SARAWAK'S FAUNA
Sarawak's rainforests are some of the most diverse and protected ecosystems in the world today. Rich abundant wildlife is what attracts visitors from around the world. This place is for animal lovers.
1. Orang Utan - Known as the 'Man of the Forest', the Orang Utan can only be seen in Borneo and
Sumatra.
2. Proboscis Monkey (nasalis larvatus) - It derived its name from its large, protruding nose. Find this
monkey only on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
3. Saltwater Crocodile - 'Bujang Senang' or the 'happy bachelor' dwells widely in coastal swamps
and rivers.
4. Hornbill - The state symbol of Sarawak.
5. Silver Leaf Monkey - Do not be fooled with its punkish look. This shy primate lives on flower and
fruits and is one of the most attractive and common primates.
6. Atlas Moth - The world's largest moth!
7. Rajah Brooke Butterfly - This butterfly was named in hour of Sir James Brooke, the first White
Rajah of Sarawak. It is the only butterfly to be attracted to water, rather than plants.
8. Black-sided Flowerpecker - At 8cm, the world's smallest bird is slightly larger than a matchbox.
SARAWAK'S FLORA - home to the most exotic flora
1. Raflesia-The World's Largest Flower
A must-see by many admirers and the curious traveller, this rare bloom is found in Gunung Gading National Park and is endemic to Borneo. The Rafflesia Tuan-mudae grows to the size of a large coffee table and has no leaves, emitting a strong odour when in bloom. The Rafflesia can be seen only when it is ready to reproduce, when the parasitic growths on the vine form a lump that develop into a structure somewhat resembling a cabbage.
2. Carnivorous Plants: Nepenthes
Equally bizarre are these tropical pitcher plants that trap insect and some small mammals in its jug-like protuberances. The Nepenthes is popularly known as the "monkey cup". It refers to the fact that monkeys have been observed drinking rainwater from these plants.
3. Rhododendron Crassifolium
The large and showy Rhododendron, a Bornean endemic, is easily recognized by its distinctive foliage. This evergreen shrub bears strongly ribbed, elliptic, dark green leaves and pink, red, orange, or apricot-coloured, open bell-shaped flowers.
4. Heliconia Rostrata
Heliconia rostrata is one of the most recognized and widely grown species, which is commonly known as hanging lobster claw. Heliconia grows to about 6-8 feet tall and has spectacular bright red bracts with yellow tips.
SARAWAKIAN'S MURAL
Tattoo
An age-old form of body art practiced by the natives of Sarawak. Traditional art form of tattooing has been an integral part of the Iban community for decades. Hand tapping style of tattooing using two sticks could be quite painful yet rewarding. For the Ibans, tattooing symbolises an individual's experiences, and every tattoo signifies a period of time during their travels.
SARAWAK'S ENTERTAINMENTS
Borneo Jazz Festival
Asian, Latin, contemporary, Caribbean, and all that jazz. This genre finds its way to the northern most city in Sarawak for an outdoor international festival for the easy going people of Miri.
Rainforest World Music Festival
A 3-day music festival that celebrates the diversity of world music in an exhilarating rainforest. It is indeed music with nature. Enjoy the sweet sounds of nature and ethnic music from talented musicians. Performers and fans flock from around the world to participate in musical workshops and enjoy evening concerts.
Kaul Festival
Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the Melanau community living along the coast of Central Sarawak region. The festival is a ritual of purification and thanks giving to the spirit of the sea as well as one of the propitiations for good fortune.
Weaving & Basketry
Tribal communities weave palm, rattan, tree barks, bamboo and various other plants gathered from the forests into works of art.
Beadworks
The Orang Uku ladies are the artisans of this fine craft. They make ceramic beads for their traditional costumes as well as for trading.
Pottery
The Chinese are much sought after for their porcelain wares around the world. Family-run pottery kilns produce beautiful and uniquely handcrafted decorative and functional earthenware.
SARAWAK PLACES OF INTEREST
Bako National Park
Sarawak's oldest national park is home to the rare proboscis monkey, long-tailed macaque, silver leaf monkey, monitor lizard, plantain squirrel, wild boar, otters, mouse deer and over 150 species of birds.
Pulau Talang & Pulau Satang National Parks
These two islands are turtle sanctuaries. Green turtles come ashore to lay and bury their eggs between May and October.
Similajau National Park
Bird watcher's paradise! Golden sandy beaches and evergreen forest make this park home to some 185 species of birds and 24 species of mammals. Keep an eye on the sea too, for you may just spot some dolphins and turtles.
Gunung Mulu National Park - A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gunung Mulu has it all – the world's largest cave chamber and the world’s most extensive cave systems with razor sharp limestone pinnacles. Watch the exodus of millions of bats from the dim caverns at dusk. Leave your footprints behind in a jungle adventure. Do retire to the comforts of The Royal Mulu Resort for a jungle resort experience.
Borneo Highlands Resort
Nature lovers will find the eco-friendly Borneo Highlands Resort a haven.
Home to half of all bird species in Sarawak, it’s one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Malaysia. The resort also offers a variety of attractions and recreational activities for everyone to explore.
Gunung Gading National Park
The rare Rafflesia draws tourists here for a possible glimpse of the world's largest flower. Even if you miss the flower, you would enjoy trekking and adventure through the mountains to view beautiful cascading waterfalls and foliage.
Loagan Bunut National Park
The major attraction of Loagan Bunut is its large natural lake, which miraculously shrinks and disappears every dry season. It is another bird watcher's paradise. Watch the Berawan tribes display their unique fishing skills called "Selambau".
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
An Orang Utan sanctuary, this is a perfect place to catch a glimpse of these fascinating primates. Semenggoh also boasts an arboretum, a fernery, forest nursery, seed bank, ethno herb botanical garden, tropical orchard, an orchard garden and much more.
Matang Wildlife Centre
Matang caters to researchers and nature lovers from all over the world. Waterfalls, rock pools, designated swimming areas, picnic spots and scenic nature trails make this a wonderful campsite.
SARAWAK'S FUN
Headhunter's Trail
Sarawak's highly acclaimed trail that traces the route of the ancient Kayan tribesmen who traversed valleys, hills and rivers.
Pinnacles
Climb Gunung Api (Fire Mountain) to the pinnacle, which reaches the sky at an amazing 2,377m. An effort that rewards you with towering 40m razor-sharp limestone pinnacles and panoramic vistas.
Golf
Enjoy this other kind of 'green' adventure. Play Sarawak's golf courses by the beach, in the cities and on the hillsides. Stunning views await you and your golf buddies, so bogeys won't hurt as much.
Kayaking
Experience a Kayaking adventure suitable for beginners and children in some of the most beautiful surroundings of Kuching. Paddle leisurely and savour the sights of unique limestone formations and towering riverine trees, while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the rainforest.
Caving and Rock Climbing
Demanding and requires reasonable mental and physical fitness, but it is great fun! Located near the town of Bau, just 40 minutes away from Kuching.
Mountain Biking
Two trails are accessible from Bau with fire roads and screaming downhills, the scenic Bratak Trail and the Kampung Opar Trail. Just 100km from Kuching, the Penrissen Highlands, near the Indonesian border, is linked by tracks that are largely unexplored.
Trekking
Treks vary in distance. Some last up to seven days and cross into Kalimantan, Indonesia. Take on the Mt. Santubong Summit Trek only if you are fit and agile.
SARAWAK'S ACCOMMODATIONS
Pick your home away from home. Accommodation in Sarawak varies from hotels to resorts to bed & breakfast depending on your specific preference.
Hotels / Boutique Hotels
Most luxurious hotels are located in commercial areas. However, some budget hotels are also available around the area. Guests may unwind and enjoy the comforts of modern facilities such as wireless Internet connection.
Beach & Jungle Resorts
Surround yourself with lush tropical rainforest or relax in a neighboring sea. Spa resorts are accessible if pampering is what you have in mind.
Bed & Breakfast
Old colonial-styled houses or shops are transformed into guest houses or inns at very affordable prices.
Homestays
Homestays have become a staple among tourists who want to experience living the traditional Sarawakian way.
SARAWAK'S CUISINES
Al-fresco Sarawak Style
Dine at open-air hawker stalls, which offer the most scrumptious food at amazingly low prices. And during cool nights, just treat yourself to dinner under a canopy of stars on a river cruise.
Fresh from the Sea
Seafood is naturally on the menu in towns by the sea or river. Savour fresh bamboo clams, jellyfish, tiger prawns and crabs that are reasonably priced all year round.
The call of the Jungle
fried midin
bamboo shoot cooked with coconut milk
Tease your taste buds with unique Midin fern tops, bamboo shoots, pineapple shoots, palm heart, sago pearls and many other jungle fruits and edible plants.
Sarawak Laksa
A local signature dish, freshly made vermicelli submerged in a concoction of deliciously thick soup rich in 'santan' (coconut milk) and spices, topped with tasty chunks of seafood, chicken and sliced omelette. Sarawak's original and best taken piping hot, this delight is easily available in most coffee shops, restaurants and hotels.
Kolok Mee
A popular dish amongst the locals, Kolok Mee is enjoyed any time of the day. This light yellow egg noodle consists of lard, barbecued meat sauce and black vinegar. It's also normally complemented with barbecued meat slices and minced meat.
Umai
Traditionally, Umai is a common lunch meal for the Melanau fisherman. It consists of thin slivers of raw fresh fish, usually iced but not frozen, combined with thinly sliced onions, chilli, salt and lime juice. It is indeed a dish for the brave. You've been warned!
Kek Lapis Sarawak
A specialty for the Malay community especially during the festive season like Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, celebrated during the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. These often colourful cakes are made with a lot of eggs, sometimes even up to 30 eggs for one loaf!
Swallow's Nest
Swallow bird's nest, a Chinese delicacy touted to maintain youth and beauty, is harvested from designated caves of Sarawak by special permits. Try a bowl of this jelly-like delicacy at upmarket Chinese restaurants.
Try Tuak!
Societies around the world have their own alcoholic brew, fermented from fruit or grain. For Sarawak, it is made of rice. The humble home-brewed tuak is ubiquitous during celebrations as it is the traditional drink of the Dayak community. Enjoy it in the longhouses or at local pubs.
Five-Star Dining
For the less adventurous, five-star hotels inKuching and Miri offer both western and oriental fine dining. A number of Japaness, Korean, Thai, Mediterranean and Western cuisines dot the streets and business areas of these cities.
TRAVEL GUIDELINES & TIPS
~ Climate : Usually very hot and humid. Temperatures here vary between 23°C to 32°C.
~ Mosquito repellents are advisable.
~ Language Iban is generally used in Sarawak, however, English is widely understood.
~ Religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism are practiced.
~ Timezone GMT + 8
~ Currency : The local currency is Ringgit Malaysia (RM). Credit cards are widely accepted in urban
areas. Foreign currency and traveller’s checks can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or at
authorized money changers throughout the country.
~ Clothing - Light, cool, and casual clothing is suggested. For more formal occasions, men should
wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik shirts whereas women should wear dresses.
~ Business Hours :
Department stores and supermarkets usually are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Offices generally operate from 9am to 5pm (Monday-Friday) and 9am to 1pm (Saturday)
Government office hours are usually from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
~ Electricity : 220V AC, 50Hz; all plugs are round European two-pin types.
GETTING TO SARAWAK
Kuching International Airport is the main entry point into the state. Sarawak is easily accessible by frequent short-haul flights from the Kuala Lumpur international Airport (KLIA) in Peninsular Malaysia. Visitors can also fly in from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah as well as other major cities in Malaysia.
Useful Contacts :
Tourist Police Unit Tel: 6082-250522
Kuching Visitors' Information Centre Tel: 6082-410944/2
Miri Visitors' Information Centre Tel: 6085-434181
Sibu Visitors' Information Centre Tel: 6084-340980
Relevant entries :
-> KUCHING MOST VISITED PLACES
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