GETTING THERE
At first glance, the quaint town of Lahad Datu doesn’t seem to have much to offer compared to the bustling Kota Kinabalu city. Strategically located along the east coast of Sabah, mid-way between Tawau and Sandakan, Lahad Datu is the gateway and a pivotal part of the journey to the mysterious depths of Danum Valley and beyond. Travelers who choose to stick around for the night to explore the charms of the Dent Peninsula can opt to stay at Bike & Tours’ Bed and Breakfast for a clean and comfortable environment before or after venturing Danum Valley.
| Flight | Departure Time | Hours |
|---|---|---|
BKI - LDU | ETD 0610hrs ETA 0705hrs |
ETD 0710hrs ETA 0805hrs | 55 mins |
LDU - BKI | ETD 1610hrs ETA 1705hrs |
ETD 1720hrs ETA 1815hrs | 55 mins |
SDK - LDU | ETD 1120hrs ETA 1155hrs | 35 mins |
LDU - SDK | ETD 1330hrs ETA 1405hrs | 35 mins |
KCH - TWU | ETA 1100hrs ETA 1245hrs | 1 hr 45 mins |
TWU - KCH | ETD 1310hrs ETA 1445hrs | 1 hr 35 mins |
Bus information, and how far it is by car from Tawau / Semporna / Sandakan / Sukau
| Bus | Departure time | Hours | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
KK (North Bus Terminal Inanam) to LDU (Bus Terminal) | ETD 7AM / 9AM / 8PM | Tung Ma Express | |
KK (North Bus Terminal Inanam) to LDU (Bus Terminal) | ETD 7AM / 9AM / 12PM / 2PM / 6.30PM / 8PM | Sairah Express | |
KK (North Bus Terminal Inanam) to LDU (Bus Terminal) | ETD 7PM | Gabungan Express | |
SDK (Bus Terminal) to LDU (Bus Terminal) | ETD 7.30AM / 2PM | Dyana Express | |
TWU (Sabindo Square Express Bus Terminal) to LDU (Bus Terminal) | ETD 12PM / 1.30PM / 3PM | Gabungan Express | |
TWU (Sabindo Square Express Bus Terminal) to LDU (Bus Terminal) | ETD 10AM | Optisjaya Express | |
Semporna (Bus Terminal) to LDU (Bus Terminal) | ETD 8.30AM / 9PM | Manis Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to KK (Bus Terminal Inanam) | ETD 9AM / 10.30AM / 4.30PM / 10.30PM | Sairah Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to KK (Bus Terminal Inanam) | ETD 8.15AM / 8.30PM | Gabungan Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to KK (Bus Terminal Inanam) | ETD 8.30AM / 10.30AM / 4.30PM / 10.30PM | Ali Topan Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to KK (Bus Terminal Inanam) | ETD 8.30AM / 4PM / 9PM | Dyana Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to SDK (Bus Terminal) | ETD 3.30PM | Sairah Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to SDK (Bus Terminal) | ETD 9.30AM / 4PM | Dyana Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to SDK (Bus Terminal) | ETD 7.30AM / 8.30AM / 9.30AM | Gabungan Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to TWU (Sabindo Square Express Bus Terminal) | ETD 3AM / 3.30PM / 9.30PM | Ali Topan Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to TWU (Sabindo Square Express Bus Terminal) | ETD 2.30PM / 3PM / 9PM | Sairah Express | |
LDU (Bus Terminal) to TWU (Sabindo Square Express Bus Terminal) | ETD 7.30AM / 8.30AM / 10AM | Gabungan Express |
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To venture into Danum Valley, one must first set foot in Lahad Datu, a charming town located at Sabah’s southeast coast. Travelers who prefer a more independent itinerary to their adventures can opt to travel on land via minivans from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, and Semporna – granting you a picturesque journey through the countryside. Afterwhich, an approximately 81km drive from Lahad Datu to Danum Valley Conservation Area will take you on a sealed road for the first 15km before continuing on the Yayasan Sabah Group logging road for the rest of the journey.
* All information provided is subject to change without notice.
INSIDER TIPS
- Telecommunication reception is weak. It’s nature asking you to disconnect and reconnect with her!
- Weather in the rainforest are different in the city where it is hot and humid but mostly shaded.
- There are good chances of wildlife sightings, such as macaque, civets, bornean birds and orang utan.
- Do you know that it is the oldest rainforest in the world? It is that old, over 140 million years old of primary virgin rainforest.
- If you are a bird enthusiast, this is heaven with over 300 species of birds.
- It is one of the main crossings for Bornean Pygmy Elephants, the world’s smallest elephant, if you are lucky you would be seeing a herd traveling through the rainforest.
- You won’t be able to travel on your own as you would need a licensed guide to bring you around. Self driving is also prohibited as permits are only issued to relevant bodies.