| Bako National Park | |
|---|---|
 Padang scrub at Bako National Park, with N. rafflesiana plant in foreground. | |
  Bako NP Location in Borneo | |
| Location | Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia |
| Coordinates | 1°43′N 110°28′E / 1.717°N 110.467°E |
| Area | 27 km2 (10 sq mi) |
| Established | 1957 |
| Governing body | Sarawak Forestry |
Bako National Park (Malay: Taman Negara Bako) is a national park in Kuching District, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. Established in 1957, it is the oldest national park in Sarawak. It covers an area of 27.27 square kilometres (10.53 sq mi) at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula at the mouth of the Bako and Kuching Rivers. It is approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) by road from Kuching. Millions of years of erosion of the sandstone have created a coastline of steep cliffs, rocky headlands and stretches of white, sandy bays. Wave erosion at the base of the cliffs has carved many of the rocky headlands into fantastically shaped sea arches and seastacks with colored patterns formed by iron deposition. The most famous of them was shaped like a cobra's head which could be spotted on a boat ride from the headquarters or one of the beaches. This collapsed in 2024 and is no longer present.[1] Some of these rock formations can be seen on entry to the Teluk Assam Beach, which fronts the park. The park can only be reached by a 20-minute boat ride from the village of Kampung Bako. It is often visited as a day-trip from Kuching, though accommodations (campground and forestry service bungalows) are available.
Bako is one of the smallest national parks in Sarawak. However, it features multiple biomes (including rainforest), abundant wildlife, jungle streams and waterfalls, secluded beaches, and trekking trails. A network of 16 marked walking trails of different lengths allows visitors access. In addition, various beaches are accessible by boat from Kampung Bako or Teluk Assam, as well as a geologically interesting sea stack rock formation. The range of attractions and activities in a compact area have made Bako one of the most popular parks in Sarawak.[2]
The park hosted the final Pit Stop of The Amazing Race Asia 1.[3]
- ^ "BAKO NATIONAL PARK'S ICONIC SEA STACK COLLAPSES". amazing borneo. Feb 14, 2024.
- ^ "Higher visitor arrivals in 2017, over RM8 billion earned — Minister". The Borneo Post. 17 July 2018.
- ^ "24 Days, 15 Cities, 39,000 Kilometres And It Comes Down To This". The Amazing Race Asia. Season 1. Episode 13. 1 February 2007. AXN.