Search for wild orangutans, visit the semi-wild orangutans at Semenggoh, see rare Irrawaddy dolphins and turtles on a boat trip, and discover the world’s largest flower – the endemic rafflesia – in the forest at Gunung Gading.
An overnight stay at Bako National Park, famed for proboscis monkeys, lets you appreciate its birdlife at dawn and dusk, but the highlight is a three-day jungle trek in search of wild orangutan, and a visit to a traditional Iban longhouse.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kuching via Kuala Lumpur.
Days2-2: Arrive Kuching
On arrival in Kuching, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure to explore the city, Sarawak's regional capital.
Talang-Satang National Park is a nesting ground for green & rare hawksbill turtles; here you can visit a turtle hatchery & learn about the conservation work. There is time to snorkel on the white sandy beach to enjoy the corals & marine life. You'll retrace your route mid afternoon, with a stop at Tukong Ara, a protected islet with a breeding colony for various species of terns.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, 3-nights
Day3: Boat trip to Santubong & Salak Rivers, Satang & Tungkong Ara Islands
In the morning, explore the Santubong and Salak Rivers by boat, looking for the Irrawaddy dolphin. Your boat trip continues to the idyllic Satang Island where you can enjoy lunch and drinks in this paradise setting, as well as snorkelling from the pristine white beach. This island is a nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles, and there is an opportunity to visit a hatchery and see first-hand the conservation work taking place.
In the afternoon, you will retrace the route, stopping this time at Tungkong Ara Island, a protected islet which is home to breeding colonies of various species of tern.
Days3-4: Full-day excursion to Gunung Gading National Park
Today, you will be accompanied by a naturalist guide to Gunung Gading National Park, one of the best places in Asia to see the rafflesia, the world's largest flower. The rafflesia is spectacular when in bloom, however, the smell which can be rather pungent!
Day5: Visit Bako National Park
This morning transfer to Bako village, where you board a boat into Bako National Park. With your wildlife guide, explore the park, keeping an eye out for any of the 150 bird species and proboscis monkeys. Bako is often considered to be one of the best places to see this fascinating species of monkey with their distinctive appearance. This national park is also home to the kerangas or heath forest environment that is endemic to Borneo and this unique habitat is definitely worth a look.
Accommodation: Bako National Park chalets, 1-night
Day6: Return to Kuching
Return to Kuching for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, 1-night
Day7: Borneo interior rainforest
In the morning, transfer to Batang Ai Reservoir, with stops along the way to see the pepper, cocoa and rubber plantations, as well as a visit to the town of Serian to see the vibrancy of a native market. On arrival at the reservoir, you will board a longboat for a 90 minute journey along the Delok River to Nanga Sumpa Lodge. After dinner you will cross the river to an Iban longhouse to relax on the ruai or verandah with some of the locals to learn about their culture.
Accommodation: Nanga Sumpa Lodge, 1-night
Days8-9: Explore the rainforest on foot
After breakfast, set out on a jungle trek looking for the wildlife of the rainforest, including pig-tailed macaques, flying squirrels, hundreds of birds and Borneo’s ginger icon, the orangutan. By lunchtime, you will arrive at the Genting Tunu Jungle Camp, which will be your home for the night in the heart of the rainforest. You will continue to search for the orangutan and their nests that are perched high up in the canopy until night falls.
The next day you will move on the Sungai Mawang Jungle Camp, again searching for wildlife amongst the trees en route.
Today, you will trek back to Nanga Sumpa Lodge, which will feel almost like civilisation compared to being in the deep vegetation of the Borneo rainforest! After lunch, you might want to scour the surrounding forest looking for signs of orangutan, or perhaps take a boat upriver to the Enseluai Waterfall for a relaxing swim.
Accommodation: Nanga Sumpa Lodge, 1-night
Day11: Return to Kuching
Transfer back to Kuching for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, 1-night
Day12: Orangutans at Semenngoh; afternoon depart Kuching
In the morning you will travel to Semenngoh to see orangutans; these individuals aren’t completely wild, but it is still a pleasure to see our closest relatives in their natural environment. The rest of the day will be free for a bit more sightseeing or last minute souvenir shopping before leaving for the airport in the evening to catch the flight back to the UK via Kuala Lumpur.
Day13: Arrive UK
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 13 daysfrom £2,595 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 11 daysfrom £1,845 pp
Bako offers an intoxicating mix of coastal scenery, teeming rainforest and abundant wildlife. It is one of the best places in Borneo to see proboscis monkey, which are regularly encountered, often right beside the raised boardwalk. With such a variety of habitats, the park’s flora is correspondingly rich and diverse.
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