Sarawak Gunung Mulu National Park

Gunung Mulu and Kinabalu National Parks are Malaysia first world heritage sites gazetted by UNESCO. My trip to Mulu National Park was earlier than year 2000, but regretfully missed the Sarawak Chamber, the largest cave chamber in the world and Gunung Api due to time constraint. Hope to visit the park again.

There are many caves in the park, but only a few caves are opened for visitors such as Sarawak Cave, Cave of the Winds, Deer Cave, Clearwater Cave, Lang Cave, etc. Deer Cave is the largest passage cave in the world and its bat exodus is a nature wonder cannot be missed.

Below is excerpt from UNESCO offical website.

Date of Inscription: 2000

Criteria: (vii)(viii)(ix)(x)

Property : 52864 ha

Northern Sarawak, island of Borneo

N4 7 59.988 E114 55 0.012

Basic Description

Important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features, Gunung Mulu National Park, on the island of Borneo in the State of Sarawak, is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52,864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty genera noted. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world.

Justification for Inscription

Criteria (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x): The concentration of caves in Mulu’s Melinau Formation with its geomorphic and structural characteristics is an outstanding feature which allows a greater understanding of Earth’s history. The caves of Mulu are important for their classic features of underground geomorphology, demonstrating an evolutionary history of more than 1.5 million years. One of the world’s finest examples of the collapse process in Karstic terrain can be also found. GMNP provides outstanding scientific opportunities to study theories on the origins of cave faunas. With its deeply-incised canyons, wild rivers, rainforest-covered mountains, spectacular limestone pinnacles, cave passages and decorations, Mulu has outstanding scenic values. GMNP also provides significant natural habitat for a wide range of plant and animal diversity both above and below ground. It is botanically-rich in species and high in endemism, including one of the richest sites in the world for palm species.

How to get there?

There is no land transport to Mulu National Park, you either to take flight or boat from Miri.

By air, MAS provides several flights from Miri and Kota Kinabalu daily. More flight schedule can be found from its official website.

By boat, this route is more adventurous, time consuming and unreliable. River trip from Miri to Mulu takes about ten hours. First catch an early morning taxi from Miri to Kuala Baram where an express boat takes you up the Baram River to arrive at Marudi around lunch time. Board a second boat taking you to Long Terawan, a small community of Berawan people. On the Tutoh River here you must hire a local longboat to bring you to the Park.

Alternatively, backpacker can choose a tougher route from Limbang, the trip is known as the headhunters’ trail. The trail takes its name from its historical role as the route taken by warring parties between the Tutoh and Medalam rivers.

Trekkers must begin walking from Kuala Terikan no later than 1.00pm in order to arrive at Camp 5 before dark. The area is very isolated with the nearest town several hours away, the trail is well marked and maintained but tree falls and river floods can cause confusion. A Sarawak Forestry Licensed Park Guide is compulsory on this trail – getting lost is easier than you think.

Where to stay?

You are advised to book the room before you arrive the park through travel agent. There are cheap chalets, hostels and luxury hotel in and outside the park depending on your budget.