Discover Incredible Nature And Culture In Sarawak

If wildlife and nature are your thing, Borneo’s untamed national parks are a prime pick for a future trip. The Malaysian state of Sarawak lies on the western edge of the jungle-swathed island, with the capital Kuching just a short flight from Singapore. Here are some highlights.

- Dinesh Ajith

#1 Bakoa National Park

Bako is Sarawak’s oldest park and an ideal introduction to the area’s native wildlife. The park is located on the Muara Tebas peninsula, around 40km from Kuching (by car and boat), making it a doable day trip. Despite a modest size of 27 square kilometres, the park encompasses a remarkable range of biomes, from swampy mangroves to padang scrublands. You’ll also find rugged coastlines with sandy bays and dramatic sea arches.

The park has 16 marked trails of varying lengths, allowing hikers of all skill levels to explore. If wildlife is a must-see for you, Bako is known for its remarkable biodiversity. Commonly spotted species include the long-tailed macaque, Bornean bearded pig, monitor lizards, otters and silvered langur. It’s also home to approximately 150 proboscis monkeys and regarded as the best place to spot this endangered species.