For those interested, I have come out with an article about the many bird hides of Sabah, located all over North Borneo. This information comes first-hand as the Birdwatching Asia team has personally visited all the hides mentioned in this article. Also, note that some places term this as bird observation stations instead of hides.

Bird hides or bird observation stations have become highly popular among birders, namely photographers, in the last couple of years post-pandemic. More photographers are keen to spend time at these bird hides to observe and get a shot of the rare endemic birds.

Bird Hides of Sabah

Sabah is home to over five main bird hides, and the information provided here will help birdwatchers better plan their trip. Many birders choose to book a birding tour of Sabah, which often includes visits to some bird hides. However, not all packages cover every hide due to logistical considerations and extra costs.

From our recent observations, more birders and photographers are willing to pay more to spot some of Borneo’s endemic birds, especially given their long journey to get here. Below, we share details about Sabah’s bird hides, which are listed in no particular order.

Telupid Bird Hide for Bornean Peacock Pheasant

This is hands down the most famous bird hide in Sabah, where you can see the famous Bornean Peacock Pheasant, which is one of the ultra-endemic birds of Borneo. Visitors come here on a day trip to see and photograph one of the rarest and certainly the least known peacock-pheasant in the world. The local village community manages the hide, helping to create a unique community-based tourism product for Sabah. One needs to travel to Tambunan, spend a night there and arrive at the hide by 7.00 AM to see the pheasant at the Tepupid bird hide.

Telupid Bird Hide for Straw-headed Bulbul

This is another hide located near the same village and by a small wetland pond, and birders come here to spot the beautiful and rare Straw-headed Bulbul, which is not easy to see in the wild. This bird hide is a little tricky as the bulbul comes out simultaneously with the Peacock Pheasant; therefore, you can only choose one unless you spend two nights here to catch both birds.

Telupid Bird Hide for Blue-banded Pitta

A third location is also available for the beautiful Blue-banded Pitta, which many visiting birders and photographers want to see and photograph. However, getting to this hide requires trekking, which is a little longer than the Bornean Peacock Pheasant hide. If you are booking a birding tour, you can ask your bird guide about the hides at Telupid and which ones you want to see.

KK Lee Trusmadi Hide

This hide is probably the best-looking in Sabah and has the complete facilities of a manmade bird hide. KK Lee has put much effort into making the hide comfortable for visiting birders. The star bird here is no other than the Bulwer’s Pheasant (Lophura bulweri), which is highly sought after by many photographers and birders who want to tick this off their list. The KK Lee bird hide is comfortable with a proper male and female bathroom cum shower and a kitchen area with complimentary coffee and tea facilities. Rare and uncommon sub-montane birds are also easily spotted here.

Trusmadi Bird Station Hide

Further up from KK Lee’s bird hide, there is another hide by CP Song, who manages several hides in his vicinity, also targeting the Bulwer’s Pheasant, Red-breasted Partridge and Created Partridge or Roul Roul. Not as swanky as KK Lee, this hide is a little more raw but does offer complimentary coffee and tea with a standard simple bathroom. Apart from the partridges, you can spot some rare and uncommon sub-montane birds here. We made a video for the Trusmadi bird station hide for anyone interested to know what it looks like.

Gunung Alab Hide

A lot of controversy has evolved since late 2024, and this hide at the top of Gunung Alab Substation has now become a hot topic among birders. It was a free hide for birders and photographers who came to photograph the Red-breasted Partridge and Crimson-headed Partridge. Something happened, and now the hide automatically falls under the jurisdiction of the forestry department. Therefore, anyone visiting the Gunung Alab bird hide must pay a small fee before proceeding to the hide up the hill. Read our personal story on birding at the Gunung Alab.

Rainforest Discovery Centre Bird Observation Station

This one is a new bird hide in the Sepilok area of Sandakan, Sabah, and only opened in 2024. The purpose-built bird observation station was created for birders visiting the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). During my last visit here in October 2024, the star bird was no other than the endemic Sabah Partridge, which was relatively tame and not afraid of visitors. The hide is free to visit and is located along the Pitta Trail at the RDC. Here is an article about the birds of the Rainforest Discovery Centre for anyone interested in learning more.

Danum Valley Bird Observation Station #1

This new bird hide is located in the Danum Valley Conservation Centre, under the management of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, which was built in 2024. The hide is an observation station where you can see some of the endemic Borneo birds. However, the management is still creating a sustainable method and technique to get the endemic birds to visit the hide, which will take time. On our last visit here in January 2025, some endemics came to Bird Observation Station #1, which was a pleasant surprise. There are currently two bird hides in Danum Valley.

Danum Valley Bird Observation Station #2

The second bird observation station or bird hide at Danum Valley is located way past the famous Danum canopy walk, and this hide is more focused on the Great Argus, which has been seen around the area numerous times. On our last visit here in January 2025, we were shocked when the Great Argus jumped in front of us before we entered the trail to the hide. Eventually, it was unafraid and led the way in while we followed behind at a distance.

Kinabatangan Bird Hide for Giant Pitta

This is the one hide we missed visiting, and it is known to feature the Giant Pitta, a unique and largest of the Pittas. The bird is seasonal and moves around in a vast radius; therefore, it will not respond at certain times, and you can wait for hours for nothing. Our team hopes to revisit this place in 2025 to document it so that birders get a better idea of the Kinabatangan bird hide.

Menara Kayangan Bird Hide

Over in Lahad Datu, there is a place called Menara Kayangan, located on a hilltop just before you turn into Danum Valley. At the top of this hill, there is a location of a bird hide where you can spot the Blue-banded Pitta. However, you need to engage someone who knows this place as a hide netting needs to be set up before the pitta comes visiting. Again, when our team was here in October 2024, it suddenly rained heavily, and we decided to cancel our attempt at finding the Blue-banded Pitta.

KK Wetlands Bird Hide

Many do not know, but there is a bird hide at the KK Wetlands, just 10 minutes out of Kota Kinabalu city, and it is included in the wetland fees you pay to enter. All you need to do is walk along the boarded platform, and it will lead you to the bird hide that overlooks a small wetland pond. Birds spotted here are your regular herons, egrets, kingfishers and several other common birds. But if you are a visiting birder, all these are ‘lifers’ for you. So, if you are short of time, the KK Wetlands bird hide can be a quick fix for you.

Tawau Bird Hide

Known as Subki’s Bird Hide in Tawau, on the east coast of Sabah, this is one of the easiest hides as it is mere metres off the road and does not require trekking into the hide. However, the Blue-banded Pitta was last seen in mid-2024, and when we arrived here in October 2024, there was no sign of the pitta. As of early March 2025, there has not been any news about the re-emergence of the Blue-banded Pitta at the Tawau bird hide.

Bird Hides of Sabah Location Map

Below is a general map of Sabah, showing where the bird hides are. Again, this is just a simple guide map to indicate where some of these bird hides and observation stations are located. Birders or photographers need at least a week to visit some of these hides.

Some hides, like the ones at Danum Valley, are only open to resort guests. Others require pre-booking and planning, as you cannot simply drive there and request to use them. Again, if you need a bird guide service, please get in touch with us, and we can help you arrange this with a local Sabah bird tour company or bird guide.

Conclusion

Birdwatching Asia compiled this list of bird hides in Sabah, as our mission is to promote birding in Sabah and Malaysia to the world. While you may have searched online and landed here, we ask that you share this article with your birding network so that other birders will know.

You can also check out our other article on bird photography locations in Sabah, as we have detailed these places to help birders plan their trips. I appreciate your support in sharing this article. Happy birding!

The post Bird Hides of Sabah first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.

In the birdwatching industry, bird hides (or blinds) are big business around the globe. Here in Malaysia, it is certainly getting more and more popular, with Sabah being foremost in this regard. Well-known bird hides around Sabah include the Trusmadi hides, Telupid BPP hide, Gunung Alab hides, and several more. And now, birders can look forward to visiting two upcoming ones, at the world-famous Danum Valley no less! These two new Danum Valley bird hides are built and operated by the prestigious Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Danum Valley Bird Hides at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge

In January 2025, Birdwatching Asia was invited to experience the award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) in Danum Valley. Our primary mission was to cover the birdwatching experience there, especially the two new bird hides that were built there only recently. 

The two hides are:

• Danum Hide
• Argus Hide

It is important to note that these two Danum Valley bird hides are still very new, as they were built in late 2024. Therefore, these hides are not attracting birds regularly just yet. This process is gradual, and thus will take some time. 

Hide features

Both hides are identical in configuration and size, and can fit about 6-8 persons. Both are primarily made out of wood, and built with eco-friendliness in mind. Features include:

• Full roof cover, affording protection from the rain
• Simple attached restroom with a sitting toilet. The flush water comes from a rainwater collection tank.
• Solar powered fan
• Camouflaged wall and viewing ports.
• Plastic sitting chairs
• Shelf and table to put personal belongings and camera
• The floor is the dirt itself, but quite flat and level. Setting up tripods should be straightforward.

Nevertheless, these hides are still relatively basic, especially when compared to the ones at Trusmadi. Don’t expect Wi-Fi or electrical ports here.

Additionally, these hides will undergo some minor upgrades before becoming fully operational. These include:

• Repositioning the viewing shelf so that tripods and cameras may be set-up closer to the viewing ports.
• Adding more covers to the walls, so that the inside of the hide is darker.
• Facilities to prepare drinks and/or light meals.

Additional details on the Danum Valley bird hides

Danum Hide

This is the nearest hide to the Lodge. It is roughly 600 metres away, and accessible via the ‘Nature Trail’.  The trail is flat and easily walkable, even with heavy camera gear. Nevertheless, the trail can be muddy after rains.

According to our guides, regular feeding of the birds at this hide has not yet begun. Instead, for the time being, call playback is necessary to attract the birds. This method is hit-and-miss, which is the reason the hide has yet to be fully integrated into the birdwatching package at BRL. 

During our visit, we only saw a handful of species here, possibly because of the rainy weather. Once this hide is fully ready, visitors may see the following birds (this list is not exhaustive):

Bornean endemics:

• Sabah Partridge
• Bornean Wren-babbler – This rare Bornean specialty is undoubtedly the main star bird here. Hopefully, it will visit this hide regularly in the future.
• Black-throated Wren-babbler –  another rare Bornean endemic.
• Bornean Black-capped Babbler
• Grey-hooded Babbler
• Black-crowned Pitta
• White-crowned Shama – a regular attendant at bird hides throughout Sabah

Non-endemics:

• Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher (the Sabah ‘version’)
• Sunda Blue Flycatcher
• Striped Wren-babbler
• Horsfield’s Babbler 
• Ferruginous Babbler

Argus Hide

This hide is about 2 km by road from the lodge. After that, a 15 minute off-road hike via the Tekala Trail is necessary. The trail is relatively flat, except for the section closest to the main road. This section is on a slope that may be muddy and slippery when wet, so take care when walking here, especially if carrying heavy camera gear. The hide is roughly between 300 – 400m from the main road. 

As its name suggests, this hide was built to allow BRL guests a chance to see the Great Argus. This magnificent bird is often heard by birders visiting the lowland rainforests within Malaysia. However, these birds are exceptionally shy, and to actually see one is a challenge.

The Great Argus (Argusianus argus) is Malaysia’s very own answer to the Indian Peafowl. What it lacks in colour, the male Argus more than makes up with his impressive ocelli (‘eyespots’) and extraordinarily long tail feathers. Male birds roam a large area, and create clearings on the forest floor where they perform mating displays to females.

BRL’s Argus Hide is built adjacent to one such clearing. The male that made this display area is quite comfortable around people, often allowing birders to approach closely. Indeed, we ourselves had a close encounter with him during our trip there. And past visitors have even seen his spectacular displays! 

The Argus Hide was only recently completed (November 2024), and the male Argus has yet to display there since then. Nevertheless, the bird still roams around the area, so visitors may encounter the bird around the hide or along the trail.

What’s next for these hides?

In the near future, BRL plans to incorporate both these hides into their birdwatching package, with no extra charges for customers wanting to visit the hides. Needless to say, these hides will be exclusive for BRL customers only.

Regular monitoring and/or feeding at these hides will begin soon, in order to attract the birds more reliably. Considering the pristine habitat around BRL, once these hides are ready, they will undoubtedly attract an amazing selection of lowland rainforest birds. In time, these new Danum Valley bird hides may rival (or even exceed) the popular ones at Trusmadi and Telupid. The future for these hides is very promising indeed!

Conclusion

The two Danum Valley bird hides at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge is certainly an exciting prospect to look forward to. Once fully operational, the two hides will certainly be a major attraction for visiting birders. These hides will undoubtedly enhance the already fantastic birding experience at BRL Danum Valley. 

The post Danum Valley Bird Hides first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.

Mount Trusmadi has long been a popular destination for mountain climbers. However, the slopes of the second highest mountain in Malaysia also teem with birdlife. Many of these birds of Trusmadi are Bornean endemics; additionally, some are quite scarce and rarely seen.    

Indeed, these birds deserve to have the spotlight shine on them. Ultimately, this article intends to showcase a sample of the stunning diversity of the birds of Trusmadi. Hopefully, this article will entice more birders and bird photographers to visit this exciting and easy-to-access birding destination in Sabah.

Updated November 2024: Removed that pesky strikethrough on the links

Birds of Trusmadi 

Introduction to the Trusmadi Hides

At the time of writing, the two bird observation hides that operate at Trusmadi are:

Trusmadi Bulwer’s Pheasant Hide (KK Lee hide)

Trusmadi Bird Station (CP Song Hide)

These hides were built separately by two entrepreneurial Sabahans to showcase Trusmadi’s rarer species, especially the Bulwer’s Pheasant. Needless to say, these hides have since been successful in attracting birders and photographers from around the globe.

The Trusmadi hides are at an altitude of 1300m. Both are less than a kilometre away before the Kupu-Kupu Gate, the main entrance to the Trusmadi Forest Reserve.  The birds found here are mainly sub-montane and lower-montane species. However, several species typically found in the lowlands also occur here.

The Birds of Trusmadi: A Photographic Guide

The photos and information are based on our visit to the Trusmadi hides in September and October 2024. The main reference material used is the excellent Phillips’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo and the Birds of Malaysia by Lynx Edicions.

All the photos were taken from the two hides or in the immediate vicinity. Each entry includes a short text highlighting any interesting information regarding each species.

During our visits, we recorded 50 species at/near the hides. However, we were unable to photograph many of these for various reasons. Also, a few star species didn’t turn up during our visits (looking at you, Bornean Banded-Pitta). I will update this article with more entries should we manage to visit these hides again in the future.

Bulwer’s Pheasant (Lophura bulweri)

Of all the birds of Trusmadi, this one is undoubtedly numero uno. These Bornean endemic pheasants are scarce and shy, making them very difficult to see. Thanks to the hides at Trusmadi, birders and photographers worldwide now have an excellent chance to see this spectacular bird.

The males look radically different than the females. When in full display mode, the blue wattles on the face expand and elongate, somewhat resembling tentacles. Additionally, he’ll also fan out the snow-white tail feathers. This combination makes for a breathtaking display!

In stark contrast to the males, the females are brown all over, with only their blue facial skin and red legs providing a splash of colour.

Crested Partridge (Rollulus rouloul)

Also known as the Roul-Roul, this pocket-sized, plump partridge frequently attends the hides in pairs or small groups. The males and females look different; the females are green whereas the males are dark blue and sport a spiffy crest.

Despite not being endemic, this beautiful species is definitely one of the star birds of Trusmadi. Moreover, it’s usually difficult to see, which certainly adds to its appeal.

Red-breasted Partridge (Arborophila hyperythra)

A Bornean endemic that prefers submontane and montane forests.  Usually skulks around on the forest floor, thus far more often heard than seen. Pairs also often duet together.

Crimson-headed Partridge (Haematortyx sanguiniceps)

This aptly-named Bornean endemic bird is quite common but not often seen. Its loud, ringing song is often the first indicator of its presence. 

Asian Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)

A common forest dove that loves to forage on the ground. Typically seen as a flash of emerald-green zipping across a forest path or road.

Bornean Whistler (Pachycephala hypoxantha)

This delightful Bornean endemic adds a splash of yellow whenever it appears at the hides. A common resident of Borneo’s montane rainforests.

Yellow-bellied Bulbul (Alophoixus phaeocephalus)

Brightly coloured for a bulbul, with a grey head, white throat and bright yellow belly. Typically found in the lowlands. However, at Trusmadi, this species has wandered up, undoubtedly attracted by the easy pickings at the hides. 

Penan Bulbul (Alophoixus ruficrissus)

A large, brown bulbul with a tall crest and a fluffy white throat, it resembles a ‘bearded old man’. This Bornean endemic is one of the more common birds of Trusmadi and is often a dominant presence at the bird hides. The name commemorates the Penan people, one of the many Indigenous groups living in Borneo.

Grey-hooded Babbler (Cyanoderma bicolor)

A small bird that travels in noisy flocks. Quite attractive, with a dark grey head complementing its rufous-brown wings and tail. There’s also blue skin around the eyes and a blue throat patch visible when the bird sings. Bornean endemic.

Temminck’s Babbler (Pellorneum pyrrogenys)

This small babbler usually visits the hides singly or in pairs. It moves close to or on the ground, hopping around as it searches for food. Rather drab, similar to many babblers. Look for its warm brown body, streaky grey crown, and white throat, which are helpful in identifying features. Besides Borneo, this species also occurs in Java.

The name commemorates Coenraad Jacob Temminck, an 18th-century Dutch zoologist. Several other birds in Malaysia also bear his name.

Sunda Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus bornensis)

The curved, scimitar-like bill gives this attractive babbler its common name. Formerly known as the Chestnut-backed Scimitar-Babbler.

Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus treacheri)

This common Bornean endemic is familiar at all montane birding locations around Sabah, including Trusmadi. Often travels in noisy flocks. They feed on insects, and will opportunistically snatch any moths and insects attracted to the hide lights.

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina aurata)

This species only occurs in Sabah on Kinabalu, Crocker Range, and, of course, Trusmadi. Unlike the birds in Peninsular Malaysia, the subspecies found in Sabah is resident year-round. It is a very beautiful bird, with an orange head and underparts contrasting nicely against the blue-grey wings. It is usually quite difficult to see, but it often visits feeding stations and hides. 

Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis adamsi)

This excellent songster is a familiar sight throughout the country. However, the males of the Sabah subspecies are notably more black than the rest of Malaysia.  

White-crowned Shama (Copsychus stricklandii)

Another superlative songster, it is unfortunately a frequent target for the cage bird trade. Thankfully, it is still common around Sabah, especially in protected areas. It is endemic to Northeast Borneo.

Dayak Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis montanus)

The males look particularly dapper in their deep blue and orange plumage. The females are brown and orange instead, but otherwise, they are still attractive. The name of this Bornean endemic flycatcher refers to the Dayak people, one of the many indigenous groups of Borneo.

Siberian Blue Robin (Larvivora cyane)

A long-distance winter visitor to Trusmadi, all the way from Siberia! The males are beautiful, with blue upperparts and clean white underparts. The females are brown, with scaly patterns on the breast. It hops along on the ground as it searches for morsels. 

Rufous-chested Flycatcher (Ficedula dumetoria)

This resident flycatcher prefers dense forests, often near streams, where it usually forages low down near the ground. It has an endearing habit of wagging its tail up and down as it perches. The males are strikingly black, white, and orange, while the females are a more subdued brown.

Bornean Leafbird (Chloropsis kinabaluensis)

Beautiful endemic leafbird, found only in Borneo’s highlands. Unlike other leafbirds in Malaysia, the females of the Bornean Leafbird also have a black throat. Males are similar to the Blue-winged Leafbird, which differs by having more yellow surrounding the head. The Blue-winged also tends to live at lower elevations. 

Other notable species at the Trusmadi hides:

The following birds of Trusmadi are highly desirable due to their beauty and/or scarcity. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to see them during our visits.

1. Bornean Banded-Pitta
2. Black-throated Wren-Babbler
3. Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler
4. Malaysian Rail-Babbler
5. White-necked Babbler
6. Bare-headed Laughingthrush
7. Long-tailed Broadbill
8. Spotted Fantail

Conclusion

Trusmadi is blessed with a diverse selection of birds, including some endemics and several rarely seen species. Importantly, the two bird observation hides allow visitors to observe and photograph these winged wonders with relative ease. Hence, it’s easy to see why Trusmadi is currently very popular with birdwatchers and bird photographers and hopefully will continue to attract visitors for years to come. 

REFERENCES

Phillipps, Q. & Phillipps, K. (2014). Phillips’ Field Guide To The Birds of Borneo. Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan (Third edition). John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.

Puan, C.L., Davison, G. & Lim, K.C. (2020). Birds of Malaysia. Covering Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo and Singapore. Lynx and BirdLife International Field Guides. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

The post Birds of Trusmadi: A Photographic Guide first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.

The KK Lee Trusmadi Bird Hide in Sabah is a standout destination for birdwatching and bird photography, attracting both local and international enthusiasts. Managed by Mr. KK Lee, a passionate birder, this hide offers a prime location for spotting rare pheasants and other rainforest birds.

KK Lee Trusmadi Bird Hide

When we visited the Trusmadi bird hide in August 2024, our arrival was around 7.00 AM, and our team was the only one there. The birds had already started to be active around the bird hide area, and we quickly met KK Lee, chatted a little and rushed to our hide seats to see and photograph some of the birds there.

I have to say that the hide area is quite large and can easily accommodate twelve people at any one time. The birds are also not too far away, roughly 3-5 metres from the hide, so you need to bring your 800 or 1000mm lens here. A 400mm—600 mm lens is sufficient, while those using a bridge camera like the Nikon P1000 series will also find it easy. Some of my photos were taken with my smartphone.

The chairs are the common plastic coffee shop chairs, but KK Lee offers cushions at the back for those who want more comfort. Each bird pod is fitted with a plug point for charging your smartphone or camera batteries. You can also bring a portable fan with a plug or USB and plug it in.

One thing that Asians need to understand is to keep their voices down, and if there are other birders there whom you may not know, I would recommend you don’t talk like you are at home. Some birders are quite sensitive to noise that may scare away birds. So, please be ethical and polite when you are there.

Facilities at Trusmadi Bird Hide

The Trusmadi bird hide boasts modern amenities, including clean restrooms, a lounge, a dining area, and a kitchen for light meals, ensuring a comfortable experience. Mr Lee even provides Wi-Fi, as network coverage in that area is almost non-existent.

For those planning to stay longer, snacks like biscuits and even quick meals like cup noodles are offered, and all of this is included in the bird hide fees you pay. And if you prefer your type of meal or snack, you are welcome to bring it along.

The only thing not available is a chef-on-call, but who knows, one day, that may even happen. Anyway, for birders who require rest, Mr Lee has even provided customers with a sleeping area in a small tent. The washroom is legit, with two units and one doubling as a shower for anyone who wants to freshen up. I recommend watching the video below for more details.

What Birds Can Be Seen At Trusmadi Bird Hide

This is one of the popular questions, and over here in Trusmadi, there are several Bornean starbirds to see and photograph. If you’re a birdwatcher/twitcher, it should easily give you at least five or more lifers. You will want to photograph the star birds if you are a bird photographer. The list is below:

1. Bulwer’s Pheasant
2. Bornean Banded Pitta
3. Crested Partridge
4. Crimson-headed Partridge
5. Red-breasted Partridge
6. Dayak Blue Flycatcher
7. White-crowned Shama
8. Black-throated Babbler
9. Penan Bulbul
10. Rail Babbler
11. Temminck’s Babbler
12. Sunda Scimitar Babbler
13. Bornean Bulbul
14. Bornean Whistler
15. Rufous-chested Flycatcher
16. White-throated Fantail
17. Bornean Barbet
18. Golden-whiskered Barbet
19. Orange-headed Thrush
20. Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush

Of course, many other birds are not listed here, but those are usually in the canopy or higher up in the trees. It would be best to walk around the bird hide area to spot most of the other birds.

KK Lee Trusmadi Bird Hide Video

Below is a video that Birdwatching Asia made during our visit to the bird hide in August 2024. Please consider liking and subscribing to our Birdwatching  Asia YouTube Channel, as we constantly upload videos of birds, bird locations, and bird hides.

How to go to KK Lee Bird Hide in Trusmadi

Trusmadi is a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, and it’s accessible for those willing to start their day early. Departures are recommended as early as 4:00 AM. It would be best to note that the birds here start being active as early as 6 AM; therefore, the two-hour journey should depart by 4 AM.

Usually, it’s a nonstop drive here, but if you want to stop to get food and other urgent needs, I recommend you leave around 3:30 AM. If you’re not in a rush, please take your time.

Once you arrive here, you will see a sign on the left, and the bird hide is just literally by the main road where you need not trek inside. There are steps and a properly covered walkway down the hide, about 50 meters from the main road.

Additional Information for the KK Lee Bird Hide

You can contact KK Lee via his Facebook page under his name. He does not have an official Trusmadi Bird Hide page. I also recommend you book through him in advance. If you are going through a bird guide in Sabah, I suggest you let them make the arrangements, as they will know best.

Conclusion

The KK Lee Trusmadi Bird Hide is one of Malaysia’s best, providing a well-managed environment for bird enthusiasts to connect with nature. The hide has hosted hundreds of birders and photographers, making it a popular spot for those exploring Sabah’s avian diversity. Birdwatching Asia’s visit in August 2024 highlighted the hide’s appeal and KK Lee’s welcoming presence.

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