Love the outdoors? Miss nature? Let’s inbound travel together and keep our domestic tourism growing amid the pandemic and beyond!
In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, many industries are affected, and tourism is undoubtedly one of the hardest-hit sectors. Countries all around the world are doing what they can to keep destinations in their country on top of mind for future visitors with various campaigns.
Anak Sarawak can play a part too by promoting our own backyard! Visit these national parks if you haven’t or rediscover these destinations again! As we bask in the beauty of Sarawak, share these moments, and invite oversea friends and family to visit for when it is safe to travel again. Let’s keep Sarawak in mind for visitors in the near future! Uncover the gems of these destinations, EXPLORE YOUR SARAWAK!
Don’t forget to capture the moments, share your adventures with us too!
Whether it is on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, TAG US or HASHTAG #HappeningsinSarawak #Sarawak to spread the love from Sarawak!
Proboscis monkey
#1: Bako National Park
The star of Bako National Park is undoubtedly the proboscis monkey, the big-nosed, pot-bellied comedian of the rainforest. But the star has a supporting cast of long-tailed macaque monkeys, usually patrolling the park headquarters, silvered leaf monkeys, monitor lizards and squirrels and flying lemurs that glide from tree to tree.
Batang Ai National Park
#2: Batang Ai National Park
The creation of Sarawak’s largest man-made lake has provided access to this fascinating national park. Created as part of a hydroelectric scheme, the 24-square-kilometre Batang Ai Lake boasts Iban longhouses and habitats of wild orangutans in the vicinity.
Frilled Tree Frog
#3: Bukit Lima Nature Reserve
Bukit Lima Nature Reserve (NR) is located at the heart of Sibu town and is one of the favourite’s urban parks for the Sibu community. Bukit Lima NR is popular for conservation activities and recreational visitors because of its peat swamp forest environment. It is famous among its visitors for its jungle trails suitable for forest walks as well as jogging. On 5.7 km of wooden plank walks, Bukit Lima NR allows visitors to experience peat swamp forest and enjoy the interaction with nature and wildlife.
Rafflesia
#4:Gunung Gading National Park
Gunung Gading National Park is located near the small town of Lundu in Southwest Sarawak. Previously, Gunung Gading was established as a Forest Reserve in 1929 and gazetted as a National Park in 1983 with a total area of 4,196 ha. Gunung Gading National Park is one of the best places in Asia to view the spectacular blooms of the Rafflesia, a genus of leafless parasitic plant that produces the world’s largest flower.
Kubah National Park
#5: Kubah National Park
The Matang Range that forms a scenic backdrop to Kuching is also the site of the Kubah National Park. Just 20 km from the State capital, the park is a favourite destination for local day-trippers. The park also provides overnight accommodation for visitors wanting to stay longer.
Olive-backed sunbird - fledgeling
#6: Lambir Hills National Park
Life positively abounds in Sarawak and nowhere more than the Lambir Hills, which scientists recognize as one of the world’s most ecologically diverse areas. When they sampled just 52 ha of the park’s 7,000 ha, they found 1,050 different species of trees, each supporting 1,200 species of insects.
Loagan Bunut National Park
#7: Loagan Bunut National Park
Loagan Bunut is the name the local Berawan people give to Sarawak’s largest natural lake, covering 650 ha, mainly covered by peat swamp. But, it is not the size that makes the lake remarkable; it is the fact that it disappears during the drought season.
Red Banded Langur - IUCN Red List of Threatened Species spotted in Maludam National Park
#8: Maludam National Park
Maludam National Park a special destination because of its peat swamp forest. Located 3 km from Kampung Maludam in Betong Division, Maludam National Park can be accessed by boat and is only a short distance on foot from the nearest longhouse.
Orangutan
#9: Matang Wildlife Centre
Orangutans are found only in Borneo and Sumatra, and Sarawak has the wild population of these intelligent ginger apes. You are sure to meet one at the Matang Wildlife Centre on the western corner of the Kubah National Park. The centre’s 180 ha of lowland forest provides natural surroundings for orangutans and other local fauna.
The Pinnacles in Mulu National Park
#10: Mulu National Park
Gunung Mulu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has everything to offer for both leisure and adventurous visitors. It has the world’s most extensive cave system, jungle trekking, river rapids, and fascinating people, including Sarawak’s last nomadic tribes.
Niah National Park
#11: Niah National Park
Niah Great Cave is alive with 40,000 years of unwritten history because it was inhabited by humans at least 40 millennia ago. The caves are the site of some of the oldest human remains discovered in Southeast Asia. You will not be the only visitor to this magnificent cave. It is the haunt of local Penan tribesmen, who make a living collecting edible birds nests built high in the cave walls by swiftlets. Chinese gourmets around the world prize the birds’ nests.
Oriental pied hornbill
#12: Piasau Nature Reserve
Piasau Camp is located about 5 km north of Miri City Centre in the suburb of Piasau, on the beachside of Miri River. Piasau Nature Reserve (PNR) was previously part of the Piasau Camp, an area owned by Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB). Driven strong public support, PNR was gazetted on 31st December 2013. Following the gazettement, SSB agreed to undertake the cost of demolishing old buildings at the site. The demolition works were carried out in three phases starting in December 2014, and PNR was formally handed over to SFC on 17th May 2016 in a simple handing-over ceremony after all the demolition works had been completed.
Sama Jaya Nature Reserve
#13: Sama Jaya Nature Reserve
A patch of jungle right in the city, Sama Jaya Forest Park gives urban dwellers a taste of the wilderness, while at the same time serving as an important research centre. One of the few areas of virgin jungle within the Kuching urban area, this kerangas forest is popular with strollers and wildlife enthusiasts. At the same time, more active visitors appreciate the fitness trail and jogging tracks through the trees.
Santubong National Park
#14: Santubong National Park
Santubong National Park is a great place for a day visit. Santubong is located on the Damai Peninsula, 35 km north of Kuching. Seen from sea level, it’s irregular rainforest-covered peaks rise steeply to 810 m, forming a catchment for a variety of wildlife. Gunung Santubong provides a spectacular backdrop to hotel resorts, local fishing villages, and the Sarawak Cultural Village. The main popular activities here are hiking to Santubong Summit and swimming at the Waterfall. Its striking peak is visible from Kuching on most days. During your visit, make sure you ask a local about the legend of the Santubong princess!
Baby Orangutan
#15: Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Explore the perfect half-day trip experience to encounter one of Borneo’s endangered species – Orangutans and be back at your hotel in time for lunch. Just 20 km south of Kuching, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is home to a colony of semi-wild orangutans who are trained and used to human encounters. They have been taught to watch out for the forest reserve’s caretakers during feeding time. During feeding time, visitors will gain the golden opportunity to interact with the orangutans as they will swing down from trees for a free hand out of fruits.
Similajau National Park
#16: Similajau National Park
Imagine 25 miles of golden beaches on the South China Sea, fringed with whispering casuarinas and coconut palms. You do not have to imagine it; you can see the real thing at Similajau National Park with its long, deserted sandy beaches, geological formations and rainforest treks.
Talang Satang National Park Green Turtles
#17: Talang Satang National Park
Magnificent marine turtles are one of the threatened species the world over. It was to protect these wonderful sea-going creatures that Sarawak created its first marine area National Park at Talang Satang. The group of four islands has the largest concentration in Sarawak of nesting green and hawksbill turtles, which are both endangered species. The water bodies around islands are also a breeding, nursery and feeding ground for thousands of other marine species.
Tanjung Datu National Park
#18: Tanjung Datu National Park
On the westernmost tip of Sarawak’s coastline lies Tanjung Datu, one of Sarawak’s smallest National Parks. Tanjung Datu is beautiful; it has been called the ‘Heaven of Borneo’ by some visitors but is only accessible by boat. It is the juxtaposition of rugged mountains sweeping down to a clear turquoise sea that makes the place so exquisite.
Wind Cave
#19: Wind Cave & Fairy Cave Nature Reserve
Just half an hour’s drive from Kuching, Wind Cave at Bau meanders through a rocky outcrop on the banks of the Sarawak River. You can wander on a plank walk from one side of the outcrop to the other and see the stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millennia. You will need a flashlight. After visiting the cave, you can take a cooling river swim. An extensive car park allows visitors to drive right up to the cave entrance.
An Original Of WADD’s (previously Happenings in Sarawak) Article
Contributed by with Sarawak Forestry Corporation
