Tabin Wildlife Resort is situated in the eastern part of Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia within the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. It is around 45 kilometres northeast of Lahad Datu, the nearest township.

Take a flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Lahad Datu Airport (LDU). From Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Resort is 45 kilometres and a 1-hour drive away.

Internet and phone coverage may be limited due to the remote location of the resort and depending on weather conditions. Be prepared to be without phone signal for at least some of your trip.

You can book your stay at Tabin Wildlife Resort right here!

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including endangered species like the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Orang Utan, and various bird species. It is also home to the Lipad Mud Volcanoes, a unique geological feature.

Within the reserve, you can stay at Tabin Wildlife Resort, while right above the reserve is Utan Rainforest Lodge in the Sungai Kapur Virgin Jungle Reserve. Both lodges offer a unique experience, combining comfort with close proximity to nature.

Main activities at Tabin include wildlife spotting, jungle trekking, birdwatching, night safaris, and visits to the Lipad Mud Volcanoes. Tabin Wildlife Resort also offers guided tours and educational programmes about the local flora and fauna.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is said to be the best place for spotting the Borneo Big 5 – Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkeys, Orang Utan, Rhinoceros Hornbills, and Estuarine Crocodiles.

Tabin is also considered a bird-watcher's paradise, with around 300 varying species of birds.  Some you may see during your trip include the Blue-headed Pitta, Black-and-crimson Pitta, Temminck’s Sunbird, Everett’s White-eye, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Purple-throated Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, and all eight species of Sabah Hornbills, from the relatively common Oriental Pied Hornbill to the elusive Helmeted Hornbill.

While both areas are known for their biodiversity, Tabin Wildlife Reserve offers unique features like the Mud Volcanoes and is renowned for its efforts in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.

Tabin Wildlife Resort is the exclusive tour operator for accommodation and activities within the reserve.  In order to explore the reserve, you will need to book a stay with Tabin Wildlife Resort.

A stay at Utan Rainforest Lodge will, instead, grant you access to the Sungai Kapur Virgin Jungle Reserve – a dense tropical rainforest right outside the bounds of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, where you have opportunities to spot wildlife including Proboscis Monkeys, Bornean Orang Utan, Sun Bears, Helmeted Hornbills, Irrawaddy Dolphins, and the resident Bornean Ground-Cuckoo.

Utan Rainforest Lodge is located in the Sungai Kapur Virgin Jungle Reserve, right outside the bounds of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. It is about 120 kilometres away from Lahad Datu, taking 2 hours by car.

Take a flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Lahad Datu Airport (LDU). From Lahad Datu, Utan Rainforest Lodge is about 120 kilometres and a 2-hour drive away.

Internet and phone coverage may be limited due to the remote location of the lodge and depending on weather conditions. It is advisable to check with the lodge for information on connectivity.

You can book your stay at Utan Rainforest Lodge right here!

Tabin Wildlife Resort is the exclusive accommodation and tour operator in Tabin Wildlife Reserve and so, you would have to book a stay there in order to explore the reserve.

However, a stay at Utan Rainforest Lodge does give you access to the Sungai Kapur Virgin Jungle Reserve, just outside the bounds of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, offering myriad opportunities to observe wildlife and birds.

For stays and activities within the Sungai Kapur region, Utan Rainforest Lodge is your best choice.  For stays and activities within Tabin Wildlife Reserve, you can opt for Tabin Wildlife Resort instead.

The Sungai Kapur Virgin Jungle Reserve is the only place in Sabah where you can embark on both jungle treks and river cruises.  Most other similar destinations offer one or the other as main activities.

Other than that, Sungai Kapur is also an excellent site for birdwatching, home to a resident Bornean Ground-Cuckoo.  Guests of Utan Rainforest Lodge can also enjoy night safari drives and walks to observe the nocturnal world come to life in the dark.

The Sungai Kapur jungle is home to a resident Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, an elusive yet stunning bird with iridescent feathers of blue, purple, and green.  It is at Sungai Kapur where you also have an opportunity to see the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins, said to be only 300 left in the world.

Other wildlife you may encounter at Sungai Kapur Virgin Jungle Reserve include flying foxes, eagles, silvered leaf monkeys, long tailed macaques, and nocturnal animals like leopard cats, civets, slow lorises, moonrats, and mouse deer.

The best time to visit is during the dry season – from March to October – for better wildlife sightings. However, the reserve can be visited year-round, with each season offering unique experiences.

No special permits are required to visit the reserves, but accommodations and tours should be booked in advance through our website.

Medical facilities are limited within the reserve. It is recommended to carry your own basic first aid kit. In the case of emergencies, arrangements can be made for transportation to the nearest hospital in Lahad Datu.

• Follow guidelines provided by guides and lodges
• Stay on designated trails
• Maintain a safe distance from wildlife
• Avoid flash photography, especially during night activities

It is recommended to explore the reserve with licensed guides who are familiar with the terrain and wildlife. This ensures a safer and more enriching experience.

Essential items include comfortable clothing, leech socks, insect repellent, a raincoat, sturdy walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, binoculars, a drybag, and a camera for capturing the stunning wildlife and landscapes.

Consider getting a pair of Adidas Kampung – locally made rubber trekking shoes considered to be the best footwear for trekking through Borneo tropical rainforest.  Before departing Lahad Datu, you may ask your driver to bring you to a local sundry shop to buy a pair.  It should cost you no more than MYR 20.

Leeches are an indicator of a healthy tropical rainforest and so they are quite commonly encountered in this region. Visitors are advised to wear leech socks.

Mosquitoes are also present, and using natural insect repellent is recommended to stay protected.

While the focus is primarily on nature and wildlife, interactions with local communities and guides can provide insights into the indigenous customs of the area.

Yes, you can extend your trip to explore nearby attractions in Sabah, such as the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Kinabatangan River, Gomantong Caves, and the coastal towns of Lahad Datu, Sandakan, and Semporna.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is generally safe for tourists. However, it is important to follow guidelines provided by lodges, guides, and local authorities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.