22 March 2025

Trip to Sabah, Borneo 19 April – 4 May: anyone else going there at that time?

I am currently planning a visit to Sabah from around 19 April – 4 May, following a work trip to Indonesia. Main focus will be mammals, but I will also target birds and anything else I come across. The trip will be self organised and I am planning to hire a car to get around. I will be visiting the standard sites mostly – ideally including Deramakot if they still have space –  but am still setting up my itinerary.

Anyone else considering to go around that time? If so, let me know – keen to connect and/or join forces!

Best,

Pieter

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pietervaneijk
My work with an international nature conservation organisation brings me to some special places across the world. As a (partly) converted birder I now want to expand my knowledge about mammals, contribute to science and meanwhile add some nice species to my life list! Some species on my ultimate wish-list (in random order): Streaked Tenrec, Narwal, Otter Civet, Pyrenean desman, Clouded leopard, Hammer headed bat, Pangolin, Blue whale, Banded linsang, Saiga.  
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5 Comments

  • 22 March 2025
    Sebastian Kennerknecht

    Hey Pieter,
    Sounds like a great trip. I won’t be there that time, but a heads up, you can’t just show up at Deramakot. Generally they won’t let you just drive in without a permit, and you will need a guide once you are there.
    Hope that helps,
    Sebastian

  • 23 March 2025
    Andreas Jonsson

    As said. You can´t just show up at Deramakot without a permit.
    Also beware of VERY bad and muddy roads in Deramakot this March. Where some parts were more or less impossible to get through. Maybe fixed in April but you never know.
    Even the most experienced drivers with the biggest 4X4 got stuck. Hopefully it will get fixed, depending on the rain I guess.

  • 23 March 2025
    pietervaneijk

    Thanks Sebastian and Andreas for your advise! I will make sure to check in with local operators on Deramakot. Fingers crossed on access, and hoping they still got space!

    Best,

    Pieter

    • 24 March 2025
      Yeye

      It´s possible to book Deramakot without using an operator, but you need to get a license for both yourself and the car, plus find a place to sleep. I did it on my own. You can contact me at jens@hauser.se if you want to have more details.

  • 24 March 2025
    Shavez Cheema

    Dear Pieter, Enjoy Borneo

    There is a new cheaper alternative to Deramakot incase its full and to expensive, Its called Beluran Safaris(Deramakot 2), its 1 hour 45 minutes only from Sandakan, or 1 hour 30 minutes or so from Telupid Town 🙂 and if you drive in we could use your car for the drives and you can save some costs… There is also Tawau Safaris we are doing.. If you are keen for either and have a good trip and support conservation , just send me an email 1stopborneo@gmail.com , Shavez Cheema 1StopBorneo Wildlife

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