Sabah
Laban Rata Lodge
Situated in the endemic-rich Kinabalu National Park at an altitude of 3,272m above sea level, Laban Rata lodge is the final accommodation before reaching the summit of Mount Kinabalu.
Laban Rata Lodge offers sensational views down the mountain and over the surrounding area. There is a friendly and quiet atmosphere, the simple accommodation is clean and each room has comfortable bunk beds. Most are dormitories shared by four to six guests of the same sex and have shared bathrooms that currently do not have hot water. There are also private twin and VIP rooms but they are often booked up early – so if you want one, early booking is essential.
There is a restaurant serving hearty meals at flexible hours to ensure guests can replenish their energy levels after or before a day of hiking. There is also a small shop where snacks and drinks can be obtained.
Facilities
3 private rooms plus 60 dormitory beds. Shared bathrooms, bunk bed dormitory rooms, 24-hour electricity, restaurant, snack shop.
Local Wildlife
The park has an extremely high biodiversity, including a large number of endemic species, and vegetation types ranging from humid lowland rainforest through to oak and chestnut forests and sub-alpine mountain habitat. There are over 700 orchid species, 600 species of fern (including large tree ferns), 600 species of butterfly and 326 species of bird including the mountain serpent-eagle and the wreathed hornbill.
Optional Activities
Climbs to the summit of Mount Kinabalu.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
It can get noisy staying in the lodge, so earplugs are recommended. Expect a very early (3am) start for the assent of Mt Kinabalu. The lodge gets very busy so book early, especially if you want one of the private rooms.
If you have any questions regarding our Borneo tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
This was our 11th consecutive wildlife trip with Reef and Rainforest, that in itself speaks volumes. As our interest in the natural world has steadily increased so have our demands, particularly with regard to itinerary planning. Reef and Rainforest have never let us down, delivering some truly magical experiences and wildlife sightings over the years. This trip was one of the best, we observed well 4 out of 5 cat species, 9 out of 10 primates and 6 out of 8 Hornbills. In all 44 species of mammals were recorded and numerous birds and reptiles. Be prepared to go nocturnal to get the best out of your visit, Borneo is a truly magical island to visit with some wonderful and rare wildlife. The accommodation throughout the trip was good, the guiding was exceptional and the food was of a very high standard. Thank you, Jonathan, and all at Reef and Rainforest, we look forward to hopefully travelling with you again in 2025.
