Whist we attended the amazing Rainforest World Music Festival we took a day to visit the nearby Bako National Park.

This wonderfully remote, wildlife-rich National Park is a truly incredible place to visit and offers diverse flora and fauna, including amazingly close sightings of rare and endangered Borneo monkeys.

How do you get to Bako National Park?

There are no direct roads to Bako National Park so you must pay for a boat ride (or inclusive tour) to get there. You can pre-book a Bako National Park with Sea Stacks tour or Bako National Park from Kuching City tour on Trip Advisor, or alternatively make your own way there and book a boat (and a guide if you wish) when you get there.

Watch our Bako Boat ride video to see what it’s like!

Watch the video of our boat ride to Bako National Park…

Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

Bako National Park Day Tour

We went to Bako National Park on a day tour with everything included. We had a picturesque and informative coach ride with a tour guide. The coach ride took less than an hour from Damai Beach Resort and brought us to the Bako Jetty Terminal at the charming traditional Bako fishing village.

It’s here you catch a boat to Bako NP.

National Park entrance at Bako Jetty Terminal

Inside the Bako Jetty Terminal is a kiosk, a registration area to pay for your Bako National Park entry fee (10RM per adult for Malaysian nationals and 20RM for non-Malaysians) and a boat booking service. You can also get information about the park and also hire park guides if you would like one. You will need some cash to pay for any kiosk purchases such as water here and at the Visitor Center inside the Bako National Park.

How much does a boat ride to Bako National Park cost?

Tourists from outside of Borneo are charged about 40RM, Malaysians 30RM for a boat ride from the fishing village to Bako National Park return. For around 200RM you can opt to charter a boat privately.

At the Bako Jetty we boarded local motor boats along with an experienced guide and pilot for an exciting ride up the river to the sea, and the entrance to this very special Borneo national park.

How long is the boat ride to Bako National Park?

It takes around twenty minutes to motor boat from the Bako Jetty to the Bako National Park entrance jetty. We soon arrived and disembarked at the jetty for the short walk to the Bako National Park Visitor’s Centre.

During our walk to the Bako National Park Visitor’s Center our guide pointed out a native green viper snake in a tree, just an arm’s reach away!

I have limited mobility – how accessible is Bako National Park?

A trip to Bako National Park is not wheelchair accessible.

The motor boats carry around half a dozen people and are small but steady. There are some scrambling steps and some balancing mobility required to board and alight from the boats, plus some steps up and down at the jetties. You are given a hand in and out of the boats.

At the National Park there is a ten minute, level dirt path walk to the Visitor’s Center which is located next to a beach.

The Jungle Hikes do require good mobility and reasonable fitness due to them being uneven and slippery in places with some small, steep climbs.

Do you need to go for a jungle trek to see wildlife at Bako?

No. You can see a lot of wildlife in the Visitor’s Center area without going for any additional walks, including wild boars (that are actually quite quiet) and all kinds of monkeys.

See Proboscis Monkeys in the wild

We were privileged to witness all three resident Bako monkey breeds at very close proximity near the Bako National Park Visitor Center.

Long Tailed Macaques, Silvered Langur (Silvered Leaf) Monkeys and the endangered Proboscis Monkeys with their distinctive long noses were all around the Visitor’s Center, plus we saw more Proboscis Monkeys later on our hiking trail in the rainforests.

Our expert guide made sure that we got very close to wildlife without disturbing them, and the feeling of seeing these beautiful, rare animals in the wild was incredible! Every body there was thrilled to have actually seen them close-up. It was more than we could have ever wished for!

Bearded Pigs at Bako Visitor Center

A family of Bearded Pigs were also snuffling around at the Bako National Park Visitors Centre and looked very cute! It was exciting to see them at such comfortable close range, they barely seemed to notice us at all!

Lunch at the Bako National Park Visitor’s Center

We enjoyed a filling lunch at the Bako Visitor’s Center.

The Visitor’s Center was a great place to enjoy lunch and obtain extra information on the various species of animals at the park, use the restrooms and to buy more water, snacks and other refreshments.

A jungle trek at Bako National Park

After lunch we went on a beautiful hike through stunning rainforest.

The jungle trek started out with raised walkways and soon diverged into narrow jungle trail. The going was quite good underfoot with some slippery wet patches and short, steep up and downs. There were exposed tree roots to navigate, but overall the trail was clear and easy to follow.

There was lots to learn from our knowledgeable guide along the way as he pointed out a random hermit crab on a high section of the trail, and showed us how locals utilised native plants.

Within half an hour we had emerged onto a beautiful palm-fringed beach. There we had the convenience of being picked up by our motor boats to continue our Bako National Park adventure!

Exploring the Bako National Park Sea Stacks by boat

Our motor boats continued on up the coast to the nearby sea stacks. These famous rock formations were amazing to see close-up, and we were given some time to cruise around them slowly and take them all in.

After we had seen our fill our boats turned for home, back to the fishing village and Bako Jetty.

Before we knew it we were saying goodbye to our Bako National Park guide and once again boarding our coach to return to the Damai Beach Resort and the Rainforest World Music Festival, ready for the night’s entertainment.

What an adventurous day we had at the wonderful Bako National Park!

Watch our Bako National Park Day Trip videos to see what it’s like!

Watch these videos of our wonderful day trip to Bako National Park…

Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

For more information about accessing and visiting the Bako National Park you can visit the official website here.

Are you visiting the Rainforest World Music Festival? Buy your tickets on Klook

We always buy our online tickets using Klook – an official ticket reseller of Rainforest Music Festival tickets! Tickets for the Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 will go on sale around April 2024.

Go to Klook to buy discounted Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 tickets online

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider giving it a Facebook “Like” or share!

Do you have any questions about attending the Bako National Park? Ask me in the comments below!

You may also like to read the following family travel blogs for Kuching, Malaysia…

Damai Beach Resort review – Kuching accommodation

Rainforest World Music Festival review, Kuching, Malaysia

Disclaimers: This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!
The Let’s Go Mum family partnered with Sarawak Tourism for this trip to Sarawak, Malaysia on the island of Borneo, including our day trip to the Bako National Park in Kuching, Sarawak.  As always, all opinions are our own.
All prices and times quoted were correct at October 2023, the time of publishing this article, but can change frequently. Please always re-check for current prices.

Share one of our images to Pinterest…

The post Bako National Park – Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo appeared first on Let's go Mum.

Where can I find Rainforest World Music Festival accommodation?

During our recent stay in Kuching we loved staying at the Damai Beach Resort. As we were attending the Rainforest World Music Festival every day, the Damai Beach Resort was conveniently located right next door to the Sarawak Cultural Village where the festival was being held – a mere five minutes stroll away.

No time to read? Watch our Rainforest World Music Festival videos here

Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

Where is the Damai Beach Resort, Malaysia?

The Damai Beach Resort is a large holiday resort located in Kuching in a stunning rainforest area of Sarawak, Malaysia. Sarawak is a Malaysian state located along the beautiful northwest coast of the island of Borneo.

What is at the Damai Beach Resort?

Covering an area of 90 acres, the Damai Lodge is a large resort with two main accommodation areas offered. The lower beach area and the upper clifftop area.

The Damai Beach Resort has everything your heart desires for a complete, comfortable and fun family holiday in Sarawak!

What facilities does Damai Beach Resort have?

Damai Beach Resort facilities at sea-level included the main reception area plus large conference rooms, restaurants, a gift shop and a large  resort pool complete with a swim-up bar and babies pool with mushroom fountain. Beach toys are available for hire.

The Damai Beach Resort Restaurant

We loved dining at the Damai Beach Resort in-house restaurant.

Breakfast offered a wide range of both western and Malaysian choices plus egg chefs.

Lunch and dinner too had a great selection and delicious meals and desserts.

Damai Beach Resort accommodation options

What are the Damai Beach Units like?

The Damai Lodge Beach Units are located at the sea level area of the resort. They are conveniently located next to the main reception area and have direct access to the Teluk Bandung sandy beach. The Beach Units are also located right next door to the Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching where the famous Rainforest World Music Festival is held each year.

Many of the beach units offer lush rainforest views or are directly facing the breath-taking South China Sea.

What are the Damai Beach Resort Clifftop Villas like?

In the upper hilltop area of the Damai Beach Resort, accessed by a private road are a number of luxury units, a day spa and a spectacular cliff-top pool.

We fell in love with our Damai Beach Resort Clifftop Villa. It’s stunning views across to the lush rainforest hills plunging down to the sea made it hard to leave it every day to attend the music festival!

Our Damai Beach Resort Clifftop Villa room

Our room was entered via a generously sized hallway.

Inside was a comfortable queen size bed plus a trundle bed. The living area was very spacious, with plenty of room for our family of three to spread out. There was ample storage with a desk, wardrobes and countertops through out.

The main room had double doors leading to a large balcony with incredible views out to across the resort to the mountain and out to sea.

A flat screen tv was a feature of the room, as well as a safe inside the wardrobe, plus tea and coffee making facilities.

We had a large, modern ensuite bathroom adjoining the main room. Inside was an excellent shower, toilet and a large vanity with mirror. A selection of toiletries were supplied and the towels were thick and soft.

Our rooms were serviced regularly and kept spotless and restocked during the length of our stay.

The Damai Beach Resort clifftop swimming pool

The Clifftop Villas also feature a clifftop swimming pool – one of the most beautiful swimming pools we’ve ever had the pleasure to swim in.

We often had this gorgeous pool to ourselves, and enjoyed spending time on the deluxe poolside lounges or swimming underneath the waterfall. A pool attendant was at a beach hut and supplied towels for the pool.

With the balmy Sarawak temperatures, swimming offers a lovely cooling activity. With this amazing pool there was also the added bonus of gazing out at the incredible sea views and stunning Mount Santubong!

Our Damai Beach Resort hilltop apartment was family holiday heaven!

Resort Shuttle Buses on call

A private road leads to the upper clifftop villa area of the Damai Beach Resort. Whilst you can choose to walk down a set of stairs to the main area of the Damai Beach Resort, Hilltop Shuttle Bus Service will convey you up or down at the press of a call button. It’s a very quick and simple matter to be whisked down the restaurant for dinner or the beach for some fun activities or a swim.

Come for a ride in the Damai Beach Hilltop Villas Shuttle Bus with us!

Watch this quick video to see how you transfer from the lower Damai Beach Resort main reception building to the cliff top villas area.

Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

What activities are there to do at Damai Beach?

In addition to the two resort pools, ocean swimming is of course very popular at Damai Beach Resort! There are also various paid activities on Teluk Bandung beach offered. These include beach ball games, riding four wheelers and jet skis and more!

What day trips are available from Damai Beach Resort?

A short drive away from the Damai Lodge you will find the Damai Golf & Country Club. In the opposite direction you can venture out on an adventurous jungle trek in the rainforest of beautiful Mount Santubong.

A 50 minute drive away is the Bako National Park. This beautiful area makes the perfect day trip from Damai Beach Resort as it offers many native species of flora and fauna, including endangered Proboscis Monkeys in the wild! Read about our day trip to Bako National Park to see Proboscis Monkeys, hike and boat to the sea stacks here.

The Damai Beach Resort is indeed world-class accommodation in paradise! With a huge variety of activities and attractions, plus sumptuous resort options Damai Beach Resort in Sarawak truly is a gorgeous Malaysian holiday destination.

Where can I buy Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 tickets online?

We always buy our online tickets using Klook – an official ticket reseller of Rainforest Music Festival tickets! Tickets for the Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 will go on sale around April 2024.

Go to Klook to buy discounted Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 tickets online

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider giving it a Facebook “Like” or share!

Do you have any questions about attending the Damai Beach Resort in Kuching, Sarawak? Ask me in the comments below!

You may also like to read the following family travel blogs for Kuching, Malaysia…

Day trip to Bako National Park to see Proboscis Monkeys

Rainforest World Music Festival review

Disclaimers: This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!
The Let’s Go Mum family partnered with Sarawak Tourism for this trip to Sarawak, Malaysia on the island of Borneo, including our stay at Damai Beach Resort.  As always, all opinions are our own.
All prices and times quoted were correct at October 2023, the time of publishing this article, but can change frequently. Please always re-check for current prices.

Share one of our images to Pinterest…

The post The Damai Beach Resort review – Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia appeared first on Let's go Mum.