This post is about the wonders of Bako National Park on Bako Island Borneo. It’s a 10.5 square mile island that’s packed with awesomeness! It’s a can’t miss stop on any Sarawak western Borneo trip.

Bako National Park highlights

Bako island includes rainforests, secluded beaches with sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, jungle streams. It also includes lots of wildlife. The star of Bako is the rare proboscis monkey. There are about 300 long nosed proboscis monkeys throughout the island.

Wildlife in Bako National Park

Monkeys are everywhere. The most common are mostly Long-tailed macaques, the most common monkeys in Asia. There’s also silver leaf monkeys. Of course the highlight is seeing rare proboscis monkeys . You can also lizards and bearded pigs.

Bako island coastline

The coast line is beautiful. Millions of years of erosion of the sandstone have created a coastline of steep cliffs. You’ll notice brilliant colored patterns formed by iron deposition.

Getting to Bako National Park

Bako is located in western Malaysian Borneo. It’s in Borneo’s Sarawak region. Head to the ferry terminal in Bako village via taxi, shared van, or bus. Then upon arrival, take a boat to Bako Island Bako National Park.

Bako island biodiversity and vegetation

Bako also has nearly every type of vegetation found in Borneo. There’s 25 distinct types!

In a couple of days of trekking through the jungle trails, you can see Beach vegetation, Cliff vegetation, Kerangas or heath Forest. Also Mangrove Forests, Mixed Dipterocarp Forest, Padang or Grasslands Vegetation and Peat Swamp Forest,” according to the official site.

Hiking around Bako might become a highlight of your Borneo trip. I recommend it!

Do you love learning about monkeys?  I’ve had lots of experiences with primates in the wild.  For example, the week before I accidentally photographed monkey sex in Bali. Then, I wrote about Monkeys with huge noses, the largest you’ve ever seen. Finally, a story on when a monkey stole a camera and took selfies.