Sarawak Wildlife & Culture: Borneo’s Natural Wonders and Indigenous Traditions

Points of Interest : Kuching

Arrive in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. You are welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is free to settle in and start exploring historic Kuching at your own pace, from its waterfront promenade to colonial-era buildings and local markets.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Waterfront Hotel in Kuching (or similar)

Points of Interest : Bako National Park

After pickup from your Kuching hotel, drive about 35 minutes to the coastal village of Bako, the gateway to Bako National Park on a small peninsula. From here, a 25-minute boat ride takes you across the water to the park headquarters. Along the way, keep an eye out for crocodiles, sea eagles and other coastal birds. On arrival you set off along the forest trails to explore Bako’s diverse ecosystems and search for wildlife such as proboscis monkeys and bearded pigs. In the late afternoon, return by boat and vehicle to Kuching. Please note that timings are dependent on the tides.

• Meals included : Lunch at Bako National Park
• Accommodation : Waterfront Hotel in Kuching (or similar)

Points of Interest : Santubong, Kuching

In the morning, make your way to Wayang Street for a short safety briefing before setting off on your guided cycling tour through Kuching. The “Best of Kuching” route combines the highlights of both the heritage and kampong rides, taking you past historic landmarks, along the riverfront and through traditional Malay village quarters.

Later, you are collected from your hotel and driven about 30 minutes to the Santubong Boat Club. Board a boat and cruise along rivers, creeks and mangrove channels. As you reach the mouth of the Santubong River, there is a good chance of spotting Irrawaddy dolphins. Continue deeper into the mangroves to look for more wildlife along the banks before returning to Kuching.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Waterfront Hotel in Kuching (or similar)

Points of Interest : Batang Ai

Depart Kuching by road for the Batang Ai reservoir, stopping en route at the small Lachau bazaar. Wander among the shops and market stalls and enjoy an early lunch at a local café. Continue your journey to Batang Ai Lake, arriving around midday.

Here you board a traditional longboat and travel upriver through rainforest-clad valleys to Nanga Sumpa. After dinner at the lodge, visit the nearby Iban longhouse. Relax on the ruai, the long communal veranda, spend time with your Iban hosts, learn about their traditions and sample homemade rice wine.

• Meals included : Lunch en route at Lachau bazaar, dinner at Nanga Sumpa Lodge
• Accommodation : Nanga Sumpa Lodge

Points of Interest : Batang Ai

After breakfast at the lodge, follow jungle trails that run alongside the river, immersing you in the sounds and scents of the rainforest. Continue upriver by longboat towards the picturesque Enseluai Waterfall. On arrival you have time to relax, swim in the clear pools and enjoy the surrounding primary forest.

Your Iban hosts prepare a barbecue lunch by the riverbank using fresh local ingredients. In the afternoon, return by boat to the lodge. After dinner, visit Nanga Sumpa longhouse once more for another chance to interact with the community.

• Meals included : Breakfast at the lodge, BBQ lunch at Enseluai Waterfall, dinner at Nanga Sumpa Lodge
• Accommodation : Nanga Sumpa Lodge

Points of Interest : Batang Ai

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before boarding a longboat for the journey downstream to the jetty on Batang Ai Lake. From here, continue overland back to Kuching, passing rural landscapes and small towns. Stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive in Kuching in the afternoon and check back into your hotel, with the rest of the day free to relax.

• Meals included : Breakfast at the lodge, lunch en route to Kuching
• Accommodation : Waterfront Hotel in Kuching (or similar)

Points of Interest : Semonggok Forest Reserve

Travel about 24 kilometres from central Kuching to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, one of Sarawak’s best places to see semi-wild orangutans in a natural forest environment. The rehabilitation centre takes in orphaned and rescued orangutans and gradually trains them with the skills needed to survive in the wild.

More than 20 orangutans live in the surrounding protected forest and frequently return to the centre’s feeding platforms for supplementary food. During feeding times, you may have the chance to observe these great apes up close as they move through the trees. Afterwards, return to Kuching for another night in the city.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Waterfront Hotel in Kuching (or similar)

Points of Interest : Gunung Mulu National Park

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Kuching airport for your domestic flight to Mulu. On arrival, check in to your accommodation and then set out on a 3 km walk through primary rainforest to Deer Cave and nearby Lang’s Cave, both famous for their vast chambers and intricate limestone formations. The evening is free to relax at your lodge.

On the following morning within your 3-day / 2-night Mulu package, travel upriver by longboat to Wind Cave, known for its impressive “King’s Chamber”. A short boardwalk then leads you to Clearwater Cave, where an underground river emerges into a shaded natural swimming area. Enjoy a picnic lunch, swim or simply relax before returning by boat to your accommodation. The afternoon is at leisure to soak up the rainforest setting.

• Meals included : Breakfast in Kuching, picnic lunch during Mulu cave excursion, other meals as provided in the Mulu package
• Accommodation : Lodge or resort in Mulu (as per Mulu Showcaves package)