A bus ride and a boat trip away from Kuching bring you to Bako National Park, situated on a peninsula at the mouth of the Sarawak River. Bako National Park's relatively small area of 27 square kilometers, has primary rain forest bounded on one side by a picturesque coastline of sandy bays and steep cliffs, and is uniquely rich in both flora and fauna.
The rainforest is home to beautiful insect-eating flowers and plants, and also to small animals such as the long-nosed monkeys, the long-tailed macaque, wild boars and sambar deer, some of which find their way down to the beached. Within the park is a good system of well-marked path, and o arrival you will be handed a guide map. One of these trails will take you to the Lintang salt lick, and a small observation hide allows you, if you are enormously patient, to see animals come here to drink.
Another path takes you across several trails, first along the Lintang path through thick jungle, then up to Bukit Tambi to get a view of the entire Bako National Park. A side-trail from here takes you across a plateau landscape, where the vegetation and geological formations look distinctly Australian. Then, after this hot and vigorous walk, what could be better than to stumble across two perfect little hays called Teluk Pandan Besar and Teluk Pandan Kecil, where you can refresh yourself by diving into the sea.
The rainforest is home to beautiful insect-eating flowers and plants, and also to small animals such as the long-nosed monkeys, the long-tailed macaque, wild boars and sambar deer, some of which find their way down to the beached. Within the park is a good system of well-marked path, and o arrival you will be handed a guide map. One of these trails will take you to the Lintang salt lick, and a small observation hide allows you, if you are enormously patient, to see animals come here to drink.
Another path takes you across several trails, first along the Lintang path through thick jungle, then up to Bukit Tambi to get a view of the entire Bako National Park. A side-trail from here takes you across a plateau landscape, where the vegetation and geological formations look distinctly Australian. Then, after this hot and vigorous walk, what could be better than to stumble across two perfect little hays called Teluk Pandan Besar and Teluk Pandan Kecil, where you can refresh yourself by diving into the sea.
Bako National Park is an easy day trip from Kuching. Should you wish to stay in the park, accommodation is available at the rest-house, dormitories and chalets at the headquarters at Teluk Assam. There is a small shop where you can buy provisions, or visit the market before you leave Kuching. A canteen offers a very limited menu. Beware of the over-friendly long-tailed macaques who will try their best to find their way into your chalet kitchen! To book accommodation, apply at the National Parks Office in Kuching.