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Lambir Hills National Park
The Lambir Hills National Park, covers an area of approximately 6,952 hectares south-west of
Miri. The highest peak rises some 450 meters above sea level, in a chain of sandstone hills bounded by rugged cliffs. The lush valleys and lower slopes are covered with mixed dipterocarp forests while health forests dominate the upper regions. The silence within this green wilderness is broken only by the calls of various birds and the roar of the mighty waterfalls plunging down into the emerald green depths of rocky pools below.
Composed mostly of mixed dipterocarps and kerangas, the area is rich in palms of the licuala species and the stilt rooted
Eugeissona. The ground flora includes an exotic mix of various species of
Ariods, Ginger, Ferns, Terrestial orchids, Epiphytes and Vines. Hill casuarinas cover the kerangas (health) forests of the upper regions while the ground flora is largely composed of shrubs, ferns and pitcher plants.
The forest supports a rich and varied wildlife with 157 species of birds heading the list. There are also bats, various rodents, the scaly ant eating pangolins, bearded pigs, barking deer, monkeys and Bornean gibbons to name a few.
The park is easily, accessible, being only half-an-hours drive away from
Miri. Visitors may opt to join the organized trips departing Miri in the early morning and returning to Miri after lunch. Arrangements can also be made for overnight stays, on request.
Batang Ai National Park
In the Sri Aman Division covering some 24,040 hectares is the Batang Ai National Park. It shelters many protected animals within its extensive wilderness. It also serves as a water catchement area for a huge artificial lake, created by the construction of the Batang ali Hydroelectric dam. The Lake extends up to the Engkari and Ai valleys, its wide scenic expanse lending an atmosphere of peace and tranquility to the surroundings. The main mode of transport is by river-fast flowing and reflecting the forest canopy in its crystal clear waters.
The terrain is rich in lush lowland mixed dipterocarp forests which is home to the Orang
Utan. High on the endangered list, this primate is the largest among its kind and can grow to 1.5 meters tall and weigh 200kg! It makes a nest in the trees to sleep in at night. The Park also shelters many other protected species of wildlife such as the hornbills and gibbons.
There are four marked jungle trails within the park for those hankering for a bit of adventure. In addition to the usual treks through mixed dipterocarp forests, these trails also go through old secondary forests and areas of active shifting cultivation.
The park is located about 250 km from Kuching city. The journey by road from Kuching to Batang
Ai Dam takes about 6 hours. The boat trip from the dam to the park station takes another 2 hours.
Tanjung Datu National Park
This National Park is located in the Kuching Division, at the westernmost tip of Sarawak near the Indonesian border. Gazetted in 1994, it is Sarawaks latest addition to its string of National Parks and also the smallest, covering an area of only 1,379 hectares. Situated in a mountainous region whose steep ranges almost hug the shore, the area features swift flowing rivers whose crystal clear waters bear no traces of pollution. Its shoreline comprises some of Sarawaks most beautiful beaches with sparkling sand and seas of aquamarine glittering in the sun. The existence of a coral shore also sets it apart from the other coastal areas of Sarawak.
The area is densely covered by lush vegetation of the mixed dipterocarp forests, supporting a myriad variety of habitats, intricately beautiful plants and intriguing wildlife.
It is accessible by road via Lundu and Sematan. From Sematan proceed by boat to Tanjung
Datu. The whole journey takes about 31/2 hours.
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