Sarawak Wildlife Watch 8D7N

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Kuching – Santubong Wildlife Cruise

This Sarawak wildlife watching tour takes you to the best nationals parks in Sarawak for viewing a range of Borneo’s wildlife. You will have a chance to go in search of proboscis monkeys, silver-leaf monkeys, Irrawaddy dolphins, crocodiles, long-tailed macaque monkeys, a diversity of frog species, bearded pigs, pit vipers, deer, green turtles, monitor lizards, a range of birdlife and whole lot more.

Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel. Rest of day is fee at leisure. 1545-1615 hours pick-up from hotel in Kuching and drive to the Santubong Boat Club (30 mins) where you board a boat and start your cruise along the rivers, creeks and mangroves of the Santubong Peninsula. The cruise first heads to the mouth of the Santubong River, where Irrawaddy dolphins are regularly sighted. From there continue along the mangrove-lined rivers and estuaries looking for wildlife, including proboscis monkeys. Groups of these Borneo endemic monkeys are often seen amongst the mangroves at the water’s edge. As the light fades your boatman will search for fireflies and crocodiles. Crocodiles are sometimes spotted on the muddy riverbanks by the reflection of their eyes reflected from a torchlight is shone over the water. Fireflies gather along certain areas of the river. Watch the fireflies light up the branches of the mangrove trees before returning to the boat club and then travelling back to Kuching. Overnight at the Waterfront Hotel (or equivalent).

Note: The Santubong wildlife cruise does not operate during rough sea conditions or heavy rain. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. However, wildlife often seen on this cruise includes Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, silver-leaf monkeys, fireflies, long-tailed macaque monkeys, monitor lizards and a range of birds, including egrets, white-bellied sea eagles and kingfishers.

Day 2 Kuching – Bako National Park  (B/L/D)

Bako National Park is one of the best places to see a range of Sarawak wildlife in a natural setting. Commonly spotted at Bako are the Borneo endemic proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs (monkeys), long-tailed macaques, wild boar, monitor lizards and numerous species of birds. The park has an impressive range of forest types from mangrove to kerangas (heath forest), tropical swamp vegetation, cliff vegetation and beach vegetation. A trail network provides access to different parts of the depending on level of fitness and areas of interest. The park’s spectacular coastline is dotted with small bays, coves and beaches.

0750-0810 hours pick up from hotel in Kuching. Bako National Park is situated on a peninsula on the coast and the departure point for trips to the park is Bako village, 35 minutes drive from Kuching. From the village, proceed by boat for approximately 25 minutes to the park headquarters. En route there is a chance to see crocodiles, sea eagles and other shore birds. Arrive at the park HQ and begin exploring the trails and searching for wildlife with your guide. Have lunch at the canteen and then continue to explore Bako. After dinner at the park restaurant, proceed on a night walk by torchlight. Overnight at the park accommodation.

Day 3  Bako National Park – Kuching (B/L)

Following breakfast, hike one of the trails to spot rare migratory birds, reptiles, langurs and search for the rare and elusive proboscis monkey, a primate only found in Borneo. We have lunch at the park before returning to Kuching by mid-afternoon. Overnight at the Waterfront Hotel (or equivalent).

Note: the exact schedule is subject to tide and sea conditions.

Day 4 Kuching – Sematan – Tanjung Datu National Park (B/L/D)

Tanjung Datu comprises a narrow strip of forested hills and stunning beaches with clear emerald green waters. Located at the southwestern tip of Sarawak, Tanjung Datu is one of Sarawak’s smallest national parks but it is perhaps the most beautiful.  A key attraction is its seclusion. The park’s remoteness means that the beaches are pristine and the rainforest intact.  The park is home to a variety of wildlife include Bornean gibbons, pig-tailed macaques, long-tailed macaque monkeys, silver-leaf monkeys, civet cats, bearded pigs, diverse birdlife and more. Green turtles also nest on the park’s beaches from April to September.

0850-0910 hours pick-up from hotel in Kuching and proceed by road (approx. 2 hours) to the small coastal town of Sematan. Have an early lunch in a local coffee shop or restaurant and then continue by road to the Malay fishing village of Telok Melano. Around 1300 hours take a boat (approx. 20 mins) to Tanjung Datu National Park. Arrive at Tanjung Datu National Park, walk across the beach and settle in at the park HQ. (Note: when the tide is low or sea conditions prevent boat landings at the park HQ, arrival is at a nearby small bay (Telok Upas) followed by a 15 minutes walk to the Park HQ.)

After settling in go on short walk on either the Telok Upas, Viewpoint or Belian trails. Return to the park HQ around 1600 hours. The rest of the day is at your own leisure. Relax on the beach, have a swim or visit the turtle hatchery. Enjoy dinner at the park HQ. After dark go on short night walk and search for wildlife such as wild boar, sambar deer, mouse deer, barking deer, civet cats and other nocturnal creatures. Return to the park HQ. Your guide will inform you if any turtles come ashore at night to nest. If so, the rangers will allow you to watch the turtles but only when they have started laying eggs. Please note turtle sightings are not guaranteed. Overnight at the camping shelters.

Day 5 Tanjung Datu National Park (B/L/D)

After breakfast, around 0800 hours go for a jungle trek along the Pasir Antu Laut trail. Enjoy the forest scenery along the 2.7 km trail and keep a look out for wildlife. Gibbons, banded langurs and hornbills are sometimes spotted on this trail. Midway along the trail you will come to a small stream. Take a short break before continuing through the pristine forest to Antu Laut beach. Have a swim at the beach before returning along the forest trail. Half way along the trail turn left onto a small track that leads to the main turtle beach. Huge boulders are found along the coast here where the rainforest runs right down to the beach. Admire the views before walking back along the beach to the park HQ arriving around 1300-1400 hours. Have a late lunch at the park HQ. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Go snorkelling near Telok Upas or alternatively go for another walk or relax on the beach. Dinner at the park HQ. After dinner take a stroll along the beach to see if any turtles have come ashore to nest. Overnight at the camping shelters.

Day 6 Tanjung Datu National Park – Sematan – Kuching (B/L)

After breakfast, free & easy, relax on the beach or go swimming. Alternatively go on a short walk on one of the park trails. Around 1200 hours board a boat and travel to Telok Melano. Then continue by road to Sematan and have lunch in a local restaurant or coffee shop. Then return to Kuching by road, arriving around 1700 hours. Be dropped off at your hotel in Kuching.

Day 7 Semenggoh Orangutan –  Frogging at Kubah National Park (B)

0745-0800 hours pick up from hotel. Located 24 kilometres from the centre of Kuching, the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre provides an excellent opportunity to view semi-wild orangutans in a natural setting.  This orangutan rehabilitation centre receives orphaned or rescued orangutans and trains them to survive in the wild. Over 20 orangutans live in forest within the nature reserve and they often return to the centre to receive supplemental feeding. The feeding area is set in a natural amphitheatre where it is possible to observe the orangutans coming down from the surrounding forest for the food provided. The rangers provide a briefing on the purpose of the centre and the conservation objectives. Return to hotel by 1100 hrs. Free at leisure at late afternoon.

1750-1810 hours pick up from your hotel. Kubah National Park is a 2,230 hectare protected area of mixed dipterocarp forest that is rich in palms, orchids and pitcher plants. Situated 22 km by road (45 mins) from Kuching on a small sandstone plateau, Kubah is dominated by the 911 metres high Mount Serapi. The park’s soft sandstone base rock is punctuated with bands of hardened limestone, which have created numerous clear streams, waterfalls and bathing pools. Perfect for frogs. This habitat supports a rich variety of frogs. Over 60 species of frogs have been found at Kubah, including one of the smallest species of frog in the world – the Matang narrow mouth frog. This pea-size frog lives inside and around pitcher plants. A natural frog pond located close to the park HQ is one of the best places to see frogs in Sarawak. Species found at Kubah include the File-eared frog, Bornean horned frog, Wallace’s flying frog, Mahogany frog, Dark-eared tree frog, Lowland litter frog, Harlequin tree frog, Black spotted tree frog, Peat swamp frog, Kuhl’s creek frog and many more.

After arriving at Kubah Park HQ, start walking up the Summit Road towards the frog pond. Along the way, be on the watch for frogs along the side of the road as well as nocturnal wildlife in the forest. The tiny Matang narrow mouth frog can sometimes be spotted at the side of the road amongst the pitcher plants. Adult males are only 10.6-12.8 mm in size so vigilance is required. At the frog pond, search for frogs and listen to wonderful frog sounds. In 2014 Australian sound recordist Marc Anderson recorded the frogs at Kubah and won the “Most Beautiful Sound in the World” competition. Enjoy similar sounds as ‘Dusk by the Frog Pond’. Stand in the middle of Borneo rainforest and listen to the living orchestra of wildlife. After your frogging experience, walk back to the park HQ and depart Kubah around 2200-2300 hours returning to Kuching and your hotel. Overnight at the Waterfront Hotel (or equivalent).

Note: Please ensure you have an early dinner before the frogging tour. Bring a good torch (flashlight) or headlamp, drinking water, mosquito repellent, snacks, poncho or raincoat. Wear good walking shoes.

Day 8 Depart or Extend Tour (B)

Meet at your hotel for a transfer to the airport for your flight out.  Alternatively extend your stay.

Note: This tour is not available during the peak monsoon months owing to high seas. Some activities are subject to weather conditions and may be re-organised to best meet operational situations.