Jungle Diaries: My Wild (and Slightly Buggy) Adventure in Deramakot 🌿🐘

#kotakinabalutrip Okay, real talk: I thought I knew what "jungle" meant... until I spent 3 days in **Deramakot Forest Reserve**. This place is like *Jurassic Park* minus the dinosaurs (but with equally epic creatures). Here’s why this hidden gem in Sabah needs to be on your radar! --- ### **First Impressions: "Wait, Where’s the WiFi?"** After a **bumpy 4WD ride** (RIP my lower back), we arrived in the middle of **nowhere-but-in-a-good-way**. The air smelled like damp earth and adventure, the trees were *stupid* tall, and the only "notification sounds" were gibbons whooping at sunset. 📶❌ --- ### **Night Safari: The Ultimate Jungle Party** Our first night drive had me SHOOK. Spotlights revealed: - **A leopard cat** judging us from a branch - **Pygmy elephants** (!!) snacking on palms - **Slow lorises** with those creepy-cute anime eyes 👀 Then... **BAM**—our jeep got "attacked" by a flying squirrel. 10/10 drama. --- ### **Hidden Gem: The Canopy Walk at Dawn** Most visitors sleep in, but the **pre-sunrise canopy walk** was *magic*. Mist rising, hornbills flying past like living origami, and zero humans. Pro tip: Whisper. You’ll hear **orangutans** making their morning nests. --- ### **Unexpected Moment: The Leech Incident** I thought I’d escaped leeches. NOPE. Found one *inside my sock* during a hike. Cue me doing the "jungle panic dance" while my guide laughed and handed me salt. 🩹😭 --- ### **Campfire Stories & Nasi Lemak** Meals were simple but **next-level tasty** after jungle treks. Think: smoky **nasi lemak** wrapped in banana leaves, eaten under a sky so starry it looked fake. --- ### **Quick Itinerary (For Wildlife Addicts)** **🕒 3PM** – Arrive, settle into basic-but-cozy lodge **🌆 6PM** – Sunset drive (look for elephants!) **🌙 8PM** – Night safari + leech checks **🌅 5AM** – Canopy walk (worth the alarm) **🐒 9AM** – Post-breakfast trek (listen for orangutans) --- ### **Survival Tips:** - Pack **leech socks** (trust me) - Bring **battery packs** (limited electricity) - **Lower expectations** for amenities—you’re here for nature’s 5-star show! **Verdict:** Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I pack *more salt*? **100%.** **Who’s brave enough to join me next time? 👇** *(P.S. Shoutout to our guide who spotted 90% of the animals while I was like "WHERE? I SEE LEAVES!")* 🌿🔍