About Bako National Park
Bako National Park is Sarawak's oldest national park, located on the Muara Tebas Peninsula about 37 kilometres northeast of Kuching. Established in 1957, it covers 27.27 square kilometres and is notable for exceptional biodiversity despite its small size. The park contains seven distinct vegetation types, dramatic sea cliffs, sea stacks and secluded beaches, and is best known as one of the best places to see the endemic proboscis monkey in its natural habitat.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact but diverse coastal rainforest park accessible only by boat from Bako village. The park headquarters area includes visitor registration, accommodation and a canteen. From there, a network of 16 colour-coded jungle trails leads through mangrove, dipterocarp forest, kerangas and padang vegetation to beaches, cliffs and viewpoints. Wildlife sightings may include proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, bearded pigs and diverse birdlife. Beaches, sea stacks and sandstone cliffs line the coastline.
Key highlights
- 01
Sarawak's oldest national park, gazetted in 1957
- 02
One of the best places to observe endemic proboscis monkeys in the wild
- 03
Seven distinct vegetation types within 27.27 sq km
- 04
Dramatic coastline with sea stacks, sandstone cliffs and secluded beaches
- 05
Network of 16 marked jungle trails ranging from short walks to full-day treks
- 06
Diverse wildlife including bearded pigs, macaques and over 150 bird species
History of Bako National Park
Gazetted in 1957 under the Sarawak National Parks Ordinance, Bako is the oldest national park in Sarawak. It was established to protect its diverse ecosystems and wildlife on the Muara Tebas Peninsula and covers an area of 27.27 square kilometres.
Culture & Context
The park is significant for nature conservation and environmental education in Sarawak and is an important site for research on Bornean rainforest ecology and endemic wildlife such as the proboscis monkey.
Route
| By air |
|---|