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Rich & Elaine's Overseas AdventuresBako National Park, Sarawak, BorneoA visit to Kuching in Sarawak, a state of Malaysian Borneo, is not complete without a visit to Bako National Park. Very few places have so much natural beauty in such a small area, the range of attractions and activities make Bako one of the most popular parks in Sarawak. Bako National Park is the oldest established National Park in Borneo, covering 27sq km, it was established in 1957 for its flora, extensive birdlife with over 150 species recorded around the park headquarters, exceptional scenery, and beautiful bathing beaches. Bako National Park is also rich in animals and offers the opportunity to see some of the islands exotic wildlife, hornbills, endangered proboscis monkeys, long tail macaques monkeys, silver langur, monitor lizards, Plantain squirrels, Borneo bearded pigs, otters and harmless snakes. The park has a rocky shoreline interspersed with deep bays and steep sandstone cliffs, the beaches are sandy, the swimming great and the sunsets spellbinding. How to get there? Bako National Park’s close proximity to Kuching makes this exotic park a great one to several day trips. There are bungalows and hostels available inside the Park, these are basic and have fans, food is obtainable at the Park Headquarters you may also self cater.  A 37km bus ride from Kuching takes you to Bako Village on the river bank near the entrance to the South China Sea. From Bako Village a 30 minute trip in a longboat, private boat, or the official park boat takes you to Bako National Park, you do need to book your return journey prior to leaving the boat. Your entry permit and accommodation can be booked at the National Park Headquarters in Kuching. Full day local escorted tours are an option these include all transport food and drink. We found three days in Bako National Park was brilliant, the accommodation was basic but comfortable; you become friendly with the monkeys and if you happened to leave a window open a smidgen these opportunists will squeeze through and totally rifle through your possessions in the hope of finding and confiscating  anything that resembles food. The tins of food, empty or full depending on the opening mechanism can be found scattered in the jungle.There are many excellent jungle walks from 1 to 8 hours on very good trails. There is an excellent day walk to Tajar waterfall where swimming at the falls is great. Swimming on the isolated beaches amidst rock outcrops is a definite option where skinny dipping can be done in style with only the cheeky monkeys as admiring spectators. Watch your clothes! Other options are bird watching, snorkelling on the corals around the island of Palau Lakai, seeking out animals and photographing sunsets. Every evening the park personnel run slide and information evenings at their Headquarters which are very informative and well worth attending.  The best time to visit Bako National Park is July to August. November to March is monsoon season and in bad weather boats may not be able to reach Bako National park.We loved this wonderful fun filled never a dull moment National Park, the silence and wonderful wildlife, the sheer feeling of being the only person on the earth was truly special. And we will return one day – soon. Rich & Elaine's Home Page ---> <--- Borneo |
