Fauna

Bako National Park is a treasure trove of unique wildlife. The park’s star attraction is the proboscis monkey, known for its distinctive large nose and found only in Borneo. These monkeys are often spotted around the park headquarters, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons. Along with them, you might also encounter long-tailed macaques, silvered langurs, and bearded pigs. Birdwatchers can look forward to a variety of bird species, from colorful kingfishers to the rare oriental darter.

Flora

The park’s flora is equally impressive, with a rich array of plants including carnivorous pitcher plants and a variety of orchids. The diverse habitats, from mangroves to dipterocarp forests, support this variety of plant life.

Viewing tips

For the best wildlife viewing, the area around the park headquarters is a good starting point, as many animals are accustomed to human presence here. Additionally, the trails leading to Ulu Assam (No. 3, red/blue) Telok Paku (No. 4, white) are excellent for spotting wildlife in a more natural setting. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times for wildlife spotting, as animals are more active during these cooler parts of the day.

Hiking

Bako National Park offers a variety of hiking trails, suitable for different fitness levels and interests. The trails range from easy walks to more challenging treks, each offering a unique perspective of the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.

The best trails are Ulu Assam (No. 3, red/blue) Telok Paku (No. 4, white). They are relatively short, taking about 1 to 2 hours, and offer a great chance to spot proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. Intermediate hikers will enjoy the Lintang trail (No. 9, red), which is a bit longer and covers various types of vegetation, from mangroves to lowland forests. This trail provides a comprehensive experience of Bako’s diverse ecosystems. This trail shares a section with trail 3 and 4 (this is the part to best spot monkeys).

When planning your hike in Bako, consider the heat and humidity, especially on longer trails. Start early in the morning, and carry enough water and snacks. Before you go, talk to the guides at the park’s HQ, they will update you on which trails are closed and give you a simple map. Also, there is a Log Book for trekkers – before you go anywhere, sign your name in the book and the trail you’re headed for. If you don’t arrive by nightfall they will come looking for you. This is a great security service so take advantage of it and don’t forget to sign out!

Accommodation

In Bako National Park, you can choose from various accommodation options depending on your preference and budget. All the accommodation in the national park belongs to the park, there are no hotels or private operators. You can book individually through this website, and pay online or later at the park entrance (only in cash!). If all the options here appear sold out, it is probably because most of the rooms have been sold to tour operators (who have reserved spots), so you can still stay overnight if you book with a tour company in Kuching.

All lodging options

Forest Lodge Type 6: This is where I stayed. Each house has 2 rooms, 2 single beds per each.  Facilities: Fan, small refrigerator, hot shower, blankets, attached bathroom and toilet, small terrace in front. You can book one room or the entire lodge.

Forest Lodge Type 5 (Terrace): A bigger building, Type 5 has 8 rooms with 4 single beds in each room. Facilities: Fan, blankets, attached bathroom and toilet, terrace.

Forest Lodge Type 4: This is probably the fanciest option and sells out very fast. Each house has 2 rooms, with 2-4 single beds in each room, depending on size. Facilities: Air-conditioning (a huge relief here!), small refrigerator, blankets, attached bathroom, toilet and shower (only house 1 & 2 has a hot shower, but you really don’t need it).

Camp Site: The park has a dedicated camping area where you can pitch your tent. Tents have to be taken down in the morning every day, and rebuilt after dusk, because of the monkeys.

Forest Hostel: basic dormitory-style rooms for those looking for a cost-effective stay. These offer shared facilities and a simple, no-frills experience.

Facilities

Regarding amenities, the park’s headquarters houses the only cafeteria, serving local meals and some Western dishes. It has opening hours (B 07:30 – 11:30, L 11:30 – 16:00, D 18:30 – 20:00). They also have snacks, cold drinks and beer. Since this is the sole place to buy food and drinks in the park, it’s wise to bring your own snacks and water, especially for longer hikes. Basic toilets are available at the headquarters and along the main trails.

How to get there

To get to Bako National Park from Kuching, you have a few options for transportation. The most common and budget-friendly way is to take the big red number 1 bus (Rapid Kuching), which departs hourly from the open market near Jalan Masjid. It costs around 4RM per person and takes about 45-60 minutes to reach the Bako Boat Terminal. If you prefer a quicker option, minivans are available near the same market, charging around 5RM per person. The minivans depart once they are full and take less time compared to the bus. Taxi and Grab is another alternative, costing around 60RM to the boat jetty.

Once at the Bako Boat Terminal, you need to take a boat to reach the park. Boat tickets are priced at 200RM per boat for a return trip and each boat can accommodate up to 5 adults. It’s a good idea to team up with others if you’re traveling solo to share the cost, but make sure to go early! Most of the day trippers go before 11am, so if you arrive after, you’ll have to pay for the whole boat. The boat ride to the national park takes about 20 minutes.

For a more structured trip, and convenient if you’re short on time, there are guided tours available from Kuching, which include transportation, a guide, and sometimes meals. This full-day tour to Bako is a great one. If you prefer to stay overnight and go for a night walk in the jungle, this overnight Bako tour is the one to go with. Going with a tour is also a great idea because having a guide here makes a huge difference – they can spot animals that are practically invisible, elevating your chances from about 10% to spot a wild proboscis monkey to 99%. So yeah, even if you go to the park solo, hire a guide!

When to go

The ideal time to visit Bako is during the dry season, between March and September. During these months, the weather is more favorable, and the sea conditions are calmer, making boat travel to the park more comfortable. The dry season also tends to offer better wildlife spotting opportunities. However, the park is open year-round, and each season offers a different experience. Visiting during the wet season, from October to February, means fewer crowds and lush greenery, though some trails may be muddy or less accessible.

Conservation and Visitor Etiquette

For your safety

Maintain Distance: Always keep a safe and respectful distance, especially from bigger animals. Being too close to them can cause stress and alter their natural behaviors. Remember how all the zombie movies start with a bite from a monkey, bat or other animal? Yep. Better be on the safe side.

Do Not Feed Animals: Feeding wildlife disrupts their natural diet and can lead to health problems and dependency on human-provided food (also, they can bite you).

No Souvenirs from Nature: Avoid taking anything from the park, including plants, rocks, and other natural materials, and take this very seriously! I saw a big news article printout at park HQ how two young visitors were SENT TO JAIL for trying to take out something from the park (I think it was bird eggs).

For your enjoyment

Observe Silently: Noise can frighten or disturb animals, and they will simply avoid you.

Take Out What You Bring In: Ensure you carry out all your trash, including food wrappers and plastic bottles, to keep the park clean and protect wildlife. If people start littering, the government will restrict the number of visitors or close the park entirely.