Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Park staff are happy to help you plan your visit, provide updates on trail conditions and
tides, help with boat hire and provision you with a B&W map that has details on each of
the park's hiking options. A billboard near the Education Centre lists conservative time
estimates for each trail. Even if you know your route, let staff know where you'll be going
so that they can inscribe you in the Guest Movement Register Book; sign back in when
you return.
Take adequate water and be prepared for intense sun (with a sun hat and sunscreen) as
the
kerangas
(distinctive vegetation zone of Borneo), has precious little shade for long
stretches. Sun-sensitive folks might consider lightweight long-sleeve shirts and trousers.
Mozzie repellent is a good idea as well.
A note on trail names:
bukit
means hill,
tanjung
means point,
telok
means bay,
pantai
means beach and
ulu
means upriver or interior.
HIKING
Lintang Trail
If you have only one day in Bako, try to get an early start and take the Lintang Trail
(5.8km, 3½ to four hours round-trip). It traverses a range of vegetation and climbs the
sandstone escarpment up to the
kerangas,
where you'll find some grand views and many
pitcher plants (especially along the trail's northeastern segment).
Telok Limau Trail
Bako's longest trail goes to Telok Limau, 13km from park HQ (8½ hours one-way), where
there's a nice beach and a designated camping area. Consider hoofing it one way and tak-
ing a boat the other (RM164 for up to five people). Cellphone coverage is often available
from the slopes above the beach but don't count on being able to coordinate with your
boatman by mobile.
HIKING
Swimming
At Bako, it's easy to combine rainforest tramping, which quickly gets hot and sweaty,
with a refreshing dip in the South China Sea.
Stinging jellyfish can sometimes be a nuisance, especially in April and May. Also to be
avoided, especially around Telok Paku: stingrays, whose stabs can be quite painful. To
keep away the sandflies on the beach, use mozzie repellent.
The muddy, tannin-stained waters of Bako's rivers shelter crocodiles, so forget about
taking a dip. A few years ago a schoolboy was eaten by a croc a bit upriver from Bako
Bazaar; his body was never found.
