Bako National Park Tour: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Imagine a place where you can explore lush rainforests, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife, all in one day. A place where you can see the rare and charismatic proboscis monkey, the carnivorous pitcher plant, and the spectacular sea stacks, all in their natural habitats. A place where you can experience the beauty and diversity of Borneo, without leaving the comfort and convenience of Kuching. That place is Bako National Park, one of the oldest and most popular national parks in Malaysia.

Bako National Park is located at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula, about 37 kilometers from Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak. The park covers an area of 27.27 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest national parks in the country. However, despite its size, the park boasts a remarkable variety of ecosystems, landscapes, and wildlife, making it a must-see destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide for travelers who want to visit Bako National Park and enjoy its natural wonders. We will tell you how to get there, what to do, where to stay, and what to expect. We will also share some tips and advice on how to make the most of your park experience. By the end of this article, you will be ready to book your Bako National Park tour with my.trip.com, the best travel agency in Malaysia that offers affordable and customized packages for all kinds of travelers.

How to Get to Bako National Park

The first step to visiting Bako National Park is to get to Kuching, the gateway to the park. Kuching is well connected by air, land, and sea, with flights, buses, and ferries from various domestic and international destinations.

Once you are in Kuching, you have several options for reaching Bako National Park. The most common and convenient option is to take a car, either by driving yourself, hiring a driver, or joining a tour group. The journey from Kuching to Bako Village, where the park headquarters is located, takes about 45 minutes and costs around RM 100 per car. Alternatively, you can take a public bus (number K6) from Kuching to Bako Village, which takes about an hour and costs RM 3.50 per person. You can also take a taxi from Kuching to Bako Village, which takes about 30 minutes and costs around RM 60 per taxi.

However, the journey to Bako National Park does not end at Bako Village. Since there is no road access to the park, you will need to take a boat ride from Bako Village to the park entrance, which takes about 15 minutes and costs RM 40 per person for a return trip. The boat ride is an exciting and scenic part of the trip, as you will pass by the stunning rock formations and mangrove forests along the coast. However, the boat ride is also subject to the weather and tide conditions, so you will need to book your boat ride in advance and check the boat schedule and fees before you go. You can book your boat ride online or contact the park office for more details on the official website of the park.

What to Do in Bako National Park

Once you arrive at the park entrance, you will need to register at the park office and pay the entrance fee, which is RM 20 per person for foreigners and RM 10 per person for Malaysians. You will also need to show your boat ticket and your accommodation booking confirmation, if you have any. You can also rent a locker, a walking stick, or a guide at the park office, if you need them.

After you have completed the registration process, you are ready to explore the park and its attractions. There are many things to do in Bako National Park, depending on your interests, preferences, and abilities. Here are some of the main activities and attractions that you can enjoy in the park:

Hiking

Hiking is the best way to experience the park and its diverse ecosystems, landscapes, and wildlife. The park has 16 marked trails and routes that range from easy to challenging, and from 0.5 kilometers to 12.8 kilometers in length. You can choose the trail or route that suits your fitness level, time availability, and personal preference. You can also combine different trails and routes to create your own itinerary. However, you should always follow the trail signs and maps, and never wander off the trail or route, as the park is vast and complex, and you may get lost or encounter dangerous animals or plants.

Some of the most popular and iconic trails and routes in the park are:

• Telok Paku Trail (0.8 kilometers, 1 hour, easy): This trail leads to a small beach where you can see the proboscis monkeys, one of the main attractions of the park. The proboscis monkeys are endemic to Borneo and have a distinctive long nose and a pot belly. They are usually active in the early morning and late afternoon, and can be seen in the trees along the trail or on the beach. However, they are shy and elusive, so you will need to be quiet and patient to spot them.
• Telok Delima Trail (1.2 kilometers, 1.5 hours, easy): This trail is similar to the Telok Paku Trail, but leads to a different beach where you can also see the proboscis monkeys. The trail passes through a mangrove forest and a swamp forest, where you can see other animals and plants, such as the silvered leaf monkeys, the mudskippers, and the mangrove palms.
• Tanjung Sapi Trail (0.5 kilometers, 0.5 hours, easy): This trail leads to a rocky headland that offers a panoramic view of the South China Sea and the coastline. The trail is steep and slippery, but short and rewarding. You can also see some of the sea stacks, the rock formations that have been eroded by the waves and the wind, creating various shapes and sizes. Some of the sea stacks have names, such as the Cobra Head, the Sea Lion, and the Sea Horse.
• Telok Pandan Kecil Trail (1.75 kilometers, 2 hours, moderate): This trail leads to one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in the park, where you can see the most impressive sea stack, the Sea Stack. The trail is moderately difficult, as it involves some climbing and descending, but the view is worth it. The beach is also a great place to relax, swim, and snorkel, as the water is clear and the coral is colorful. However, you should be careful of the strong currents and the jellyfish, and always check the tide times before you go, as the beach may be inaccessible during high tide.
• Ulu Assam Trail (2.25 kilometers, 2.5 hours, moderate): This trail leads to a viewpoint that overlooks the park and the bay, where you can see the sunset and the sunrise. The trail is moderately difficult, as it involves some steep and rocky sections, but the scenery is stunning. You can also see some of the wildlife and vegetation of the park, such as the bearded pigs, the macaques, the hornbills, and the orchids.
• Tajor Trail (5.25 kilometers, 4 hours, challenging): This trail leads to a waterfall and a pool, where you can cool off and refresh yourself. The trail is challenging, as it involves a lot of climbing and descending, and crossing streams and boulders. The trail passes through different types of forests, such as the kerangas forest, the mixed dipterocarp forest, and the heath forest, where you can see different animals and plants, such as the flying lemurs, the squirrels, the pitcher plants, and the rafflesia.

These are just some of the trails and routes that you can choose from, but there are many more to discover and enjoy. You can find more information about the trails and routes, including the maps, the descriptions, and the difficulty levels, on the official website of the park or at the park office.

Wildlife Watching

Wildlife watching is another popular and rewarding activity in Bako National Park, as the park is home to a rich and diverse fauna, with over 150 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles, and 17 species of amphibians. You can see some of the wildlife along the trails and routes, or at the park headquarters, where some of the animals are habituated and friendly. However, you should always respect the wildlife and the environment, and never feed, touch, or disturb the animals, as they are wild and unpredictable, and may bite, scratch, or attack you.

Some of the most common and interesting animals that you can see in the park are:

• Proboscis Monkeys: As mentioned before, the proboscis monkeys are one of the main attractions of the park, and one of the reasons why many people visit Bako National Park. They are endemic to Borneo and endangered, with only about 7,000 individuals left in the wild. They are easily recognizable by their long nose and pot belly, and their reddish-brown fur and white tail. They live in groups of up to 30 individuals, and feed mainly on leaves, fruits, and seeds. They are usually active in the early morning and late afternoon, and can be seen in the trees along the Telok Paku Trail and the Telok Delima Trail, or on the beaches near the park headquarters. However, they are shy and elusive, so you will need to be quiet and patient to spot them.
• Bearded Pigs: The bearded pigs are another distinctive and common animal in the park, and one of the largest mammals in Borneo. They are named after the long whiskers on their snout, and their black and brown fur and long tail. They are omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding on roots, fruits, insects, carrion, and human food. They are usually active during the day, and can be seen around the park headquarters, where they are habituated and friendly. However, you should not feed or touch them, as they may bite or charge you.
• Macaques: The macaques are the most abundant and notorious primates in the park, and one of the most troublesome animals for visitors. They are small and agile, with brown or grey fur and long tails. They live in large groups of up to 40 individuals, and feed mainly on fruits, seeds, and insects. They are also very curious and intelligent, and have learned to steal food and belongings from visitors and staff. They are usually active during the day, and can be seen everywhere in the park, especially near the park headquarters, where they are habituated and aggressive. You should always keep your food and belongings secure and out of sight, and never feed or provoke them, as they may bite or attack you.
• Hornbills: The hornbills are one of the most beautiful and charismatic birds in the park, and one of the symbols of Sarawak. They are large and colorful, with long and curved bills and long and broad wings. They are monogamous and territorial, and feed mainly on fruits, seeds, and small animals. They are usually active in the morning and evening, and can be seen flying or perching in the trees, especially near the park headquarters, where they are habituated and friendly. You can hear their loud and distinctive calls, and see their graceful and acrobatic flight.
• Pitcher Plants: The pitcher plants are one of the most fascinating and unique plants in the park, and one of the attractions of Borneo. They are carnivorous and specialized, with modified leaves that form pitchers that trap and digest insects and small animals. They are adapted to the nutrient-poor soils of the park, and have evolved different shapes, sizes, and colors to attract and capture their prey. They are usually found in the heath forest and the kerangas forest, where you can see them along the trails and routes, such as the Tajor Trail and the Ulu Assam Trail. You can also see them in the botanical garden near the park headquarters, where they are cultivated and displayed.

These are just some of the animals and plants that you can see in the park, but there are many more to discover and enjoy. You can find more information about the wildlife and vegetation of the park on the official website of the park or at the park office.

Where to Stay in Bako National Park

If you want to spend more than a day in Bako National Park, you will need to find a place to stay overnight. Fortunately, the park offers several accommodation options for visitors, ranging from budget to comfort, and from nature to culture. However, you should be aware that the accommodation in the park is limited and basic, and you may need to book in advance and bring your own supplies and amenities. You should also be prepared to share your space with other visitors and animals, and respect the rules and regulations of the park.

Some of the accommodation options that you can find in Bako National Park are:

• Park Chalets: The park chalets are the most comfortable and convenient option for staying in the park, as they are located near the park headquarters and the beach. The park chalets are wooden cabins that can accommodate up to four people, and have a private bathroom, a fan, and a veranda. The park chalets cost RM 150 per night for foreigners and RM 75 per night for Malaysians.
• Park Hostel: The park hostel is the most budget-friendly and sociable option for staying in the park, as it is located near the park headquarters and the beach. The park hostel is a dormitory-style building that can accommodate up to 40 people, and has a shared bathroom, a fan, and a common area. The park hostel costs RM 15 per night for foreigners and RM 10 per night for Malaysians.
• Camping Site: The camping site is the most adventurous and natural option for staying in the park, as it is located near the park headquarters and the beach. The camping site is a grassy area that can accommodate up to 20 tents, and has a shared bathroom, a barbecue pit, and a picnic table. The camping site costs RM 5 per night for foreigners and RM 2 per night for Malaysians. You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and cooking equipment.
• Homestays: The homestays are the most authentic and cultural option for staying in the park, as they are located in the nearby Bako Village. The homestays are local houses that can accommodate up to six people, and have a private bathroom, a fan, and a living room. The homestays cost RM 100 per night for foreigners and RM 50 per night for Malaysians. You will also get to enjoy the hospitality and the cuisine of the local people, and learn more about their culture and lifestyle.

These are some of the accommodation options that you can choose from, but there may be more to discover and enjoy. You can find more information about the accommodation options, including the features, facilities, prices, and availability, on the official website of the park or at the park office.

We also personally recommend checking out these places to stay at...

What to Expect in Bako National Park

Visiting Bako National Park is an unforgettable and rewarding experience, as you will get to see and do many amazing things that you may not find anywhere else. However, visiting Bako National Park is also a challenging and demanding experience, as you will need to deal with many difficulties and uncertainties that you may not encounter anywhere else. Therefore, you should have realistic and flexible expectations, and be prepared for the best and the worst.

Some of the benefits and challenges of visiting Bako National Park are:

• Benefits: The benefits of visiting Bako National Park are the stunning scenery, the rich biodiversity, the friendly locals, and the affordable prices. You will get to see and enjoy the beauty and diversity of Borneo, without leaving the comfort and convenience of Kuching. You will get to explore and experience different ecosystems, landscapes, and wildlife, all in one park. You will get to meet and interact with the local people, who are warm and welcoming, and who will make you feel at home. You will also get to save money, as the park is cheap and accessible, and offers various options for all budgets and preferences.
• Challenges: The challenges of visiting Bako National Park are the unpredictable weather, the limited amenities, the potential hazards, and the environmental impact. You will need to cope with the weather and tide conditions, which may change rapidly and unexpectedly, and affect your travel plans and activities. You will need to adapt to the amenities and facilities, which may be scarce and basic, and lack some of the comforts and conveniences that you are used to. You will also need to be aware of the hazards and risks, which may include insects, snakes, leeches, jellyfish, currents, rocks, and thieves. You will also need to be responsible and respectful, and minimize your impact on the park and its inhabitants, as they are fragile and precious, and need your care and protection.

These are some of the things that you can expect in Bako National Park, but there may be more to discover and enjoy. You can find more information about what to expect in Bako National Park on the official website of the park or at the park office.

Go on An Unforgettable Adventure in Bako National Park Today!

Bako National Park is a place that you should not miss if you are in Kuching or in Borneo. It is a place that offers a unique and diverse experience for travelers who love nature and adventure. It is a place that will surprise and delight you with its beauty and diversity, and challenge and inspire you with its difficulties and uncertainties. It is a place that will make you appreciate and respect the wonders and wonders of Borneo, and make you want to come back for more.

If you are interested in visiting Bako National Park, you should book your tour with my.trip.com, the best travel agency in Malaysia that offers affordable and customized packages for all kinds of travelers. You can find more information about the Bako National Park tour and other travel services on the landing page of my.trip.com. You can also contact us by phone, email, or chat, and we will be happy to assist you with your travel needs and preferences.

Don’t wait any longer, and book your Bako National Park tour with my.trip.com today. You will not regret it, and you will have the time of your life. Bako National Park is waiting for you, and so are we. See you soon!