Bako National Park
Bako National Park is located in the Sarawak State of Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It is fairly close to Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak.
This is a guide on how to get there, where to sleep and what to do.
How To Get There
Arriving at Bako National Park is a two step process. The first step is the land portion. You have 3 options to get to Bako Market:
Step 1: Overland portion.
Bus
Take the public bus (red) #1. It will pick you up either from the Wet Market (next to the Electra Building), or across the street from the Majestic hotel. The buses leave once per hour between 7am and 6pm. Buses leave Bako back to Kuching on every half hour between 6:30am and 5:30pm. 3.50 Rm each way. About 45-60 min each way.
Taxi/Shuttle
Usually can be arranged by your hotel. Most expensive option.
Shared van
Will pick you up from the same spots the buses pick you up. However, they don’t leave until full. Usually Rm 30 one way, but can fit 5-7 people. About 30 min each way.
Step 2 of 2 to getting to Bako National Park is by boat.
Upon arrival at Bako Market, head toward the jetty. There you will be able to purchase you entrance ticket to the park and your boat ticket. Boat tickets are Rm 2o pp for foreigners.
Tell you boat driver when you need picked up form the park. They will be there waiting for you.
It is about a 2o minute ride each way.
Park Entrance
Purchase you entrance ticket when you arrive at the jetty to purchase you boat ticket. Foreign adults pay Rm 20, Children are Rm 7.
Accommodation
You have 4 options for staying in the park. Otherwise it’s back and forth to your hotel in Kuching everyday. Which, in my opinion is a waste of time. Rooms book quick, I highly advise to book ahead online. Once you arrive in Kuching, go to the National Park office in the city and pay for your room. They don’t normally accept payment once you’ve arrived.
Camping:
There is a campsite located right behind the park headquarters. Rm 5 pp. Be careful of monkeys, they won’t hesitate to break in. They have no manners.
Hostel:
Dorms available with 4 beds each. Rm 15.90 per bed, or Rm 42.40 per dorm room. Fan only. Shared bathroom.
Lodge:
2 single beds in each room and each lodge has 2 rooms. Rm 53 per room, Rm 79.50 per lodge.
Chalet:
3 single beds per room and each chalet has 2 rooms. Rm 106 per room, Rm 159 per chalet.
Food
There is a cafeteria located near park headquarters by the lodging. Cafeteria style, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, water, soft drinks and beer.
Trails
This is what most come here for, hiking and obviously the hope to see some wildlife. There are 16 marked trails in the park. Most trails end at a nice beach. Be sure to pack in enough water with you. It’s hot and sticky out here.
Wildlife
Bako is home to a number of different species. Including:
Long-Tailed Macaque
Small monkeys you’ll find all over the park. They will bite and have sharp teeth. These are usually the culprit to tent and lodge break ins.
Silvered Langur
Silvery medium sized monkeys. You usually can hear them coming if you’re out hiking on one of the trails.
Plantain Squirrel
You’ll see these little guys up in the trees. They look similar to any other squirrel.
Bornean Bearded Pig
These guys like to hang out around park headquarters. I’d more impressed if you left the park having not seen one of them.
Monitor Lizard
A large lizard you can sometimes find around the park.
Colugo
Also known as a flying lemur (although technically not a lemur). These cute fuzzy guys are nocturnal. I did have the chance to see one one night, way up in a tree with the use of binoculars.
Pangolin
A little anteater type of animal. Nocturnal.
Mousedeer
A teeny tiny little deer.
Tarsier
Technically a primate. Cute little bug-eyed furry animals.
Slow Loris
Technically a primate. Round-headed with big eyes and fur.
Palm Civet
A small, wild cat.
*There’s a few more reptiles and whatnot I didn’t get a chance to include.
Links to my other Bako National Park and Borneo Posts and Pages!
7 Reasons to Visit Bako National Park
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This entry was posted in Asia, Hiking trips., Lil Nicki’s Stories, National & state Parks
