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The tropical rainforests have been called the "lungs" of Planet Earth, a critical sustainer of life.
Borneo is one of the last places in the world where you can still find magnificent virgin rainforest. Its largest virgin rainforest is in Sabah's Danum Valley, which has now become a conservation area. It is home to many rare birds, monkeys, deer, insects and plants. Many visitors will remember it as a very beautiful place although it may be quite difficult to see some of the larger animals. There are only two places to stay, one for tourists and one for scientists. As there is no attempt made to attract mass tourism the price of the tourist resort is kept rather at the upper end of the scale.
Compared to the rest of the world's rain forests, Malaysia's is a grandmother. During the Ice Ages, much of the Earth was covered by immense glaciers that kept the global climate cool. Consequently, many of the planet's tropical rain forests had to wait until the glaciers receded before they could evolve. Malaysia's forest, however, was blessed with a location far enough away from the ice that it developed 130 million years ago - far earlier than those of Africa and Latin America..
The Danum Valley Field Centre is located at 117o48.75' E and 5o 1' N on the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah, Borneo Island. The station lies on the edge of the 43.8 km2 Danum Valley Conservation Area (an area of Class I protected rain forest) which itself lies within the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, as part of the 972.8 km2 Yayasan Sabah Forestry Concession..
Sited beside the Segama River, the Centre is located 81 km west of Lahad Datu and more than 20 km from any other habitation - a truly remote setting. Research efforts have revealed a tremendous variety of plants and the full range of Sabah's lowland fauna, including such rare and endangered species as Sumatran rhino, banteng (tembadau), elephant, clouded leopard, orang utan and proboscis monkey. Bird life is equally varied with some 275 species recorded to date in the area..
The nearest town to the Field Centre is Lahad Datu, which is served daily by Malaysia Airlines. Visitors coming from Kota Kinabalu should book a morning flight on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. On these days a vehicle comes to town in the morning with departing visitors, does the shopping and then returns to the Filed Centre in the afternoon. If a clearly marked vehicle is not at the airport, walk 300 metres to the Regional Office at MDLD 3286/3287, Block 3, of the Fajar Centre. The drive from Lahad Datu to Danum Valley Field Centre takes approximately two hours. If your itinerary does not coincide with the three regular trips each weeks, a special charge may be levied. Otherwise you can request our Lahad Datu office to arrange to hire a mini-bus for about the same price..
If you drive your own vehicle, you must first obtain an access permit from the Lahad Datu office. The permit must be produced at the check point at km 5.5 on the Main Line West logging road. Follow this road to Taliwas at km 21 where there is a sign-posted left turn to the Field Centre 45 km onwards. Be warned that the road is used by 70-ton logging trucks, so drive slowly and carefully. Note that firearms and hunting are absolutely forbidden anywhere in the Conservation Area or access roads to it.
On arrival at the Centre, all visitors must register in the Reception Centre - or after office hours in the resthouse.
