Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

Taman Negara Bako

📌 By Jakub Mikula | August 20, 2019

Kuching (which translates to “cat” in Malay) is a city located in the western part of Malaysian Borneo. As its name suggests, you can expect a statue of rather humanoid cats in the city center. The Kuching region is best known for its national park, Bako National Park, which is home to some fantastic wildlife, including proboscis monkeys and bearded pigs, which are among the easiest to spot. The park can be reached from the city by bus (to the park jetty) and then by a boat crossing of the Sungai Tabo river.

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

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

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Besides visiting the national park, you can also explore the city itself. Getting around 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 I would recommend visiting include the Taman Negara Santubong peninsula, Damai Beach, or Kampung (village) Santubong, where you can catch a magnificent sunset as well.

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