Lahad Datu to Deramakot Nature Reserve

We went to reception to get a cab or ride share to the airport for our flight to Sandakan. There was an old man in an old tee shirt, shorts a thongs hanging around in the lobby who seemed to be ordering people around. The fellow behind the counter was in the process of ordering our transport when the old man said he would take us as the airport was on his way home. So, out we go. He had a new double cab, and it transpired his son owned and ran the hotel. Again looks can be deceiving!
As we flew into Sandakan it was obvious that they had had a lot of rain very recently.
We were surprised to be met by a fellow in a taxi instead of a 4x4. It became apparent that the taxi would take us for 2.5 hours and we would meet another vehicle (4x4) who would take us a further 3 hours.
The last 3 hours was on a gravel road with some VERY muddy sections needing the 4WD as slipped and slid along the road.
Our accomodation was basic, but adequate, with power from a generator for 10hrs a day.
In the evening after supper we went for a 3hr night drive and saw number of civets, fruit bats, a red flying squirrel - briefly in flight - and the best was a slow loris which lived up to its name by slowly moving down the branch while we got a great view through our binoculars.Read more