bako national park night tour

BAKO NATIONAL PARK TOUR PACKAGES

Bako National Park Day Tour

Bako National Park, the oldest and one of the most popular national parks in Sarawak, offers the perfect introduction to Sarawak's forest and wildlife...

2D1N Bako National Park - Proboscis Monkey

Pick up from hotel and drive about 35 minutes to Bako Village. From the village, take a 25- boat ride to the park. The various types of animals...

3D2N Bako National Park - Natural Trekking

Pick up from hotel and drive about 35 minutes to Bako Village. From the village, take a 25- boat ride to the park .After the visitor registration trek along...

3D2N Kuching City + Bako National Park

Upon arrival Kuching International Airport, meet and greet by our friendly representative then proceed for Kuching City Tour – 3hrs...

5D4N Kuching + Semenggoh Orang Utan + Traditional Iban Longhouse + Bako National Park

Upon arrival at Kuching International Airport, meet and greet by our friendly...

KUCHING TOURS

Provided by affiliate partner

Other Sarawak National Parks & Nature Reserves

Useful links.

We Accept Online Payment

COPYRIGHT © 2024 BAKONATIONALPARK.COM ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL LOGOS AND TRADEMARKS ENCLOSED IN THIS WEBSITE ARE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS AND ARE SOLELY USED AS REFERENCE. SITE DESIGNED AND MAINTAINED BY UNISON SYSTEMS MIRI

Bako National Park: the complete guide for your visit

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy for more information

Bako National Park is situated in Sarawak, the southern province of Malaysian Borneo . It is one of the oldest and most beautiful national parks in Malaysia, with its lush rainforest, stunning wildlife, tropical beaches, and exciting walks. It’s home to the proboscis monkey, which sadly is an endangered species.

If you come to Borneo, you should definitely plan a visit over here. It has been one of our top experiences in Borneo. And the good thing, it is perfectly suitable for kids as well! So no more reasons not to go! In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about when to go, what to take, how to spot the wildlife and so much more!

Table of Contents

Plan your stay in Bako National Park

How to get there.

Bako National Park is situated near Kuching, the biggest city of Sarawak. Kuching is a great base to plan your trip to Bako. We stayed at the Singgahsana Lodge , where we had a great stay with our kids. In our lodge or many other places in Kuching, you could book tours to Bako National Park. But, as we are traveling on a budget, we decided to arrange our visit ourselves.

Read more: The ultimate guide to family travel on a budget

There are no roads that lead straight to Bako National Park . The Malaysian government wants to protect the park, so it is only reachable by boat. First, you need to take a bus or minivan from Kuching to the Bako National Park jetty and then a boat to the entrance of the park. If you are on a day trip, don’t underestimate the time it will take you to get there. Especially if you want to arrive early before the heat sets in.

The first step: take the bus from Kuching to the Bako National Park jetty

The bus leaves every hour, from 7 am at the Kuching bus station (the people of your guesthouse will show you the way), and costs RM3,5 per person. If you miss the bus, don’t worry! There are lots of people driving a minivan, willing to drop you off at Bako for RM 5 per person. We even had a minivan passing by, telling us that the bus wasn’t driving that day (sure ?). But we took it anyway because you get there faster, it doesn’t cost that much and it was easier with the kids.

To get back, it could be you have to wait for a while. We waited for almost an hour until the bus arrived, and there weren’t any minivans around or they were overcharging! Luckily we could sit down at a local bar and give the kids a drink and a snack.

It is also possible to book a tour from Kuching.

Second step: take the boat from the jetty to the entrance of the park

When you arrive at the jetty, it can feel a bit chaotic. Things you need to do are buy the entrance tickets (RM 20 per person, RM 7 for kids) and a return ticket for the boat brought to the park (RM 25 per person). If you want to book a guide for the park, you need to arrange it here!

The guide will accompany you on the boat to the park. During the dry season, the sea is often calm, during monsoon it can get quite rough. We went in October and the way to the park was OK, but when we returned hit a turbulent sea! No worries, however, the boatmen are used to this.

Day trip or overnight stay?

A lot of people go to Bako National Park for only one day. We can highly recommend staying one or even two nights . On a day trip, your chances of seeing the wildlife decrease substantially. During the day it can get really hot and humid and a lot of animals like to hide. However, in the early and late hours, you’ll see plenty of monkeys and other wildlife!

If you have to go back the same day, you have to leave at 3 pm, the time of the last boat. So no chance of catching the cooler hours. When you stay overnight, you can also book a night walk! This experience was amazing and absolutely worth staying for! We even saw fireflies and an amazing sunset!

Book your accommodation in Bako National Park

If you want to sleep in the park, don’t forget to book ahead (click he re to book). The site can get stuck sometimes (it did on our credit card), but if you’re persistent and wait for a bit, you’ll get through. It can get fully booked quite quickly, so plan early enough. Especially when you travel with kids or friends and you need multiple beds.

We could book a room for four, which was perfect for our family! We paid RM 80 (RM 20 per person). Don’t expect any luxury, it’s very basic. There are a few rooms with aircon, which are a bit more expensive. Sleeping in the jungle, however, was definitely a great experience for the kids and ourselves. One side note, we had bed bugs in the room!

So check the beds before you go to sleep and use your own sleeping bags. You can even camp in the park for RM 5 per person!

Find a guided tour in Bako National Park

Food and drinks in bako national park.

First of all, there aren’t any shops around in Bako. There is however a basic restaurant where you can buy local meals, breakfast, and drinks, buffet style. We actually quite enjoyed the food, even the kids liked it and it’s not expensive at all.

But we do recommend bringing some snacks of your own and even a few bottles of water or soda. There is no fresh drinking water available except for the bottles you can buy in the restaurant. The food is reasonably priced, the drinks, however, are a bit overpriced. You’ll need lots and lots of water, as the humidity is very high here and there is a risk of dehydration. And a few extra snacks are never a luxury with kids!

One thing, however, you’ll need to pay attention to are the macaques hanging around in the park. They can get quite aggressive, especially if you are carrying any food or bottles with you. Make sure everything is put away in your backpack where they can not see or smell it. If you’re eating at the restaurant, better to eat inside.

When to go?

The best season to visit Bako National Park is i n the dry season, which runs from March to September . The weather will be more pleasant and the sea calmer. From October to February, it is monsoon season. This doesn’t mean you can’t visit the park then, but there’s a chance the night walks get canceled because of the rain and you’re in for a bumpy boat ride.

We went in October, which is actually the start of the rainy season. The humidity was very, very high. But besides that, we didn’t have any consequences for the weather.

Book a guide or not?

First of all, as we mentioned before, if you want a guide, you need to book him at the jetty before you take the boat to the park. Except for the night walk, which is organized by the rangers in the park and can be booked there.

You don’t need a guide to visit Bako National Park. The trails are well signed so you can easily plan your visit here without a guide. However, we do recommend taking one, especially with kids.

It is not very expensive, and they know a lot about the park and its wildlife. But the most important reason is they’ll spot wildlife much better than you can. Without our guide, we probably wouldn’t have seen a lot of animals. We paid RM 200 (without the night walk) for a guide for a full day and a boat trip around the rock formations of the park.

Visiting Bako NP

Spotting wildlife in bako national park.

One of the main reasons to visit the park is the wildlife of course! You can spot proboscis monkeys, who only live in Borneo. But also lots of other monkeys, snakes, spiders, beautiful birds, wild boars, and all kinds of insects and other crawling creatures. The great thing is you have a good chance of spotting them, especially when you stay overnight. Photographers, don’t forget a good zooming lens!

The proboscis monkey is, of course, one of the main reasons people come here. You can look for them during your hikes, but you actually have the best chance of spotting them around the headquarters. In the early morning, they like to hang around there.

So we got up early and looked around. And then suddenly, we found a whole group of them, with a big male sitting right above us in the three! We looked at him for quite a while. The noise they make is so special, what a peculiar but amazing animal!

Different trails

You can walk through Bako National Park without a guide. The trails are all very well marked, with clear signs everywhere. You need to register yourself in the book at the headquarters, pointing out which hike you are doing. When you come back, you need to sign out again.

The shortest hikes are only a few kilometers, the longest can take almost a day. Always make sure to get back before sunset, otherwise, it could get dangerous. And don’t forget to take plenty of water with you! You’ll sweat way more than you anticipate.

With the kids, we chose the shortest walk which ends on a stunning beach. The good thing is you can go back by boat, passing all the great and famous rock formations, so you don’t need to walk all the way back.

If you’re staying overnight, we can absolutely recommend the night walk! It was one of the best wildlife experiences we had. You can book the night walk at the headquarters with one of the park rangers. The normal price is RM 10 per person. You’ll be joining a bigger group.

You can, however, also book a private guide, for RM 20 per person. Especially with kids, we can advise this. In the bigger group, it’s sometimes more difficult to see the animals if everybody wants to look at the same time. And with your private guide, you leave a little bit earlier, which means the wildlife isn’t disturbed yet and you even have a bigger chance of seeing them.

Other tours for Bako National Park can be booked here.

Don’t forget

We’ve mentioned most things, but here is a short overview of things you shouldn’t forget when you are planning a visit to Bako National Park.

If you want to stay overnight, book your accommodation well ahead. You can book it here. Bring a good mosquito repellent. We absolutely love the Off brand , which you can buy there or preorder here.

Look out for the macaques! They can get quite aggressive. Make sure all of your bottles and food aren’t accessible to them. They would even look into your backpack.

Don’t feed or interact with animals. Let them be wild. If you feed them, they get used to that and can get aggressive if they don’t get anything.

If you want to have a guide, book him at the jetty before you take the boat! The guide for the night walk can be booked in the park.

Photographers, don’t forget to bring a good zoom lens! I used this 55-210 mm lens , which was great! but a 70-300mm or  other zoom lens  would even have been better!

Make sure you bring enough cash, no withdrawal is possible in the park.

Bring enough water and snacks before you come to the park (but hide them from the macaques). Make sure you take plenty of water on your walks!

There is one walk where you can even swim in a little pool, so perhaps bring your swimsuit.

Find Accommodation in Borneo

Save and share on pinterest.

Other articles about Malaysia

Discover Bako National in Borneo, Malaysia

Related posts.

Travel Diary #2: Our experiences in Kuala Lumpur with kids

Travel Diary #3: Welcome in Ipoh

Travel Diary #4: Drinking tea in the Cameron Highlands

Travel Diary #5: George Town

2 thoughts on “bako national park: the complete guide for your visit”.

Hi Global Wizards, Wondering when you visited Bako NP. Planning a trip to Borneo next month and am trying to decide day Vs overnight trip. I’ve read multiple things about bed bugs in the accommodations, but was hoping maybe it would be different now…maybe I’m too hopeful. Thanks, Christine

Hi Christine,

we visited Bako NP 3 years ago. We loved the overnight trip, so it’s definitely worth it. I’m not sure if they have already handled the problem of bed bugs. I hope they have!

Have a great day, Heleen

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

Dive Into Malaysia

Bako National Park: Everything You Need To Know

Staying in Kuching and want to explore the jungle and wildlife that Sarawak is famous for? It’s easy! Just head to Bako National Park.

Bako National Park Borneo is just a 35 minute drive and 15 minute boat ride from the heart of Kuching. It’s easy to take a day trip to Bako National Park or to go on a Bako National Park tour. You can also stay at Bako National Park overnight so you can experience more of this national park including interesting night walks.

So why visit the Bako National Park Malaysia? It’s Sarawak’s oldest national park and is known for its incredible biodiversity. It’s a great place to view orchids and pitcher plants or to spot wildlife such as bearded pigs and proboscis monkeys.

The park itself is located on a peninsular in the South China Sea. So in addition to the rainforest and wildlife, there are beaches, cliffs, mangroves, waterfalls and more. There are different ecosystems to explore, and it’s all relatively easy thanks to a good network of trails.

The best way to have an awesome time at Bako is to have a good understanding of what you’ll find there and what Bako National Park activities are perfect for you before you go.

It can be a little chaotic on arrival and while there are some great people doing what they can to help, it’s hard to give good advice if you don’t have any idea of what you want.

In this full guide, I share everything you need to know to visit Bako National Park Sarawak Malaysia including information about the Bako National Park trails, how to get from Kuching to Bako National Park, the Bako National Park accommodation, how to visit with a Bako National Park guide or independently, the Bako National Park opening hours, the Bako National Park entrance fee and everything else you need to know to be an expert on visiting Bako National Park.

This is also a Bako National Park review based on my experiences of visiting here. Of course, there are lots of Bako National Park photos as well. Keep reading because this Kuching Bako National Park day trip blog has everything you need!

Already know you want to do a tour? Click here to see the latest prices.

Travelling to Borneo?  Click here to download your FREE Detailed Borneo Itinerary .  We’ll help you plan your trip quickly and easily.

Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Bako National Park: Full Guide And Review

Bako National Park is known for its scenery and biodiversity so when it comes to what to do in Bako National Park, it’s all about exploring that. There are many trails you can take, and you should keep your eyes open for wildlife.

In this section of the guide, I’ll walk you through what can we do in Bako National Park once you arrive there. Further down in the guide, I’ll give you details on how to get there.

Bako National Park Animals

Animals you will want to keep a look out for as you go Bako National Park hiking are the Bornean bearded pig, proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques (be careful round these cheeky Bako National Park monkeys), silvered langurs, snakes and monitor lizards.

If you go on a night walk, you may be able to spot some of Bako’s nocturnal wildlife such as mouse deer, palm civets, tarsiers, slow loris, pangolins and colugo.

The best spotting times are right after sunrise and right before sunset, but you’ll need to stay at the park to access these opportunities at these times.

Unfortunately, I did not see any animals 🙁 It was a really busy Saturday in August (peak time) when I visited and I would avoid visiting on a weekend if I did this again. There were too many loud groups. One even walked past with loud music playing 🙁

I think a guide is the best way to have the best chance to see wildlife.

Bako National Park Jetty

On arrival at the park, you’ll start your adventure at the Bako National Park Jetty. Before getting off your boat, arrange your pick up time with your boat driver. There is more information about getting to Bako National Park below.

From here, you need to follow the boardwalk to the right for about an eight minute walk to Park Headquarters. There’s a clear sign and actually, the jetty is on one of the main trails so it’s hard to go wrong.

You need to go to Park Headquarters first. This is where you’ll get a map, register and get advice for your trip.

The walk heads past the Bako National Park accommodation and the canteen before arriving at the Headquarters.

Bako National Park Headquarters

Here, you need to register with your passport number. You can also grab a Bako National Park trail map and get suggestions from the ranger of where to hike. Also make sure you note down which trails are closed.

They regularly shut down parts of the park to visitors so they can regenerate. At the time of publishing, many of the trails that are further away from Park Headquarters are closed after they fell into disrepair over the pandemic.

The good news is that you’ll still find some hiking Bako National Park to enjoy. You can also check on their site which trails are currently closed before you go.

You need to fill in a separate sheet with what trails you are going to hike, your departure time and when you plan to be back. This is for your own safety.

The staff here were also able to get me a one way boat within the park, but it would have been better to do this when I bought my boat ride across (more details about this below).

By the headquarters is the park canteen. It’s open for buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you can also buy a drink here, if you need one, before setting off.

The canteen food is bain-marie style. There are pre-made dishes that you can serve yourself onto a plate and then you pay for the plate. There aren’t that many choices.

The cold drinks were more my style. Note that they cost nearly double what they do in Kuching.

Unfortunately, the toilet at Park Headquarters was closed when I was there! I was not able to find another one, but surely there is one, somewhere!

Interpretation Centre

At Park Headquarters, there is a small Interpretation Centre.

This is a good place to start if you don’t have a guide to get an introduction to the park’s seven ecosystems.

Bako National Park Trails

There are 18 trails ranging from a 30 minute walk one way to multi-day hikes. There are plenty you can do on a one day trip.

I recommend taking a look through the following information on the available trails so you already have some ideas about what you want to do before arriving. Many of them may be closed when you visit (as mentioned above), so have back up plans as well.

Here’s a brief overview of your options. The time taken and the kilometres mentioned are from Park Headquarters. The actual trail length and time may be less than this as some trails start from other trails. This means you may have to walk some distance on another trail first before you join the one you want. The times and distances below take this into account.

I found I did trails a little quicker than this. I didn’t take rest breaks, but I did take plenty of photos.

The trails are colour coded to help you find them and to keep to the right track.

The beaches are gorgeous, but it’s not allowed to swim at them due to the risk of a crocodile attack.

It’s possible to hire a boat to one of the Bako National Park beach options and hike back or vice versa (so arrange a boat to pick you up before you hike out). Prices depend on how far away you want to go.

I found this an excellent way to go. I took a boat one way on arrival to Telok Pandan Kecil. This way I got to see the sea stacks, and I also didn’t back track. I really recommend this as it’s quite a sweaty walk and much more bearable when you only have to do it one way! Plus, it gave me time to do other walks too.

If you take this walk, Telok Pandan Besar is just a small detour so it’s worth walking that too. I also added in Paku. All of this, including the boat ride one way, only took me about 2.5 hours and I saw a great overview of the park.

I found all trails quite hard work. This is mainly because it is hot and humid, and there isn’t as much shade as what you would imagine. I have never sweated so much.

Plus, there are a lot of roots to climb over. There is boardwalk in sections, but it’s often narrow. When you have to pass people, someone usually has to get off or it’s super awkward squishing past each other.

Stairs are usually ladders. All up, I felt like I climbed quite a lot in this park.

Here’s a little more information on my experiences on these trails.

Telok Pandan Kecil

I did this one way so I started at the beach. You can also choose to be picked up at the beach after walking there, but I figured it was easiest to start with the boat ride so I didn’t have to guess a time.

The first part of the hike is quite steep with lots of ladders to climb up. It is in the shade though so not so bad. At the top, there’s a viewpoint looking over the beach.

Then there’s a lot of walking in the open, like the picture at the top of the article and the one below this statement. It’s hot and sweaty.

Finally, as you join the other trails, there’s shade again, but it also has a climb back down that lasts for quite awhile. I went past many people struggling to climb up this part who didn’t take the boat ride option.

Telok Pandan Besar

The track to Telok Pandan Besar is only a short detour from the Kecil track so you may as well do them both 🙂

It’s quite open as well and much the same as the Kecil trail. The turn off is well sign posted. There’s a nice view at the end.

You then turn back and walk the way you came back to the Kecil trail.

You’ll also past the entrance to this track if you walk to or from Telok Pandan Kecil. It’s an 800 metre detour which took me about 20 minutes each way with stops to try to spot wildlife. It also took much longer than it should have as there were tons of groups on this track. It was a bit too busy to be as enjoyable as it should have been.

It’s also a lot of up and downhill walking over massive roots. It was tougher from that perspective than the trails above. However, I found it easier because there were lots of trees and you’re near the water. It felt much cooler.

This is a popular trail for seeing proboscis monkeys with plenty of groups stopping and waiting hoping they will appear. No one seemed to see any when I was there which was not surprising given how busy (and loud) it was.

Visiting The Sea Stacks At Bako National Park Trails

In addition to the great hiking, it’s worth considering a boat trip to the Sea Stacks. The Sea Stacks are a rock formation carved by waves.

While the park material says you can catch a glimpse of these from Telok Pandan Kecil, you can’t really see them and you do need to see it from the sea for the stereotypical photo and a good look.

You can book a boat ride to this from the ferry terminal before heading to the park or at Park Headquarters on arrival (the former is the better option though). Prices are below. If you take a one way ferry ride to Telok Pandan Kecil, like I did, you’ll also get a tour through these formations. I highly recommend this option.

Paid night walks are the best way to see the animals out and about during the night. These guided tours take around 1.5 to 2 hours and a park ranger will take you for a walk pointing them out.

This occurs every evening at 8pm unless the weather is bad. It needs to be booked at Park Headquarters. Take a torch.

You need to be staying at the park to do this.

Where Is Bako National Park Kuching Sarawak Malaysia?

Bako National Park address : Muara Tebas Peninsular, 93000, Kuching

Taman Negara Bako is located about 37 kilometres northeast of Kuching on a peninsular surrounded by the South China Sea. It’s about 27 square kilometres big.

How To Get To Bako National Park From Kuching

When it comes to how to go to Bako National Park from Kuching, there are always two parts to the journey.

The first part is getting to Bako Jetty Terminal from Kuching. This can be by taxi (use the Grab app) or local bus.

The bus to Bako National Park leaves approximately hourly in each direction starting from about 7am in Kuching and finishing about 6pm from Bako.

Look for bus number 1. It takes about 45- 60 minutes to make the journey and costs RM3.50 at the time of publishing.

In Kuching, the buses leave from the wet market next to the Electra building. It also travels along the waterfront on the river side of the street. Ask your hotel for the closest pick-up point. It’s also possible to get a seat in a minivan that departs from the same place as the bus. They don’t leave until full.

I took a Grab here which cost RM30.

Once you arrive at the jetty to Bako National Park, you first scan a QR code and fill in your details. You then go up to the Ticketing Booth pictured above so you can pay the Bako National Park ticket price (details on that below). You get your ticket here, and you need this before you go to the park.

You then need to pay the Bako National Park boat fee to get across to the park. There is no other way to get there.

Many articles out there will tell you the boat to Bako National Park costs RM30 each way to go in a shared boat on a Bako National Park boat schedule or you can pay more to charter your own boat so you don’t need to wait for the next departure.

HOWEVER, a new company has taken over the boat service and this is no longer the case. There aren’t group departures, and you need to take your own boat which costs RM200 return. This is for up to 5 people.

This is a crazy price, and honestly, it nearly stopped me going as a solo traveller as it seems like such a rip off. However, it is worth going 🙂 You just have to accept this will be an expensive day. Or consider a tour (more about this option below).

To save money, many people group together and split the cost. I saw this happening all around me when I was here. The problem with this is that you all have to come back together on the same boat you go out on. So this can be tricky. It really depends on how flexible you can be. I would discuss this with your new boat buddies before you commit to travelling across together.

It all felt a bit chaotic when I visited here on a Saturday morning in peak August, but it was all sorted quite easily.

You can also book other boat journeys while you are here within the park, like to the famous sea stack Bako National Park (like I talk about above). It’s cheaper and easier to do this here at the same time. I didn’t realise this and was able to arrange a boat in the park, but it cost a little more (RM50 instead of RM46 to go to Telok Pandan Kecil).

If you didn’t book a tour Bako National Park, but you would like a guide, you can arrange one here. Note that there are none waiting in the park itself, so this is your last chance to get one.

There is a small drink shop and souvenir shop in the terminal.

Once you have your boat ticket, they will match you with a boat and you can leave straight away. There’s a small jetty.

The return journey is paid for at the same time (RM200 is for the return journey). Sometimes, the tide can be low on return and you’ll need to get out before the jetty and wade ashore. In the wet season (November to February/March), rough seas can stop boats running.

Boats stop running at 3pm and all day trippers have to have left the park by then.

You can arrange your pick up time with your boat driver on arrival at the park. Otherwise, you are given a phone number and you can ask Park Headquarters staff to ring them for you.

The boat rides are quite nice and cooling, especially on the way back when you’re hot and sweaty. They can be a bit bumpy though if you go anywhere near another boat. The views are nice and I found it quite exciting to arrive at the national park this way.

When I got back to the ferry terminal, I could not get a Grab taxi back to Kuching. However, there were drivers waiting there. I had to pay RM50 for this journey (albeit in a big van). You can also take the bus back.

It would have been cheaper for me to do a tour (more information about this below).

Bako National Park Opening Hours

The Bako National Park opening times are 8am to 5pm daily. This is the time the Park Headquarters is open as well.

The canteen is open 7:30am to 10pm.

I recommend you head to the park early so you’re there around the 8am open time. It’s cooler in the morning, and this also gives you the maximum time you can have if you’re on a Bako National Park 1 day trip.

Remember, day trippers have to leave the park by 3pm.

Bako National Park Entrance Fee

There is a Bako National Park Kuching entrance fee. The Bako National Park price depends on if you are Malaysian or a foreigner.

Malaysians pay RM10 for adults and RM3 for kids 6 – 17 years old.

Foreigners pay RM20 for adults and RM7 for kids 6 – 17 years old.

You pay this before taking the boat to the park as described above.

Bako National Park Tours

As you can read in this Bako National Park blog, it is possible to visit here without a tour. I visited here alone as a woman.

However, a Bako National Park day tour makes it so easy. You don’t have to worry about getting to the park and the rip off price for a boat. You don’t have to decode trails or worry about anything at all.

Plus, you get a Bako National Park travel guide to help enrich your experience. I did not see any animals on my day trip, and I think a guide is necessary if you want the best chance for this.

A Bako National Park tour package is not expensive and easy to organise as well. It would have been cheaper for me to do a tour!

Click here to see the latest tour prices and inclusions.

Accommodation At Bako National Park

While it’s easy to day trip to Bako from Kuching, staying in Bako National Park gives you more opportunity to enjoy the park and also to go on a Night Walk. Given the times you are most likely to spot wildlife is right after sunrise and right before sunset, there are definitely advantages to staying here.

All accommodation in Bako National Park is run by the Park Headquarters. It is basic and if you are looking for flash Bako National Park hotels, you are better off staying in Kuching and day tripping.

However, staying in the accommodation Bako National Park offers is the best way to get the most out of your visit here. It’s also the only way to check out the park at night.

There are basically three choices – staying in the Forest Lodge Bako National Park (individual rooms), the Bako National Park hostel (for dorm beds) or camping.

Camping is in a special area only and tents can’t be set up until 6pm and have to be put down again early in the morning – even if you are staying multiple nights. It’s also possible to try Bako National Park camping at Telok Limau when this area is open.

The Bako National Park lodge has various options and prices depending on how basic a room you want. The best ones have three single beds, air-conditioning, private bathroom and a fridge. The cheaper ones are fan cooled only and have shared bathroom.

To save money, you can stay in a dorm bed. The forest hostel has four single beds per room as well as fans and shared bathrooms.

No cooking is allowed on-site, but you can buy food at the canteen.

I will definitely stay over next time I come so I have more opportunities to spot wildlife when it’s less busy. I also like the idea of a cold shower right there after I got so hot and sweaty hiking!

You can find more information of the Bako National Park Forest Lodge and hostel and book it here . It does book out so book in advance, especially in the peak time from May to September.

When To Visit National Park Bako Kuching

It is best to visit Borneo Bako National Park in the dry season from March to September. This also coincides with the peak season of May to September so book ahead if you plan to stay at the park.

Visiting in the wettest and roughest sea months from October to February/March is still possible, but it can be a little tougher thanks to rough seas leading to infrequent boat rides across to the Park Headquarters. The Night Walk can be cancelled at this time too. Visiting on a Bako National Park package tour at this time will help make it a little easier.

What To Pack

Make sure you take a good hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and great walking shoes. Many of the trails have sections without much shade so you’ll be thankful for a hat. I didn’t use my repellent on my trip though and didn’t find any mosquitoes. This can vary at different times of year though. You’ll also want plenty of water and a snack.

If you are going to catch a boat, I also recommend a small towel. You have to wade through the water to get in and out of the boat. My feet got wet and sandy and I was stuck putting them back in my socks and shoes which isn’t ideal.

Final Words

I hope you have found this guide to Bako Kuching National Park useful. It’s a great place to visit when you are in Kuching and should be on every visitor’s list who wants to explore Sarawak’s jungles and coastline. Bako National Park reviews are always very positive.

I loved exploring here and how out of the city I felt when it really wasn’t far at all.

It was super busy when I went and I would avoid a Saturday in August if you can.

The trails were also much more open than I would have expected with a lack of shade on the longer ones. To be honest, I have never been so sweaty in all my life and this was the fifth national park in Sarawak I hiked in within a week! My t shirt was so covered in sweat, I had to wring it out!!

It was so worth it though. I really enjoyed exploring here.

Click here to see the latest tour prices and options.

Looking for other things to do in Kuching? Find our full guide here . You can also find our full guide to where to stay in Kuching here and our full travel guide to Kuching here .

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Related posts:

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

The ULTIMATE Guide to Bako National Park

We climbed out of the boat into the ankle-deep sea water and walked up the beach. We had arrived to explore Bako National Park. After checking in at the visitor’s center and scanning over the trail maps, we were off to trek through the jungle in search of Bako’s unique wildlife.

Bako National Park is Sarawak’s oldest national park and is famous for sightings of the Proboscis monkey. Located nearby Kuching, Malaysia, Bako National Park is a great destination for birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and jungle trekking. In the park, you will find a variety of trails. It is a must-visit destination for nature lovers in Malaysian Borneo.

Where is Bako National Park?

Bako National Park is located on a peninsula off the northwest coast of Malaysian Borneo, near Kuching in Sarawak. It is roughly 45 min-1 hour away from the city of Kuching and is only accessible by boat from the Bako National Park Terminal.

Wildlife in Bako National Park

You don’t come to Bako National Park unless you are hoping to see some unique wildlife. This park is home to some amazing animals, some only found in Borneo itself. The best time to spot wildlife is dawn and dusk so, as we mention a lot in this post, it’s highly recommended to spend the night. Some of the animals listed below are nocturnal so you won’t see them unless you choose to do a night tour while staying at the park’s accommodation.

The most popular animal and biggest draw to Bako National Park is the Proboscis Monkey. These monkeys are known for their orange coloring and uniquely shaped noses.

There are 3 types of monkeys in Bako National Park. Besides the Proboscis Monkey you will most likely spot Macaques near the beaches on trails 2 and 3, and Silver leaf Monkeys (Silver Langur) up in the trees.

Other mammals that call Bako home include squirrels, mouse deer, pangolin, flying lemur, and bearded pigs.

With over 150 bird species calling Bako home, this national park is a birdwatcher’s dream. However, if you are looking to spend time birding, we highly recommend staying overnight to be at the park at dawn and dusk.

There are also reptiles found in Bako National Park, including crocodiles near the beaches, water monitors, a variety of snakes (most not dangerous), and different kinds of lizards.

If you’re into bugs and insects, Bako National Park has those too! During our trip to Bako, we saw a variety of butterflies, giant ants (that apparently are not dangerous, so don’t worry too much if they crawl over your feet), and large spiders.

How to Get to Bako National Park

Getting to Bako National Park is quite easy but you can’t just take a grab to the park’s headquarters.

Step 1: Grab a bus (or taxi) to Bako National Park Terminal

There is a red bus that runs from Kuching to Bako every hour starting at 7 am. It will say Bako National Park on the front. We caught the bus at the bus stop outside the City Inn Hotel.

Since the first stop is closer to the waterfront, the bus picked us up closer to 7:10. Your accommodation should be able to direct you to the closest stop but if not, grab the bus outside the City Inn Hotel at the stop along Jalan Abell Road.

Step 2: Ride the Boat

The bus will stop a short walking distance from the Bako National Park Boat Jetty and Car Park. If you take a taxi here instead of the bus, they should drop you off right out front. When you walk inside, the staff will direct you where to go. First, you must purchase your bus ticket and then your park entrance ticket at the counter next it to.

To hire a private boat, it will cost 100 MR each way (200 MR total). If you are able to join a group (just for the boat ride, not necessarily all day) your ticket should be about 20 MR each way per person (40 MR).

After you purchase your boat transfer, buy your ticket from the next counter and head to the boat. It is a short ride through a river and around the coast of Bako National Park.

Our Experience:

Luckily, as we were trying to purchase our boat transfer, 2 other couples came in and we were able to split the boat fee. We were charged 40 MR per person for transfer to and from the park instead of having to pay the 200 MR for the two of us. If you are going for the day, you must decide on a departure time so your boat knows when to pick you up. We chose the latest time available, 3 pm and were glad we did.

Step 3: You’re here!

Upon arrival at the national park, you may be exiting the boat either onto a boat dock or onto a beach depending on the tide. You must check in at the visitor’s center, show your ticket, and list the trails you plan to hike, more on choosing trails later.

When you arrive at the headquarters by boat, you will find signs with trail and park information, accommodation, and a restaurant.

If you head left after checking in, you will walk past the restaurant, some of the different forest lodges, and the boat dock (if you arrived at the beach). You will walk along a boardwalk through mangrove trees before reaching the trailhead for trails 3, 5, 6, and part of 10.

If you head to the right of the headquarters station, you will find public bathrooms right outside, pass by more forest lodges, the campsites, and after a short walk the trailheads for 2, 4, and part of 11.

Some trails are not mentioned in this blog post because they were closed during our stay and we are not aware of their reopening date.

Getting Back to Kuching

To get back to Kuching, you will board your boat at the time decided upon arrival and then catch the red bus back to Kuching. The bus departs roughly every hour, with the last departure being 4 or 5 pm. We were told 4 pm but another group 5, so it’s best to play it safe. Leaving the beach at 3 pm on the boat gives you more than enough time to catch the 4 pm bus!

Cost of Visiting Bako National Park

If you are staying for one day, we have the cost breakdown below. But, if you plan to stay the night you can use this website or reach out to this email for more information: [email protected]. We only visited for the day but would have much preferred staying overnight after talking to some travelers we met on the trails, more on this later.

TOTAL PER PERSON FOR 1 DAY : 61 MYR (not including food or extras), this is roughly $13.5 USD

• Bus to Bako Boat Terminal: 1 MYR
• Boat to the park entrance: 40 MYR (both ways, if you can find a group) 200 MR (both ways for a private group)
• Ticket for Park Entrance: 20 MYR
• Optional Guide: 150 MYR for the day
• Optional Overnight Accommodation: Starting from 15 MYR per bed
• Optional Lunch: 10+ MYR

Day Trip or Overnight?

We visited Bako for just the day and were happy with what we saw but we got really lucky. We got the earliest bus at 7 am and were on the hiking trail. The last boat left the park at 3 pm and we stayed until then.

If you choose to stay only one day at Bako National Park you should choose your trails wisely, putting emphasis on what you are really looking for. We hiked 3 trails and that was the most that we had time for at the park for one day. Visiting for one day does limit how much time you have at the park, limits your chances of seeing wildlife, and you may feel rushed.

Staying Overnight at Bako National Park

We talked to two groups of travelers who stayed overnight and they were so happy they did. Staying overnight means that you don’t have to get to the park as early as possible, gives you more free time to enjoy the trails, and provides the opportunity for guided night hikes, and sunrise/sunset on the beach.

Although basic, the accommodation is quite decent and comfortable for a short 1-2 night stay. Dorm beds (4 per room) at the park start at 15 MYR and depending on availability, you might have the entire room to yourself. They seem to space visitors out this way if there’s room, and we thought this was very nice. There are also campsites at the park if you have your own gear, it is not available to rent.

If you choose to stay overnight, there is a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is a buffet of rice, noodles, eggs, meats, and fruit. Lunch is a buffet of rice, noodles, meats, and vegetables, and dinner is ordered from a menu. Each meal is around 10 MYR give or take a few. There are also coffee, tea, and canned/bottled drinks available for purchase, even beer! You will have the option to buy lunch during a day trip as well.

Pros of Staying Overnight

• More time in the park, your time isn’t cut short by bus or boat rides.
• At the park during the times are day when animals are more active.
• Opportunity for guided night hikes to see wildlife active after dark (15 MYR)

If you plan to spend the night at Bako National Park, it is best to book at least 2 nights beforehand. When you are purchasing your boat transfer, you may ask to purchase only your boat transfer to the park and hope you can join a group leaving the park the next day if you wish to take the chance. Since there are boats leaving most of the afternoon, there is a high chance you will find someone willing to let you on board, but this is up to you!

Hiking Trails in Bako National Park

There are a total of 16 Hiking or Trekking Trails in Bako. During our visit, 7 were open for the day trip and the others were under reconstruction or maintenance.

The trails range in length and difficulty, however, I would not say any of them are “easy”, especially if you are travelling with someone that has any physical disability that would affect hiking. This doesn’t mean it’s not worth the trip since the long paved stretch in front of the headquarters to each trailhead is where we saw the most wildlife and is still beautiful!

On the map, you are given at the park, the trails are all marked and estimated times are listed. We believe that if you are in decent shape, the times are quite long. We finished in half or 2/3 the time listed and took our time for each trail, stopping often for pictures.

BEST FOR WILDLIFE:

Trails 1, 2 and 3 are shorter trails and best for wildlife viewing. Trail 1, Telok Sapi, is the shortest but closed during our visit. Telok Delima or Trail 2 is 1km each way. Trail 3 named Telok Paku is 800 m long each way. We hiked both 2 and 3, but preferred trail 3 for the exciting trek, wildlife sightings, and beautiful beach ending.

Trail 4 named Ulu Assam is a 700 m one-way hike and is a steep hike up to a viewpoint. On this trail, we spotted some interesting insects and a large lizard. The beginning of the trail is flatter, however, the majority of the trail heads UP to a viewpoint overlooking the sea.

Trails 5 and 6 are connected for most of the way and take you to beaches with rock formations. Trail 5, named Telok Besar is 1.9 km one way. Trail 6 is named Telok Pandan, known for the Kecil rock formation on the beach and is 2.6 km one way. If you are looking for a beautiful beach to relax on after the trek, these are the trails to do!

Trail 11 is a large loop that circles part of the park and connects to the trailheads of 2-6. On the map, it is called the Lintang Loop and is 5.8 km.

There are 9 other trails on the map in Bako National Park. However, these trails were open during our visit. We cannot advise on the other trails deeper into the park without experiencing them. We hope more is available during your stay at Bako!

Tips for Visiting Bako National Park

• Hire a guide for the opportunity to spot the most wildlife. Guides can be hired right at the Bako National Park Terminal. It was offered to us, but if it isn’t offered, ask to find out if there are any available that day.
• If you are only going for one day, get on the earliest bus!
• SPEND THE NIGHT! This way you are at the park during peak wildlife spotting hours; dawn and dusk!

What to bring to Bako National Park:

Hiking Attire : When preparing for your trip to Bako National Park, make sure to wear comfortable trekking clothes and comfortable hiking shoes. Although we wore our hiking sandals, we believe close-toed hiking shoes or boots would have been better for comfort and safety in the park.

Bug Spray : On top of clothing, make sure to bring mosquito repellent. I (Sam) am prone to bug bites and was the only one that the mosquitos seemed attracted to. Our eco-friendly repellent was not strong enough for me but it did work well for others. It is extremely hard to find bug spray with DEET in Malaysia so if you wish for the stronger kind bring it with you.

Sunscreen : Although you might be covered by the canopy for part of your day, it’s always important to protect your skin!

Snacks : Although there is a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you will want to bring some snacks to ensure you have enough food during your visit. We bought fruit, nuts, and ramen to bring with us on our trip to Bako National Park.

Binoculars : Not necessary but would sure make wildlife sightings easier if you have a pair to bring along!

Toilet Paper: Bring some with you if you use it normally.

Cash : Lastly, it is important to bring CASH with you on your trip to the park. There are no ATMs nearby the boat terminal or park entrance. You will need cash to pay for your transportation and your entrance to the park. How much cash? Keep reading to find out!

Do I need a guided tour to visit Bako National Park?

NO! You do not need a guide to visit Bako National Park, especially for a day trip. You can explore the park on your own, however, a guide is recommended if you are hoping to get the most out of your time and see the most animals.

We saw groups of nature photographers with guides since they often know where to find the animals throughout the day. At night, you do need to hike with a guide in Bako but this is offered by the park when you stay and is affordable.

You don’t need to book a tour to visit Bako National Park. We have seen some outrageous tour prices for Bako it’s so affordable to visit on your own, especially if you follow the directions above.

Depending on your goal and budget, we believe visiting Bako National Park on your own and booking directly through the park is your best option!

Final Thoughts: Bako National Park

We had such a great day hiking around Bako National Park. Seeing the proboscis monkeys in the wild was so exciting! They are definitely odd-looking animals. If we could do it over, the one thing we would change is not having spent the night. It’s definitely worth the overnight trip if you have the time for it. Remember to respect the wildlife, stay on the trail, and clean up after yourself. The animals are WILD so do not approach them, admire them from afar!

For more information on visiting Bako National Park, click here.

THE BEST Bako National Park Tours & Excursions

Bako national park tours.

• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Monkeys and Mangroves in Bako National Park

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Night Froggy Adventure at Kubah National Park

Sarawak Orangutan Semenggoh Wildlife Centre Tour

Kuching Half Day City Tour

Half-Day Heritage Bike Tour in Kuching

Sarawak Cultural Village Tour from Kuching

Marvellous Creature Orangutan : Sarawak Semenggoh Wildlife Centre Tour

Kuching Bike & Cook

Night Frogs Tour at Kubah National Park

Sarawak Cultural Village Admission Ticket with Return Transfer

Kuching Half Day City Tour with Local Host

Sarawak Bako National Park Tour

Sarawak Bako National Park Tour : Pristine Rainforest Jungle

Kuching Natural Charms Half Day City Tour

Half Day Kuching City Tour

Sarawak Jong's Crocodile Farm Tour from Kuching

Sarawak Sunset River Cruise with Return Transfer

Untamed Serapi Backwood Connection

Pebble Rocks Waterfalls Chills

Kuching Heritage Tour plus Sarawak Sunset River Cruise

Kuching Heritage Tour with Sarawak Sunset River Cruise & Pickup

Kuching Cultural & Heritage Tour with Sarawak Sunset River Cruise

Kuching Half Day City Tour with Pick-up

Wonder Orangutan Sarawak Semenggoh Wildlife Centre Tour

Sarawak Gawai Dayak Open House & Parade (3D2N Package)

Private Arrival Transfer : Kuching International Airport (Sarawak) to Hotel

Kuching International Airport to Hotel -Arrival Transfer

• +60127909055

Bako National Park 2d1n: Sleep in rainforest by the beach

Quick Contact

2+3=?   ENQUIRE NOW!

Trip Overview

Price & terms, send your message.

Bako National Park 2d1n, spent a night in the rainforest by the beach with proboscis monkeys and wildlife on the island.

With overnight all inclusive Bako National Park Tour Package, you will have more time to explore the wildlife with difference Bako National Park trekking trails.

Bako National Park is raw, it is beutiful, it is wild. It’s everything you hope Borneo will be. You won’t see orangutans here, but it’s a park so rich with biodiversity is just 27km away from Kuching.

Instead of Bako National Park Day Trip , we will advise you to consider this Bako National Park 2d1n. You will have more time for yourself in the nature.

Day 1: Kuching City - Bako Fishing Village

Lunch, Dinner

09.00am: Pick up from hotel at Kuching city and heading to Bako Fishing Village. The journey is 30 minutes (37 km).

9.30am: Board to speed boat, and take a 30 minutes boat ride to Bako National Park.

10.00am: Upon arrival at the Park, walk to the Bako National Park HQ via rainforest (15 minutes walk). Register and keep your bag at the Park HQ. Check in time is at 3pm.

Meanwhile, you can do the hikings in Bako National Park .

Bako National Park Hiking Trails:

**starting & Finish Point at Bako National Park HQ.

• Jalan Lintang – 11.6km, 7 hours
• Tlk Paku – 3km, 2 hour
• Tlk Pandan Besar – 3.8km, 2 hours (Popular)
• Tlk Pandan Kecil – 5.2km, 3 hours (Popular)
• Tlk Tajor – 7km, 5 hours
• Tg Rhu – 8.4km, 5 hours

NOTE: Room with Air-conditioned (02 unit only) subject to avaibilities with additional charges of RM 75 per person and RM 150 per room. Your room is Basic Room with Fan – Forest Lodge Type 5 (Terrace) or Forest Lodge Type 6.

06.00pm: Dinner at the park. Rest & relax.

At night, you can do the night jungle walk with your guide. Please seek advise from your guide.

Day 2: Bako National Park - Kuching

Breakfast, Lunch

07.00am: Morning. Wake up and enjoy the beach or can do another trails. Or, rest and relax.

Breakfast and lunch at Bako National Park HQ.

01.00pm: Check out, and boat ride to Kg Bako.

01.30pm: Pick up from Kg Bako to Kuching.

02.30pm: Drop off at your hotel in Kuching. Tour ends. Bye Bye.

What is included?

• All land transportation as per itinerary.

Day 1: Kuching to Kg Bako Jetty

Day 2: Kg Bako Jetty to Kuching

• All sea transportation as per itinerary.

Day 1: Kg Bako to Bako National Park

Day 2: Bako National Park to Kg Bako

• All meals during your stay in Bako National Park

Breakfast x 1, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 1

• Accommodation x 1 night in Bako National Park (Basic Accommodation) Forest Lodge Type 5 (Terrace) or Forest Lodge Type 6. If need AIR-CONDITIONED room, subject to avaibilities and subject to RM 150 extra charge per room/night.
• Bako National Park Entrance Fees
• Sarawak National Park Nature Guide

What is not included?

• Personal Expenses
• Item not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Be in nature and be wild! Be in the rainforest by the beach!
• Spot rare and unusual proboscis monkeys and other wildlife.
• Get one-night accommodation and enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet included

Kuching, Sarawak

Tour Style:

Private Journey

Sightseeing

Minimum pax:

Minimum two person

Accommodation:

You May Also Like

USD 225 135 per pax (2 to go)

Like our page today!

On Tour Malaysia

Subscribe to Us

Ontourmalaysia.

We are reposting beautiful photos of Malaysia here. Malaysia is a beautiful country.

Our Partners

Nepal Travel Talk

Volunteer Work Nepal

© Copyright: On Tour Malaysia 2024.

• Search Search Search …
• Search Search …

How to Visit Bako National Park Borneo – What To See + Do

Bako has been a Malaysian National Park since 1957 and this park covers just 27 square kilometers (10.42 square miles).  Bako National Park, Borneo is easiest to reach from the city of Kuching and there are a variety of activities here in the park.  You’re almost guaranteed to see wildlife here in Bako National Park, and there are some great hikes here.  Bako, though, is most famous for being home to 275 rare proboscis monkeys, which are found only in Borneo. Our guide to Bako National Park covers how to get to Bako National Park, what to expect at Bako, Bako National Park hikes, Bako National Park Tours as well as Bako National Park Accommodation. 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN  OUR DISCLAIMER

BEST WAY TO VISIT BAKO NATIONAL PARK

BEST WAY TO VISIT BAKO

Get door-to-door transport from Kuching + Visit the Sea Stacks on this full Day Tour of Bako National Park. Includes lunch, bottled water + English speaking guide.

Why Come to Bako National Park Borneo

Bako National Park is the oldest National Park in Malaysia, and while it’s small, about 10 square miles, it has some lovely beaches, and great hikes and is the park where you are most likely to see wildlife in Malaysia.  So if seeing the rare proboscis monkey is of interest you should come here.  If you’re staying in Kuching, then visiting Bako is one of the top things to do in Kuching . 

How to Get to Bako National Park From Kuching

You’ll need to get to Sarawak’s state capital, Kuching before heading to Bako National Park.  From Kuching to Bako is about an hour and there are a variety of ways to travel to Bako from Kuching.

The easiest way to get to Bako National Park is to take a tour from Kuching and there are a variety of options available

A Day Tour to Bako from Kuching:  This 7-hour day trip will take you into Sarawak’s oldest National Park – hike the coves, trails, and rainforests of Bako, get to see the proboscis monkeys, and also see the famous sea stacks of Bako National Park.  You’ll get transport from your accommodation and a guide to making sure you spot wildlife and also take the right trails around the park.  Take a look at more information on this great Bako day trip here.

2 Day – and overnight – in Bako National Park from Kuching.   This longer option gives you a night’s stay in the National Park (it’s one of my biggest regrets that we did NOT do this).  This 2 day trip to Bako includes one night in the National Park and includes meals – as well as an English-speaking guide who will introduce you to the flora and fauna of Bako. This trip also includes a night jungle safari.  Check out this great day trip here.

If you’re looking to visit Bako National Park independently, then here are the details of how to get to Bako from Kuching.

How to Go from Kuching to Bako National Park

To go to Bako from Kuching you need to first take a bus, minivan (or taxi) to the Bako boat jetty and then take a boat.  You cannot drive directly to Bako National Park (from anywhere), everyone has to enter the park by boat.

Kuching Bus to Bako National Park

Getting to Bako is easy from Kuching The big red number 1 (Rapid Kuching) bus leaves from the open (but covered over) market near Jalan Masjid (see the map) and as we were going just for the day we made sure we were on the first bus of the day at 07:00.  There is a bus on the hour, every hour during the day.  I’d recommend getting the first bus of the day, if you decide you’ve had enough in the National Park, then you can always leave earlier.  These buses also stop to pick passengers up at the Riverside Majestic Hotel.  The last bus of the day is at about 6 pm.

When we traveled there were a few food stalls open at the market but nothing that looked like it could be consumed in a hurry should the bus decide to leave.  The bus wasn’t completely full, but it wasn’t far off, this first part of our journey to Bako cost us 3.5RM each.  In 2022, this price is still correct.

If you miss the bus, then there are plenty of minivans plying this route too, they’ll likely charge you 5 RM per person for the same route.

Buses from Kuching to Bako and minivans to Bako from Kuching take about 45-60 minutes to go from Kuching to Bako and they arrive at the Bako Boat Terminal,  where you’ll need to pay for and take the boat to Bako.

Taxi from Kuching to Bako Boat Jetty

A taxi to the Bako boat jetty will cost around 60 RM.  You can arrange a taxi from your accommodation or find out by the Open Air Market bus station.

Minivan from Kuching to Bako Boat Jetty

Minivans wait by the Open Air Market bus station in Kuching and cost 5 RM per person to go to Bako.  They depart when full and if you’re waiting for a bus, they’ll likely tell you that the bus isn’t running today.  If you are traveling in a group, then you can charter the whole minivan for about 30 RM.  Minivans are faster than the bus and take about half the time to get to the Bako boat terminal.

Bako Ferry Boat Terminal

50 minutes after leaving Kuching we pulled up at the Bako Boat Terminal, where the first thing we did was join a line. It’s not particularly organized here, and you’ll see a variety of lines.  The first line you need is the line to pay for the ticket to the National Park.

Tickets to Bako National Park cost 20 RM for adults and 7 RM for kids.  You’ll also need to buy your boat ticket.  The boat trip from Bako village to Bako National Park takes about 20 minutes.

Boat tickets to Bako National Park cost 200 RM per boat return.  You can fit 5 adults in the boat. If there’s only one of you, then you have to pay 200 RM. Find some friends.

If you want a guide for Bako, then you need to organize it here and your guide will travel with you, you will NOT have the opportunity to arrange a guide once you get to the park. 

There’s a small cafe at the boat jetty here that also sells packaged snacks and water, but nothing looks appetizing (either on the way in or out), so we head towards the boats, heading down the ramp and getting on the boat with about 12 other folks.  We all got life jackets, and our load seems fair, even appropriate for the boat size and we zoomed off down the river.

You can also ask (and pay extra) to be taken to see the Sea Stacks that Bako is famous for.  This tour, from Kuching, includes a visit to the Sea Stacks.

Arriving at Bako National Park

It’s pretty as we come up to the jetty, dead trees line the shore. Live ones closer to the land show the promise of additional vegetation.  You’ll be advised when you arrive on the boat what time the last boat of the day will be, so make sure you don’t miss it!

From the boat jetty in Bako, it’s an 8-minute walk to the park headquarters where everyone must check in, so we set off down the boardwalk.

We come to a standstill almost immediately, because right there, in the tree just by the boardwalk are a pair of Proboscis Monkeys.

Up close they’re big and they look somewhat muscular.  It isn’t until one jumps onto another tree and we hear the resulting thud that we realize quite how big they are.

It’s a great start to our visit to Bako.

On our way to check into the National Park office (there’s no signposting, it’s just “off to the right” after we were dropped from the boat), we pass the accommodation blocks. Some of it looks nice, and some of it looks hot and humid.  It would have been nice to wake up to a sunrise and see the animals earlier in the morning.

Checking In at the Bako National Park Office

There are two elements to the check-in at the National Park office, which is in the main building just after the cafe/restaurant.  First of all, check-in who you are with your passport number and collect a map of the national park with suggestions from the rangers as to which hikes you might like to take.  Then note down on a separate sheet which hikes and route you’re taking and what your departure time is, plus when you expect to return. Many of the trails are closed.

This is normal. They close off huge swathes of the park to allow it to regenerate.  It’s not detailed on the park website, but the rangers will tell you when you arrive where you can and can’t hike.

If you like hiking, then the best hiking in Peninsular Malaysia is up at Cameron Highlands, and I wrote about the best 7 hikes in Cameron Highlands here.

Food & Drinks at Bako National Park

The café here serves breakfast, which is a self-service option of fried rice or noodles. Leathery fried eggs are an additional extra. It’s food, Malaysia, but not as we know or like it.  This restaurant here is basic and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and they’re all buffet-style. They also serve drinks.  There are no food stores in Bako National Park.

It’s hot here, so bring lots of water, or better still, use a filter water bottle and use it to drink tap water wherever you are in the world– I wrote about that here .

TOP PRODUCT PICK

Best Filter Water Bottle

The Lifestraw Go Water Filter Bottle has a 22-ounce capacity, it has a two-stage carbon filter that lasts for 100 liters of water and a membrane microfilter that lasts up to 4,000 liters of water.  The bottle itself is reusable, extremely durable, and BPA-free.  

Hiking Trails at Bako National Park

When you check in at the National Park Office the rangers will advise which of the Bako National Park trails are open for hiking and will recommend which trails to take.

There are 16 different trails at Bako National Park.  It’s worth taking a look at them before you head to the park, to see which you might want to take, although bear in mind that not all of them will be open.  The park indicates the length of the trail and also the time it’s likely to take to hike it.

• Tanjung Sapi: 0.5 km, 30 minutes (0.8 km)
• Telok Paku: 0.8 km, 1 hour (1.2 km)
• Ulu Assam: 0.8 km, 1 1/4 hours (1.4 km)
• Telok Delima: 0.25 km, 45 minutes (1 km)
• Telok Pandan Besar: 0.75 km, 1 hour (1.75 km)
• Telok Pandan Kecil: 1.5 km,1 1/2 hours (2.5 km)
• Serait: 1.25 km,1 1/2 hours (2.2 km)
• Lintang: 5.25 km, 3 1/2 hours return
• Tajor:2.75 km, 2 1/2 hours (3.5 km)
• Tanjung Rhu: 1.8 km, 2 1/2 hours (4.2 km)
• Bukit Keruing: 2.25 km, 3 1/2 hours (5.5 km)
• Paya Jelutong: 0.2 km, 3 1/2 hours (5.7 km)
• Bukit Gondol: 2 km, 4 1/2 hours (7.7 km)
• Ulu Serait: 2.75 km, 3 hours (4.8 km)
• Telok Sibur: 0.8 km, 3 1/2 hours (5.3 km)
• Telok Limau: 5.75 km, 7 hours (10 km)
• Telok Kruin: 1.5 km, 7 1/4 hours (10.5 km)
• Pa’ Amit (Lakei Island): 1.0 km, 30 minutes

Bako National Park Trail Map

This Bako National Park Map shows the trails available.  Be sure to check in at the National Park and see which trails are open.

Hiking the Lintang Trail (Loop) at Bako

We decided to go on the only loop walk available when we visited. The Lintang Trail. It’s a 5.25km trail, which begins on a boardwalk, has climbs and descents, and also takes you through all the different vegetation types that are present here in Bako.

It takes, so the park says, 3.5 hours. Immediately after we leave the park offices we find our second lot of wildlife. A family of wild pigs, snuffling their way both along the boardwalk and to the side of it. They’re unperturbed by us, we’re more scared of them by the looks of it.

The boardwalk is pretty old, pretty slippery, and broken in a lot of places, but that’s ok because it doesn’t last very long. 

Before long we’re clambering up small wooden ladders, with missing rungs, those with short legs really need not apply here!  We’re also skirting around huge boulders and scrambling over rocks.

There’s not just a lot of different types of forest here, but also a huge variety of trails underfoot, we even share the path with streams mid-way around our hike.

For the first half of the hike, we’re under the canopy of the forest.

As we get to the highest point we come out onto the Savannah and into the heat of the sun.

And the sun is hot – even though it’s only mid-morning.

There’s no shade, little breeze and we still haven’t met a single person.  The hike is interesting from the different terrain, but once we hit the top, we didn’t find shade again until almost back to the park offices.

There are occasional signs, directing us on the way, but on the first part, it’s hard to go wrong.  It’s only when we join the trails heading toward Pandan that we get lost.  This happens after we’ve helped someone go in the right direction!  After 10 minutes of wandering on baking hot stones, we find the trail again.

A guide would definitely enhance the hike that you take, pointing out different vegetation, but the wildlife is easy to spot.  Wildlife spotting is best in the early morning or late afternoon, so we’d timed it just right, being on the first boat in this morning.

The Lintang trail might have only been a 5.25km hike, but we’re done, it’s been hot and the last part of the trail had no shade.

All other hikes, apart from this looped Lintang trail that we took return the same way you go out on. 

After a self-service lunch, which is remarkable only in its mediocrity and the opportunity it lends to watch the pigs foraging outside.  We’re also amused by the long-tailed macaques that sneak up behind unsuspecting tourists scare them silly, then steal their food and fruit.

It’s quiet here on Bako today, we passed only 6 folks when we were taking our hike (and that was at the end of our trail).  We’re lucky when we head to the Boat Office to buy our 20 RM tickets out, we can get on the next boat out, so we sit in the shade and contemplate more macaques. (If it’s busy, I’d suggest booking your return boat as soon as you arrive in the Park).

We were warned when we arrived that the last boat would not be the publicized 4 pm, but that it would be much earlier at 3 pm, that’s not a problem for us, as it’s so hot today. The reason that there are early returns is because of the tide and of course, there’s nothing we can do about that.

Low tide means that catching the boat involves wading out into the ocean to get in the boat. To stop the boat from grounding as it fills up with passengers, the boatman moves the boat into deeper and deeper water.

My shorts are wet, but at least I’m not the large members of the Chinese family who are soaked to the waist before they throw themselves over the side almost capsizing us in the process.  Still, it bonds the rest of the boat instantly.

Next time I’d be first on the boat and I’d also put my shoes back on before the boat arrived at the other end, a metal and wood walkway that’s sat in the sun all day does burn the soles of your feet somewhat!

Getting from Bako Village to Kuching

Back at the boat terminal, it looks like we’ve just missed a bus, or, more likely, that there never was one in the first place. Timetables are merely a guide to what is possible, not probable.  And so we loitered with a slowly growing group for 30 minutes until the bus arrives. 

FAQs about Visiting Bako National Park

Here are our frequently asked questions about visiting Bako National Park. If you have questions about Bako, then check the answers below, or ask a question in the comments below.

How do I get from Kuching to Bako National Park?

The trip to Bako National Park from Kuching involves a road journey of 23 miles (37 kilometers) and then a 20-minute boat ride.  There is no road transport available for the final part of the journey.  You can drive, take a taxi, get a bus or take a minivan for the road transport part of this journey.

Where is Bako National Park?

Bako National Park is about 37 kilometers from Kuching, Sarawak’s state capital.   Bako is on the Muara Tebas peninsular at the mouth of the Kuching and Bako rivers.

When is the best time to visit Bako?

You’ll have better weather if you visit Bako National Park during the dry season – which is from March to September.  The monsoon season runs from October to February, when it’s more humid and hikes at night might be canceled.  Boat trips are likely to be a bit rougher too.

What is the Bako National Park Entrance Fee?

The fee to enter Bako National Park is 20 RM per (foreign) adult and 7 RM per child.  If you are taking this one day tour to Bako , or this two day overnight Bako tour , then your entrance fee is included in your tour fee, as is your transport to and from the park.

Where Can I Buy Bako National Park Tickets?

You buy Bako National Park tickets at the Bako village boat jetty. 

How much is a tour guide at Bako National Park?

The regular price for Bako National Park tour guides is 10 RM per person.  You can book a private tour for usually 20 RM per person, depending on the size of your group.

How long should you go to Bako National Park?

You can visit Bako National Park on a day trip – either independently or as an organized tour with a guide.  Even if you arrive independently you can find a guide at the Bako boat jetty (before you get on the boat).

If you decide to stay overnight in Bako, then you’ll need to book accommodation – or this 2 day tour – well in advance.  Staying overnight also means that you’ll be able to take a jungle night walk.  We didn’t stay overnight at Bako but did take night walks in Mulu National Park (and that was AMAZING!)

Visiting Bako National Park is the most popular day trip from Kuching – read our guide to the 7 best day trips from Kuching.

What are the opening hours of Bako National Park?

Bako National Park is open from 8 am until 5 pm, 7 days a week.  Bako is open on public holidays.

How do you book Bako National Park Accommodation?

If you want to stay overnight at Bako National Park, then it’s advised to book well in advance.  The Malaysian Government booking service for stays at Bako National Park is here.   You need to book ahead, especially in this holiday season which is August here in Borneo.

The National Park has an online (sometimes) “booking” site, but it’s little more than a request for availability.  You’re much better off going into the offices in Kuching, where they have real-time availability, although the definition of real-time isn’t quite what I’d expect.  It took us 20 minutes to ascertain that there might be a room, but we might have to come back later to confirm. So we decided to visit on a Bako National Park day trip and stay in Kuching.

What can we do in Bako National Park?

Bako National Park is famous for the rare proboscis monkeys, other wildlife, the sea stacks, and hiking. 

Why is Bako National Park famous?

Bako National Park is famous for being Malaysia’s oldest National Park as well as its diverse ecosystem.  Bako is famous also for being the home of rare 275 proboscis monkeys.

Where to Stay in Kuching

The Waterfront Hotel is an incredible place to stay in Kuching, it offers a great view of the Sarawak River. It’s also conveniently located near all must-see attractions in Kuching. The Waterfront hotel has a fitness center, an infinity pool with a view, and a sauna.  You can check rates and availability of Kuching’s Waterfront Hotel here.

The Kuching Hotel is a great choice for accommodation due to its value for money. The Waterfront is only a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Although the Kuching Hotel doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, outside its doors are various places to eat from a quick bite to fancy dining.   There are more reviews on the Kuching Hotel here.

The Meritin Hotel is conveniently located near a busy area offering various tourist activities. Even though the rooms are small, the beds are comfortable and the AC works great. There is basic furniture, the rooms are very clean, and the staff are super helpful. The hotel has its own restaurant which also offers a buffet.  This is a great location check it out here.

Malaysia Travel Tips

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM for Malaysia.
• Complete your Malaysia Digital Arrivals Card – this replaces the paper based card as of November 2023.
• Arriving by air? Book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
• Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Malaysia > discount coupon here
• Book the best Malaysia tours and guides on Klook
• Save money in Malaysia with a Wise debit card
• Book Buses in Malaysia with 12goAsia
• Book accommodation in Malaysia with Booking

Final Words on Visiting Bako National Park

As Malaysia’s oldest and one of the smallest National Parks, Bako is within easy reach of the city of Kuching.  It’s easy to take a day trip to Bako, it’s a great place to see wildlife, including the endangered proboscis monkeys and it’s a super place to take a hike throughout a variety of different climates.  Part of the fun of visiting Bako National Park is actually getting there too!

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

ASocialNomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, and amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement  has more details.

Sarah Carter

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

5 thoughts on “ How to Visit Bako National Park Borneo – What To See + Do ”

• 5 comments

Excellent review. Thank you very much.

Actually boat ticket to Bako National Park are per boat – RM 200 for go & back trip to Bako National Park Hq. One boat can accommodate 1 to 5 passenger only.

Thanks! That seems to be new for 2023, so I’ve updated the content, thank you !

Hi, may I know if you have engaged a guide during your visit to Bako. There is a list of licensed guide but if you could recommend one that would be great and much appreciated

We did not use a guide when we went to Bako, we simply explored by ourselves, sorry I can’t help. Sarah

Privacy Overview

Bako National Park, Sarawak- A complete day tour guide

Posted on Last updated: December 25, 2023

Categories Sarawak , Visit Malaysia

Bako National Park is the most famous national park near Kuching. Naturally, this park is included in our itinerary in Kuching. So, in this article, we will show you our day trip to Bako and what we saw and experienced.

It took us about half an hour to drive from Kuching town to Bako National Park. Our first thought was that the national park must be quite far from the city, but this park is so close, and we genuinely enjoy what we experience and see.

We arrived early at the Bako terminal as we planned to go for two trails. We will first take the Delima Trail, then go to Ulu Assam and Teluk Delima, and after lunch, continue to Teluk Paku. 

The entrance ticket to the park is only RM10 for adults, which is considered cheap. But we have to purchase a boat ticket which costs RM200 for each boat for a round trip. Please refer to the official website for more information.

After buying the ticket for the boat ride, we walked to the river, where the boatman was waiting for us. That is when we started our exploration of this beautiful forest.

The Sea Stack

So we hopped into the boat and started traveling along Sungai Tabo out to the sea to see the famous sea stack. It is a peninsula, but because there is no road reaching where the sea stack is, taking the boat out to the sea is the quickest way to reach there. Alternatively, one can hike there, but we had limited time today, so we took the boat.

Our boat trip let us pass many stunning rock formations at the steep cliffs. And it is a perfect place to take some magnificent photographs.

Bako National Park is special because over here, there are seven types of forest in one place-mixed dipterocarp forest, mangrove forest, beach vegetation, cliff vegetation, kerangas or heath forest, padang or grasslands, and peat swamp forest. 

Then, we arrive at the most spectacular rock formation in Bako National Park. From the beach at Teluk Pandan Kecil, you can see Bako’s trademark, the rock formation called sea stack, which the waves had carved for hundreds of years. 

The park’s iconic sea stack, shaped by millions of years of erosion, is a true testament to the power of nature. These stunning rock formations, featuring beautifully sculpted headlands, sea stacks, and arches, stand tall against the glistening blue waters of the South China Sea. As we explored the park, we were mesmerized by the sheer grandeur of this geological treasure.

Besides the most famous sea stack, another one is smaller and looks like a frog.

We passed by the cliff vegetation while traveling out to the sea.

Watch the video we shot at Bako National Park at the end of this article 👇👇.

Bearded pigs, proboscis monkeys, and long-tailed macaques

Upon observing the sea stack, our boatmen navigated us to the Bako National Park HQ. Thankfully, the high tide enabled our boat to approach the jetty closely. The boatman informed us that the boat could not sail near the jetty during low tide. Otherwise, we would have to roll up our trousers and walk in foot-deep water to reach the jetty. The beach is unsafe for swimming due to the presence of crocodiles, as indicated by many warning signs.

We began trekking into the jungle after registering at the counter and using the washroom.

We were about to enter the first trail and noticed a group of long-tailed macaques near the National Park headquarters. Unfortunately, they were too far away to capture a clear picture.

We stumbled upon a group of bearded pigs playing in a mud pool. Surprisingly, they were quite close to us and didn’t seem to mind our presence much.

As we were taking photos of the bearded pigs, someone pointed out a proboscis monkey swinging from a nearby tree, just a short half-minute walk away from them. We could see the monkey, which wasn’t too far from our location.

The Delima Trail and Ulu Assam Trail

We continued our trekking, entering the  Delima Trail and heading to Ulu Assam and Teluk Delima,

We came across some caterpillars and giant termite nests during our hike. 

The water of the small stream we crossed caught our attention with its unique red color. Our guide informed us that the water’s high content of minerals, especially iron, is responsible for its color.

We followed the color markings along the trail to stay on track. The blue/red color code is used for the Ulu Assam trail. 

There are various local trees adequately labeled with their names. This helped us to identify more about the different flora in the area.

We came across a colorful spider waiting for its prey along the way. 

After some time, we finally reached the mangrove swamps with a spectacular coastline.

There, we spotted a horseshoe crab.

Overall, The trail is of moderate difficulty, with some parts requiring climbing, but it is mostly forgiving. 

On our return journey, we were informed of a green pit viper sighting, which we eventually managed to locate with the help of another trekker who marked the spot and guided us. 

After trekking for about two hours, we finally returned to the headquarters and took a break for a simple lunch.

Teluk Paku Trail

After having lunch, we decided to take another trail to Teluk Paku, which was approximately 1.5 kilometers away from the headquarters. This trail was more difficult than the previous one, as the area was mainly made up of sandstone with many steep climbs.

During the hike, my wife unfortunately sprained her leg and had to rest at a nearby hut. However, this was a blessing in disguise, as she spotted three proboscis monkeys playing on the tree top while listening to this creature’s strange grunts and movements. This trail is one of the best for seeing these monkeys in their natural habitat.

We climbed uphill and downhill through a narrow trail that passed through a cliff forest. After a long trek, we finally reached the small, secluded Paku Beach. Although some sea stacks and rock formations were not as spectacular as the ones we saw earlier.

After completing the trails, we returned to the headquarters and took the boat back to the Bako terminal to end our tour.

Brighton Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd organized our trip. A few months ago, they also helped us plan another trip to Sarawak, covering Bario , Miri , Mulu , and Niah .

Watch the video we shot at Bako National Park 👇👇.

Helpful information about Bako National Park

1. what is the main attraction of bako national park.

Bako National Park is a picturesque and well-preserved protected area that spans over 2,742 hectares at the southernmost tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is the oldest national park in Sarawak, Malaysia, established in 1957

Bako is renowned for its vibrant ecosystems, pristine coastline, small bays, beaches, mangroves, and sea stacks. There are breathtaking jungle treks and fascinating wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, silvered leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, squirrels, flying lemurs, and bearded pigs. Many of these animals can only be found on the island of Borneo.

The park boasts an impressive range of flora and fauna, with almost every type of vegetation on the island thriving within its borders. The park’s well-maintained trails make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Bako offers secluded beaches, including Teluk Pandan Kecil, with a unique sea stack formation.

2. What is the best time to visit Bako National Park?

The ideal time to plan a trip to Bako National Park is during the dry season, which spans from March to September. During this period, the weather is more pleasant, and the sea is calmer, making exploring the park’s diverse ecosystems, coastline, and wildlife easier.

3. What is the best way to explore Bako National Park?

The best way to explore Bako National Park is to take land transport from Kuching to the Bako National Park jetty, followed by a boat ride to the park’s entrance. Once you reach the park, you can choose from 16 different color-coded trails ranging from easy forest strolls to full-day jungle treks, all without needing a guide. However, it is worth noting that some of the trails were closed for maintenance during your visit.

Hiring a guide can be beneficial as they can spot most wildlife, point out various tree and insect species, and explain the rock formations. If time permits, spending at least one night at the park is recommended to increase your chances of spotting wildlife during peak hours at dawn and dusk. The National Park also has lodges and campsites available for overnight stays. Consider taking a night walk to observe the nocturnal wildlife, such as the rare slow loris.

4. What are the safety precautions while exploring Bako National Park?

Taking precautions is important to ensure your safety and enjoyment when visiting a park. 

• To avoid mosquito bites, apply repellent, especially if you plan on spending the night. 
• Wear loose cotton shorts and tees, and bring a rain jacket in case of heavy downpours. 
• Comfortable, waterproof shoes are recommended for navigating the trails. 
• Remember to sign in when you start a hike and sign out when you return, following the park’s guidelines. 
• It’s also a good idea to carry at least 2 liters of water and some nutritional snacks or nuts, as there are no food stores once you enter the jungle. 
• Finally, for your safety, avoid swimming, as crocodiles may be present. 
• Be sure to stay on the marked trails, as they are color-coded for your convenience.

A Guide to Bako National Park, Borneo

Updated March 2024 ,  A Guide to Bako National Park, Borneo was originally written in April 2018

Wanna experience close encounters with wildlife, incredible jungle trekking opportunities, laze on desolate beaches, see the rare and endangered Proboscis Monkey,  and  want it to be easy  and  inexpensive to reach? Then Bako National Park is a must for anyone planning a trip to Borneo.

Bako National Park is a Malaysian national park located just 37 km from the city of Kuching. It is one of the easiest-to-access national parks in Borneo, has some of the best-marked trails making DIY travel here easy, and is renowned for being one of the best parks in all of Borneo.

For those planning a visit to Bako National Park, I urge you to at least spend a night in the park- it’s possible to visit as a day trip, but to get the best experience, spend the night! Most who visit go to Bako National Park as a day trip from Kuching and usually miss out on the highlights of the park.

In this guide, I’ll share with you information on how to reach Bako from Kuching, how to book accommodation, and more!

Start planning your visit to Bako National Park and beyond with the Bradt Borneo Guidebook

Need Travel Insurance and Evacuation Services for Borneo?

Start shopping for travel insurance plans over at  IATI Insurance . Readers of the Adventures of Nicole get a 5% discount off your plan.

The Adventures of Nicole partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading medical evacuation and security advisory services. To travel with peace of mind, shop evacuation coverage at Global Rescue .

Money Matters

Being the Bako National Park is in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, the currency used is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). At the time of writing  ( August 2023)  the current exchange rates are:

• 1 USD = 4.54 RM

The Best Time To Visit Bako National Park

Bako National Park is a great destination to visit for much of the year. The climate is tropical and fairly wet with temperatures that typically range between 27ºC and 32ºC.

The best months to visit are typically from April to September as they are on the drier side, however, don’t be surprised to run into some rain in those months.

December-February are the wettest months of the year in Sarawak and parts of national parks can be difficult or inaccessible making it a less desirable time to visit.

Getting To Bako National Park From Kuching (And Back)

Arriving at Bako National Park is a two-step process. First, you must travel by taxi, shared van, or bus to the ferry terminal near Bako Village, next you will take a boat the remainder of the distance to Bako National Park.

Take the red public bus #1. It will pick you up either from the Wet Market (next to the Electra Building), and also will pick up passengers at the burger stand across the street from the  Riverside Majestic Hotel . 

The buses leave once per hour between 7 am and 6 pm. Buses leave Bako back to Kuching every half hour between 6:30 am and 5:30 pm.   3.50 RM  each way. The approximate travel time is 45-60 min each way.

You can also flag down the bus to pick you up from the river-side of Jalan Gambier, the street that runs along the waterfront.

Taxi/Shuttle

Can easily be arranged by your accommodation. Expect to pay  50-60 RM  each way.

Shared vans will pick up passengers in the same places the public bus will. They don’t leave until full (5-7 people). The price is  30 RM  each way for the entire van, so expect to pay  4.30-5 RM per person . Shared vans take about 30 minutes to reach Bako Village and the ferry terminal once full.

Upon arrival at the ferry terminal, head toward the jetty. There you will be able to purchase your entrance ticket to the park and your boat ticket. Boat tickets are  30 RM  per person for foreigners and each boat can hold 5 passengers. If you want a private boat it will cost you  150 RM . Ticket prices are round trip, expect the journey to take 20 minutes each way.

When you arrive at the park tell your boat driver the date and time you need to be picked up from the park. They will be there waiting for you.

Park Entrance Fee

Purchase your entrance ticket when you arrive at the jetty to purchase your boat ticket. Foreign adults pay  20 RM , Children are 7 RM.

Important note for day-trippers: Bako is only open from 8 am to 3 pm daily, so plan accordingly.

Accommodation

You have 4 options for staying in the park- campsites, hostel, forest lodge, or the forest lodge 4 with A/C. Otherwise, it’s back and forth to your hotel in  Kuching  every day, which in my opinion is a waste of time.

Rooms book out quickly, so I highly advise you to book ahead online. A great update to hear of from my 2013 visit to Bako National Park is that you can now book and pay for your room online through the  Sarawak E-Booking website .

Book your stay in Kuching |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

There is a campsite located right behind the park headquarters.  5 RM  per night per tent. This is the only accommodation that cannot be booked online.

Be careful of monkeys, they won’t hesitate to break in. There is a public bathroom.

Dorms are available with 4 beds each.  10 RM  per night per bed, or  40 RM  per night for an entire 4 bed dorm. Fan only and shared bathroom.

Forest Lodge

Lodge rooms are available with 3-4 single beds for  100 RM  per night, and lodge rooms with 2 single beds run  75 RM  per night. Private bathroom and ceiling fan.

Forest Lodge 4

3 single beds per room with a private bathroom and A/C.  225 RM  per room, per night.

Note:  I have read on a forum that as of 2017 there was wifi available, although the forum post did not specify if it was free or paid, or if it’s available in rooms or only in the park headquarter area.

Pro tip:  To avoid having your room torn to pieces while you’re out, make sure to place something heavy, like your backpack atop the lid of the rubbish bin when you first get into your lodge room. The rubbish bins actually dump into bins underneath the lodges and the monkeys have gotten wise to this. Don’t forget to lock your windows before leaving your room.

Only Have Time For A Day Trip?

No problem! Check out  this day trip from Kuching  or  this full-day trip on offer here .

There is a cafeteria located near the park headquarters by the lodging. The cafeteria serves up basic dishes for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Water, soft drinks, and beer are for sale as well.

Prices here are a bit expensive for cafeteria-style dining in Sarawak- usually coming in around  16 RM  per meal. This should be no surprise as the park is remote and items have to be brought in. If that is too expensive for you, plan to pack in your own food from Kuching.

Bako National Park has 18 color-coded jungle trails ranging from less than a kilometer to 20 kilometers return ranging from easy to challenging. Most treks are under 3 hours in length. Trekking in Bako National Park is well worth the effort- from the wildlife you’ll get to see to the sheer number of ecological zones you’ll cross.

Currently, 7 of the trails are closed for maintenance at the time of writing.

For short details on each trek visit the  Sarawak Forestry  website.

Getting To The Famous Sea Stacks

When you search Bako National Park this is probably one of the first photos you will see. The only way to really see the sea stacks is by hiring a boat and cruising along the coastline to them from Telok Pandan Kecil Beach.

You will need to arrange a boat for the Sea Stacks for  35 RM per boat  at the park headquarters. Do this prior to heading out on the  Telok Pandan Kecil Trek .

We personally didn’t do the boat to the sea stacks. We did the trek to Telok Pandan Kecil on the day we arrived and after a short visit to the beach, big dark clouds and lightning headed our way so we beat feet back to park headquarters. From what I’d heard from others who took the boat trip, it was well worth it (in better weather of course).

Bako is home to a number of different species, many of which can be spotted near or around the park headquarters. Some critters are nocturnal so your best bet for seeing them will be to join one of the ranger-led night walks for  10 RM  per person. Here are a few animals you may encounter while exploring Bako National Park:

Proboscis Monkeys  are the stars of Bako National Park, and one of the easiest places to see these rare monkeys as the park is home to 150 of them. The best place to position yourself to see proboscis monkeys is at sunrise on the beach along the trees, just outside the park headquarters. Male Proboscis monkeys have odd-looking long noses (it’s why some people call them dick-nose monkeys).

Another primate you are bound to see is the  Long-Tailed Macaques . They are small monkeys you’ll find all over the park. Just be careful around them as they will bite and have sharp teeth.

Macaques are usually the culprit to tent and lodge break-ins, and tourists having to go get rabies vaccinations. Another common sighting especially around the park headquarters is the  Bornean Bearded Pigs .

Another primate you have good chances of running into on the trails is the  Silvered Langur . We ran into a group of 6 of them while out hiking to Telok Tajur Beach, we heard a rustling in the trees and before we knew it they were jumping tree to tree right above us. 

Tarsier  and  Slow Loris  can be found in the park (although not spotted as often, and usually at night). They are both technically primates although they don’t really look like them, they’re cute and furry with bug eyes.

Be sure to join one of the night walks in the park where you’ll head out with a ranger and flashlights to go spot the nocturnal wildlife. On night walks you may run into Colugo, Pangolin, Palm Civet, Mousedeer, Tarsier, and Slow Loris. We were lucky enough to see a Colugo way up in a tree using our binoculars.  Colugos  are oftentimes called flying lemurs, although they technically aren’t lemurs at all. 

Pangolins  are small anteater-like creatures that can be found in Bako National Park, though sightings are rare and little is known about them. 

Palm Civets  are small wild cats that are most active at nighttime that can be found in the park.

Finally, the  Mousedeer  are, well, teeny, tiny deers that can be found in the park at night.

A common reptile sighting near the park headquarters is the large  Monitor Lizard .

Bako National Park is home to several non-venomous snakes as well and one that is poisonous.

The  Wagler’s Pit Viper  is the only poisonous snake in Bako National Park. They are lime green with flat triangular-shaped heads. We saw one on a branch, just off the trail between the beach and park headquarters.

There are also over 150  bird species  that can be found within the park. You can read up more on birds in Bako National Park and the whole of Sarawak  here .

Want to see Borneon orangutans? See why you need to visit  Semenggoh Wildlife Center

Flora in Bako National Park

Bako National Park contains almost every plant variety found on the entire island of Borneo from all seven ecological zones (mangrove forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, kerangas forest, peat forest, beach vegetation, cliff vegetation, and grassland vegetation). One of the most well-known is the carnivorous pitcher plant.

The pitcher plant has a nectar-like substance that lures in its prey to land atop. Once the bug lands atop it usually fall into the “pitcher” where a fluid inside dissolves it.

What To Pack

Bako National Park accommodation is comfortable enough but pretty basic, so you will need to pack a few items. Here are a few I suggest based on my trip.

• Bug repellant
• Hiking or athletic shoes
• Water reservoir
• Water filter
• First aid kit
• Headlamp  or flashlight
• Necessary medications
• Toilet paper
• Beach or  microfiber towel

Where To Stay In Kuching

Kuching has lots of accommodation options from hostels and homestays to luxury hotels. I personally stayed at the  Woodpecker Lodge  when I was exploring Kuching, it’s located right off the waterfront, and the staff is helpful and friendly.

More Kuching accommodations:

• Budget:  Woodpecker Lodge |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Midrange:  Riverside Majestic Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Higher-end:  The Waterfront Hotel Kuching |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Hilton Kuching Hotel|  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Looking For Other Activities To Do From Kuching?

Looking for more inspiration to visit bako national park, 7 reasons to visit bako national park, more posts from malaysia & borneo:.

A Guide To Bako National Park

Visiting The Orangutans At Semenggoh Wildlife Center In Sarawak

2 thoughts on “A Guide To Bako National Park”

Hey! Your blog is awesome! Thanks a lot for the tips an informations! One question: Do you know the earliest boat to get back? Do you think it’s possible on 6 or 7am? We need to book our flight from Kuching to KK.

We set up for a boat to pick us up and take us back at 6 am which was just after sunrise, so I’d imagine you can set up your boat to pick you up at any time

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Tour Packages
• Kuching Nature

2D1N Bako National Park Wildlife Experience

2D1N Bako National Park Wildlife Experience Print

FROM MYR 880

Our price value guarantee.

Travel Period: 01 January 2024 till 31 December 2024

SPECIAL PROMO! Book now!

Tour highlights

• Bako National Park 
• Mangrove Forest
• Wildlife Exploration
• Overnight at Park Guesthouse
• Hotel Pickup / Drop Off

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Where do we even begin when it comes to Bako? Though it is one of Sarawak’s smallest National Parks, it is definitely big on beauty. Tucked in the southeast corner of Malaysian Borneo, this 2,727-hectare stretch of primary forest is where every type of vegetation found in Borneo gathers in one place. Bako National Park is within easy reach from the colourful Kuching City. An hour's journey by road takes you to a village nestled by a river, where you hop on a longboat to zip upstream and arrive at your final destination in the most adventurous fashion. Great for day trips but best enjoyed slowly-- something you will soon realize once you see the dramatic rock formations burst into the scene as you are approaching the national park. Bako welcomes you with seven distinct ecosystems—each with its own flora and fauna. Therefore, trails threading through the splendid pockets of lush rainforests are often full of surprises; wonderful forest walks lead to secluded beaches, and jungle hikes usher you to steep coastal cliffs offering huge vistas overlooking the South China Sea. It also packs dense mangroves, waterfalls, peat swamp forests, mixed dipterocarp forests, heath forests and grasslands. All of which are thrillingly different from the rest of the predominantly flat Sarawak coastline and can be explored by the well-maintained network of nature trails – from easy forest strolls to full-day jungle treks—plenty enough to keep a trekker properly occupied. However, if it’s not the jungle foliage you’re after, the already intoxicating mix of coastal scenery and teeming rainforests is made even greater with the abundance of wildlife found in the area. As long as you keep your noise down and your eyes peeled, every turn of the head will reveal Bako’s true colours. If you’ve always wanted to see the famed pot-bellied primate of Borneo, you’re at the right place. With approximately 275 rare proboscis monkeys in the area, these fellas can often be spotted swinging between tree branches near the visitor area or lounging with their troupe amidst the dense mangroves.  Another interesting feature in Bako National Park is the biggest resident mammal, often seen wandering around with bearded chins, minding their own business and absolutely unfazed by your presence-- it’s got to be none other than the Bearded Wild Boars of Bako. The very handsome “old world” monkey known as the Silver Leaf Monkey is also prolific in Bako, but these shy creatures will pee on you if they feel threatened. Other common wildlife sightings include flying squirrels, flying lemurs, small-clawed otters, hairy-nosed otters, tarsiers, slow loris, audacious long-tail macaques, mouse deers and resident as well as migratory birds.

Tanjung Sapi A short but steep climb through cliff vegetation. Takes about 30 minutes. Offers excellent views of Telok Assam, overlooking the South China Sea and Santubong. Proboscis monkeys can sometimes be heard crashing amongst the trees, looking for leaves to feed on, especially early in the morning. Telok Paku It is one of the best trails for spotting proboscis monkeys, often seen during early mornings or late afternoons. The trail leads you through a cliff forest before reaching a small secluded beach, perfect for lounging in ultimate serenity. Ulu Assam This trail climbs steeply and requires you to hang on to tree roots to keep your balance. But once you reach the top, you are rewarded with mind-blowing views of Bako’s coastline. This adventurous trail takes you first through a swamp forest and then a flat section where proboscis monkeys are sometimes seen. Telok Delima An excellent trail for spotting proboscis monkeys, and only a mere 45 minutes from park HQ. Here is where you should keep your eyes peeled and listen out for any possible strange grunting noises or the crash of vegetation. If it is your lucky day, you may see a harem of proboscis monkeys Serait It is great for seeing the giants of the Bako rainforest. This trail takes about one and a half hours to complete and ends at the park boundary. It is not frequented by trekkers because it is somewhat secluded. Telok Pandan Kecil & Telok Pandan Besar One of Bako’s most popular trails. It ascends the lush hills overlooking Telok Assam, reaching a plateau sheltered under scrub vegetation and continues along a sandy path lined with carnivorous pitcher plants. Shortly afterwards, you reach a cliff top and are rewarded with stunning views of the secluded bay below. A 10-minute descent through cliff vegetation ushers you to one of the best beaches in the park. Whilst swimming, watch out for monkeys who steal unguarded bags. The Telok Pandan Besar trail ends at a cliff top with views of the beach below. Lintang The Lintang Trail is yet another popular trek. This trail brings you through nearly all of the vegetation types found in Bako. The section between Ulu Assam and Serait is a good spot to get acquainted with some proboscis monkeys. The Bukit Tambi viewpoint is a short detour off the main trail. Tajor The Tajor Trail passes scrub and padang vegetation and ends with a steep climb down to a small beach. It will also lead you to a refreshing water hole, the Tajor Waterfall. The waterfall is quite small (and best after heavy rain) but has a beautiful jungle setting and a small dip pool. From the park HQ, it takes about two and a half hours to reach the waterfall. Tanjung Rhu This trail branches off the Tajor trail and leads you to the rocky Rhu peninsula, a small headland where you can see wave-cut platforms and rock pools. From the park HQ, it takes about two and a half hours. From Tajor junction, it takes 45 minutes. Ulu Serait Thread through padang vegetation and swamp forests, connecting the Lintang Trail with the Bukit Gondol hill walk. From Lintang junction to the base of Bukit Gondola is about one and a half hours. Bukit Gondol This semi-circular loop trail passes over Bukit Gondol, the highest point in Bako at 2660 meters. The top of the hill offers excellent views of Pulau Lakei and Muara tebas. The loop trek takes about 45 minutes. Paya Jelutong This trail is actually a shortcut for those who do not wish to climb Bukit Gondol. Although it is a very short trail, it offers the opportunity to see freshwater swamp forests. The most dominant species in the area is Jelutong, a type of softwood used for making pencils. Bukit Keruing This trail connects Bukit Gondol with Tajor and passes some mighty rainforest giants. It passes along the slopes of Bukit Keruing, the second-highest point in Bako. From Paya Jelutong to the Tajor Waterfall, it takes about one and a half hours. Telok Sibur A full-day trek. From the park HQ, it takes about three and a half hours to reach the end of the Telok Sibur Trail, first following the Tajor Trail to the waterfall. Continue along the main trail for another 45 minutes until you reach a junction and the start of the Sibur trail. After a very steep 45-minute descent, a walk through the mangrove and a wade across a river, you finally reach the longest beach in Bako. Telok Limau This long-distance trail takes you six to seven hours from the park HQ to the small beach at Telok Limau. You pass through rich rainforest, scrubland, and swamp forest, cross small streams, and climb several hilly sections, affording excellent views of the entire Muara Tebas peninsula. You can camp at Telok Limau and return the next day or arrange a boat to pick you up. Telok Keruin Being so far from the park HQ, the Telok Keruin trail is rarely used. It is usually done as a side trek from Telok Limau. From Telok Limau, the first section is a 15-20 minute climb through the forest until you reach a scrub section. You must then trek for another 25 minutes before you reach the Telok Keruin trail. Shortly after the junction, the trail descends to an area of scrub vegetation. Look out for pitcher plants that line the side of the trail. There are four short side-trails which lead to the Bukit Keruin lookout, a small rock pool, the Muara Tebas lookout point, and the Tanjung Keruin and Tanjung Po viewpoints. The last section of the trail is a very steep descent to a mangrove forest.  The trail then continues through the mangroves. Look out for the marks on the trees which show the way to the deserted beach – one of the best in the park. Pulau Lakei This small island has a superb white sand beach. The National Park has a small guard house located on the island. Trips to the island can be arranged with your boatman. There are some mysterious rock paintings just a short walk from the beach.

Sample Itinerary

Kuching / bako national park / nature trails.

Nature lovers, behold. The journey to Sarawak’s oldest national park consists of 2 parts.

First, a scenic 45-minute drive to Bako Fishing Village. Second, hop on a 30-minute boat cruise along the coast and the cooling sea breeze to reach Bako National Park. One important note: as you are on the boat cruising through the wild, keep your arms inside the boat at all times as you will cruise by plants covered fully in thorns.

You have arrived at Bako National Park. Register and check in to your accommodation.

Head to the Park’s Information Centre to get all the necessary details. Get straight on some trails through the mangrove forests, and keep an eye out for mud skippers darting across the waters and bright blue fiddler crabs with their giant pinchers.

Keep a keen eye on your wildlife sightings! Shimmy down the trails and spot Proboscis Monkeys, Bearded pigs, silver leaf monkeys and other Borneo primates.

Lunch / Dinner Bako National Park Guesthouse (Basic Accommodation)

Bako National Park / Kuching

Rise and shine! Another new day in the Land of the Hornbills begins. Sarawak is a fascinating place for bird-watching, and that is exactly the agenda for today! With over 150 species recorded here, bird watching in Bako is ideal for both the serious birdwatcher and curious nature lover.

Spot other wildlife, such as monitor lizards, squirrels and other animals around the park area. Return to the guesthouse for breakfast.

Continue your exploration to the Plateau, home to various botanical delights and several species of carnivorous pitcher plants.  You may notice how its vegetation changes from mangrove to rainforest, to Kerangas, and to padang forest. 

After lunch, depart the National Park and return to Kuching.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Things you should bring ' title="our list of items simply acts as a guideline and may come in handy while on adventures with us. however, you can choose to forgo certain items as we are still able to proceed with the tour."> .

• Comfortable walking shoe
• Clothing and towels
• Raincoat or umbrella
• Insect repellent
• Drinking water

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• The animals in the park are wild and therefore, there is no guarantee that you will see them
• Schedule may depend on tide.
• Recommended minimum age for child is 6 years old
• The accommodation at the park guesthouse is really basic, with basic amenities and facilities with no hot water showers. 
• Departure time is approximate and varies from different hotels due to traffic conditions, please reconfirm with our staffs. Should the transport be delayed, please call the relevant telephone number as stated on the voucher before making alternative arrangements.
• Amazing Borneo Tours reserves the right to alter routes, timetables, itineraries and accommodation reserved should conditions beyond our control render it necessary.
• Tipping is like giving a hug. Although it’s never expected, it’s always very much appreciated.

Why Travel With Amazing Borneo

Tailored local experiences, the amazing team, value price guarantee, eat like a local, share this page.

Google Plus

Recommended Tours

2D1N Tabin Wildlife Encounter

4D3N Kota Kinabalu & Kundasang Highlights with Nor...

6D5N Best Of Kota Kinabalu & Kundasang With North...

5D4N Best of Kota Kinabalu with 5-Star Island Reso...

Instant Book Now 👍 Limited Time Best Deals

• About Sabah
• Getting to Sabah
• Quick Facts about Sabah
• People and Culture
• Things to Do in Sabah
• Moving Around Sabah
• About Malaysia
• Hotels & Resorts
• e-Guide Book (Free Download)
• Calendar of Events
• Malaysia Public Holidays
• Living Cost
• Flight Schedule Recommendations
• Food Directory
• About Sarawak
• Getting to Sarawak
• Quick Facts about Sarawak
• Things to Do in Sarawak
• Moving Around Sarawak
• Sarawak Maps
• Sarawak Calendar of Events
• Beach Resorts
• Island Resorts
• Kota Kinabalu City Hotels
• Mount Kinabalu Huts
• Kinabalu Park Hotels
• Kundasang Ranau Hotels
• Sandakan Hotels & Kinabatangan Lodges
• Tawau & Semporna Hotels
• Lahad Datu Hotels
• Kudat Hotels
• Danum Valley - Borneo Rainforest
• Tabin Wildlife Resorts
• Papar Resorts
• Kuching Hotels
• Mulu Hotels
• Miri Hotels
• Daily One Day Tours
• Mount Kinabalu Packages
• Mount TrusMadi Packages
• Wildlife Adventure
• Borneo Cycling Tours
• Sea Adventure (Snorkeling & Diving)
• PADI Diving Courses
• Jungle Trekking Adventure
• Sipadan Diving
• Free and Easy Tours
• Family Packages
• Honeymoon Packages
• Education Tours
• Corporate Incentive Tours
• Adventure & Sports
• Relaxing Islands
• Cultural Experiences
• Full Package Tours (Multiple Days)
• North Borneo Dinner Cruises
• Kinabalu Park Packages
• Kinabatangan Packages
• Danum Valley Packages
• Most Popular
• Bako National Park
• Danum Valley
• Discover Sabah Multiple Days
• Kinabalu Park
• Kinabatangan (Sukau/Bilit)
• Kota Kinabalu City
• Kudat Tip of Borneo
• Maliau Basin
• Mount Kinabalu
• Mt Kinabalu Via Ferrata
• Mount Trusmadi
• Mulu Pinnacles & Caves + Miri
• Orou Sapulot
• Sipadan Island
• Tabin Wildlife Reserve
• Turtle Islands
• Sabah & Sarawak Dual States
• Transportation Services
• Mount Kinabalu Climb Packages
• Introduction to Mount Kinabalu
• Accommodation in Mount Kinabalu
• Via Ferrata
• Tips for Climbers
• Things to Bring
• Mount Kinabalu Video
• Maps and Trail
• Introduction
• Snorkeling Packages
• Diving Packages
• Diving Sites
• Diving Video
• General Information
• Meetings & Conventions
• Corporate Team Building
• Testimonial
• Mount Kinabalu Videos
• Video Gallery
• Why Travel With Us
• Life @ Amazing Borneo
• Awards & Recognition
• Sustainability
• Our Tour Guides
• How to Book
• Terms & Conditions
• Payment Options

Call us now: + (60) 88-448409 Email: [email protected]

You can view your booking, download your itinerary anywhere and anytime you want

Ultimate Guide to Bako National Park & Reasons To Go Now | Sarawak, Borneo

Last Updated on June 28, 2019 by Christine Kaaloa

Bako National Park is located 37 km from Kuching and was the best wildlife highlights of my trip to Sarawak.. and probably my life! It was the first time I encountered wildlife that was not in captivity. Instead, I was free to wander in their land and walk beside them. Best of all, it didn’t cost me my entire travel budget, but significantly less.

Table of Contents: Ultimate Guide to Bako National Park & Reasons To Go Now | Sarawak, Borneo

• 1 Watch my video for a comprehensive look at Bako National Park
• 2 The Wild Beauty of Bako National Park
• 4 Proboscis Monkeys: An Endangered species of Borneo
• 5 Hiking Trails and Photogenic landscapes
• 6 I didn’t have to go to Namibia to get these shots
• 7 Doing the Night Safari Tour on Bako Island
• 8 Accommodations
• 9 What facilities does it offer?
• 10 How long should you stay?
• 11 Cost breakdown of your Bako Wildlife Adventure
• 12 Essentials to Bring to Bako National Park
• 13 Getting To Bako National Park & Park Fees
• 14 Where I stayed in Kuching
• 15  Information:
• 16 Related Posts:

Watch my video for a comprehensive look at Bako National Park

The wild beauty of bako national park.

Bako National Park is an island, which is known to house proboscus monkeys, macaques, bearded pigs and a lot of bird species and wildlife . I’ve paid for trekking and homestay tours  to experience authentic jungle and mountain adventures. Most of those tours are contrived and inauthentic; culturally-made for tourists. But without a true understanding of a wilderness or tribal setting, a tour is the most real it gets for travelers.

Although Asia and Southeast Asia have a fair share of monkey temples and parks, I’ve never experienced a real safari and was never brought this close to spotting wildlife… actual  wild life roaming loose in the same area as me.  Of course, the wildlife here seem familiar with travelers watching them; some are kind of skittish.  Some bearded boars actually sleep near the dining hall at night. This island park with its beaches and forests are their feeding ground; sometimes, they quarrel or play with each other.

Proboscis Monkeys: An Endangered species of Borneo

The proboscIs monkeys are the exotic monkey stars of Borneo and Bako Island. The monkeys are distinct for their super erotic bulbous noses and they’re part of the endangered species list, but on this island, they’re  protected and free to live and eat.  It’s not certain you’ll spot them, although when I was there, they seemed to like the trees between the beach and the dining hall the best.  Their feeding times are commony early morning and late afternoon.

See my video for the type of wildlife you’ll see and for images of this monkey below.

Hiking Trails and Photogenic landscapes

Bako has 18 hiking trails from easy to challenging.  Many of them are under  3 hours and they are color coded to help mark them.   Trails can take you through jungle, past waterfalls, out to mangroves and secluded beaches. You’ll find the scenery changing and gorgeous to surreal and picturesque.   Some beaches aren’t good for swimming in as they have saltwater crocodiles.  Ask the park office which beaches are good if you want to splash in the water. When you arrive, you can pick up a free map of hiking trails and the park grounds and lodges.

I didn’t have to go to Namibia to get these shots

From secluded beaches, mangroves in wetlands , a high and low tide exposing what’s below sea level , the island offers varied terrain and astounding surreal beauty. Low tide was my favorite time as you can walk out on the beaches and watch cockles and hermit crabs come out from under your feet!  If you’re a photographer, this island will offer you much natural beauty you can never get enough of. If you’ve seen my Instagram photos of this trip, you’ll see how powerfully surreal the landscape can get.

Salvador Dali would’ve loved this place!

Tip: Remember to take a bottle of water with you and sunscreen. It can get hot and walking through the jungle can occasionally feel as humid as an Amazonian jungle.

Doing the Night Safari Tour on Bako Island

Some animals and wildlife are active at night and playing hide and seek with them is fun with a guided tour. See my video for more. While I’m sure each night varies, there’s potential to see quite a few night creatures. The park holds an evening night safari.  Meeting place is at the park headquarters and park guides will lead you through bridged trail with flashlights to point out nocturnal animals, reptiles and insects.  Cost: Approximately $5-6 USD ( I can’t remember the exact amount but it was surprisingly inexpensive for being a full activity)

Tip: Remember to take your flashlight or headlamp.

Accommodations

Lodgings range from very basic (15 RM/night) to a 2 person room (157.50 RM). There is no air conditioning. Reserve your lodging  in advance to guarantee a spot.  Basic dorm lodges can be rudimentary, but not wholly uncomfortable.  The shared bathroom was probably the most uncomfortable it ever got because it was in the back of a large room, which had an eerie feeling at night (due to the flourescent lights). In the dorms, there is no locker to store your belongings, nor do you have control over who decides to open the window (hence, letting in bugs and monkeys), so do not bring valuables and make certain your bags can be secured.

Book your accommodations in advance through the Sarawak Forestry website.  When they email you a confirmation, you will have one week to make the payment before your reservation is cancelled.  The website I booked through was the government site, so prices are low.

Note: Macaque monkeys are mischevious. They have no problem coming up to the lodge while you’re there. Be careful with hanging out your laundry as some can go missing.

What facilities does it offer?

The dining hall is buffet style and you pay per serving/scoop. The food can be pretty good and the kitchen prepares a range of things that is foreigner friendly. However, the kitchen prepares a fixing of food once and once the dish runs out, it doesn’t get replenished. Get there early.  There’s a section which sells snacks (chips, cookies, ice cream); the selection is small but adequate.  *Please do not litter and if you keep some food in your room, remember to bundle them up from the ants and macaques.

Also, there is no WiFi on the island. However, if you have SIM card with a data plan you should be able to get a signal. Some areas are spotty more than others.

A plug outlet is located outside each lodge room and in the dining room by the television. Electrical outlets are limited so charge your tech gear in advance.

How long should you stay?

Travelers on a tight schedule will want to keep to a day trip. If you have more time, I highly recommend staying at least 3 days. It’s more worthwhile and cost effective to stay longer and you won’t regret it. There’s a lot to see and I almost felt sorry for the travelers who did mere day trips.

I stayed two nights and three days, but had I thought ahead and packed a few more clothes, I could’ve stayed longer!   There’s many trails, many beautiful views and wildlife crosses your path daily. Once you settle in, it’s a beautiful and addictive feeling to feel removed from the world.  The lodges and dining hall make it feel more luxurious than camping outdoors; but the close quarters you keep with wildlife and nature as you step outside your door, makes it feel more rugged, real and phenomenal than just camping.

Cost breakdown of your Bako Wildlife Adventure

On my video, I initially quoted 3 days/2 nights  at a budget of $25.  Technically, it was a little more if you count transportation, which I forgot to add . It also depends upon how much water, food and guided tours and boats you’ll take.  There are optional boat pickups from certain hiking trails and hired guides to lead you on trails. I think there’s even a night boat safari.  Overall, the largest expenses are the initial costs in getting there. The actual stay at Bako Park is essentially, cheaper than staying in the city thumbing for things to do and hiring expensive day tours (*You’ll find this park on some of the day tours sold in Kuching).

For a wildlife adventure, visiting and staying at Bako National Park on your own is a bargain!

Permit/Entrance Fee 10 Rm Boat (Round trip – 47 Rm each way)  94 RM Bus to Bako Village (Round trip – 3Rm each way)  6 RM ———— Travel & Entrance costs:   110 Rm  or $26.28

Dorm Lodge  (2 nights at 15 Rm/night or Under $4/night)  30 Rm ———— Grand Total    140 Rm  | $33.45 USD

Night Safari (optional, approximately $5-6 USD) Boat to see the Smoke Stack Food and water  *varies per person

Essentials to Bring to Bako National Park

One thing Bako National Park isn’t is very touristy… a reason I love it more!  But this means that they don’t have tourist shops selling basic traveler essentials.  The below items are suggested:

Sunscreen Mosquito or bug repellent Covered shoes for hiking & Flip flops Rain poncho Umbrella Flashlight or headlamp Basic toiletries Sanitary napkins for women Sweat towel for hiking (the humidity alone will make you sweat) Extra toilet paper or tissues Aspirins and first aid kit (bring at least a couple of band-aids) Camera and your charger cables

Getting To Bako National Park & Park Fees

It’s easy to get to Bako National Park- stupid easy. Kuching bus services mark buses going to their main attraction with a sign. But if you travel by bus, it will take some time. But who cares? The air conditioning is set on high to rescue you from the Bornean heat.  If you want to get adequate hiking time in, leave early.  You can take a bus, minibus or taxi to get there.

By Bus: Take the Petra Jaya bus# 6 from Kuching bus station to Bako Village. Cost 3 RM.  The bus won’t actually drop you at Bako Village but at the ferry boat house that you’d take to get to the village. The actual village looks like this:

Pay the Bako National Park entrance/permit fee of RM10 at the boat ticketing counter.

Next by Boat: You’ll also pay for your boat ticket : 47 RM one way. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes.

To return from BNP: Go to the boat ticketing counter in the park (the wooden building beside the dining hall). Make your reservation for your return trip. If you’re planning only a day trip, I would do this as soon as you arrive to the park so you know the schedule for the last boat.  5 people per boat.   The bus returning to Kuching operates regularly and will pick you up either outside the boating building or on the street. Ask the ticketing counter for more information.

Where I stayed in Kuching

The nearest city that’s convenient to getting to Bako National Park is Kuching.  I stayed at Radioman but both hostels are literally almost a block away from the bus stop and are in great locations for sightseeing the city.

Radioman Heritage Hostel, Kuching , No. 1, Wayang Street, Kuching, Malaysia

Centrally located, Radioman Heritage is a hostel next to Chinatown and off the Main Bazaar and waterfront walk. There’s a bus stop to Bako is 2 minutes away and the city bus center, 8 minutes walk away. They let me store my luggage with them, when I went to Bako.

Singghansana Lodge is a boutique hostel, with dorm and single room facilities. A/C available and a lounge area for hanging out.  One street over from Radioman Heritage Hostel.  24 hour front desk.

 Information:

Sarawak Forestry Tel: (+6) 082 610088 Fax: (+6) 082 610099 Toll free line: 1 800 88 2526 Website:  www.sarawakforestry.com Booking:  www.ebooking.sarawak.gov.my Email:  [email protected]

* This information is governmental and should not be confused with a website titled Bako National Park, which I don’t believe has any affiliation and is more of a tour agency.

Related Posts:

Must Try Foods in Sarawak Sarawakian Cooking and a Cooking Class Best Things to Do in Sarawak Where to shop in Kuching The wildest Borneo Adventure under $30

   My Travel Survival Cheat Sheet

• eSim I’m using to stay connected abroad. Activate it before or on your trip!
• Skyroam – Global wifi (take 10% off with referral code GRRRLTRAVELER )
• Trip Insurance Finder Tool for budget travelers looking for trip insurance to fit specific needs.
• I get my adventure trip insurance from World Nomads trip insurance (they cover travel theft)
• Expedia for great weekend trip package deals
• Take your yoga traveling and book a yoga retreat/ training .
• Book hotels  without a cancellation fee. Use this Hotel Comparison Tool to find the lowest prices!
• Book chic hostels with Hostelworld
• Ditch and store your luggage at local businesses for under $10/day
• 12goAsia Book trains and buses.
• Discover Cars  finds the best car rental price quote.
• GRRRLTRAVELER Group Adventure trip : Travel with me beyond YouTube.

Download my 25 Solo Travel Mistakes to AVOID Checklist

And Get my Travel Survival Blog Updates

Related Posts

30 Responsible Travel Tips for Ethical Travelers

Being a Flight Angels Volunteer | Transport rescued dogs from Puerto Rico

Reef-Safe Sunscreen Guide for Travel | 13 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Group adventure trips 2024.

KEEP ME ON THE ROAD

Solo Travel Survival Tools

YouTube Mentoring & Services

My Latest Gear Review

I'm Christine! I film my travels 100% alone, so get confident traveling alone too!

GRRRL Discounts We Love

70% OFF 3-year plan + 1 month FREE: Use code: GRRRLTRAVELER 

Copyright & Affiliate Link Disclosure

All content on is this site ©GRRRLTRAVELER. Artwork on this site from contributors have special permissions for our use.

Bako National Park: A Complete Travel Guide

Do you plan on visiting Borneo in the near future? Then you will probably want to catch a glimpse of the endangered Proboscis monkeys. There are a few places in Borneo where you can still see them in the wild and one of these places is Bako National Park, which is located only 37 kilometers away from Kuching, the main city of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. Visiting this park will surely be a highlight of your trip! In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about Bako National Park!

Bako National Park

Gorgeous beaches at Bako National Park

Bako National Park is one of the smallest parks in South-East Asia. Although it is relatively small in size, it packs an abundance of attractions, including wildlife, beautiful deserted beaches, waterfalls, and almost all types of Bornean vegetation. 

Most people visit Bako National Park on a day trip but they couldn’t be more wrong! To really grasp the beauty of the park, its trails and to experience some extraordinary wildlife sightings, at least an overnight stay is recommended to get the most out of your visit.

The park has some basic accommodation options, like a forest hostel, cabins, and even a few three-bedroom houses. Don’t expect any luxury, but they do have everything you need for a comfortable stay. 

Fauna and flora of Bako National Park

Proboscis monkey at Bako National Park

Bako National Park contains almost every type of vegetation that exists in Borneo. Aside from that, there is an abundance of wildlife in the park. While some of them can be seen during the daytime, a lot of the creatures are nocturnal and can only be seen at night. 

If you want to get an idea of the different types of vegetation that exist in Borneo, then visiting Bako National Park is an excellent choice. Almost all types of vegetation can be found here which makes this park quite unique. 

At Bako National Park, you can find dipterocarp forest, scrub-like padang, beach forest, delicate cliff vegetation, peat swamp forest, and mangroves. The park is also home to pitcher plants which are known to consume small insects, and in Bako, even small animals like lizards. 

Which animals can you see in Bako National Park

The main attraction of Bako National Park is of course the Proboscis monkey. These long-nosed monkeys are endemic to the island of Borneo and are mostly found in mangrove forests near the sea or rivers.

There is a good chance of seeing Proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park. However, I didn’t see them on my first day in the park so I would highly suggest staying over at least one night to increase your chances of seeing them. In the morning, they often hang around at the park’s accommodation so chances are you probably don’t even have to leave your room.

Long-tailed macaques and a Proboscis monkey

Other monkey species inside the park are the long-tailed macaques and silvered leaf monkeys. The macaques are very easy to spot since they can be quite loud. The silvered leaf monkeys are a bit harder to spot since they don’t often come very close to the park HQ. 

The Bornean bearded pig

Other animals that can be seen are the Bornean bearded pig, monitor lizards, snakes, and a large array of frogs and birds. There are also multiple animals that can be seen during a night walk but I’ll get into that later on in the post. 

→ Also read: A complete guide to Semenggoh Nature Reserve

Hiking in Bako National Park

Trails in Bako National Park around the park HQ

There are numerous hiking trails in Bako National Park from which you can choose to explore the park’s natural beauty. Unfortunately, during our visit (November 2022), more than half of the trails were closed for maintenance. This left us with only a few trails to explore, but it was still absolutely worth it! 

The trails in Bako National Park

Upon arrival at the park HQ, you will be provided with a map of all the trails in the park. They are colored-coded and, once you have found them, are easy to follow.

Do note that some trails don’t start at the park HQ but are an extension of another trail, which can sometimes be confusing. For the Pandan Kecil trail, for instance, you’ll first have to walk a part of the red Lintang trail before reaching the yellow sign of the Pandan Kecil trail.

Easy walking trails around the park HQ

The trails around the park HQ are all very easy to follow. They consist of wooden boardwalks and the terrain is flat which makes them comfortable if you didn’t bring hiking boots or if you’re not in the best physical shape. 

They make for pleasant walks around the hostel, cabins, houses, and the HQ and restaurant. If your health doesn’t allow strenuous hikes with a lot of climbing then Bako can still be a wonderful experience for you because all wildlife can regularly be seen from these boardwalks. The night tour also follows these trails. 

Map of the trails at Bako National Park

If you want to venture out further into Bako National Park then it will involve some uphill climbing. The other trails in the park are not man-made but follow the natural structure of the forest and will involve hiking over tree roots and rocks to reach the upper open plateau of the park. 

From there, several sections of the trails consist of boardwalks again. Here are the trails in the park:

Tanjung Sapi

The Tanjung Sapi trail is a short trail that can be found on your left when facing the sea in front of the park HQ. It involves a steep climb but you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the Santubong peninsula, the South Chinese Sea, and Telok Assam. 

Telok Paku involves some climbing but is a great trail to take if you arrive in the late afternoon and you only have time for a short walk. It involves a short hike through cliff forest and it ends at a secluded white sand beach. There is a small wooden platform to catch your breath while you can try to catch a glimpse of Proboscis monkeys. According to the park HQ they often hang around here in the late afternoon but we didn’t see any here when we walked the trail. 

After following a part of the Lintang trail first, the trail will branch off and will bring you to a beautiful viewpoint. It involves a lot of climbing and is pretty steep and we had to tackle some fallen trees when we were there. 

Telok Delima

To your left when facing the sea in front of the HQ you can find the Telok Delima trail. It climbs a hill and is indicated by the park Headquarters as prime Proboscis monkey territory. 

Telok Pandan Besar

Together with Telok Pandan Kecil, this is one of the most popular hikes in the park. It is best to combine this trip with Pandan Kecil since they are lying next to each other. 

At this trail, you will first have to follow the Lintang trail to the upper plateau of the park before reaching the yellow trails to Pandan Besar and Pandan Kecil. At the end of the trail of Pandan Besar, you will reach a spectacular cliff top with wonderful views.

Telok Pandan Kecil

Viewpoint at the Telok Pandan Kecil trail

Telok Pandan Kecil is another trail that follows the Lintang trail first before branching of in the yellow Pandan Kecil trail. It leads you on the plateau to another beautiful cliff from which you have views over the famous “sea stack”. You can take a short walk down the cliff to a beautiful white sand beach. 

The Lintang Loop

The Lintang loop is the best way to explore the park if you only have one day to spend in Bako. It is a three to four-hour loop that passes through almost all the vegetation types in the park. 

More trails in Bako National Park

Aside from these trails, there are many more hikes possible in Bako National Park. Unfortunately, they were all closed for maintenance when we visited. After doing some research, it seems that they have been closed for a few years now. 

The names of the other trails are: Bukit Keruing, Paya Jelutong, Bukit Gondol, Ulu Serait, Telok Sibur, Telok Limau, Telok Kruin, Pa’Amit (Lakei island).

According to the maps we got at the park HQ the trails to Tanjung Rhu and Tajor should have been open but when we arrived at the trailhead there was a sign saying that it was forbidden to continue which was quite disappointing because we wanted to visit the waterfall on the Tajor trail.

Nevertheless, the trails that are accessible are enough to keep you busy for a few days and are all equally beautiful. 

THE BEST TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR Sarawak

Accommodation.

Booking.com : For the best cheap guesthouses and homestays or small hotels

Hostelworld : To find the best hostels located in the cities

Homestay : For unique immersive homestays

Public transport in Sarawak is not abundant. If you want to get to some remote places you will have to turn to travel agencies or, like us, hitchhike! Here are the best resources we found online: 

12GO : The best transport website for long-distance buses and flights in Sarawak.

GRAB : for taxi rides in cities and nearby attractions.

MAXIM : a slightly cheaper alternative to Grab but doesn’t drive as far outside of city centers as Grab cars.

Note that there is a local bus service that is operated by the government to Lundu and Sematan . It cannot be booked online and there is no information to be found online. It leaves from the Boulevard Mall in Kuching and only costs RM 1. Ask Grab or Maxim drivers about this local bus or ask around at the Sentral Bus Complex where the long-distance buses leave. Most Sarawakians have their own car and will not be able to help you. As far as I know, there is only one bus/per day.

There is a public bus system in Kuching but there is also little information online and most of the time it is not up to date. For the most recent routes and travel times check out the information at the bus station at the open-air market in Kuching. These buses also go to Bako National Park and Semenggoh Nature Reserve and only cost RM 1. 

STICKY RICE TRAVEL : The best sustainable travel agency in Malaysian Borneo.

BORNEO ADVENTURE : another reputable travel agency organizing trips to Mulu National Park and Tanjung Datu. 

KUCHING KARL FROM “SECRET SARAWAK ADVENTURES” : If you are looking for a different experience aside from the regular tours then don’t hesitate to contact Kuching Karl! He is affiliated with Woodpecker Lodge in Kuching and operates customized trips in 4×4 trucks at prices lower than the travel agencies. He is also the only tour guide that specializes in the best local food around Kuching and incorporates visits to “hidden gem restaurants” into his trips. You can get in touch with him through Woodpecker Lodge or Whatsapp him at +60199158965.

Bako National Park activities

Walking in Bako National Park

The main activities in the park are of course hiking and spotting wildlife. While you can easily do this on your own in the park, there are a few organized activities from which you can choose. I can highly recommend the night tour! We saw so many animals that evening we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. 

Guided tours

Although not advertised on the website of Bako National Park, you can rent a guide at the park’s HQ for a guided walk. I have seen a lot of people doing this, but I am not sure about the price, so it is best to inform yourself at the HQ desk how much this costs.

In addition to that, many tourists visit Bako National Park by taking an organized tour. Most tours include a pick-up at your hotel, transport, entrance fees, and a guide. you can book a day tour to Bako National Park online or consult a local travel agency in Kuching. 

Night tours

The HQ of the park organizes night tours every evening of the week. You don’t need to book these in advance in the low season. I am not sure what the policy is during peak season when many tourists flock to Bako National Park. If you are interested in taking the night tour, it’s a good idea to inform yourself upon arrival at the park.

The tour starts at the park HQ just after dusk and you need to register for it just before the tour leaves. It costs RM 15/ per person to participate in the tour.

During the tour, two park guides will lead you through the forest in search of nocturnal animals. Three animals to look out for are the slow loris, the flying lemur, and the mouse deer. 

We were lucky to encounter many animals and insects on our trip including a flying lemur, two mouse deer, a tarantula, different frog species, bats, gigantic crickets, Huntsman spiders, two rare bird species, and walking sticks.

At the end of the night tour, you are directed to the park jetty where you can witness hundreds of fireflies in the trees.  

From the park HQ you can book a boat for either a boat tour around the park or for a pick-up at a certain point along the trails if you think that hiking a trail back and forth will be too intense for you. 

The “sea stack” is a famous rock formation near the coast of the Telok Pandan Kecil viewpoint. You can, however, only see it from afar from this point so if you fancy a good photo of the sea stack, it is best to go on a boat tour. 

Inquire at the park HQ for prices and pick-ups. One-day tours of Bako National Park often include a boat tour around the park to the sea stack. 

Swimming in Bako National Park

The South Chinese Sea at Bako National Park

A few years ago, swimming was still permitted at Bako National Park but, due to a few accidents with crocodiles in the waters around the park, swimming is since prohibited.

Crocodiles have always lived in the Bako river near the park but, due to the expansion of the crocodile population in the last decade, they are now sighted in areas where they previously haven’t been seen before. 

As you walk around the park, you will notice the signs put up by Sarawak Forestry that indicate “not to swim”. It is, however, at your own risk if you do it or not. 

Bako National Park entrance fee

Mangrove at Bako National Park

The entrance fee of Bako National Park is RM 20 per person for foreigners and RM 10 for Malaysians. The entrance fee needs to be paid at the Bako Jetty before boarding the boat to the Park. 

The boat fee for the round trip also needs to be paid for here in advance. During low season, things can get a bit tricky here. While during peak season, a boat ticket should cost no more than RM 40 or RM 50 for a round-trip, at low season, costs can get higher due to the fact that there are almost no visitors. 

You can read more about this in my Kuching to Bako National Park guide . 

Bako National Park opening hours

HQ and restaurant of Bako National Park

The opening hours of Bako National Park are from 8 A.M. in the morning to 5 P.M. After 5 P.M., everyone out for a hike needs to be back at the HQ headquarters. If you are staying overnight, however, it is possible to go out for an early morning hike before the day trippers are starting to arrive. You’ll have a better chance of watching wildlife than during the day. 

Bako National Park accommodation

Accommodation inside Bako National Park

I stayed five nights in the park and even wanted to extend my stay an extra two days but unfortunately, the cabins I wanted to stay in were fully booked. I can’t stress enough that staying overnight in Bako National Park is one of the best decisions you can make. 

There are different accommodation options in Bako National Park and I will list them below. They can all be booked through this website of the Sarawak Government. 

Forest Hostel

Forest hostel at Bako National Park

The forest hostel is the cheapest accommodation option in the park. It consists of two blocks of each five rooms. Each room has four beds. A single bed in a hostel room costs RM 15 while you pay RM 40 if you want to have a whole room to yourself. 

Note that towels and blankets are not included in the price. At each house, there are two shared showers and two toilets. I did not stay at the hostel but I went for a quick peek to check if the bathroom and toilets were clean and they seemed well-maintained.  

Forest Lodge type 4

Chalet-style houses in Bako National Park

On the premises, you can find a few chalet-style cottages. They consist of two rooms with each two to four single beds and an attached toilet and bathroom. This is the best option if you travel to Bako National Park with family or a group of friends. 

All the cottages are air-conditioned and have a hot shower, a refrigerator, and towels, and blankets. 

Forest logde type 5

Quadruple rooms in Bako National Park

This accommodation option offers quadruple rooms with a fan, towels, blankets, and an attached bathroom and toilet. While they offer less than the cabins, they are more expensive and cost RM 100 for one room. This is a lot considering that they don’t have a fridge.

If traveling with more than two people, it is more convenient to book two types 6 cabin rooms. they have fridges, you will have more privacy and the price will be the same. 

Also, the location of these rooms in the park is less idyllic than the other accommodation options. 

Forest lodge type 6

Forest twin rooms in Bako National Park

This is the accommodation I stayed in and I noticed it is also the favorite option among most travelers. These cabins consist of two rooms with each two beds and each room has an attached bathroom and toilet. The rooms are completely separate from each other so you only need to book one room if you are two people and not the whole cabin. 

The rooms come with a fridge, blankets, towels, a hot shower, and a fan. A room like this costs RM 50/night. 

Bako National Park also offers a campsite but I’m not sure if it’s still in use. There are stories about macaques raiding the tents for food so I believe it is better to stay in one of the other accommodation options. 

The Bako National Park cafetaria

Since there are no cooking facilities in Bako National Park, you are mainly dependent on the onsite cafeteria for food and drinks. There are fridges in certain accommodation types so you can stock up in Kuching on fruit, cereals, and (plant-based) milk as we did but the cafeteria offers decent enough options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Prices vary between RM 8 and RM 15 for a meal. On the menu, you can find typical dishes like fried rice , fried noodles, and fried kueh tiaw. They also offer breakfast dishes with eggs and hashbrowns and even beans in tomato sauce (but the latter comes from cans and is not heated). 

During peak season, guests are offered a buffet but this was not the case at the time of our visit. There is a large fridge with drinks (beer, soda, water,…) at somewhat expensive prices (RM 5 for a large bottle of water). If you have tea with you or instant coffee, you can ask for hot water for a small price.

How to get to Bako National Park

Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo

Getting to Bako National Park requires you to make your way to the Bako Jetty first and then take a 20-minute boat ride to the park HQ. 

how to get from Kuching to Bako Jetty

Getting from Kuching to the Bako Jetty is possible by public bus, by taxi, Grab, Maxim, shared van, or your own car if you have rented one. you can find more details about this in my guide about how to get from Kuching to Bako National Park . 

The boat from the Jetty to the park HQ

The boat from the jetty at Bako village to the HQ of Bako National Park takes about 20 minutes. Depending on the tide, it will drop you off at the Jetty of the park or at the beach near the HQ. 

Note that if you arrive at the beach, you will have to jump off the boat into the sea. It is best to wear shorts or a dress and sandals or flip-flops. 

For this leg of the trip, you can also find more details in my guide about how to get from Kuching to Bako National Park . 

Bako National Park tours

As said before, there are tours going to Bako National Park. You can book a day trip to Bako National Park online or you can contact Borneo Adventure for an overnight experience in the park. 

How much time should you spend in Bako NP?

If you like to travel slowly, just like me, a one-day tour of the park is too short to really grasp the beauty of the area. I would opt to spend at least one full day in the park, which means sleeping in the park for two nights. 

That way, you can go for a short hike on your date of arrival, walk the Lintang loop on the second day and go for another short hike on the third day. 

If you decide that you want to stay longer than what you have initially booked, you can go to the HQ to check if your room is available for a few more nights or alternatively change rooms. 

Final thoughts and tips about Bako National Park

There you go! I hoped you enjoyed this guide to Bako National Park and that it has sparked your enthusiasm to visit Bako and Sarawak in general. If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments below or drop me a message through my contact page . 

If you are traveling to Bako National Park and you come to the conclusion that the information in this post isn’t accurate anymore, please let me know, so I can adjust accordingly. 

Fancy more Borneo travel advice?

• How to Get From Kuching to Bako National Park
• A Complete Travel Guide to Semenggoh Nature Reserve
• Sebarau Waterfall: A Beautiful Hidden Gem Near Kuching
• Tanjung Datu National Park: A hidden paradise

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

• December 23, 2022

post a comment cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and  yourself!

On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more !

Latest Posts

Vegan Restaurants Bogota: Your Guide to The Best Hotspots!

Vegan Colombian Food: Everything You Need to Know!

Vegan Kuala Lumpur: Guide to 13 Wonderful Vegan Hotspots!

How to Get From Salento to Medellin: A Transport Guide

How to Get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya in 2024

Do you want to receive my latest finds on conscious and sustainable travel directly to your inbox? Subscribe here!

© COPYRIGHT TRAVELERS&DREAMERS, 2023.

Paradesa Borneo uses cookies to give you the best possible service. If you continue browsing, you agree to our use of cookies. More details can be found in our terms and conditions .

• [email protected]
• +6082 238801
• Open Facebook account in a new tab.
• Open Instagram account in a new tab.
• Open Youtube account in a new tab.

Bako National Park Day Trip

See The Beautiful Bako National Park

Full-day Rainforest Trek

Spot an Abundance of Wildlife

Incredible Bako National Park tour

Enjoy one of the best Borneo tours on this wildlife and National Park adventure when it takes you to a wonderful wildlife reserve to spend the day in search of Proboscis monkeys, wild boar, exotic birds, snakes, and more! Bako National Park is famed for being the oldest National Park in Sarawak and it’s relatively easy access provides a golden opportunity to discover and explore Sarawakian rainforests and wildlife.

Tour Highlights

Best and most accessible national park in Borneo for wildlife spotting

Fun & adventurous day trip to Bako national park by a spectacular boat trip

Great opportunity to spot the bizarre proboscis monkey, a monkey with big nose and pot belly

Panoramic views of rugged coastline, small beaches & green hilltops.

Click the Tabs to Find Out More

Trip details, good to know.

Adults (12 +) : MYR 425.00

Children (3-11) : MYR 213.00 

Departure Time

Please note: Exact timing may differ depending on the tidal conditions. If there is any time change, your guide will inform you at least 1 day prior to the tour.

Meeting Point

Hotel/hostel pick up

Availability

7 days a week, year-round. 

Please note: between November and March, some days may be affected by the monsoon season which makes the boat trip unsafe. The trip would then be canceled and the tour refunded.

6 – 8 hours (depending on weather and tide conditions as advised by National Park office)

Please note:-

Minimum 2 Adults per order, Maximum 8

Single traveller can contact us via email/whatsapp to check availability to join in existing group

Difficulty Level

Easy start with an advanced section in the rainforest

• Entrance fees
• Lunch and refreshments
• Land and sea transport (Pickup /drop off is from Kuching center, within 10km radius from the city center. Pickup/drop off service outside of Kuching is available with extra charges. Please contact us for further information)
• Local English speaking National Park guide
• A good time

What to Bring

• Wear light comfortable clothes that dry easily, shorts are fine
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, antiseptic
• A towel, raincoat or poncho and plastic bag to keep phone/cameras dry
• Sun hat/cap and sunglasses
• Passport (Softcopy/photo in mobile)

About Your Guide

Our national park guides are local and are well trained friendly professionals who give simple safety instructions as well as their knowledge of remarkable diversity of animals and plants so that you will have plenty of information about your journey in this beautiful natural area, and at the same time ensure safety and Great FUN in the wild! One passionate local English Speaking guide will serve up to a maximum of 8 guests.

What You'll Do

We start the day by picking you up from the hotel and drive 40 minutes to the scenic jetty of Kampong Bako. From the jetty, the National Park guide will prepare the boat and lifejackets before taking a 25-minute boat ride to the National Park headquarters situated on the Bako peninsula. Bako is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in natural surroundings, including Borneo’s signature long-nose probosci’s monkeys, long-tailed macaques, wild boars (bearded pig), snakes, monitor lizards, and more! They can all be seen in close but safe proximity under the guidance of our expert park guide.

There are several trails inside the park depending on your level of fitness and interest. The 16 square kilometers of primary forests are home to seven distinct ecosystems including beach vegetation, mangrove, and peat swamp forest. Constant erosion over millions of years has turned the Bako coastline into a stunning geographical landmark with spectacular cliffs, sea stacks, and pristine sandy beaches that dot the area.

This Borneo small-group tour includes a local lunch which is served at the National Park canteen before the return boat trip back to the mainland. The boat trip offers more opportunities for wildlife spotting including estuary crocodile and shorebirds. After reaching Kampung Bako jetty, we will then transfer back to your city hotel/hostel and say our goodbyes.

• Reservation recommended to avoid disappointment
• Follow the park guide instructions and stick to the trails and mangrove boardwalks
• Suitable for families and visitors of all ages
• We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
• During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
• Check out  OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT. (opens in a new tab)
• Please do not take pieces of coral or other endangered plant life home as a souvenir.

See What Our Guests Are Saying

Tripadvisor.

Our first day in Kuching we visited Bako National Park. What untouched beauty. Our guide Alex Wee was exceptional not only did he educate us about proboscis monkeys, flying lemurs, pit vipers, macaques and other animals found at the park but we saw the different carnivorous plants at the parks. He tailored our hiking so we could see the animals and admire the fauna. Alex is an amazing animal spotter so kudos to him for pointing out camouflaged animals to us.

Josefa Lullington ⎥ January 2019

The whole trip was very well organised and we enjoyed every minute of it. We are very grateful for all your help and we will recommend “Responsible Travel ” to our relatives and friends.

You May Also Like...

Jungle waterfall day trip, mount santubong challenge, cross border trek to indonesia & remote highland village stay.

Bako National Park Day Trip

Book This Tour

Bako National Park is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural setting. Commonly spotted at Bako are the Borneo endemic proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs (monkeys), long-tailed macaques, wild boar, monitor lizards and numerous species of birds. The park has an impressive range of forest types from mangrove to kerangas (heath forest), tropical swamp vegetation, cliff vegetation and beach vegetation. A trail network provides access to different parts of the depending on level of fitness and areas of interest. The park’s spectacular coastline is dotted with small bays, coves and beaches.

0750-0810 hours pick up from your hotel in Kuching. Bako National Park is situated on a peninsula on the coast and the departure point for trips to the park is Bako village, 35 minutes drive from Kuching. From the village, proceed by boat for approximately 25 minutes to the park headquarters. En route there is a chance to see crocodiles, sea eagles and other shore birds. Arrive at the park HQ and begin exploring the trails and searching for wildlife. Return to Kuching mid-afternoon.

We operate fixed departure, small group tours to Bako on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. We can arrange private tours to Bako on any day. Please email us on [email protected] to arrange a tour on dates not shown in the booking engine.

For more information about the park see our Guide to Bako National Park

Tour & transfer, boat, lunch, entrance fee and English speaking guide.

Juices and alcoholic beverages

This is a fixed departure, small group tour. You will be joining in with other people. The group size usually ranges between 2-8 people.

These small group day tours to Bako do not operate during the wet season months from November to February.

If you are staying at outside of Kuching city (e.g. Damai Beach, Santubong, etc) there is a surcharge of RM 50 per person. The pick-up time from Santubong / Damai is 7am.

If you are interested in a private Bako tour please email us. Different prices apply.

These tours operate on the principle that you may be in a small group of other people.

Interested in this tour? For more information on this tour and our other tours contact us

Also look at these tours inSarawak:

In Search of Tarsiers & Creatures of the Night

Embark on a jungle night walk and go in search of tarsiers & other creatures of the night on this tour departing from Kuching

Bidayuh Farm & Food Experience

Learn about local farming traditions and Bidayuh food on this immersive farm, food & cooking tour

Kuching & Cove 55 Resort 6D5N

6 days / 5 nights tour includes Kuching, Bako National Park, Semenggoh Orangutan and 2 nights at Cove 55 boutique resort

Mulu Marriott & Showcaves 3D2N

Discover the caves of Gunung Mulu National Park and stay at the Mulu Marriott on this 3 days / 2 nights tour

Enquire about Bako National Park Day Trip

• Name * First Last
• Email * Enter Email Confirm Email

Optional fields

• Country of Residence Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini (Swaziland) Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Select your country of residence
• Tour Start Date Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Year 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920
• Hotel for Pick-up / Drop-off
• Number of Adults
• Number and Age of Children (if any)
• I agree to Borneo Adventure processing my / our personal data in accordance with Borneo Adventure's Data Protection and Privacy Statement .
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Strolling Around the Jungle as a Female Solo Traveler: 2 Days 1 Night at Bako National Park

When I first planned out my Borneo trip itinerary, I was a bit conflicted about the places that I wanted to visit. Since Borneo is known as the Emerald of the Equator, I knew that I wanted to focus on enjoying nature on the trip.

When I consulted with Suzie about my trip to Brunei, she recommended Ulu Temburong for the nature part. She even sent me the link of some Korean TV show about traveling to Brunei . According to her, I could follow their itinerary with Ulu Temburong included.

Unfortunately, when I checked the price of the tour package to Temburong, it was freaking expensive! Like, to join a 2D1N tour in Temburong, it costs almost $200 and I simply couldn't afford it. 🙁

So, as an alternative, I tried to find some nature destinations in Malaysian part of Borneo. I've got several options in the firsthand, with Gunung Mulu, Niah Caves and Bako to choose. Long story short, I decided to choose to go to Bako National Park instead.

Table of Content

Bako National Park

As I did some research about all the options I had, I also tried to adjust it with my budget. My main consideration is also the transportation to get to any of the places.

At first, Gunung Mulu sounds like a good place to visit but the only option to get there is to fly from Miri. Plus, the only places that I wanted to visit there is the Pinnacles yet it is so freaking expensive that I might as well just opt to visit Temburong with the budget. 😐

I had also considered Niah Caves, but then the caves are located somewhere in the middle of Sibu and Miri, two cities that were a part of my Borneo trip this time. And it's relatively far from either of them, that the only option for me is to go back and forth. Not an ideal option for me, so then Bako seems like the best place to go in this situation. It's an active vacation destination that is easier to reach from the city center.

It's also worth to note that Bako National Park is the first national park in entire Sarawak. Started operating in 1957, Bako offers the perfect introduction to Sarawak's forests and wildlife which contain a wide range of vegetation.

As for now, Malaysia has got numerous national parks that you could visit nowadays. The most popular one is probably Taman Negara National Park around Pahang. Which I've never been to before.

And if that's not enough reason to visit Bako, it is also easily accessible from Kuching with a relatively low budget from the city center. There's plenty of things to do in Bako too, from hiking to just enjoying the nature life. If you're into some of those activities and looking into taking some proper gear to support your hobby, you can check out Gear We Are to see if anything there fits your needs.

Bako National Park from Kuching by Bus

The day before going to Bako, I went to Semenggoh with Gabriel, a grab driver that took me back to the hostel from Kuching Cat Museum . He was taking another guest to Bako from Kuching on the same day, and he offered me a lift in the morning. However, I was already planning to leave later in the afternoon for some reasons and I had to refuse.

However, I still used some help from Gabriel as he told me how to get to Bako National Park from Kuching. He directed me to go to the wet market next to Electra building in Kuching, as the bus departs hourly from there. The wet market is not so far from Woodpecker Lodge , although neither is it close to the hostel. However, due to the tight budget, I walked to the wet market for around 30 minutes.

The bus left at around 1 PM, and there was a paper pinned up on the bus window that state clearly about the fee for each passenger. For local Malaysian, it only costs 3 MYR (around $0.8 USD) while it's 5 MYR (around $1.2 USD) for foreigners.

So, I was talking to the bus attendant in Bahasa when he actually asked me for 3 MYR instead of 5 MYR for foreigners. Well, in that case, I'd consider myself lucky as I had to pay for the foreigner fee when I took the bus on the way back to Kuching from Bako. 😛

The first thing that I've read a lot on the internet about the bus to Bako National Park is regarding their lack of punctuality. And I gotta say, the bus stopped for numerous times before reaching to Bako. I admit that the way this bus operates won't be ideal for those who are planning to visit Bako for half a day.

However, I traveled slowly this time and I was nowhere in a rush to reach the destination, so I enjoyed the bus ride even though it almost took around 2 hours to get to Bako market.

Bako National Park from Bako Market by Boat

If you take the bus to Bako, chances are you'll stop at Bako market. The visitor center is located not so far from there, and that's where you could purchase a boat ticket that would take you to the national park.

If you travel in a group, you can just rent the whole boat for your group as they charge you less if that's the case. However, since I traveled solo, it cost me 20 MYR (around $4.8 USD) for the return ticket as I had to share the boat with some other travelers.

At first, I was a bit nervous as I traveled there solo and I shared the boat with a group who would only do the tour for half a day. As I already booked accommodation for a night at Bako, I confirmed with the receptionist to make sure that there would be no issue when I got back the next day.

The receptionist ensured me that I could keep the number written on the boat ticket, should there be any miscellaneous. Other than that, I could just squeeze into any boat leaving from Bako the next day.

Staying Overnight at Bako National Park

It took us around half an hour to get to the national park from the jetty at the visitor center. As I had already booked my accommodation online, I also had to confirm my booking before getting into the boat to the park. The process was quite easy, although please mind that you need to present the hard copy of your booking here.

How to Book Accommodation at Bako National Park Online

Since I decided to go to Bako instead of Gunung Mulu or Niah Caves, I already planned out to stay overnight there for the sake of experience. So, that's what I did.

I booked the accommodation through Sarawak eBooking Portal . Other than Bako National Park, you could also book accommodation in other national parks in Sarawak such as Niah, Similajau etc. The website is not the best looking portal, but at least it was effective when I used it to book my accommodation.

For this accommodation, I booked the one with the cheapest night rate: the forest hostel. It only cost me 15 MYR (around $3.6 USD)

They provide a room with 4 beds in each room. When I stayed for the night, I shared the room with a Malaysian tour guide, as well as two couple travelers from Spain: Laura and Andres.

The facilities are not so bad, although they're pretty basic. For example, instead of an air conditioner, they provided 2 ceiling fans in the room where I stayed for the night.

And just know that the room was very humid that it got me conflicted when I stayed in the room. Like it was too cold when we turned on the fans, yet it was freaking hot and humid when we turned it off.

Other than that, please mind that they don't provide either towel or blanket for this type of accommodation. For me, I brought a batik clothing to use as a blanket when needed and a small towel for myself.

What I found surprising is that I didn't experience anything bad with bugs or mosquitos despite how humid the room was. Like, I actually prepared myself with some mosquito repellent, but I ended up not using it at all. But maybe it has something to do with the fact that I came during the rainy season. So if you're planning to go there, better be prepared than sorry! 😉

Activities at Bako National Park for a Female Solo Traveler (That Doesn't Involve Trekking)

My first concern when it comes to Bako National Park is that… Since it's practically a jungle, I wonder whether it would be safe for me to stroll around on my own. Bako is quite known for its moderately easy trekking track, and I wonder whether I would find it easy.

Mind that I rarely do exercise, and I struggled a lot when I did trekking at Sa Pa in the winter. Like it was so slippery that I doubt I would survive without the black Hmong lady that helped me throughout the trekking activity.

So, when I checked in to my accommodation, I made sure to occupy myself with a map to see how I could get around. Also, I used Digi for my phone provider and I could only get the signal around the reception area. Yup, the service there is quite limited, so I could only rely on the physical map basically.

At first, I wanted to reach one of the easiest trekking track. But when I got further inside the jungle, I was a bit worried and I really just tried to trust my guts whether to continue or just come back. So, I came back.

I decided to just stroll around the shore. Like, if worse comes to worst, at least I could still see people around there. The thought of being lonely in the jungle around 4 PM pretty much scared the little ol' me.

So, after trekking for almost an hour inside the jungle, I came back and went to the shore to find some silver monkey chilling around there.

Apart from these silver monkeys, Bako National Park is also famous as a home for proboscis monkey , or we Indonesian call them bekantan . I saw a couple of them on the way back to the hostel. However, they were far on the top of the tree for me to take a picture of them.

But it didn't disappoint me though, even the thought of seeing them live happily in nature kinda relieve me in so many ways. And I totally felt like living in the jungle for real when suddenly a big fat pig totally came out of my way around the hostel. Talking about living in the wild. HAHA.

But then again, if I ever regret any decision when I did this Borneo trip, Bako National Park is definitely not it. 🙂

Since I shared the room with one of Malaysian tour guide, he told me that it was also recommended to do the night trekking as more animals came out during the night. He went out until midnight with his guests, but I didn't fancy to join as it was raining and I honestly just wanted to go to bed while enjoying the night view around the jungle after dinner.

Meals at Bako National Park

When I got to Bako National Park, I was actually a bit paranoid as I thought I would find an ATM before I took the boat to the park. Apparently, there was none. Not in the visitor center, and neither was there at the park. I only had around 70 MYR (around $17) in cash with me, and it only left me with around 50 MYR after the boat ticket.

As I read in some articles that meals at Bako could be such a rip-off, I got really paranoid that I'd end up running out of cash.

Thank God, apparently, the price of the meals at Bako National Park was anything but a rip-off. Like, I spent normally less than 10 MYR for each meal. It was a buffet, so I could pick what I fancied and the cashier would calculate everything.

Although for the soft drinks, I'd agree that it was a rip-off since a can of Coke could cost you like 4 MYR. But other than that, I survived with 70 MYR in Bako, with some money left to have some KFC by the time I got back to Kuching. 🙂

Tips for Traveling Solo at Bako National Park

Well, some people find Bako National Park quite easy to explore and I think it's not that difficult either. But then again, I can't really consider myself as someone who gets used to explore nature on my own. Hence, I feel a bit hesitant to do this or that while I was there.

I know some bullshit people say about traveling as a way to discover themselves. While I wouldn't say that it's fully wrong, I think if there's any way to find your own self while traveling, that would be the understanding to follow your guts and increase your awareness to your surroundings. Especially when you travel solo.

So, from the perspective of a woman in her late 20s who genuinely love makeup better than hiking, here are some tips I'd like to share to you if you happen to be in the same shoes and planning to stop by this national park.

The Dos at Bako National Park as a Female Solo Traveler

• If you plan to stay in Kuching for awhile before going to Bako and have a big bag with you, I'd recommend you to check with your accommodation in Kuching whether they have storage for you to leave your belongings when you go to Bako. With the boat trip and the area full of sands and whatnot, this place is not suitable for you trolly dolly like me. 😉
• Only take with you the essentials. It's not really recommended to apply the 10 steps Korean skincare in the mid of jungle-like Bako.
• Bring your own blanket and towel.
• It's pretty handy to have a small purse with you to take around. I had my camera bag with me so that I could keep my passport and money whenever I go out of the lodge. I mean, better safe than sorry right?
• Talking about money, always bring a sufficient amount of cash with you since there's no ATM around. I spent approximately 40 MYR for my 2D1N stay at Bako National Park. For me, the amount of money was sufficient to get the boat ticket, as well as 3 meals that I had there.
• While flip-flops sound like a great pick to wear, if you're planning to do the trekking, I'd strongly suggest you wear the most comfortable sneakers that you have.

The Don'ts at Bako National Park as a Female Solo Traveler

• I couldn't stress this more than anything, but anything you do… Please do not litter.
• Overestimate your capability to trek or do anything else around the park alone. You see, before I got to Bako I read so many articles stating how easy it was to trek at Bako. But when I did it myself, I basically just tried to communicate with my instinct and there was a point that I felt like I wouldn't be able to continue my journey trekking. Our capability could be different, so always trust your guts. If you travel with some FOMO while at the same time you're not too sure of your capability to explore on your own, I'd recommend you to hire a tour guide instead.
• Avoid taking too many stuff with you. This is the place where you should force yourself to travel light. 😉

Is Bako National Park Visit-Worthy While in Sarawak?

Absolutely.

I loved my time there, especially since I could relax and chill while watching the wild in my surroundings. That's such an exotic experience, and I'm a Southeast Asian myself. 😀

If you're planning out to stop by Kuching and you want to experience some nature in the moderate level, please do visit Bako National Park.

So, have you been to Bako National Park? Or have you been to other national parks in Malaysia? Tell me your experience, and cheerio!

Like my post?

9 thoughts on “Strolling Around the Jungle as a Female Solo Traveler: 2 Days 1 Night at Bako National Park”

Mulu pinnacle also can be reach by boat..from Limbang, Sarawak.

Hi, thanks for your information, too bad I didn’t get a chance to stop by Mulu yet. Hopefully I’d be able to go there next time I visit Sarawak. 🙂

I am going to be solo traveling in Penang area soon, and I will visit Sarawak with my friend, so we will be 2 solo travelers together! We already got it wrong that we didn’t book in advance the accomodation for the night in Bako so we will see if we find a last second or visit half day, anyway thank you for your exhilarating account of your visit, it’s really inspiring!!! Do you think its worthy visiting half day? maybe getting there early in the morning? Thank you!

I think it’s still worthy visiting half day since I went on the same boat with a group of travelers who did the half day. The only thing missing about it is that you won’t get the experience to visit the wildlife at night. For some people, it’s even more exciting since some of the wildlife get active at night. But if you’re not really into that, I think you won’t miss anything much if you’re not staying overnight in the area. Happy travel! 😀

Comments are closed.