Why Mulu National Park is a Must visit when in Borneo
If you are a nature lover and visiting Sarawak, Borneo island for the first time, then Gunung Mulu National Park should be on the top of “must visit and explore” place in your tour itinerary.
Gunung Mulu National Park is located in north Sarawak and is close to Brunei state. There are many activities to do in the park itself but one must book early to secure a place. To visit Mulu, a person has to take a 20 minutes flight from either Kuching or Miri city or Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The only airline that services that route is MASwings airline which is the sister company of Malaysia Airlines. The flight is wonderful because you get scenic view of Mulu National Park especially the limestone pikes and the lush green rainforests. You have a choice to stay at budget Benarat Lodge or 4 star Royal Mulu Resort. However, if you are planning to climb the Pinnacles, you will need to stay in Camp 5.
Then there is the canopy walk, 480m walkway hanging 20m above the forests in Mulu National Park. It is one of the best in South East Asia. Most walks in the park is guided to prevent tourists and visitors from causing any damage to the park and to ensure the place is properly maintained. As you walk along the canopy walk, you will see the forests with their own web of life from high up.
Mulu National Park’s main attractions are the caves especially the Sarawak Cave Chamber, the Cave of the Wind, Deer Caves, Lang Caves, Clearwater Caves and Lady’s Caves. These caves are very unique in its formation. The caves are millions of years old. A more strenuous trek leads to a landscape of razor-sharp rock pinnacles looking like blade jutting up northwards to the sky.
The Pinnacles at Mulu National Park is the most popular trek. It is a four day adventure that includes a visit to a local village, an exciting boat ride up the river, an easy walk to the camp, demanding climb to the pinnacles and on a third day the way back. Along the way you will spot Hornbill bird, which is the national bird of Sarawak. There is about 8 km walk through an interesting forests after the boat ride and a few suspension bridges to cross.
You will climb the Pinnacles on Day 2. The trail to reach there is 2.4km but due to the high altitude, you may get tired easily. This climb is not suitable for small children and is not recommended for children to go along. At some places, you have to climb and use ropes to move on. By the time you reach the top, you will be drenched through.
The humidity in Mulu National Park makes climbing much harder than usual but the majestic view at the end of them tough climb is well worth it. If you are lucky, you will be greeted by a beautiful mists that enveloped the Pinnacles. You will spot rare Pitcher plants on the way back down.
Gunung Mulu National Park offers one the most unique natural wonders that Borneo island could offer. Its primary rainforests, mysterious caves millions of years old, the over 5 million bats occupants in the caves, limestone Pinnacles and rich bio-diversity will be very interesting for any nature lover.
Sandy K, a local Sarawakian wants to introduce Sarawak to the whole world. Though legally trained, her first love has always been in writing, traveling, internet and entrepreneurship. She wants to use her internet expertise to help promote the mystical beauty of her homeland to the whole world. For more information about Sarawak, do visit http://www.BestKuchingHotels.com She may be reached at bestkuchinghotels@gmail.com or connect with her at Facebook: Sandy Borneo
