Where am I?
I’m at the Bako National Park, Yeayyyy!!!!
Let’s get some fun here people, did you know that Bako
National Park is the Sarawak's oldest national park, gazetted in 1957, it’s
covers an area of 2,727 hectares at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula,
and is about 37km from Kuching City Center.
With its rainforest, abundant wildlife,
jungle streams, waterfalls, interesting plant life, secluded beaches, panoramic
rocky shoreline, bizarre rock formations and extensive network of trekking
trails, Bako National Park offers visitors an excellent introduction to the
rainforest and coastline of Borneo. Its most significant features are secluded
coves and rugged rocky headlands with magnificent steep cliffs that overlook
the South China Sea.
Bako may not have an instantly recognisable star attraction,
but there can be very few places in the world that pack so much natural beauty
into such a limited area. Its accessibility - and
its sheer range of attractions and activities - have made Bako one of the most
popular parks in Sarawak.
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Eventhough, it is one of the smallest national parks in
Sarawak, yet one of the most interesting, as it contains almost every type of
vegetation found in Borneo. 25 distinct types of vegetation form seven complete
eco-systems - Beach Vegetation, Cliff Vegetation, Kerangas or Heath Forest,
Mangrove Forest, Mixed Dipterocarp Forest, Padang or Grasslands Vegetation and
Peat Swamp Forest. It is easy to explore these eco-systems via the jungle
trails. The contrasts are so distinct that you do not have to be a scientist to
notice the differences. Furthermore, most of the different vegetation types are
found close to the park HQ at Telok Assam
Bako is also home to approximately 275 rare proboscis
monkeys, found only in Borneo. The best times for seeing wildlife at Bako are
just after dawn and just before dusk, when the animals are at their most
active.
Bako
extensive trail system is made up of 16 colour-coded jungle trails which offer
a range of walking and hiking options.
The fit and adventurous can opt for
full- day jungle hikes or overnight camping expeditions, whilst those who
prefer to take it easy can opt for a relaxing forest walk.
The well-maintained
network of nature trails - from easy forest strolls to full-day jungle treks –
allows visitors to get the most out of this unique environment.
The fit and
adventurous can opt for full-day jungle hikes or overnight camping expeditions,
whilst those who prefer to take it easy can opt for a relaxing forest walk.
The
following table provides details of approximate trekking times and distances
and the colour codes used in the park:
No.
|
Trail
Name
|
Trail
Length
|
One
Way Time &
Distance From HQ |
Colour
Code
|
1.
|
0.5 km
|
30 minutes (0.8 km)
|
White/Red
|
|
2
|
0.8 km
|
1 hour (1.2 km)
|
White
|
|
3
|
0.8 km
|
1 1/4 hours (1.4 km)
|
Blue/Red
|
|
4
|
0.25 km
|
45 minutes (1 km)
|
Blue/White
|
|
5
|
0.75 km
|
1 hour (1.75 km)
|
Yellow
|
|
6
|
1.5 km
|
1 1/2 hours (2.5 km)
|
Yellow
|
|
7
|
1.25 km
|
1 1/2 hours (2.2 km)
|
White/Yellow
|
|
8
|
5.25 km
|
3 1/2 hours return
|
Red
|
|
9
|
2.75 km
|
2 1/2 hours (3.5 km)
|
Red/White
|
|
10
|
1.8 km
|
2 1/2 hours (4.2 km)
|
Red/Yellow
|
|
11
|
2.25 km
|
3 1/2 hours (5.5 km)
|
Blue
|
|
12
|
0.2 km
|
3 1/2 hours (5.7 km)
|
White/Blue
|
|
13
|
2 km
|
4 1/2 hours (7.7 km)
|
Yellow/White
|
|
14
|
2.75 km
|
3 hours (4.8 km)
|
Blue/Yellow
|
|
15
|
0.8 km
|
3 1/2 hours (5.3 km)
|
Red/Black
|
|
16
|
5.75 km
|
7 hours (10 km)
|
Red/Blue
|
|
17
|
1.5 km
|
7 1/4 hours (10.5 km)
|
Blue/Black
|
|
18
|
1.0 km
|
30 minutes (from Base)
|
Orange
|
This is probably the best place in Telok Assam, Bako,
Sarawak for seeing wildlife experiences as the animals are
less wary of humans. You are
more likely to see animals on the trails if you go in small groups, walk
slowly, keep as quiet as possible, and listen out for sounds and movements in
the forest. For example, you are likely to hear a strange grunting sound or the
crash of leaves long before you actually see a proboscis monkey.
As for visitors, especially those who stay overnight, will
have countless opportunities to observe and photograph various types of
wildlife.
Wildlife animals such as long-tailed macaques, silvered
langurs or leaf-monkeys, bearded pig,common water monitors ‘lizards species’, snakes
‘The only poisonous snake that is occasionally seen is the Wagler’s pit viper
that, like all pit vipers, has a broad, flat, triangular head’, hairy-nosed otters ,plantain squirrels, wild
boar, mouse deer and also nocturnal creatures are all found here.
* Watch out for
the macaques as they are possibly the most fearless monkeys on earth. They will
raid dustbins and kitchens in the resthouses, or scamper into the canteen to
steal food or an unguarded bag. Keep all doors locked and never encourage them
by offering food.
Bako is a fascinating place for bird watching, as over 150
species have been recorded here. Although many of these can be seen around the
accommodation area, you need to hit the trails to appreciate the full variety
of Bako’s bird life.
The mangroves at Telok Assam are an excellent place to
start. Serious bird watchers should take a good pair of binoculars and the
Pocket Guide to the Birds of Borneo, which is widely available in Kuching.
The beach by the park HQ is also a great place for a night
walk. If the tide is out you may see crabs, prawns, anemones, starfish, annelid
worms and young shrimp in the small pools.
How to get here?
There are many daily flights from numerous cities within
(and outside) Malaysia. From Kuching you can easily travel to Bako National Park.
The trip to the park consists of two parts. First you travel to Bako village;
from there you will take a boat to park headquarters. There are three options
available to travel from Kuching to Bako village; a private taxi, public busses
or a minibus. The taxi is by far the easiest and fastest way, but also the most
expensive method to travel to Bako NP (make sure to buy a taxi coupon at the
taxi counter at Kuching airport; RM35 one way). The public bus is the cheapest
solution; but it also takes the most time to reach Bako village (RM3 one-way;
Petra Jaya Transport bus no. 6). Another option is a shared minibus; faster
than the regular public bus and only a little bit more expensive.
At Bako village you have to pay the National Park entrance
fee of RM10. After that you head over to the National Park boat ticketing
counter for your boat ticket; RM47 per boat each way, max 5 passengers per
boat. The trip from the jetty to Bako National Park HQ takes about 30 minutes. Professional
photography and filming requires a special permit from the Sarawak Forestry
Office in Kuching.
Checklist trip to
Bako National Park
·
First aid travel kit with personal medicine
·
Tripod for your camera (to make pictures in low light conditions)
·
Sun screen lotion
·
Mosquito repellent
·
Walking shoes or hiking shoes
·
Rain coat, poncho or umbrella
·
Zip lock bags to keep your spare clothing dry
·
Towel (in dry bag)
·
Bottle of water
* If you are planning to stay overnight at Bako National Park,
make sure bring along a torch light or headlight, mosquito netting, sleeping
bag (though not necessary) and gas cooker.
Bako National Park Hours :
National Parks Booking Office
|
Monday-Friday
|
0800 hrs – 1700 hrs
|
Saturday, Sunday& Public Holidays
|
Closed
|
Where should I stay?
I want to be closed
with nature. Well, there is a multiple room types in Bako
National Park which is:
Type of Accommodation
|
Facilities
|
Rate per night (inc. 10% + 5% taxes)
|
No. of units available
|
RM115.00 per room or RM132.25 per house
|
7
|
||
2 rooms with 2single bedseach.
Fan only. Shared bathroom and toilet.
|
RM57.50 per room or RM86.25 per house
|
2
|
|
Forest Hostel
|
4 rooms with 4single bedseach.
Fan only. Shared bathroom and toilet.
|
RM17.25 per bed or RM46.00 per room
|
3
|
Camp site (camping equipment not provided)
|
Public bathrooms and toilets
|
RM5.00 per person
|
18
|
* If you want to make reservations at Bako National Park to
stay overnight; you need to call the following number: (+6) 082 248088. You
will be asked what type of accommodation you want to reserve, what dates you
want to stay at Bako NP and how many rooms you would like to reserve. The total
amount due will be quoted; but you will pay only upon arrival in Kuching at the
Visitors Information Centre (located in the Old Courthouse Complex, opposite
the Kuching Waterfront). You can also do an online booking at the eBooking
System of Sarawak National Parks .
Or if you want to stay outside from Bako National Park, you
might want a place to stay such as Hotel Pullman Kucing ( 4 star Hotel) located
in Kuching-> 36 minutes without traffic, Dorset Boutique Hotel , Tune Hotels.com, or Grand
Continental Kuching Hotel (3 star Hotel
) located in Kuching-> 30 minutes without traffic, as for (2 star Hotels) 360
Xpress Citycenter Budget Boutique Hotel, Grand Supreme Hotel Kuching would be
grates for those in budgeted travellers located in Kucing City Center.
Reservations & Enquiries
|
National Parks Booking Office,
Visitors Information Centre, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching Sarawak, Tel: (+6) 082 248088 Fax: (+6) 082 248087 Online booking: http://ebooking.com.my The Visitors Information Centre is located in the Old Courthouse Complex at the junction of Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Jalan Gambier and Main Bazaar, opposite the Kuching Waterfront. |
Further Information
|
||
SARAWAK FORESTRY
Tel: (+6) 082 610088 Fax: (+6) 082 610099 Toll free line: 1 800 88 2526 Website: www.sarawakforestry.com Email: info@sarawakforestry.com
Bako
National Park
Tel: +6082 478011 or +6082 478012
Bako Terminal
Tel: +6082 431336 |
That is a lot information there isn’t? So, what are you
waiting for? Let’s visiting Malaysia 2014 now, book your ticket to Bako
National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. See you there ~^^
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