Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

Taman Negara Bako

📌 By Jakub Mikula | August 20, 2019

Kuching (translating as cat from Malay) is a city located in the western part of Malaysian Borneo. As its name suggests, you can expect a statute of rather humanoid cats in the city center. The region of Kuching is famously known for its national park: Bako National Park, hosting some of the most fantastic animals of which proboscis monkeys and bearded pigs can be spotted most easily. The park can be reached from the city by bus (arriving to the park jetty) and then by a boat crossing the Sungai Tabo river.

There is actually no jetty on the side of the park entrance, so you may need to jump into the water if the tide is too low (see Fig.1). Interestingly, the signs of ‘beware of crocodiles’ are seen everywhere.

Once arrived, register at the tourist information. The place is nice and clean, with a small restaurant where you can also buy lunch, snacks and water before you head on the jungle trails. There is a couple of trails to choose from (you can get a map when you arrive) based on your taste of adventure whether you like hiking along the forest waterfalls or reaching up to viewpoints overlooking the South China Sea.

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Besides visiting the national park, one can also explore the city itself. Transportation by grab or taxi is probably the easiest option. In the evening you can take a walk along the Sarawak river and watch the sunset from the Golden Anniversary Bridge.

Other interesting places which I would recommend to visit include the Taman Negara Santubong peninsula, Damai Beach or Kampung (village) Santubong where you can catch a magnificent sunset too.

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