Around the resort
Babirusa, cuscus, lizards and birds, from the lawn and from your terrace.
- Any time of day
- Free
Wildlife & Hiking
“It's really like a remote paradise, with secluded beaches and a scenic hike to Malenge Village.”
- Monkeys, babirusa and bear cuscus
- Around 90 species of birds
- Coconut crabs around the resort
- A 2-hour jungle trail to Malenge Village
- Nothing to book — just walk out
Right outside your bungalow
Wildlife & Hiking
Malenge Island is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The island is home to a rich variety of animals, including monkeys, deer-pigs (babirusa), pythons, bats, coconut crabs, lizards, Sulawesi bear cuscus, tarsiers, and around 90 species of birds. Sulawesi has been cut off from the rest of Asia for so long that its forests grew their own set of animals — many of them live nowhere else on earth.
You do not have to go far to meet them. Right at our resort you are likely to spot coconut crabs, deer-pigs (babirusa), Sulawesi bear cuscus, lizards, sea eagles and various other bird species — from the terrace of your bungalow, on the lawn at breakfast, or on the path down to the beach. For everything else there is the jungle behind us, and a trail that runs all the way to Malenge Village.
Who lives here
What you might see
Nothing here is fenced, fed or staged. These are wild animals on a wild island, so some days you see everything and some days you just see the forest — which is half the pleasure.
- Babirusa
- The island deer-pigs, with tusks that curve back through the snout. They wander through the grounds looking for fallen fruit.
- Sulawesi bear cuscus
- A slow, thick-furred marsupial that lives up in the canopy. Look into the big trees around the resort towards dusk.
- Monkeys
- Crested macaques move through the forest in troops — noisy, curious, and usually heard long before they are seen.
- Coconut crabs
- The largest land crab in the world, strong enough to open a coconut. They come out around the resort after dark.
- Lizards & monitors
- Monitor lizards patrol the shoreline and the forest floor, and smaller lizards are on every wall and every path.
- Around 90 birds
- Sea eagles over the bay, hornbills in the canopy, kingfishers along the shore — and a dawn chorus you will not sleep through.
Tarsiers, pythons and fruit bats live on Malenge too, but they keep to themselves — ask the team where they have been seen lately.
Through the jungle
The trail to Malenge Village
For hiking lovers, there is a scenic trail leading from our resort directly to Malenge Village through the lush jungle. The hike takes approximately 2 hours and offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the island natural beauty.
- 01
It starts at the resort
No boat, no transfer, no trailhead to find: the path leaves from behind the resort and climbs gently into the trees. Tell us at breakfast and someone from the team will walk it with you.
- 02
Two hours through the forest
Shade almost the whole way, big trees, hanging vines, and the sound of birds and macaques somewhere above you. The ground is uneven and often damp, so closed shoes are worth it.
- 03
Malenge Village
The trail comes out at the village on the other side of the island — stilt houses, children, drying fish and everyday Togean life. Take your time, and say hello.
- 04
Plan a half day
Two hours out and two hours back, so leave early and take water with you. If you would rather not walk both ways, tell us the day before and we will look at the options with you.
Seen from the resort
The island up close
Every animal on this page was photographed here on Malenge — most of them within a short walk of the bungalows.
Good to know
Hiking conditions
- Duration
- About 2 hours each way between the resort and Malenge Village
- Difficulty
- Moderate — a jungle path, uneven and often damp, with a gentle climb
- What to wear
- Closed shoes, light long sleeves and insect repellent; the shade keeps it bearable
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, for the cooler air and the most active wildlife
- Guide
- Ask at the resort the day before and one of the team will walk with you
- Around the resort
- No hike needed — babirusa, coconut crabs, cuscus and sea eagles come to us
Take water with you, keep your distance from the animals and never feed them — the babirusa are wild, however relaxed they look on the lawn.
The team makes you feel like part of the family, which adds so much to the experience. It's really like a remote paradise, with secluded beaches and a scenic hike to Malenge Village.
Jay-JayGoogle reviewThey organized events for us, such as seeing deer pigs, visiting a bat cave, jungle walk, once grabbed a baby coconut crab for us to see. There was always something to do.
Olesia BorysovaGoogle reviewThe location is simply breathtaking — right by one of the most beautiful beaches in the Togean Islands, with crystal-clear waters and stunning direct sunset views. You can also hike to Malenge village directly starting from the resort if you're adventurous!
Pierre BarbaraGoogle reviewThe views are sensational, the staff is excellent, the activities are abundant, the diving is amazing, the wildlife on the island is unique, it's quiet and peaceful. We saw monkeys 2 times while there and they sometimes see beautiful birds such as the horn-bill.
EvanGoogle reviewNothing to rent, nothing to pay
Wildlife & hikes
Watching the island is free and needs no arranging. For the jungle trail and the day trips, just tell us the day before.
Coconut crabs after dark
They come out at night around the grounds — ask at dinner and we will show you.
- After dinner
- Free
Jungle trail to Malenge Village
About two hours each way through the forest, with someone from the team.
- Half day
- On request
- Guide
- On request
Island day trip
The hike combined with the jellyfish lake or the Bajau village of Pulau Papan.
- Full day
- On request
Walking the island costs nothing. Boat trips and guided days are arranged on the spot — ask us and we will give you the price for your group.
Send us your dates and tell us what you would like to see — we will get straight back to you.
