Rainforest Discovery Centre

The RDC sits in the Kabili-Sepilok forest reserve outside Sandakan and was set up for environmental education, but it has become one of the best birding sites in Borneo because of its infrastructure: about three hundred and forty-seven metres of steel canopy walkway at around twenty-five metres with eight observation towers along it, which puts you at the level where the canopy birds actually are rather than looking up through leaves. The Bornean bristlehead - a strange, loud, red-headed bird in a family of one, endemic to Borneo and high on every birder's list - is seen here more reliably than almost anywhere. Eight hornbill species, trogons, broadbills and flying squirrels at dusk are also on the list. There is a plant discovery garden with orangutan and gibbon centres next door at Sepilok, and night walks run.

What you actually see

• 347 metres of canopy walkway - with eight towers at around twenty-five metres.
• Bornean bristlehead - the endemic one-species family, seen more reliably here than anywhere.
• Eight hornbill species - along with trogons and broadbills at canopy level.
• Flying squirrels at dusk - gliding between the towers on the evening walk.

When to go

February to October; dawn for birds. A day.

Honest expectations

Birds need patience, early starts and ideally binoculars - midday is quiet. The walkway closes in lightning. Night walks are separately ticketed and booked. Leeches after rain.

Nearby

The Sepilok orangutan and sun bear centres are next door; Sandakan is east.