Bako National Park

Bako National Park is Sarawak's oldest national park (established 1957) on the Muara Tebas Peninsula, 37 km from Kuching. Despite its small size (27 km²), Bako contains almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo — beach forest, mangrove, dipterocarp forest, and kerangas (heath forest). It is famous for its resident proboscis monkeys, silver-leaf monkeys, and bearded pigs. The park's coastline features dramatic sea arches and sea stacks carved from golden sandstone.

By Plane

Kuching International Airport (KCH) — 37 km south-west of Bako, 40 min drive + 20 min boat ride.

By Train

No train.

By Car / Road

Drive to Bako National Park jetty (Bako Village) — 37 km from Kuching via the Kuching–Bako road (40 min). Grab from Kuching costs RM 40–50. Park at the jetty parking area (RM 5/day). Then take a 20-min boat to the park HQ (RM 40 per boat return, up to 5 people).

Walking only. The park has 16 colour-coded trails ranging from 30 min to full-day hikes. Boat can be arranged to reach Telok Pandan Kecil from Park HQ.

• Proboscis monkey spotting — Bako has one of the largest wild populations; best seen at dawn or dusk on the Telok Assam boardwalk or Telok Delima trail

• Sea stacks and arches — the coastline has dramatic rock formations; best viewed from Telok Pandan Kecil

• Telok Pandan Kecil — a stunning beach accessible by a 2.5-km hike or a 10-min boat ride from Park HQ

• Telok Pandan Besar — a larger beach with sea arches, a 4-km hike

• Lintang Trail — a 5.2-km loop covering all vegetation types and viewpoints; 2.5 hr

• Mangrove boardwalk — a short boardwalk near the jetty with fiddler crabs and mudskippers

• Hiking the Lintang Trail — the signature walk, covering all park habitats

• Proboscis monkey watch — early morning or late afternoon along the Telok Assam boardwalk

• Boat to Telok Pandan Kecil — the most photogenic beach with sea stacks

• Sunset at the park jetty — golden light over the sandstone cliffs

• Night walk — spot nocturnal wildlife like colugo and slow loris

• Swimming — at Telok Pandan beaches (calm waters)

• Park HQ restaurant — simple Malay food: nasi goreng, mee goreng, nasi lemak; RM 5–8
• Telok Assam canteen — basic food and drinks during peak hours
• Bring your own food for day hikes

• Bottled water — essential (RM 2–3 at the shop)
• Bring 1.5+ litres for the Lintang Trail
• Teh tarik at the restaurant (RM 2)

• Park accommodation — book through the National Parks booking office: forest lodge (RM 80–160/night, AC, shared bathroom); hostel (RM 30–50/dorm, fan, shared bathroom)
• Bungalow (RM 150–300/night, private bathroom)
• Most visitors come as a day trip from Kuching

• Park HQ shop — T-shirts, hats, water, and basic snacks
• Bring cash — no ATM in the park

• Kuching (37 km, 40 min drive + 20 min boat)
• Santubong (30 km north, 35 min drive) — Sarawak Cultural Village
• Kubah National Park (40 km, 45 min drive) — waterfalls and rainforest
• Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (45 km, 50 min drive) — orangutans