“Home to Borneo’s rare Proboscis Monkey, Bako National Park features 16 jungle trails, unique rock formations like the Sea Stack, and beautiful secluded beaches. A short boat ride from Kuching, it’s the perfect place to explore wildlife and rainforest scenery in one trip.”
Bako National Park is a natural gem of Sarawak and the first national park established in Malaysia in 1957. Despite its relatively small size of 27 square kilometers, it boasts remarkable biodiversity, encompassing seven distinct ecosystems—from mangroves, swamps, and forests to sandstone cliffs and tranquil sandy beaches—allowing visitors to experience Borneo’s tropical rainforest within a short trip from Kuching.
Bako is world-renowned as one of the best places to see the Proboscis Monkey, a rare species found only in Borneo, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon along coastal trails. The park is also home to other mammals such as silvered leaf monkeys, Bornean bearded pigs, and over 150 bird species. Each trail offers scenic and diverse landscapes, including carnivorous pitcher plants growing on the park’s plateau.
The atmosphere at Bako is an accessible adventure. With no roads inside the park, boardwalks and jungle trails lead visitors deep into the forest. Seeing wild monkeys and pigs roaming near the park headquarters is an exhilarating experience. Hikers can choose trails based on their fitness level, and overnight stays at park accommodations allow participation in night hikes to observe nocturnal wildlife.
The park attracts wildlife enthusiasts eager to photograph Proboscis Monkeys in their natural habitat, hikers seeking challenges in the rainforest, and landscape photographers looking to capture dramatic sandstone cliffs and sea stacks resembling cobra heads rising majestically from the sea.
Prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Bako National Park, where nature’s beauty and wildlife encounters combine to create one of Borneo’s most memorable experiences.
How to Get There
By Car / Grab / Taxi:
- About 30–45 minutes from Kuching city to Bako Village Jetty (Grab fare RM 25–35 per way).
By Boat (from Bako Village Jetty):
- 20-minute ride to the park (max 5 passengers per boat).
- Boat fare: RM 200 per trip
- First departure: 08:00 / Last departure: 15:00
By Bus (K6 – green):
- From Kuching to the jetty, about 45 minutes (return trips may be limited in the evening).
Travel Tips
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Visit early in the morning — last return boat is around 3:00 PM.
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Wear non-slip trekking shoes and light clothing.
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Don’t feed the monkeys and keep valuables secured.
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Bring water and snacks; the park cafeteria operates limited hours.
Admission Fees
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Malaysians: Adult RM 10 / Child RM 5
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Foreigners: Adult RM 20 / Child RM 7
Boat Transfer (round-trip, up to 5 people): RM 200
Opening Hours:
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Open daily: 08:00 – 17:00