Visiting Bako National Park: What You Need To Know!

Bako National Park is a must for any Borneo itinerary! This incredible destination is known for its variety of wildlife and vegetation types, diverse ecosystems, and picturesque coastline.

Although Bako isn’t very large, covering only 27 square km (10 sq miles), it offers some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities in Borneo. Not to mention, it’s easily accessible, even if you want to just visit on a day trip.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about visiting Bako National Park, so you can have the best trip! That includes the very best things to do, how to get there, and where to stay. We loved our time here and we’re sure you will too!

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Where Is Bako National Park?

Bako National Park is located in the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. More specifically, the park occupies the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula, at the mouth of the Kuching and Bako rivers.

The entry point to the national park is Bako Jetty, which is around a 30-minute drive from Kuching. There’s no road access to Bako, so you’ll then take a boat to enter the park. Quite a wild experience wouldn’t you say!

Flora & Fauna Of Bako National Park

Bako is the oldest national park in Sarawak, as it was designated a protected area in 1957. Although it’s one of the smallest parks in Borneo, this place is famous for its diverse flora and fauna which is why it’s so special.

First of all, there’s a wide variety of mammals found in the park, including Bornean bearded pigs, pangolins, flying lemurs, otters, mouse deer, and macaques among other species. The endemic proboscis monkey can also be found here, especially while hiking along the jungle trails.

However, if you’re looking to spot orangutans in Borneo, we’d suggest spending more time in Sabah and heading to the Kinabatangan River instead (or heading to Batang Ai National Park in Sarawak).

Bako National Park is also famous for its birdlife, with over 150 species calling this place home! You may spot various reptiles too including monitor lizards and snakes.

Visiting Bako National Park, Borneo

The Best Time To Visit Bako National Park

Although Bako can be visited all year round, it’s best to head here between March and October. This is the dry season in Sarawak, so the weather tends to be drier, although you can encounter rainfall at any time.

Generally, you’ve got a better chance of spotting wildlife if it’s dry. Luckily, even if you plan to visit during the wet season (November to February) you’ll encounter dry spells. Make the most of these and you’ll see plenty of wildlife. Just be aware that excursions such as night hikes may get cancelled due to the weather.

We visited Bako in February, at the end of the wet season and this didn’t put a dampener on our experience. In fact, we saw plenty of wildlife and the weather was pretty dry!

As Borneo is located along the equator, temperatures are consistent throughout the year, ranging from 27°C (80.6°F) – 32°C (89.6°F).

How To Get To Bako National Park

The majority of travellers will access this national park from Sarawak’s capital, Kuching. From here, you can hop on a bus or take a taxi (GRAB is an excellent choice) to the Bako National Park Jetty Terminal.

If travelling by bus, the journey takes around 30 minutes and you’ll want the No.1 (it’s a large red bus). The fare is around 5 MYR (£0.80). If you’re planning to visit Bako National Park for the day, we’d highly recommend catching the first bus from Kuching. It departs at around 7 am and will give you plenty of time to explore!

Upon reaching the terminal, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee and then you’ll take a boat into the national park. A return boat journey costs 40 MYR (£6.60) and takes 20-30 minutes.

Alternatively, you can hop on a full-day tour from Kuching like this one. It includes all transport, entrance fees, your boat fee, and a guide, so everything will be organised for you.

Where To Stay In Bako National Park

If you want to stay overnight, there are several Bako National Park lodging options to choose from. These include various forest lodges and chalets, as well as hostel beds so there’s something for every budget.

Although accommodation is basic, you’ll have all you need. There’s also a campsite within the national park, but you’ll need to beware of the macaques as they’ll steal anything they can, especially food.

You can book rooms in advance online or you can opt for an organised tour, which will often include your stay. Just keep in mind that accommodation in Bako National Park is limited!

If you’re only planning to stay in Bako for the day, we’d suggest basing yourself in Kuching. There are tons of fantastic hotel options including QuiikCat for those on a budget. Alternatively, you can check out the Meritin Hotel and Puteri Wing – Riverside Majestic Hotel.

Bako National Park Tours

We had a fantastic time visiting Bako independently, and it was super easy too! For those who are short of time or wish to have everything organised, there are some fantastic Bako National Park day tours to choose from. Just make sure you opt for an ethical tour operator!

Here are some popular tour options in Kuching:

• Bako National Park Day Tour – This popular tour will pick you up at 8 am, and includes transport, entrance fees, boat fees, and a guide. You will need to pay for meals though!

• Bako National Park Tour from Kuching – This 8-hour small group tour includes a professional guide, who will point out different species while on a jungle hike. You’ll also head out on a boat ride.

Top Tips For Visiting Bako National Park

Bako National Park was one of our favourite destinations in Borneo, as it offers some fantastic wildlife-watching opportunities.

Here are some travel tips to ensure you have the best visit:

• When paying for your park entrance fee, you’ll need to give your name and passport number. Make sure you keep a copy of your passport with you, or you’ve got a photograph of the number.

• There’s a HQ in the park near the entrance, where you’ll find a cafe, information centre, and toilets. This is the only facility in the park, so make sure you go to the toilet first before you head for the jungle trails.

• If on a day trip, you’ll be given a time for the return boat trip (which you don’t want to miss). Due to tide times, the boat may drop off and pick up in different locations, so check this with the visitor centre.

• It’s possible to hire a private guide in this national park. Although we didn’t do this, it’s a great option for those who want to learn more about the rainforest, and you’ll have better chances of spotting wildlife!

• For the best experience, you’ll want to bring along a pair of binoculars if you can. We’d also suggest purchasing a zoom lens for your camera so you can get some fantastic wildlife shots.

The Best Things To Do In Bako National Park

1. Go hiking in the jungle

Bako has an extensive trail system, with 16 awesome hikes on offer. These trekking trails offer the best way to explore the park, and they’re colour-coded so you can easily determine the difficulty.

If you’re short of time, Tanjung Sapi is a great option. It’s only 0.5 km long and will take around 30 minutes one way. Although steep, hiking this trail is certainly worth it as you’ll have fantastic views of the South China Sea.

Other popular hikes in Bako include Telok Paku, Ulu Assam, and Telok Delima, all of which will take you less than 1.5 hours (one-way). Before you visit, just make sure you check the trail details online as some may be closed for maintenance.

2. Spot wildlife

The highlight of any trip to Bako is spotting the wildlife. Of all the species found here, the proboscis monkeys are the star attraction, with 150-200 individuals calling this national park home.

Other species found in Bako include two species of otters, Bornean bearded pigs, flying lemurs, pangolins, and mouse deer among others. It’s also a fantastic bird-watching location, as over 150 species have been recorded.

Just after dawn and just before dusk are considered the best times to spot wildlife, as this is when animals tend to be at their most active. While hiking the trails, just make sure you walk slowly and keep as quiet as possible.

3. Walk along the beach

Bako is one of the most beautiful national parks in Borneo, boasting rich jungles, impressive waterfalls, and epic viewpoints. You’ll also find some fantastic beaches, which are accessible by hiking or by taking a boat.

When you take the boat to Bako National Park, you’ll arrive at the beach, so you can appreciate the coastal views straight away. Not to mention, you’ve got a chance of spotting wildlife from here.

Although beautiful to wander along, you can’t swim at these beaches, as crocodiles live in Bako’s coastal waters. When taking the boat to Bako, there will be signs telling you to keep your hands inside at all times.

4. Go on a night walk

If you’re after another perspective of Bako then why not go on a jungle night walk? These night walks usually take place every evening, and you’ll head out with a park ranger.

These walks generally take around 2-2.5 hours, and you’ve got a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife, including insects, reptiles, and mammals, such as bats, tarsiers, flying lemurs, pangolins, and slow loris. For the best experience, you’ll want to pack a small torch or headlight.

Of course, you’ll only be able to head on a night walk if you’re staying overnight. There’s also an additional charge for these walks, but you’ll have an expert guide with you so the experience is well worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bako National Park

How long do I need in Bako?

You’ll want to spend at least 1-2 days exploring Bako National Park. This will give you enough time to hike some of the jungle trails and will give you a better chance of spotting wildlife, including proboscis monkeys.

We visited on a day trip from Kuching and found this gave us enough time to hike through areas of the park, and we spotted a variety of wildlife. However, if we’d had longer in Borneo, we would have probably stayed overnight!

How much does it cost to visit Bako National Park?

The Bako National Park entrance fee is 20 MYR (around £3) for non-Malaysian residents and 10 MYR (£1.60) for Malaysian residents. This is for adults, with prices being considerably lower for senior citizens and children.

To reach Bako, you can take a public bus or taxi from Kuching. You’ll then need to pay for a return boat journey to the park (40 MYR/£6.60), so allow at least £15 per person!

How do I get from Kuching to Bako National Park?

To reach Bako, you can take a public bus from Kuching. This will cost you around 5 MYR (£0.80), but you’ll want to get the earliest departure. Alternatively, you can take a taxi (we’d recommend using the GRAB app).

Once you reach the boat jetty and park terminal, you’ll need to take a boat into the national park. If you don’t want to visit independently, you can also hop on a day tour from Kuching.

Is Bako National Park worth visiting?

Bako is one of the top national parks in Asia for wildlife-watching so it’s certainly worth visiting. Here, you can spot a range of species including proboscis monkeys, Bornean bearded pigs, otters, and mouse deer.

Thanks to the huge variety of wildlife here, you’re sure to see something! Bako National Park is also very easy to access from Sarawak’s capital, which is perfect for those who are short of time in Borneo.

Final Thoughts On Visiting Bako National Park, Sarawak

Visiting Bako National Park is one of the best things to do in Borneo! Not only can you spot a variety of wildlife here, but there are some epic jungle hikes to tackle. You can even head out on a night walk if you fancy.

Although we visited on a day trip from Kuching, it’s also possible to stay in the park overnight. You can either choose to visit independently or head on a tour if you’d prefer to have everything organized for you!

If you have any questions about visiting Bako National Park, then be sure to get in touch with us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments!

Here are some other guides that you may find helpful:

• Where To Stay In Borneo – The Best Areas!
• The Best Things To Do In Sepilok
• Visiting Matang Wildlife Centre

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