Sarawak: 🦜 Land of the Hornbills

Highlights: State capital Kuching, Bako National Park, Semenggoh Orangutan Centre, Sarawak Cultural Village

Gateway: Kuching International Airport (KCH)

Highlights: Gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park, Niah Caves, oil town history, Brunei border

Gateway: Miri Airport (MYY)

Highlights: Rejang River (longest in Malaysia), Iban longhouses, central markets

Gateway: Sibu Airport (SBW)

Highlights: Similajau National Park, oil and gas industry, traditional Melanau culture

Gateway: Bintulu Airport (BTU)

Location: Near Miri (accessible by flight)

Highlights: Spectacular limestone karsts, Deer Cave (world's largest cave passage), Pinnacles trek, and Clearwater Cave system.

Activities: Cave exploration, canopy walks, night hikes | Entry: RM30

Location: 37km from Kuching

Highlights: Sarawak's oldest national park with proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs, and spectacular sea stacks. Over 16 color-coded jungle trails.

Access: Boat from Kampung Bako | Entry: RM20

Location: 24km from Kuching

Highlights: Orangutan rehabilitation center with daily feedings (9am & 3pm). Best chance to see semi-wild orangutans in Sarawak.

Hours: 8am-5pm | Entry: RM10

Location: Near Miri

Highlights: Prehistoric cave paintings and archaeological site where 40,000-year-old human remains were found.

Access: 1.5km boardwalk | Entry: RM20

Location: Damai, 35km from Kuching

Highlights: "Living museum" showcasing traditional longhouses of Sarawak's ethnic groups (Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu etc.) with cultural performances.

Hours: 9am-5pm | Entry: RM60

Features: Former headhunters known for longhouses and rice farming. Famous for their tattoos and weaving.

Experience: Overnight stays at Batang Ai or Skrang River longhouses

Features: "Land Dayaks" known for bamboo longhouses and traditional roundhouses.

Experience: Annah Rais Longhouse near Kuching

Features: Collective term for upriver tribes like Kayan and Kenyah, known for elaborate beadwork and sape music.

Experience: Cultural shows at Sarawak Cultural Village

Features: Coastal people famous for sago production and unique tall houses.

Experience: Melanau Tall House Museum in Mukah

Best Locations: Mulu Caves, Niah Caves, Wind Cave near Bau

Experience: Adventure caving packages available at Mulu (from RM200)

Best Trails: Pinnacles Summit Trail (Mulu), Bako's Lintang Trail, Kubah National Park

Difficulty: Ranges from easy boardwalks to challenging multi-day treks

Best Rivers: Batang Rejang (longest), Batang Ai, Baram River

Experience: Longboat rides to remote longhouses (from RM150)

Key Species: Orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles

Best Locations: Semenggoh, Bako, Batang Ai, Loagan Bunut