3 Great National Parks to Visit in Borneo
Borneo is probably one of the least visited countries in Asia. Western tourists have not yet caught up with the excitement that this unusual country has to offer. The best advice is to make sure you have a good travel insurance package together and then start planning the trip of a lifetime.
From jungle adventures you can progress to overland trekking, swimming and diving, all with an exotic touch that you will only get in Borneo. Many Westerners are uncertain about the safety issues that come into play when visiting such a remote location. But rest assured that your travel insurance will cover any contingency and you can plan your holiday without having to worry unduly.
Naturally, you cannot expect all the usual trappings of Western tourism, and some facilities might be a little less luxurious than you are used to. The best part about visiting Borneo however is the unspoiled natural beauty and the unmistakable friend of this of the locals. In a manner of speaking it is like stepping back in time.
One of the features that most tourists come to love about Borneo is visiting some of the great national parks. In this article we will take a look at three that should be on your list when planning your itinerary.
- Bako National Park. Located close to the capital of Sarawak, you will get to experience the result of millions of years of erosion along this spectacular, steep, cliff lined National Park. The most memorable feature is the collection of unusually shaped stacks and arches that have been formed over many thousands of years. The patterns formed by iron deposits are truly spectacular with displays of bright oranges and reds that make the whole vista quite surreal. The sandstone cliffs are home to unique vegetation coupled with unusual mangrove forests set against the backdrop of an azure blue sea.
- Gunung Mulu National Park. There is no doubt about it, when it comes to spectacular limestone caves, this National Park is second to none in the world. After having been publicly opened in 1985, the park has steadily grown in popularity, especially the famous Sarawak Chamber which is the largest natural chamber in the world. There are two impressive entrances at either end of the cave and if you are lucky enough to see the 600 foot waterfall which occurs after a storm as the torrents pour from the roof of the cavern, it is something to behold. One of the major daily attractions however, is that at the end of every day nearly 1,000,000 bats exit from the cave in what appears to be a never-ending stream.
- The Niah National Park. Covering a massive 3100 ha, the caves in this National Park dominate the landscape. Archaeologists have found evidence of human remains dating back as far as 40,000 years and you can view a skull of a young Homo Sapiens male in one of the displays.
The more you consider your travelling options, it makes sense to include at least one of these national parks on your next itinerary. Simply organise your holiday insurance, start planning and then start packing!