Tabin Wildlife Reserve In Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Photo credit to Tabin Wildlife Resort

In touch with Nature

Venture into wild Borneo and be embraced by mother-nature. Tabin Wildlife Reserve with its 120,500 hectares dipterocarp rainforest holds extraordinary biodiversity. The reserve is a dedicated ground for the breeding of wildlife and birdlife, including the highly endangered Sumatran rhino, Borneo Pygmy elephant, and Tembadau. Tabin Wildlife Resort's authentic Borneo-style jungle lodges will compliment visitor's stay at the reserve.Offering an incomparable blend of adventure and comfort, the essesence of Tabin's exotic charm can be truly felt at the resort.  

Photo credit to Tabin Wildlife Resort

Living in the Rainforest

Enjoy the leisurely pace of timeless Tabin. Listern to the sound of rainforest, the soothing flow of the river , the cool rhythms of waterfalls and the gentle caress of breezes in Tabin. Rekindle your association with nature. Gibbon's calls at dawn, unknown insects and melodious bird songs, the magic of Borneo can be felt here. At night, look up at the clear, dark sky of Tabin. Identify the constellations above you, and make a wish or two. Experience the unfolding excitement of nature in Tabin. 

Photo credit to Tabin Wildlife Resort

Wildlife

Tabin supports significant species of wildlife, some of them endemic to Borneo. There are more than 70 mammal species. A small breeding population of the highly endangered Sumatran rhino lives here. There is a healthy population of Borneo Pygmy elephants, which can sometimes be seen strolling along the resort road. Orang Utan are plentiful and their nests can be commonly sighted. There is a large variety of carnivores, including the rare Clouded leopard, the largest cat known to occur in Borneo. The area also has herds of deer, bearded pig, red leaf monkeys, silver langur, proboscis monkeys, pig tailed and long tailed macaque, and binturong.

Plant Life

Tabin is covered with species-rich lowland rainforest. A large number of tropical plants thrive here, some known for their medicinal and therapeutic properties, while others are awaiting to be discovered and researched upon. Wild orchids, lianas, jungle vines, towering, strangler figs and rare ferns are amongst the interesting collections of rainforest vegetation. Flowers and fruits in the rainforest often carry an exotic contrast of colours with unique shape, and scents to attract wildlife, birds, and insects to maximize pollination.

Photo credit to Tabin Wildlife Resort

Birdlife

Tabin is a bird-watcher's paradise. About 42 indigeneous families reprensenting less than 300 species have been recorded. Birders can enjoy good sighting and photography environment the birds are lower in height and there is more light that penetrates the forest.

Endemic species of Borneo such as the Asian paradise flycatcher, Borneon bristlehead, dusky mania, the large-billed blue flycatcher, blue-headed pitta and the Borneon wren-babbler are present. Rare species such as the speckled piculet, chestnut-capped thrush and thick-bellied flowerpecker have been recorded. All the eight Hornbill species of Borneo, which are easily identified with their dramatic whooping sound when flapping wings, have been sighted.

Partidges and pheasants including the distinctive crested fireback exist in Tabin. Other birds include the magnificent scarlet sunbird, yellow-bellied warbler, bar-winged flycatcher shrike, pied flycatcher, chestnut-crested babbler, trogons and drongoes, and Everett's white-eye. A variety of water birds including Storm storks, herons and egrets are found, as well as colourful kingfisher species.

Sunbird Cafe

The Sunbird Cafe is the "happening place" where guests exchange their jungle venture experiences and where meals are served. Our chef understands the secret ingredients for a perfect meal. Do not miss the pakis dish-the tender tip of wild fern, a healthy vegetable found abundantly in Tabin.

At the cafe guests can sip their coffee and enjoy the splendid view of the forest and river nearby, while watching a heave of activities insects, butterflies,birds, small mammals, naughty macaque and sometimes elephants that come near to the cafe.

Nurture Nature

Tabin has a unique and diverse ecosystem which is a beautiful as it is fragile. At  Tabin Wildlife Resort we endeavour  to follow a tradition of environmental awareness and responsible tourism practice so that we can contribute to sustaining life here, and preserve it for future generations.

Core Area

The core area lies in the heart of Tabin Wlidlife Reserve and consists of totally virgin forest. The undisturbed rivers and towering trees here provide an ideal habitat for further wildlife and birds. The core area can only be reached through trekking for a journey of 23 KM. There are campsites along the way for overnight stay. Trekking expeditions to the core area provides an excellent insight to the trully rich boidiversity of the rainforest. 

Tours and Activities

Program available daily includes trekking to the mud volcano and waterfalls, bird-watching, night walk and night safari, which enable our guest to fully experiences the uniqueness of the rainforest. Special-interest activities and events such as rainforest education/projects,bird-watching, team-building, seminars,and meetings can be pre-booked. We regularly prepare tailor-made programs to meet the individual pace and interests of our guests. 

Mud Volcanoes

Tabin's high concentration of mineral-rich mud volcanoes and salt springs are the best gift of nature. Served as salt-lick, the mud volcanoes are frequented  by wildlife and birds, as evident in the plenty of animals tracks found here. The adventurous ones can experiment the effect of the volcanic mud said to be responsible for fine complexion.

Tabin Wildlife Resort 

The Resort is an exclusive hideaway within the vast expanse of magnificent rainforest. It combines an exciting  blend of Borneo mystic, traditional ambience and personalised service. You will look forward to return to the charming timber lodges after an exciting day of jungle activities. Each jungle lodges comes with hot-water shower, clean bed, air-condition and totally private balcony where one can relax and get a real flavour of the surrounding beauty.

Facilities at a glances

• 20 units of spacious and air-conditioned jungle lodges each with private veranda and hot-water shower. Twin or double-bedded
• Sunbird Cafe serves a range of tasty meals with local touch. It has capacity  for 80 guests.
• Leisure centre with reading corner, mini libray, games, and souvenir shop
• Bird hide by the river
• Electricity supply is provided from generators 
• Tabin Wildlife Resort is open throughout the year
• Tabin's climate is typical of a rainforest, warm and humid. Wet season generally occurs from December to January