zainib

Any advice from those who've been there on the question of the 3 night/2 day package versus the 4 night/3 day? Given the effort and expense involved in getting there, my inclination would be to go for the 4 nights. On the other hand, the cost of that extra night is pretty steep. Any of you who went for just 3 nights wind up wishing you'd booked the extra night? Anyone go for 4 and wish you hadn't?

Kathie

I'd recommend the 4 nights. We stayed for three nights and had a fantastic time and would have enjoyed even more time there. There are a good variety of walks from the lodge, so you won't cover the same ground twice (though you'll want to go back to the canopy walk!)

zainib

Thanks Kathie. That was the way I was leaning, even though that extra night will cost about $1,000 for the 3 of us. I think it's safe to say that the BRL has gone way beyond "pricey," as you described it in your '05 report!

Any thoughts on the standard versus the deluxe rooms?

Kathie

Wow - $1000! The problem there is that all supplies have to be brought in via air and land, so it is a very expensive place to run. All staff live on-site. It's a great set-up, but no way to make it inexpensive.

I really can't help much with that, as I understand there has been extensive remodeling since we were there. At the time we visited, the standard rooms were in buildings that had two units, the deluxe were one unit to a building.

lhgreenacres

I would agree with Kathie, and go even further to say that more nights the better. We stayed for seven nights in 2008 and it was probably one of the best trips we have ever taken. It is too long to get there to stay a few nights and as it is the rainforest it can take time to be able to see things.

cokesmith

YEs- the more nights the better of course. We've stayed in both spots - the DRL and the Danum Valley Research Center, which is FAR less expensive. The accmodations are much more limited but the food was good and the wildlife was at least as good if not better... Check out our blog entry for this trip:

http://cokesmithphototravel.com/Expe...to_Borneo.html

Kathie

cokesmith, I understand that the Danum Valley Research Center no longer offers accommodations to anyone except visiting scientists. Has this changed?

cokesmith

Oh - that may very well be. I would try to make contact with a local operator to see if it is possible to get more solid information. Sorry - I don't have that info handy right away...Even if it is not possible to get in for a stay, it is a very nice place to visit and trek a bit. I would HIGHLY recommend you do an afternoon trip to the DVRC and perhaps sack dinner it there and arrange a night drive for the 30km + drive back. You will most likely see a TON of wildlife. We arranged a night drive between the two and the DVRL strapped a padded teak bench in the back of their truck and gave us the night drive of a lifetime!