Bako National Park, Kuching - Part 2

The highlight of the trip was the Jungle Trekking. We picked Jalan Lintang (Lintang Trail), a 5.8 km trail that took us about 4 hours to complete.

Basically it is a loop trail going up Bukit Tambi, located behind the Park HQ.
It is the best trail to see most of the vegetation types found at Bako NP.
Not forgetting the rare Proboscis Monkeys which is endemic to Borneo.

Lintang Trail

▲The start of Lintang Trail, climbing all the way for about 1 hour plus.

Wooden walkway and steps along the way.

▲We encountered lots of root steps like the above picture and several large rocks.

▲Almost at the summit, the beginning of flatter climb.

The Park HQ is down there somewhere. 

▲No worry about getting lost.

Signboards, resting place and maps are strategically located along the way.

▲The Heath Forest of Bako National Park. Dry and rocky area.

▲Root steps of the Heath Forest.

▲Some sections are sandy and relatively flat. William can't wait to be back at the HQ.

▲The mangrove forest. We spotted a group of Proboscis Monkey here.

▲Ahhh... so tired!!

▲Finally we reached the coast just as the sun was setting.

▲Beautiful view of sunset and dead mangrove trees (eerie ya).

Animals of Bako National Park

There are more but these are the animals and plants that we got to see during the trip.

▲The Proboscis Monkeys are endemic to Borneo. 

Mangrove forest is their natural habitat and we were lucky to see some near the jetty.

Sorry no front view of the famous nose. Only the back side.

▲The Bornean Bearded Pig is a common sight around the Park HQ as well as Forest Lodges.

Looking for food all the time and not scared of human at all. I think they can be the mascot for Bako NP.

▲During the day, we were to keep all windows and doors closed to keep this monkey away.

In the morning while we were having breakfast, they were all around us, "asking for food".

Suggestion to the Park management - install grill on windows, so windows can be left open to let the fresh forest air in. Otherwise, its very stuffy with all windows closed.

▲The boys found this beetle early the next morning but lost it to a hungry monkey.

▲Some kind of caterpillar and dragon fly.

 

▲A little purple hermit crab.

Plants of Bako National Park

 ▲Moss found at the lower and wetter part of the forest.

 ▲Heath forest on top of the hill.

▲Mangrove forest...wet and dense...habitat for the Proboscis Monkeys.

▲Lots of pitcher plants, mostly at the Heath Forest. Some almost as big as the 1L mineral water bottle. Others are tiny and cute.

▲Some kind of berry.

Rock Formation

We encountered these rock formation at the top of the hill.

Mostly circular shaped.

Not sure if they are naturally formed or otherwise.

Bye Bako NP.

See you again.....in the next few years.

Bako National Park, Kuching-Part 1

This took place exactly a month ago during the Gawai Dayak Holiday. Gawai Dayak is a festival celebrated by the Dayaks (Ibans and Bidayuhs) in Sarawak every year on the 1st of June. Read more about Gawai Dayak here.

This year it falls on a Sunday, so we got 2 extra off days on Monday and Tuesday. Since it coincided with the boys' school holidays, we decided to head for Bako National Park (Bako NP). The Park is one of the nearest national parks to Kuching.

It is only about 45 minutes drive from home to Kampung Bako, the gateway to Bako NP and where the Bako NP Terminal is located. From Kampung Bako, we chartered a boat which took about 30 minutes to reach the Park's head quarter.

On the Way to Bako National Park

Bako National Park Terminal at Kampung Bako.
Paid for the entrance fee and chartered boat here.

Our stuff - mostly food stuff :)

Henry at the boat jetty/terminal.
This will be his first time on a boat.
Several times we were here before, we just stopped by
to look at the tourists and boats.
Wondering when we would finally take them for a trip....haha

Getting ready for the short boat ride. Life jackets are available.
**Camera man balancing act...

The happy faces!!
The boys' first boat ride.

View of the Bako River Mouth and Mount Santubong.

Here we are, the Park's Head Quarter

The Forest Lodge and Other Facilities

We checked in to a two-bedroom Forest Lodge for the night stay.

Our Forest Lodge, Type 4, 2 bedrooms.
A bit old and run down.
The wooden floor makes lots of noise as you walk.

A short (5 minutes) plank walk to our Forest Lodge.

Our room, three beds and a wardrobe.
Keep all windows and doors closed at all time to avoid unwanted guests.

Bathroom and toilet. Reasonable. Water piped from the city.
Without hot water of course.

This are the other type of Forest Lodge - bigger.

Chalets in the jungle.

A newer Forest Lodge Type 4 which is closer to the head quarter.

During high tide, boats can take you to this jetty.
Otherwise, we disembark at the beach, at knee deep water.

Trail Map for visitors to plan for your walk.

More details on the trails and the amount of time required for each trail.

The Beach

Not many people at the beach the next morning.

The boys don't dare to go to deeper water, so they just play at knee deep water for a little while.

Me, I prefer to stay dry, under the shade and be the camera woman :)

Some nice scenery from beach.

The only other group of people at the other end of the beach.

Sandy but slightly murky water.

Look at the boys!
They are just standing there and looking. Hai yai yai.....

To be continued....