Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
4.5
About
RDC is first and foremost an environmental education centre managed by the Sabah Forestry Department. It has been operating since 1997 but mainly for school visits and organising events for school students and also teacher training courses on environmental education.It was later developed for visitors mainly to sustain the environmental education programme for the future. We formally opened to visitors in August 2007 and is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. However, visitors are allowed to stay until 7 pm for viewing of the flying squirrels at the 347-m long Canopy Walkway, the only such structure in Southeast Asia.The newly revamped Birders Rest is now with a 90 m-long walkway, an open hall, a small centre and toilets. As of Nov 16th 2013, we have a new operator for the Keruing Cafe whom we hope will provide better services for our visitors.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- MTaylor1919Beijing, China37 contributionsA Must VisitWonderful experience deep in the rainforest. The skywalk is very impressively done with great information on the local wildlife prevalent throughout. Limited food and drinks available and cash only for entry/refreshments. A must visit when in Sepilok and Sandakan.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 October 2023
- Derek B7 contributionsExcellent evening walkExcellent night walk at the RDC we saw a Tarsier, Slow Lori, Giant Red Flying Squirrel and some birds. Anzar from Sandakan Transport Service (WhatsApp +60 017 821 7605) reserved our places and provided return transport all for a very good price. I would definitely recommend the RDC night walk and Anzar’s transportation service.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 December 2023
- IndySigIndianapolis, Indiana4,121 contributionsGreat night hike.While we did not have very good luck during the day seeing many birds, we did thoroughly enjoy the canopy walk and the trails. The best part is the night hike at a great deal for 30mr. Our guide Jaity was EXCELLENT, well organized and we started promptly at 6 pm! We saw snakes, flying squirrels, slow loris, several stick insects and a western tarsier. My suggestion - use a guide either day or night.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 January 2024
- genibre69London, United Kingdom5,452 contributionsThe night tour is aceThis review is JUST for the night walk which is SO WORTH IT. I have a feeling the entrance free during the day is unjustified, as I freely wandered the plant garden right before the night walk. The 2 hour night walk is just fantastic. The guides’ eyes catch so many things us mere tourists would never see. Although the flying squirrel was too fast in flight to catch a photo of, seeing it was SO cool (despite waiting a half hour to do so). The adorable Western Tarsie though was the highlight of my evening (and potentially my whole Malaysia trip?!)Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 23 February 2024
- joan tDoncaster, United Kingdom486 contributionsworth a visitWe decided to visit this at the end of the day, so may have not visited at the optimum time for viewing. Too late for diurnal and too early for nocturnal. We saw a python but only because someone with a guide, pointed this out to us. However, great just to walk on the raised platform - see a different perspective. Quite scary in places and some of the watch towers are difficult to climb if you have mobility, health issues. Also, on the ground lots of raised tree roots, which were slippy so suggest sturdy footwear. At the entrance, there is a bucket with sticks in. We spoke to another visitor who was wearing sunglasses on her head and a monkey jumped on her back and tried to take them off her. Hence the sticks. (to bang against the railing as a warning not to hit the monkeys!!) Good price to enter - we didn't do the nightwalk as just too late for us. Would recommend and return.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 March 2024
- Yonathan Mathia... PFrankfurt, Germany1 contributionFun night walk, take it and repeat it until you see the wild animalsThis night walk is literally worth every Ringgit. I had it twice but didn‘t see any animals in the first night. Luckily I had a second chance just today. I saw a flying squirrel, a flying lemur, a small green viper, many spiders and insects. The highlight was definitely to be able to see a baby slow Loris with its mother and a western tasir. I would highly recommend Mr. Rosli and Mr. Dom as your night walk guides since they are very professional and ethical and put a lot of effort to spot the animals in the dark. Don‘t forget to book the night walk in advance because the demand is really high. Once it‘s full they won‘t take you spontaneously into the group. Take some insect repellent and wear your hiking shoes. It can be really itchy.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 13 April 2024
- Nissa D36 contributionsNice place to visit - defenitely recommendI really enjoyed my visit here! We spent quite some time (from 09h30-14h incl lunch). We were there in the morning and there were only few people so it was very nice to be in such a calm place. Lots to do, nice if you can take your time for the visit and take some breaks during the walk to enoy the environment (there are several benches). There is also a small museum and a garden at the end, so quite some things to see and to do. We also had lunch here which was very good.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 May 2024
- birder2519 contributionsGood birdingGood birding. Saw lots, especially spiderhunters, from the watching towers and canopy. Enjoyed listening to gibbon calls. Night tour starts with watching the flying squirrels and then looks for nocturnal mammals etc. Saw slow loris. The cafe at RDC sold really good meals, drinks and ice cream at reasonable prices. Took great photos on the suspension bridge.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 30 May 2024
- Ezgi K19 contributionsBeautiful peace of rainforest with tons of wildlife spotting opportunitiesWonderful place to visit during the day AND night. We went in the early afternoon and once more for a night walk between 8-10pm and saw many cool birds, insects and other animals we otherwise wouldn’t see during regular business hours! You have to reserve a spot in advance through any of the contacts on their site for the night walk though so you won’t have any luck if you’re going last minute. There also won’t be any regular grabs at the late hours, but we were grateful that Syafiq could bring us back to Sandakan that night, for those looking to contact him his number is +60 14-972 5651Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 July 2024
- Kev sullivanMaidstone, United Kingdom36 contributionsWell worth a visitWell worth a visit (or two) This was our second visit here, the first time was 5 years ago and we saw many different types of birds and had a very close encounter with an Orang-utan This time was marred by having a very noisy family following us for most of the raised walk so we came off and walked to the giant tree ! Wow very well sign posted and was firm underfoot. Watch out for the pig tailed macaques,they are very very aggressive. Don’t try to pass them choose another way as the will bite Would highly recommendVisited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 August 2024
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4.5
1,053 reviews
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bethan559
Manchester, United Kingdom31 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
If you have already experienced some of the wonderful national parks in Borneo I wouldn’t bother. We saw absolutely nothing it seems like a spot for avid bird watchers who can spot them in the distance. I thought there would be loads of detailed information about the rainforest in Borneo but it felt a bit like a school project with bits of paper stuck to the wall. There was no information about the loss of the rainforest in Borneo which felt strange especially being in Sabah where it is full of palm oil plantations it would have been good to learn about the impact this has had on the rainforest.
If you want to do some easy walks and haven’t had the chance to experience the rainforest elsewhere in Borneo it might be worth a visit.
Cafe was the best bit. Note drinks are cheaper from the vending machine at the start if you are on a budget.
If you want to do some easy walks and haven’t had the chance to experience the rainforest elsewhere in Borneo it might be worth a visit.
Cafe was the best bit. Note drinks are cheaper from the vending machine at the start if you are on a budget.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona C
Dubai, United Arab Emirates61 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
This was a great visit and we thought we would only spend a couple of hours but we spent all day. We ate at the cafe a little more expensive than some others but not too bad. We came back for the night walk which was a bit too formal and serious for my teens and we didnt see much to be honest but was worth being in the rainforest at sunset where we did encounter an orang utan and her baby.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lina E
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia3,515 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
An amazing nature walk. There are many aerial trails and towers named after birds. The most amazing part is the lake trail that leads to the suspension bridge. Entry is 15 Rm per person. The orangutan conservatory and the sun bear center are nearby. There is a cafe inside that sells water and other drinks and food. Not to be missed.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven_Teo
Tawau, Malaysia516 contributions
June 2019
My title is because I am a local and I have been to better ones. I was there about 10 am, which is not an ideal time in our hot weather. Except for the canopy walk, the trails are not shady enough. And it makes the experience even hotter. The only respite was the air-con Discovery Centre. I only heard a few bird calls and did not see any birds or any other wildlife.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BannedDE
San Francisco, California5,960 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We were told to reserve the night walk as soon as we arrived in Sepilok and did so. Staff arrived at 6pm and spent 15 minutes organizing the 30 people into 3 groups of 10. This took 15 minutes. Then all set out a bit spaced for the skywalk to catch first attracton, the flying squirrels viewed from the hanging bridge. All 30 reassembled on the hanging bridge to watch, in addition to 20+ who had just waited around from the afternoon to also catch the spectacle. It was a veritable circus and detracted from the overall experience.
The Giants red flying squirrels did perform on time about 630ish, and they were very impressive and the highlite of the walk. A turquise scorpion in the crack of a tree stump was unique, and we saw a small pit viper. The biggest disappointment was not seeing a Philippine slow Loris, cousin to the tarsiers who we had just seen a few weeks back in Bohol, Philippines.
The Giants red flying squirrels did perform on time about 630ish, and they were very impressive and the highlite of the walk. A turquise scorpion in the crack of a tree stump was unique, and we saw a small pit viper. The biggest disappointment was not seeing a Philippine slow Loris, cousin to the tarsiers who we had just seen a few weeks back in Bohol, Philippines.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derek B
7 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Excellent night walk at the RDC we saw a Tarsier, Slow Lori, Giant Red Flying Squirrel and some birds.
Anzar from Sandakan Transport Service (WhatsApp +60 017 821 7605) reserved our places and provided return transport all for a very good price.
I would definitely recommend the RDC night walk and Anzar’s transportation service.
Anzar from Sandakan Transport Service (WhatsApp +60 017 821 7605) reserved our places and provided return transport all for a very good price.
I would definitely recommend the RDC night walk and Anzar’s transportation service.
Written 9 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tazzat7
Tonbridge, UK747 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
Fabulous walking trails but even better tree canopy walk. There are 3 towers along the canopy walk allowing you to climb even higher in the canopy. The canopy walk is very safe and well maintained with amazing views. There is also a suspension bridge over the lake and plenty of places to stop and observe the wildlife or just have a rest. We found 2 toilet blocks and a cafe which sold reasonably priced drinks - definitely needed in the heat!
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
birder25
RSA19 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Good birding. Saw lots, especially spiderhunters, from the watching towers and canopy. Enjoyed listening to gibbon calls. Night tour starts with watching the flying squirrels and then looks for nocturnal mammals etc. Saw slow loris. The cafe at RDC sold really good meals, drinks and ice cream at reasonable prices.
Took great photos on the suspension bridge.
Took great photos on the suspension bridge.
Written 30 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kev sullivan
Maidstone, UK36 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Well worth a visit (or two)
This was our second visit here, the first time was 5 years ago and we saw many different types of birds and had a very close encounter with an Orang-utan
This time was marred by having a very noisy family following us for most of the raised walk so we came off and walked to the giant tree ! Wow very well sign posted and was firm underfoot.
Watch out for the pig tailed macaques,they are very very aggressive. Don’t try to pass them choose another way as the will bite
Would highly recommend
This was our second visit here, the first time was 5 years ago and we saw many different types of birds and had a very close encounter with an Orang-utan
This time was marred by having a very noisy family following us for most of the raised walk so we came off and walked to the giant tree ! Wow very well sign posted and was firm underfoot.
Watch out for the pig tailed macaques,they are very very aggressive. Don’t try to pass them choose another way as the will bite
Would highly recommend
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt P
7 contributions
Aug 2022
Really loved this place. We came here once in the morning and once for the night tour. We saw lots of birds including hornbills on the morning visit. Would recommend the night tour (which must be booked in advance) - we saw lots of wildlife including a frog, scorpion and fireflies. Just listening to the sounds of the rainforest was magical. Would love to come back here one day :-)
Written 1 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I will stay very close within walking distance can we just walk up and pay on entry?
Written 28 January 2024
Recommended clothing and footwear for the visit please
Written 23 January 2020
Nothing special. The paths are well kept and hazard free.
Written 24 January 2020
Yes, there is a charge but it is very reasonable. The Rainforest Discovery Centre is well worth visiting.
Written 14 August 2019
Hi
I would love to do a night walk whilst staying in sepilok and was wondering how I would go about booking
Many thanks
Alice
Written 8 July 2019
That should not be a problem most lodges have guides or will be able to arrange one.
We did one just a short walk from the lodge.
Written 9 July 2019
We arrive at Sandakan airport around 9.35 a.m. and plan to take a taxi to the RDC and Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Center. Is it safe to keep our luggage in the taxi and tour these places before being dropped off for lunch at Mango Garden Restaurant? We then have another pick-up here after lunch to our hotel.
Written 17 May 2018
Depends on how much you value your luggage.
I would be approaching your lunch venue and asking whether you can leave your bags there (assuming you have minimal - too many people overpack).
If acceptable, get your driver to detour there.
The alternative is at where you'll sleep that night.
Written 18 May 2018
I am a solo traveller. If I want to do a night walk in any of the 3 locations (RDC, Orang Utan sanctuary and Sun bear) is it possible? Is a guide for night walks necessary? Thank u.
Written 29 April 2018
We did a nightwalk with our guide at the RDC. I'd recommend that you contact Joe Harry Z. from toursbylocals, if you google it you should be able to find him, he'll be able to help you out with that.
Written 10 May 2018
I want to visit the RDC, sepilok, and sun bears. Should i pre book a tour, or is it easy (and cheaper) to just get a taxi? There will be two of us and we're going in july. Thanks
Written 5 March 2018
We stayed locally so walked to all three. The Sun bears and orangutans are next to each other, sepilok does close over lunch but the bears do not. The rainforest centre is about 15 minutes walk. There is a bus from sandakan or get a taxi, guided tour not necessary.
Written 6 March 2018
How much do I have to pay to get into the centre? Is there a place where I can get refreshments?
Written 4 July 2016
Our entrance fee rate for:
Malaysian residents:
Adult RM7.00
Children (5-17 yrs) RM3.00
Non-residents:
Adult RM15.00
Children (5-17 yrs) RM7.00
We do have Keruing Cafe selling drinks and local food.
Written 13 June 2017
How much do I have to pay to get into the centre? Is there a place where I can get refreshments?
Written 4 July 2016
Hi Kimberly, thank you for choosing our center as one of your trip. We open everyday from Monday to Friday (8am to 5pm). Entrance fee:
Resident:
Children - RM3/person (5 yrs old to 17 yrs old)
Adults - RM7/person
Non-resident:
Children - RM7/person (5 yrs old to 17 yrs old)
Adults - RM15/person
Our Keruing Cafe not operating for now, but you can buy soft drink or mineral water at the ticketing counter.
Thank you.
Written 5 July 2016
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