Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Offers an old-fashioned introduction to the park's seven distinct ecosystems and an exposé
of the co-dependent relationship between nepenthes (pitcher plants) and ants. There are
plans to move the centre to the new HQ building.
Wildlife Watching
Scientists estimate that Bako is home to 37 species of mammal, including silver-leaf mon-
keys, palm squirrels and nocturnal creatures such as the mouse deer, civet and colugo (fly-
ing lemur); 24 reptile species, among them the common water monitor, which can reach a
length of over 1m; and about 190 kinds of bird, some of them migratory.
Jungle creatures are easiest to spot shortly after sunrise and right before sunset, so for
any real wildlife watching you'll have to stay over. Surprisingly, the area around park HQ
is a particularly good place to see animals, including reddish-brown proboscis monkeys,
whose pot-bellied stomachs are filled with bacteria that help them derive nutrients from
almost-indigestible vegetation. You often hear them as they crash through the branches
long before seeing a flash of fur - or a male's pendulous nose flopping as he munches on
tender young leaves.
Proboscis monkeys, who show little fear of, or interest in, humans, can often be found:
on branches above the park's visitors chalets; around the mangrove boardwalk between
the jetty and park HQ; in the trees along the Telok Assam Beach near park HQ; along the
Telok Paku Trail, where they forage in the trees lining the cliff; and along the Telok De-
lima Trail.
The muddy floors of mangrove forests are home to an assortment of peculiar creatures,
including hermit crabs, fiddler crabs and mudskippers (fish that spend much of their time
skipping around atop the tidal mud under mangrove trees).
The Bornean bearded pigs that hang around near the cafeteria and chalets with their
piglets are a big hit with kids. Not long ago a tourist guide was overheard commenting, 'at
the longhouse they would be on the grill already!'
Jungle Walks
Bako's 17 trails are suitable for all levels of fitness and motivation, with routes ranging
from short strolls to strenuous all-day treks to the far (ie eastern) end of the peninsula. It's
easy to find your way around because trails are colour-coded and clearly marked with
stripes of paint. Plan your route before starting out and aim to be back at Telok Assam be-
fore dark, ie by about 6pm at the latest. It's possible to hire a boat to one of the far
beaches and then hike back, or to hike to one of the beaches and arrange for a boat to meet
you there.
