Kuching Travelers Recommend

Most travelers come to Kuching on the island of Borneo to see its wildlife. Malaysia has more than 15 national parks, many situated in the biologically rich rain forests of Sarawak, where part of Borneo is located. These are some of the best places to spot wildlife in and around Kuching.

Semenggoh Nature Reserve

Spotting orangutans in the wild is unlikely due to the species' endangered status, but it is possible to see them at wildlife centers near the Sarawak capital—the Semenggoh Nature Reserve is one of the best. Located south of Kuching, this facility provides a refuge for injured, orphaned, or captured orangutans that roam freely in an expansive habitat.

Bako National Park

Bako National Park, an easy day trip from Kuching, is home to the large-nosed proboscis monkey, leaf monkeys, macaque monkeys, flying squirrels, monitor lizards, wild boar, and hundreds of bird species. A day trip to the park from Kuching might include a longboat ride from Kampung Bako and a guided walk along a nature trail through the jungle.

Gunung Gading National Park

Gunung Gading National Park, another popular day trip option from Kuching, is most famous for the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. But, even if the 22-pound (10-kilogram) flower isn't in bloom, it's still possible to spot deer, porcupines, giant squirrels, civet cats, wild boar, and several species of monkeys along the park's hilly jungle trails.

Kubah National Park

Head to Kubah National Park after dark for a completely different experience in a Borneo rain forest. You’ll hear the symphony of some 60 species of frogs after the sun goes down, or get lucky and spot the smallest frog in the world, as well as freshwater crabs, carnivorous pitcher plants, and forest catfish.

Satang Island

Satang Island actually comprises two islands: Pulau Satang Besar and Pulau Satang Kecil. The pristine waters surrounding the islands provide a habitat for sea turtles in the South China Sea. Visitors can hop in the water with a snorkel to see the animals in the wild, or learn about conservation efforts at a turtle hatchery.

Matang Wildlife Centre

This rehabilitation center near Kubah National Park is an excellent place to observe wildlife that might otherwise be difficult to see in the wild. This park helps to protect and rehabilitate animals, such as sun bears, porcupines, crocodiles, and bearcats. Some day trips to Kubah National Park include a stop here.

The largest and least visited state in Malaysia, Sarawak oozes the exoticism which infects any traveler to Borneo. A historic land of White Rajahs, headhunters, and comical proboscis monkeys, Sarawak is a corner of the world truly unlike any other. At the center of it all is the simple city of Kuching, the longtime capital of Sarawak and the jumping off point for virtually all Sarawak adventures. Serenely set on the banks of the Sarawak River, Kuching is regarded as Malaysia’s cleanest city and provides the perfect base of operations for a journey through Borneo’s most curious state. Kuching is surrounded by nature and has so many attractions to choose from, so here’s a quick three day guide to get you on your feet and out into the bustling streets and empty forests of the Sarawak capital of Kuching.

Day 1: Take an historic walking tour

Before venturing out into the hinterlands of Sarawak it’s a good idea to develop an understanding of exactly where in the world you are. With so much information to digest, there are few places better to start than at the Sarawak Museum complex with its sprawling trove of tribal artifacts. Cultural history in hand, take a short sampan ride to the north side of the Sarawak River to stand inside Fort Margherita, an architectural holdover from the age of the Brooke Dynasty, and a testament to the history of the “White Rajahs”. Just down the river are the sprawling grounds of the Astana, a colonial white palace which has housed everyone from former Rajahs to current governors. Finish the evening with a sunset stroll down the modern waterfront to complete your tour from indigenous to colonial to modern day Kuching.

Day 2: Take a day trip to Bako National Park

Conveniently located only an hour from Kuching, Bako National Park is Sarawak’s oldest national park and one of the few places on the island to catch a glimpse of the rare proboscis monkeys which frequent the mangrove forests at low tide. A dense, coastal rainforest which is also home to carnivorous plants, a well-maintained network of 16 trails leads visitors through the twisting confines of this ecological fantasyland. If you want to experience Bako from the water take a short cruise past vertical sea stack rocks to isolated Pulau Lakei, a small island with a white sand beach perfect for sitting and doing nothing at all.  

Day 3: Head to the mountains of Kubah National Park

Set amongst the tropical backdrop for Kuching’s skyline, Kubah National Park is the easiest place from Kuching to amble amongst forested mountain trails and bathe beneath refreshing jungle waterfalls. Resplendent in over 100 types of palms, the diverse flora is matched only by the exotic fauna at the nearby Matang Wildlife Center located within the park boundaries. Overnight stays can be arranged in the park in a traditional longhouse, although with the park being so close to downtown Kuching it’s an easy day trip without having to sacrifice the evening amenities found back in town.