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Description
Despite being one of the smallest parks in the region (27 sq km), Bako National Park offers a remarkable diversity of ecosystems, including rainforest, jungle streams, and a rugged coastline. Bako National Park is defined by its dramatic sandstone plateau and diverse coastline. Millions of years of erosion have sculpted the landscape into steep coastal cliffs, rocky headlands, and secluded sandy bays. While the famous "Cobra Head" sea stack collapsed in early 2024, many other striking rock formations remain visible along the shore. Its status as an Important Bird Area (IBA) stems from its diverse habitats - mangroves, peat swamps, and heath forests - which support a high concentration of birdlife in a relatively small area.
Top birding locations and trails:
Park Headquarters (1) and Telok Assam: The easiest spots to see birds like the Collared Kingfisher and various sunbirds. The mangroves at Telok Assam are particularly excellent for spotting kingfishers and flycatchers.
Telok Pandan Kecil Trail (2): Rated as one of the best for general birdwatching due to its mix of wooded hills and coastal views.
Lintang (3) and Serait Trails: Best for deeper forest species like trogons and bulbuls.
Boat Trip to HQ: During the 20-minute boat ride from the jetty, watch for estuary crocodiles, sea eagles, and various shorebirds.
Details
Access
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.