lchin

For those that have been there, what time did you need to arrive in Lahad Datu in the morning in order to catch their 4wd transport. We will be flying from Kota Kinabalu.
Also, what time did you get back to Lahad Datu to catch a flight back to Kota Kinabalu?

Did you feel that this trip was worth the traveling time and cost, or could you see the same thing at parks closer to Kuching and Miri? We are trying to decide whether to take 3 days out of the 10 to go there; it does sound exciting.

What hotels do you recommend in Kota Kinabalu and Miri?

inquest

The driving distance from Lahad Datu to Danum valley(I presume where you're headed)is about 2hrs.Like wise give yourself 2hrs of time,on the return, to catch the flight to KK (you have'nt mentioned the return flight timing).Danum valley is a very unique eco-system.
Sabah in my opinion has lots more to offer than Sarawak.The extra 3 days could be spent diving or snorkelling in the various marine parks,which are well worth.
Alternatively,from Sandakan you could do the rainforest with Uncle Tans.Be warned.Should be prepared to rough it out.Creature comfort is bare minimum.

Kathie

The BRL will meet your flight, and will take you back to Lahad Datu to catch your flight back to KK. You'll want to take the earliest flight from KK to Lahad Datu to give yourself maximum time at the BRL.

I think you already know I thought the BRL was an incredible experience.

Kathie

I have been assuming you've read my Borneo trip report, but now I see I never gave you a link: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm

Also, photos at www.marlandc.com/Borneo/index.htm

StanKase

What are the most up-scale accomodations available on the trip. Please be brutely frank. I know katie was there 5 years ago but what about might exist now in 2010. we are thinking of 2011. Also, what is the best 2-3 months period to go for Boreo and also snorkeling in Sabah?

Kathie

Stan, the BRL has been renovated since I was there. The BRL is generally assessed to be the best accommodation available in such a setting. Craig is planning a trip to Borneo and has decided on a different place - look for his post about their planning. It looks nice, I'll be interested to hear about his trip.

Do some Googling - or Binging.

Craig

The Last Frontier Boutique Resort:

http://www.thelastfrontierresort.com/rooms.html

Craig

Kathie - lol, only someone from Seattle would suggest Binging.

MichaelBKK

Someone recommended The Last Frontier to me a couple weeks ago, but as a place to stay while visiting Sandakan, rather than a place to stay in the rainforest. Apparently, while they suggest it's in the middle of the forest, it's more at the edge of town. That was the impression I got from the person who stayed there.

StanKase

All; My thought was to spend some more time (6-7) days in Java next yeat and fly from possibly Solo or Jojka to Sabah, if I can do it VERY conveniently and resonably priced and spend 3-4 days diving/snorkeling and 2 days/3 nigjts in the rain forest with an economical rounting, I assume through KL back to NYC. Does this make sense for a 14 day trip plus the 3 days I will loose in flying?

Kathie

What is unique about the BRL is the location. The Danum Valley Conservation area is the most protected area of Malaysia, and the BRL is right in the primary rainforest. There are no other places to stay in the Danum Valley (other than a research station which usually requires that one be a bona fide researcher and the accommodations are rather primitive).

Stan, I don't know of any convenient ways to get to Sabah from Jogja or Solo. As best I can remember, you'd have to fly to Singapore from Solo (Silk Air), then Singapore to Kota Kinabalu (overnight) then Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu. Only you can decide if that is too many connections for you.

Craig, believe it or not, I'm getting better results (less garbage) from Bing than from Google these days. But, of course, I also own stock ;-)

Craig

Michael - My understanding (based on reports on tripadvisor and from the resort itself) is that the Last Frontier is near the town of Sukau, a two hour drive from Sandakan. Possibly it could be at the edge of Sukau?

In any case, the resort is in or near enough to the Kinabatangan Forest Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary to allow walks in the reserve and cruises on the Kinabatangan river. And the wildlife is reportedly abundant...

StanKase

Katie & Michael & Craig; With a problem knee that limits my walking more than about a 1/2 mile on relatively flat surfaces before sitting down how much do I miss staying in the rain forest looking for the animal life if I were to do 90% of our exploring by canoe or similar?
I am considering Malaysia Borneo because I understand going through Sumatra is much more primitive and the accomodations, guides, etc. even now have yet to develop a suitable inferstructure to make the jouney an enjoyable and safe one. Is that reasonably correct?

Kathie

I can't compare with Sumatra, as I haven't been there.

At the BRL, there are options that would be possible for you even with your walking limitations, but there are a number of trails that would be impossible for you.

The places where all of your sightseeing is via canoe or boat would be different from the BRL, and not staying in the rainforest would be different. But it may be the least physically stressful way for you to view wildlife.

StanKase

Katie; I am not following your second paragraph. Are you saying you saw much different wild life walking than from the night outings via canoe and boats? Obviously one is not guranteed to see some things in one and not the other but can you give me your best guess of what I have a good chance of missing wilthout doing the trail walks??

Kathie

Stan, the BRL doesn't have an option of viewing wildlife from a canoe/boat. The places that do are in a different setting than the BRL. So you would expect to have a different experiencee at the two places and to see different varieties of wildlife.

I have not visited the places that do the wildlife viewing via boat - I've talked with people who have, I've researched places that do that. The two experiences are simply different. I won't judge better/worse, they are simply different. Only you know what would be better for you.

janev

We stayed (in Jan 2008) at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort
http://www.sepilokforestedge.com/index.html. We really enjoyed our time here, and then went on to Kinnabatangan Jungle Camp. This is run by Robert Chong, and from here they take you by boat along the Kinnabatangan to see the wildlife there. I have had a peek on trip advisor and there are good reviews, (I checked as in a few years things can change)http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...kan_Sabah.html. Its not high end accommodation at all at Kinnabatangan, but nice people (Robert Chong is an interesting guy and his wife Annie is at Sepilok and very nice).

StanKase

I think my only un-stated issue to this point is: We are o/k. with heat and humidity during the day while exploring be it by boat or by van but without A/C or a very cool breeze to sleep with we might have 3 sleepless nights. so, the question katie may be is the experience be just that.

Kathie

If you go to the BRL, there will be no van for exploring nor boats, only walking. The rooms are not air-conditioned, but have a ceiling fan. We slept fine.

The canopy walk is a short distance from the lodge. You could spend your whole day there and see a lot.

lchin

did you have trouble getting email responses from BNL. Seems I email and they don't answer. Why are they so unresponsive?