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Beluran Safaris

Emerging / remote

Beluran Safaris runs night drives, early-morning and afternoon 4WD drives, and boat cruises on the Segaliud Lokan river through Segaliud-Lokan Forest Reserve, a sustainably managed forest in Beluran district, central Sabah, roughly 1h45 from Sandakan airport. Entry is through a private plantation, so the tracks see far fewer visitors than better-known sites like Deramakot. The appeal is the range of small nocturnal carnivores — Sunda leopard cat, marbled cat, Malay civet and other civets, Sunda stink badger — alongside Sunda pangolin, slow loris, Sunda colugo and owls after dark, with Bornean orangutan, maroon langur, hornbills and the odd Bornean elephant by day. Trips run as 3 days/2 nights or 4 days/3 nights, operated by 1StopBorneo Wildlife.

Best for: mammal watching, night drives, off-the-beaten-path
Mammals: Malay Civet, Sunda Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat, Sunda Stink Badger, Binturong, Bornean Bearded Pig, Sambar Deer, Island Palm Civet, Sunda Pangolin, Bornean Orangutan, Red Leaf Monkey (Maroon Langur), Sunda Colugo (Flying Lemur), Bornean Elephant
Birds: Buffy Fish-Owl, Brown Wood-Owl, Crested Serpent-Eagle
Snakes: Reticulated Python
Other: Slow Loris

Top highlights

  1. Malay Civet
  2. Sunda Leopard Cat
  3. Marbled Cat
  4. Sunda Stink Badger
  5. Binturong
  6. Bornean Bearded Pig
  7. Sambar Deer
  8. Buffy Fish-Owl
  9. Reticulated Python
  10. Slow Loris
  11. Island Palm Civet
  12. Sunda Pangolin
  13. Bornean Orangutan
  14. Red Leaf Monkey (Maroon Langur)
  15. Sunda Colugo (Flying Lemur)
  16. Brown Wood-Owl
  17. Crested Serpent-Eagle
  18. Bornean Elephant

Accommodation

Guests stay in the plantation guesthouse at the Sungai Lokan base camp: rustic staff quarters with twin rooms and shared toilets and bathrooms, and basic local-style meals served at the plantation dining area. It is simple and off-the-beaten-track rather than a lodge; the operator's itineraries include accommodation, all meals, transport from Sandakan, entrance and conservation fees, boat cruises and 4WD safaris, with only personal drinks and flights extra.

Getting there

Pick-up is arranged from Sandakan airport, Sepilok, Sandakan town or the Mile 32 checkpoint. The drive to the Beluran Safari junction at the plantation entrance takes about 1 hour 45 minutes depending on traffic, where guests switch to a 4WD vehicle for the track in to the Sungai Lokan base camp. Plan to arrive by late afternoon so the first boat cruise and night drive can happen on day one.

Best time to visit

The operator publishes no fixed season, so check dates and recent sightings with them before booking. What matters most is the number of nights: each night of a stay includes a 2–4 hour night drive, so a 3-night trip gives three chances at the nocturnal species — the main lever on sightings. Drives are adjusted to the group's targets, and as the operator is careful to say, sightings depend on weather and luck and nothing is guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Beluran Safaris?

Beluran Safaris runs trips in Segaliud-Lokan Forest Reserve, a sustainably managed forest in Beluran district, central Sabah, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes from Sandakan airport. Entry is through a private plantation.

Who runs Beluran Safaris?

Beluran Safaris trips are operated by 1StopBorneo Wildlife.

What can you see on a Beluran night drive?

The appeal is the range of small nocturnal carnivores: Sunda leopard cat, marbled cat, Malay civet and other civets, and Sunda stink badger. Sunda pangolin, slow loris, Sunda colugo and owls also turn up after dark. By day, Bornean orangutan, maroon langur and hornbills are possible, with the odd Bornean elephant.

How long are the trips and the night drives?

Trips run as 3 days/2 nights or 4 days/3 nights. Each night includes a 2 to 4 hour night drive, and there are also early-morning and afternoon 4WD drives and boat cruises on the Segaliud Lokan river.

What is included in a Beluran Safaris trip?

The operator's itineraries include accommodation, all meals, transport from Sandakan, entrance and conservation fees, boat cruises and 4WD safaris. Only personal drinks and flights are extra.

Where do you stay at Beluran?

Guests stay in the plantation guesthouse at the Sungai Lokan base camp: rustic staff quarters with twin rooms, shared toilets and bathrooms, and basic local-style meals. It is simple and off the beaten track rather than a lodge.

How do you get to Beluran Safaris?

Pick-up is arranged from Sandakan airport, Sepilok, Sandakan town or the Mile 32 checkpoint. The drive to the plantation entrance takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, then guests switch to a 4WD for the track in to the Sungai Lokan base camp. Plan to arrive by late afternoon so the first boat cruise and night drive can happen on day one.

Can you see a marbled cat at Beluran?

Marbled cat is one of the main targets, but sightings depend on weather and luck and nothing is guaranteed. The number of nights is the main lever: each extra night is another night drive.

How does Beluran compare with Deramakot?

Deramakot is the flagship for mammal watching in Sabah. Beluran works similar country and sees far fewer visitors, because entry is through a private plantation, so it suits a repeat visit or an add-on.

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