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BAKO NATIONAL PARK , a two-hour bus and boat journey northeast of Kuching, occupies the northern section of the Muara Tebas Peninsula at the mouth of Sungei Bako. It's a beautiful area and the best place to see wildlife in Sarawak. Many people come on a day-trip and then end up staying longer, taking picnics to one of the seven beaches, relaxing at the park headquarters area, or following the trails. You'll see plenty of flora and fauna, including the strange pitcher plants, whose deep, mouth-shaped lids open to trap water and insects which are then digested in the soupy liquid. The best time to see wildlife on the trails is at night or in the early morning; you'll almost definitely catch sight of proboscis, macaque and silver leaf monkeys, snakes, wild boar, giant monitor lizards, squirrels, bearded pigs, otters and mouse deer. The park headquarters and the open paths in the kerangas (sparse forest) are the best places for bird-watching: 150 species have been recorded in Bako, including two rare species of hornbills. The park map clearly shows the sixteen trails, which all start from park headquarters and are colour-coded with paint splashes every twenty metres. Carry a litre of water per person (you can refill your bottle from the streams), a light rainproof jacket, mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Wear good shoes and a sunhat. Don't forget your swimming gear either, as cool streams cut across the trails, and beaches and waterfalls are never far away. Probably the most popular trail is the hike to Tajor Waterfall (3.5km; about 2hr), which climbs up the forested cliff, through kerangas with plentiful pitcher plants, through peat bog and, eventually to the waterfall itself, a lovely spot for swimming. If you leave the main trail at the wooden hut and viewpoint just after the kerangas, and turn west, a path descends to two beautiful beaches, Telok Pandan Kecil and Telok Pandan Besar (30min). The longest beach on the peninsula is Telok Sibur beach . To get there, continue past Tajor Waterfall, following the main trail for around forty minutes, before turning west on the black-and-red trail. The demanding descent to the beach takes anything from twenty minutes to an hour to accomplish. You'll have to drop down the cliff face using creepers and roots to help you, and at the bottom you have to tread carefully through the mangrove swamp. After wading across a river, you reach the beach - not surprisingly, seldom visited.
TIP/GUIDEDEXTER says "TIP/GUIDE TO BAKO NATIONAL PARK" fantastic BakoFong says "Bako is the earliest national park in Sarawak. Bus from Kuching town leaves for Bako every hour at extremely low price, RM1.50. Petra Jaya bus no. 6. After less than an hour, you will reach Kampung Bako (Bako Village). A nice and peaceful traditional fishing village. Register at the park counter and pay RM10 for entry. From there you will need to take a 20 minute boat ride to Bako N.P. RM40 per boat (max 4 person). If you want to stay overnight, you can do the booking at the visitor information centre in Kuching town. Price from RM15.75 per night per person. The park is a natural habitat for the endemic proboscis monkey. Macaques and bearded wild pigs are hard to miss. There're some amazing rock formations there. and also nice treks, nice view. It can be visited in a day too..dont miss this interesting part when you come to Kuching, Sarawak. More information please refer to the visitor info centre when you're in kuching..it's easy, and it's fantastic. "
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