lens

• Headlamp or small torch

• Power bank

• Small backpack

• Personal medication

The rainforest can be hot, humid and wet, while night drives can feel surprisingly cool.

Book Your 3D2N Deramakot Wildlife Safari

A 3D2N Deramakot Wildlife Safari is the perfect introduction to one of Sabah's most fascinating wildlife destinations.

Travel deep into the rainforest, explore remote forest roads and spend your nights searching for the creatures that come alive after dark.

You may see orangutans, pygmy elephants, wild cats, civets, binturongs and many other species — but every sighting is genuinely wild and never guaranteed.

Ready to explore Deramakot?

Contact Lost Borneo with your preferred travel dates, number of travellers and wildlife interests. We can advise you on availability, the best safari duration and how to combine Deramakot with other Borneo wildlife destinations such as Kinabatangan River or Danum Valley.