Borneo Rainforest Lodge — Hotel in Borneo

Borneo Rainforest Lodge is truly one of the most extraordinary places we’ve ever stayed. Nestled in the heart of Danum Valley, one of the oldest rainforests on Earth, the lodge blends luxury with deep ecological respect. Built in the 1990s as part of a visionary effort to protect and promote sustainable tourism in this pristine environment, the lodge has become a global model for conservation done right. Every detail reflects its mission—to immerse guests in nature while preserving it for generations to come.

We stayed in a Premium Deluxe Chalet, set privately along the riverbank. The room was incredibly comfortable—open-air bathtub, plush bedding, and total immersion in the jungle without sacrificing any luxury. There is no Wi-Fi in the rooms, which we actually appreciated as part of the digital detox. The room uses a passive ventilation system, so even with all the doors and windows closed, the sounds of the jungle—birds, insects, the river—fill the space. We found it incredibly charming and atmospheric, though it might be surprising or bothersome to light sleepers.

From our deck, we spotted local raptors, several Sambar deer (locally pronounced more like “Saba deer”), and tons of colorful smaller birds. The Merlin bird ID app made for a surprisingly fun way to pass time between treks.

Stephanie at the front desk greeted us with such genuine warmth, setting the tone for the entire stay. Jude, the Lodge Manager, oversees everything with remarkable care and attention to detail—every part of the experience felt smooth, intentional, and personal.

Our guide for three days, Helen, was outstanding. Her knowledge of the flora, fauna, and local culture was second to none. She made every trek meaningful, from identifying rare insects to explaining ancient tree species and local traditions. She always adjusted to our pace and was incredibly attentive to our needs and interests.

We also took part in the 7.7 km river float down the Danum River, a peaceful and scenic rafting trip that offered a unique vantage point for spotting wildlife not seen during jungle hikes. Kingfishers, macaques, and even a few larger reptiles made appearances.

When it came time to leave, Rizwan, our driver to the airport, made the journey just as memorable. He’s funny, animated, and genuinely engaging—his energy kept us smiling all the way back to Lahad Datu.

The food was another highlight. Delicious, locally inspired dishes made with care and creativity. The kitchen recently earned recognition in the Malaysian Tourism Awards, and it’s well deserved.

Some tips for future visitors: trails and canopy walks are not open to the public without a guide, which helps protect both guests and the environment. Laundry is an absolute godsend—50 MYR for a “fill the bag” deal, with same-day service if submitted before 2 PM. If you’re planning treks, bring waterproof hiking boots, a good rain jacket, moisture-wicking clothing, and at least 2–3 changes of trekking clothes. You’ll need them.

And yes—the leeches. They’re fast, sneaky, and a bit annoying, but harmless. Check your clothes and body often; it’s part of the fun, in a way.

This was part of a package booked through Borneo Eco Tours, who handled every detail with professionalism and care.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone at Borneo Rainforest Lodge for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a place that stays with you—wild, serene, humbling, and unforgettable. We truly hope to...

“FORESTS are the WORLD’s air conditioning system, the LUNGS of the PLANET and we are on the verge of switching it OFF ~ Prince Charles” Date: 18/11 – 21/11/2023 Lodge: Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley 18/11/2023: The journey begins with the first flight from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu, followed by a connecting flight to Lahad Datu. Our time in Lahad Datu was incredibly short and rather uneventful, mainly due to the continuous rain throughout the day upon our arrival. We lodged at Grace Hotel, which proved to be suitable for our brief stay, offering a spacious room and convenient proximity to the airport just 5 minutes away driving. 19/11/2023: Our transportation to Danum Valley arrived at 8:25 am, and proceed to the lodge's Headquarters, not far from the airport, served as our briefing point for the journey to the lodge. They provided us with refillable bottles for our use during the stay. From Lahad Datu to Borneo Rainforest Lodge, it's a journey that involves half an hour on a paved road and two hours on a gravel path, featuring some enjoyable off-roading adventures. Credit goes to our driver, Mr. Aluwie, for his excellent driving skills. Along the way, have two designated toilet stops, both of which are kept clean and well-maintained. My joy soared as the main lodge came into view, and I particularly admired the open design of the building. The staff warmly greeted us, and the check-in process was efficient and swift. While awaiting the readiness of our room, we were treated to a delightful welcome drink and introduced to our guide for the duration of our stay, Mr. Sherwood. As our room wasn't prepared yet, we were invited to indulge in a lunch buffet. The full-board dining, inclusive in our package, was incredibly generous, ensuring we remained well-nourished throughout the entire three-day stay. Activity 1: Slide presentation at Conference Room and following with Afternoon Trek: Introduction to the forest through “Nature Trails”. 20/11/2023: Activity 2: Morning Jungle Trek: Hike to the burial site known as "Coffin Cliff" followed by a visit to the View Point for a panoramic bird’s-eye view of the surroundings. Afterward, descend to the "Jacuzzi Pool" for a rejuvenating foot dip. Activity 3: After lunch, we have EM mudballs class, this is a component of the lodge's commitment to environmentally friendly sewage management and the overall sustainability of the environment. Activity 4: After the class, we have river tubing down the Danum River. Activity 5: Night Drive in an open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal animal 21/11/2023: Activity 6: Morning Tree Top “Canopy Walkway” 300m in length and 27m at the height point providing a close-up observation of the rainforest. Undoubtedly, the canopy walk stands out as the highlight of this Danum Valley excursion. After breakfast, we have fun in a photoshoot at our chalet and enjoy a leisurely activity before lunch and check-out. Post-lunch, we head to Lahad...

Our next stop was the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley – it's a bit of a marathon trek to get there. However, admittedly, we just got to sit back and enjoy the view as Ramon drove! It is well worth visiting this very special part of the world. ||From the moment we arrived, we were well taken care of. We loved staying here - everything is of a very high standard, which is impressive considering the location. The Lodge itself is a fantastic open space with views of the pool and river and forest, as well as a long boardwalks to explore. Our room was superb, facing the river and forest, and the location was wonderful, with the sound of the river flowing past. It was so lovely we didn't want to leave the room! We had access to all the necessary facilities, including a balcony with a tub for soaking, excellent room service, a spacious bathroom, ample towels, luxurious bed linen, and more. We were treated to the friendly hospitality of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge; every member of staff we came across was lovely, smiling, helpful, and professional. The kitchen and serving staff should be applauded - the food was fantastic, plentiful, high standard, and fresh. Served and cleared quickly - but never hurried. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - all great. Wide choice of drinks and cocktails - also great! The facilities were fantastic, excellent, and the staff and surroundings – I couldn't believe we were there. ||At the Lodge, we were surrounded by an abundance of birds, butterflies, monkeys, gibbons, and orangutans – a wildlife paradise. I hoped we had as much chance of seeing wildlife from our balcony as we did while trekking in the forest - a word of caution for any future travellers: the trekking is very, very muddy, very slippery, and very wet! Make sure to bring leech socks, as you will need them - they are essential—and mozzie spray. We preferred the trail, board, and road walks because of this; I'm clumsy and didn't want to risk breaking a leg as I slipped and slid over! ||Our guide, Alex, was excellent, leading us through all our adventures - the canopy walks high above the trees, the trek to the coffin trail, and early and late-night walks. We opted out, and Alex was very understanding; we just wanted to relax a little. Through the jungle and forest, ensuring exceptional service throughout our stay. On our night safari, we came across the most enormous python - Alex was excited to see it. Me less so!||Also, a big shout-out to Rizwan, who drove us to the airport - we loved travelling with you, Rizwan, thanks for the laughter and conversation. We now have a friend in Malaysia!! ||Thankyou to all the team at the Borneo...