That’s right; if you’re all about the nature, there are tonnes of things to do and places to visit in Sarawak that will make your friends green in envy (see what we did there?).
So, if you’re planning for a nature excursion, here are some of the must-visit destinations in Sarawak to get you up close and personal with nature:
#1 Bako National Park
Want the full nature experience with frequent sightings of wild animals in their natural habitat? If you answered yes, then Bako National Park is the place to be. Home to approximately 275 rare proboscis monkeys, the national park is surrounded by lush green tropical rainforest, pristine secluded beaches bordered by limestone and sandstone cliffs, panoramic rocky shorelines, and unique rock formations. Among some of the animals you can spot at Bako besides the proboscis monkey is the long-tailed macaque monkey, silver leaf monkey, and wild boar.
Location: Muara Tebas Peninsular, 93000, Kuching
Entrance fees: RM10 (adults), RM5 (disabled), RM3 (children 6-18 years old), free for kids below 6 years old
Operating hours: 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday – Sunday including Public Holidays
#2 Niah Caves
Take a trip back in time and discover 50,000 years’ worth of history that awaits you at the Niah Caves at the Niah National Park. Explore Paleolithic and Neolithic burial sites, iron-age cave paintings and wooden coffin 'death ships'. You can also see all sorts of wildlife at the caves – from bats to monkeys and swiftlets, you can get to be one with nature. Definitely a must-visit for history buffs!
Location: Batu Niah, Miri, Sarawak
Entrance fees: RM 10 (Adult), RM3 (Child aged 6 - 17)
Operating hours: 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday – Sunday including Public Holidays
#3 Tusan Cliff Beach, Miri
If you’re already in Miri after a day of exploring the caves at the Niah National Park like Dora the Explorer, why not head down to the super stunning Tusan Cliff Beach? Pearl white sands, clear waters, surrounded by sandstone and limestone cliffs; it makes the perfect setting for one of the most Instagram-worthy sunsets you’ll ever see in your life. Fun fact: this beach also made headlines years ago due to the ‘Blue Tears’ natural phenomenon where the ocean waters glow luminously, just like some magic potion!
Location: Kampung Terahat, 98150 Bekenu, Sarawak
#4 Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
What’s a trip to Sarawak without visiting our furry friends, the orangutan? For over 20 years, the Semenggoh Wildlife Center has been serving as a sanctuary for orangutans that had been orphaned or rescued from captivity. They are trained by wardens to fend for themselves before they are released back into the wild. One of the highlights at the center is the feeding time, where the orangutans come out from the trees to enjoy a meal from the caretakers.
Location: KM 20, Jalan Puncak Borneo, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak
Entrance fees: RM5 (adults), RM3 (disabled), RM2 (children 6-18 years old), free for kids below 6 years old
Operating hours: 8am-10am, 2pm-4pm, Monday – Sunday including Public Holidays
#5 DBKU Orchid Garden
Looking for something nature-ish but also where you can have some downtime? Then, you need to visit the DBKU Orchid Garden! If you love flowers, you’ll definitely have a blooming time at this 15.4-acre garden. There are about 75,000 plants that can be found at the garden, which includes a variety of orchid species – Normah, Lady’s Slipper (Paphiopedilum Sanderianum); Coelogyne Pandurata – the green and black flowered orchid; Bulbophyllum Beccarii – the flower with stinky smell; and the Vandal Dearei – a fragrant flowered orchid.
Location: Kampung Istana, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Entrance fees: Free
Operating hours: Open every day except Monday from 9:30am to 6pm
Now that you’ve got a peek at what’s in store for you in Sarawak, what are you waiting for? It’s time to pack your bags and go!
And there’s really no better time to visit Sarawak then this year-end, especially when the school holidays are just around the corner.
The ‘Visit Sarawak’ campaign is now underway, and the Sarawak Tourism Board has tonnes of events and promotions lined up for you.
From places to visit to things to do and of course, restaurants to try all the dishes we mentioned above, the Sarawak Tourism Board is more than happy to help make your trip to Sarawak the best family vacation you’ve ever had.
In fact, you could contact them directly to get some recommendations, and they’ll be glad to help plan out your itinerary. Just treat them as your personal travel guide.
And here’s more good news: the Sarawak Tourism Board wants to send you and a friend (or a family member) to Sarawak for a FREE three-day-two-night stay via their ‘Jom Makan Angin Di Sarawak’ contest.
All you have to do is click on this link, insert your most creative caption and voila, you’re in the running to win a free holiday to Sarawak.
So, what are you waiting for? Put on your creative thinking cap and start cracking, because a free trip to Sarawak waits for no man (or woman).
For more info on events and promotions, head on over to official 'Visit Sarawak' Facebook page by clicking here.