Introducing SARAWAK
Natural Choice
Sarawak F
BY MARK STRAT TON
ew travellers have heard of Sarawak so sell it under the more familiar and evocative
banner of ‘Borneo’. However, emphasise that Sarawak is part of Malaysia in Northern Borneo and not Indonesian-Borneo to the south of the island, which is mostly undeveloped. Sarwak sits alongside Malaysia’s other autonomous state, Sabah, which receives more visitors for its developed beach scene – so the two can can easily be sold together as a viable ‘twin-centre’ holiday. In recent years Sarawak has modernised rapidly and can now point to a growing infrastructure. The UK market has also grown slowly but steadily, helped by good air-connections from Kuala Lumpur (a 75-minute fl ight). Low-cost carriers MASwings
and Air Asia operate daily fl ights into Sarawak’s capital, Kuching.
Draw cards Although there has been
Clockwise: Deer Cave, home to millions of bats; An orangutan; An Iban musician; Kuching Colonial Fort
some negative media publicity about Sarawak’s rainforest deforestation, customers should be reassured it still possesses fi ne wildlife experiences. Well-managed with good
accommodation and excellent accessibility, the national parks can be bracketed as soft
adventure destinations ideal for nature-lovers and family holidays. Many of Sarawak’s most popular natural attractions lay within a day trip of Kuching. The capital is a laid-back riverside city with good restaurants featuring national dishes such as Manok pansoh (chicken cooked inside bamboo), several fi ve-star hotels, and evocative 19th- century architecture dating from British ‘white rajah’ colonial rule. Suggested trips from Kuching include Bako National Park, for Borneo’s endemic proboscis monkeys, and Gunung Gading National Park to view the world’s largest fl ower, called ‘raffl esia’.
Star attraction Without doubt, though, Sarawak’s
chief draw is orangutans. Clients shouldn’t be sold the impression orangutans hang from every tree; they are elusive and rarely seen on jungle treks. But sightings are guaranteed at Semangoh where rescued and orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated within this semi- wild sanctuary. They appear in great numbers for a twice-daily feeding session.
Beyond Kuching Outside Kuching, Batang Ai is the popular homeland of Sarawak’s
www.sellinglonghaul.com “Sarawak is popular with more
adventurous travellers looking for wildlife, visits to tribal groups and rainforest experiences”
most famous tribe, the Iban, the former ‘Headhunters of Borneo’. Mulu National Park in northern Sarawak is another must-see. It can only be accessed by a short internal fl ight by MASwings. There’s just one daily fl ight so it is essential to ensure seats are available when itinerary planning. This superb national park offers a true rainforest experience around one of the world’s largest cave systems. Deer Cave is home to the astonishing phenomenon of millions of bats exiting at dusk.
Overnight sensations The Hilton manages a superb
property called Batang Ai Longhouse – a good base for excursions to experience Iban culture. However, for more adventurous clients it’s also worth recommending an overnight stay in a traditional Iban longhouse. Many of these huge stilted wooden longhouses regularly host tourists, as at Mengkak and Delok. Both offer authentic experiences sharing tuak rice wine and viewing the Ibans’ prized human skulls. Marriot has taken over the
Royal Mulu Resort & Spa and is to upgrade it into Mulu National Park’s fi rst fi ve-star offering. It will open in late 2013.
GENERAL INFO Time Zone: GMT +8hours
Visas: Not required by UK citizens Health: Minor risk of malaria while dengue fever should be guarded against by taking insect repellents Languages: English is commonplace Currency: Malaysian Ringgit Climate: Tropical and sunny all year, with temperatures ranging between 22C-33C Useful contacts:
sarawaktourism.com mulunationalpark.com Tour operators featuring Sarawak include Cox & Kings, Kuoni, Thomas Cook, Bales Worldwide, Western & Oriental, and The Great Traveller.
BOOK IT Cox & Kings
0845 8672343 The 13-day Splendours of Borneo tour combines both Malaysian-Borneo states, Sarawak and Sabah. Included are several nights at the jungle-located Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse resort. Prices start from £3695pp including international fl ights.
coxandkings.co.uk
September 2013 43
SXC & SCMATCHMO
SXC & SCMATCHMO
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