There are various categories of costs depending on the type of visitor and how long they are visiting the centre.
Visitors include long-term overseas scientists, overseas volunteers and professional training year students. Costs generally cover:
- conservation fee
- transportation Sandakan/Danau Girang Field Centre return
- transportation by boat (engine and fuel)
- accommodation
- food (full board)
- linen and towels
- access to the facilities at Danau Girang Field Centre
Discounts are available for field courses over four weeks in duration.
All applicants will be asked to complete the appropriate forms which should be returned to us as early as possible. This allows us to give you a quote for costs and ensures that you receive all necessary correspondence. It also means we can make suitable arrangements for your arrival.
Once you have accepted your quotation you will be sent an invoice and bank account details for payment. Depending on the visiting scheme, payment deadlines are as follows:
| Type | Payment deadline |
|---|---|
| Field courses | Full payment must be sent 30 days before arrival |
| Students, interns and volunteers | 10% of the full amount to be paid on receipt of invoice to confirm your stay 90% to be transferred 30 days before your arrival |
We recommend that you speak to a travel health specialist in advance of your trip.
You should consult them at least six months before you travel to the field centre to allow time to arrange the immunizations and medications you might need. We strongly recommend you are vaccinated against:
- typhoid
- tetanus
- hepatitis A/B
- Japanese encephalitis
- rabies
Mosquitoes are present in large numbers all year round. We recommend you bring insect repellent along with appropriate clothing to wear at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are the most active. If you are particularly sensitive to insect bites, please bring your own antihistamine cream and tablets, as well as your own mosquito net.
You may also wish to bring your own medicines for common ailments such as diarrhea, colds etc.
All permanent field staff in DGFC are trained in first aid and search and rescue procedures. A risks briefing is provided to all visitors and you will be asked to sign appropriate waivers at the start of your stay.
In case of emergency, we travel by boat to the nearest village, Batu Putih, located 40 minutes away from the field centre, where a 4×4 vehicle is available for transportation. From Batu Putih, the nearest hospital is about 20 minute drive away in Kota Kinabatangan for minor intervention. For major intervention, the nearest hospital is in Sandakan, about 1 hour 30 minutes by car, from Batu Putih.
We strongly recommend you take out a travel health insurance policy for the full duration of your trip. All expenses related to any health problem or accident that you might have during your visit will be your own responsibility.
A visa may be necessary for visitors from some countries. Please visit the Malaysian Embassy in your country for further information. You should make sure you have checked all visa and entry requirements before you travel. Additionally, you should ensure that your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after your departure date from Malaysia.
Malaysia has a return-ticket policy for tourists, and visitors should have a flight out of Malaysia booked prior to departing their home country.
The Kota Kinabalu International Airport is the main airport in Sabah. A number of domestic and international flights operate from this airport. It takes between 6-8 hours to travel between Kota Kinabalu and the Danau Girang Field Centre. You might consider staying at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu for the night before travelling to the field centre. You can also choose to fly directly to Sandakan from Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysian Airlines or Air Asia.
Please contact us for full information about travel between the airport and DGFC and to coordinate with us your arrival details.
Travel light. You should be able to carry your luggage easily. Watch your luggage at all times and never let go of your travel documents and money. Carry a photocopy of all your important documents:
- passport
- visa
- tickets
- itinerary
- emergency contacts
It is also a good idea to leave a copy of these documents with someone at home.
Scientists who wish to carry out research in Sabah must apply for an access licence and, if needed, for an export licence from the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC)
If you need assistance with the application process for SaBC, please contact us
The Danau Girang Field Centre will not be liable for injury, damage or loss to person or property.