Ichin, make sure you are on the official website for BRL...

Vanessa at Borneo Nature Tours can help you.

Do make sure you are on the BRL website. They have a live chat function as well as email. www.borneorainforestlodge.com

I filled out their reservation request form and they got back to me quickly. Note that they will make plane reservations for you if you'd like, and even hotel reservations in KK.

BTW, there was no internet access at the BRL when I was there, so the email likely goes to their booking office in Lahad Datu.

I'd stick with contacting them directly rather than going through an agent.

OK, I am now officially REALLY confused. We are in the process of making our reservations at BRL. I first sent a message to the site Kathie mentioned (kind of bare site) with chat function as you mentioned, K. But then I noticed that the borneo nature tours site is listed as "the official website of borneo rainforest lodge." And, indeed, it's a much more expanded website. They note that they "operate the BRL" So I really don't get it, now. Seems logical that the BRL's direct site would have the BRL address, but on the other hand, how can the Nature Tours place say they operate it? . .. Perhaps it doesn't matter in the end?

Well, the website I gave you is the one we used to make our reservations. Click on reservations and fill out the forms.

Borneo Nature Tours books a number of places, so to my way of thinking they can't be the official website of the BRL. But they might be the travel agency the BRL recommends to people who need additional assistance. Their website does confuse me! Since rivet mentioned them, perhaps s/he can come back and clarify your questions.

I think you might be correct glover...maybe it doesn't matter in the end.

I tried to get information from the website that Kathie used and had no response and was never able to find anyone to chat with, at least during the times I was checking. On the other hand, Borneo Nature Tours has an agent who will check into the reservations and answer all the questions you might have regarding the transfer to the lodge. Vanessa has been extremely helpful and every detail is explained in their literature. For example, the transfer that is "included" in the package, is ONLY available to guests arriving on the 7 am flight from Kota Kinabalu.....if that is where you are coming from. I suppose if you had another way to Lahad Datu and could be there by 9:30 am, you would also qualify for the transfer included in the package.

Of course guests arriving at other times are able to book their transfer to the lodge for a fee of $US 50/person. Same goes for the return transfer, which, I believe is around 1 pm , getting guests into LD for the 5::25 pm flight back to KK. If you want a different time, then the $US 50 charge applies.

Of course, Martha Stewart flew in by helicopter, so that is an option as well for some people. Maybe Dogster.

I had a good look at Kathie's trip report and noted that she seemed happy with the standard package times and that she likely felt it was enough time spent at the lodge - which was good news as it is very expensive and I did not want to spend an extra day. We took the 3 Day, 2 night option. The way the package times work seems to give the biggest bang for the buck.

When I was looking into the rates at BRL, there did not seem to be a difference between the 2 websites. I decided that since there has been some additional duplexes built in the last few years, then probably the lodge decided to focus on the lodge and let some other company worry about the details of reservations. I can't explain any other reason that they would say they are the Official site. Anyway, Borneo Nature Tours does a good job, even prearranging dietary requirements and preferences.

My advice is to book as early as possible. I had to do a bit of juggling, even 4 months out , in a relatively slow season (November). Hope those friends checking up on me here will keep quiet about this part of our Bali trip....so far it is still a surprise for my family. Even the the travel clinic is IN on the surprise....the vaccinations for Borneo are similar, but think we may get a slightly different malaria prophylactic. Anyway, I am very excited at the chance to see man's closest living primate relatives. Our family first experienced "monkeys" in Costa Rica and I am familiar with glover from that board, in fact we almost stayed at Casa Linda in the Osa after reading your review. At least I am fairly certain that was your post.

We used MAS Wings for our flights to Lahad Datu - again book early for the best fares. You can save about 50%. Still struggling with hotels in Kota Kinabalu.

I sent an email to Sepelok Lodge but will also contact Borneo nature Tours. Thanks for the insights.

Well, hey, Rivet, thanks for your detail! That was us who stayed at Casa Linda in CR. Hope you'll get there some day - it remains a great memory for us. That Martha Stewart business at the BRL was something to read about, wasn't it?
Despite the pain it caused for other guests, it kinda gave me a better pic of Martha - that she was interested in visiting Borneo . . even by helicopter. We're actually looking to book at BRL for mid January, and have already been in contact with Christa at Borneo Nature Tours. So I think it's all going to work out. . .

I do have one more question. Though I can ask the vendors, from Katie and rivet what what is generally the ideal 3-4 month period to visit in temps of teps/humidity but aldo for snorkel and diving in Sabah area. For Java it is mid-march to mid-June.

Stan, sorry I can't help with your question. We are going in Nov. because that fits or schedule best and Asia for us is not a beach destination.

glover, have been to CR a few times. Last year I took my mom with me to the Osa to visit my daughter who was interning at that time at Bosque del Cabo. Walked down the lane past famous Martina's but it was not open...midafternoon. Too bad, it sounded pretty funky.

The trip reports I read here on Fodor's obviously help me make decisions for future vacations and I have Kathie to thank for the side trip to Borneo. Without her details and recommendations, I might not have considered it in our plans. SO excited about Borneo!

Ditto that, Rivet (and Kathie!) It's Kathie's trip report that has us going to Borneo Rainforest Lodge as well!

Yep, it's pretty hard to even remember the old days when the only travel info you could get was what was offered up by tour companies and govts..

Internship at Bosque del Cabo?! Where do I sign up? We were kind of headed there, when we were sidetracked by that Casa Linda house. But some day .. .

Yes, it is Katie's report that peaks my interest as well but I wonder what developments has been made to pushthe animal life further into the rain forest and less accessible.I say this based upon what has occurred in some towns along the amazon that i visited in 1978-80 and revisited 9 years later. By the time i go it will be more than 6 years since Katie was there. I only raise it as a question. i would love to have an unbised non-easily impressed opinion of someone who has been there in the past 12 months for that would really be helpful.

I'm glad my report has inspired others to go to Borneo. It was an unforgettable trip. I've been offline for two days, but it looks like you have figured it out in my absence. I find myself wondering whether the www.borneorainforestlodge.com site is the old site (it looks just like it did when we reserved!) and Borneo Nature Tours now does all the booking. If any of you get a clear answer to that do post back.

And I hope you'll both post reports of your trips.

Stan, I was told that April-May were very good months to visit Danum Valley, mostly because of the plants fruiting then that attract the Orangutans. But you'll need to do some research of your own to try to coordinate all of the places you want to go. BTW, STan, Sepilok is an orangutan "rehab" center, meaning that you would not be seeing orangutans in the wild. I don't know whether that matters to you. It mattered to me.

Just so that you can imagine Sepilok...

There was a main office area where we bought our tickets and then knew that we should be there for a specific times when the orangutans will be fed (these times are posted). This is not a sophisticated looking set up, if you have travelled much in Malaysia you will know what I mean.

From the office we went along a wooden walkway into the forest, until we came to the end that had wooden benches. We waited there & I guess there were about 10 people in total by the time others had arrived.There is a fence all around the walkway, and then a rope that goes between the trees there.

At the appointed time some rangers arrived with food, prior to this we saw no orangutan as we waited, but clearly they had been observing, as soon after orangutan started to appear. Some climbing along the rope, others swinging in from trees etc. The rangers put food on some of the platforms, and the ornagutan very happily came for that. We watched as they ate and played around, I would think for about half an hour. The orangutan were all different sizes and ages, and lovely to observe feeding and playing together. It was easy to take photos and see the orangutan close up.

So, as Kathy says, you do not see the orangs as you might by trekking in a forest etc. Obviously they can choose to come to the feeding stage or not, and then if they stay or not is their choice, but it is not totally natural.We were pleased to have been there though, and to see the ornangutan.

On the Kinnabatangan boat trips we did not see orangutan, although people do some times (as well as pygmy elephants), but lots of other baboons and especially proboscis monkeys which are wonderful too. We took night trips on the boat, when a light was used to spot the animals, and we have a lovely memory of seeing 3 very beautiful turquoise coloured birds, quite close up (2 metres) all asleep on a branch. Some wonderful moments! However, the Kinnabatangan Jungle Camp is a very simple place and maybe not what most Fodorites would enjoy. A plus point to going by river, it was very cool as you sail down the river and no leech socks needed!!!!

Stan, if you look at reviews of Borneo Rainforest Lodge on tripadvisor, it appears that folks who've been recently are still seeing wildlife.

We'll be there at end of Jan., which is probably not the best time in terms of weather - but that's when the trip is, so it will be. We'll just hope for an unusually dry rainy season. And with current world weather, who can say that we might not get it?

I think we will go. just waiting to hear back from the Last Resort Rainforest Lodge (3 days) to decide between it an BLR. Likely we will go in early April after 7-8 days back in Java and end with 4-5 days in Sabah for some snorkeling and diving.
Thanks for the input.

Hi there,

We have a reservation to stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in April of 2011.

To clarify a couple of things I see posted here:

1) To make a reservation, contact Borneo Nature Tours. Vanessa will be in touch within a day or two and is very responsive. In fact, in all of my emails back and forth with her, I think she may be a native English speaker. She can answer any question you have. We tried, initially, numerous times to contact someone through borneorainforestlodge.com and never had any luck at all.

2) The lodge will make arrangements for private transfers, if needed. However, to make use of the free transfers from Lahad Datu that the lodge offers you need to take the early flight out of Kota Kinabalu -- I believe it leaves around 7am, arriving at 7:55am.

Hope that helps!

StanKase -- just noticed your post. We will be there in April, too! ;-)

jrn, thanks for your info. It sounds like the old website no longer works but lives on in cyberspace!

I look forward to hearing about your stay at BRL.

Wow, glad I stumbled onto this post. We are going to be diving in Borneo April 3-13 and hoped to add on a land tour to see the orangs either before or after diving. Copied Kathie's ttrip report last year to use as a guide and was just getting around to starting my research when I saw this post.

Thanks jrn, for making my life easier with your info re reservations at BRL.

Maybe a little more help. From NY considering I want to visit Central and East Java as well as Sabah and either BLR, Last Resort or Sepilok Rrainforest Lodge what would be the be the best routing in terms of least connections, waits between connections and cost. I am not asking you to be my travel agent but maybe to give me a pretty good general idea. Our last trip to java was easy. NY-Sin-Java.
thanks