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Batang Ai National Park |
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Area: 24,040 ha
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Description
This beautiful national park is home to one of the world's most
endangered species, the
Orang Utan. Besides being home to many other protected wildlife like the
hornbills
and gibbons,
it is also the water catchment area to Sarawak's only artificial lake.
This huge lake stretches up the Engkari and Ai valleys. The dam is part
of the Batang Ai Hydro-Electricity Complex.
Beyond the artificial lake, more than an hour's boat ride upriver from the dam, visitors can see beautiful lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, with drooping trees overhanging the rivers. River transport is the main mode of communication here. The rivers are fast flowing, clear and very refreshing. During dry periods, the water level gets quite low and visitors have to help push their boats upstream - an enjoyable experience.
Another major attraction upriver is the Iban longhouses. Visitors can get to experience the authentic longhouse atmosphere as most of the longhouse dwellers still practise their traditional lifestyle. The Ibans also produce local handicrafts, like their 'Pua Kumbu', rattan backpacks 'selabit', rattan mats and even gourd for collecting water.
At the moment, the National Parks and Wildlife Office does not have any visitor facilities yet. Some private tour companies however, do provide visitor accommodation. Trails are now available in the park. There are 4 trails to choose from and they pass through mixed dipterocarp forest, old secondary forest, active shifting cultivations areas and ancient burial grounds.
The Park is located about 250 km from Kuching City. Hilton Longhouse Resort and several longhouses provide accommodation facilities just outside the park.
This Park is unique in having the local communities involved in its management. The communities have formed a cooperative 'Kooperasi Serbaguna Ulu Batang Ai' and is helping the Forest Department to conserve the park. Visitors are encouraged to use the boating facilities offered by the cooperative as their funds are kept within the community for continued development purposes.
How to get there?
The journey to Batang Ai from Kuching is long and difficult, especially for
independent travellers. Express buses leave for Sri Aman at 0800 and 1300
(RM15, one way). Buses to Batang Ai via Lubok Antu cost an additional few
ringgit. Organized tours from Kuching take about 4 hours in mini buses to
the dam wall of Batang Ai. Visitors staying in Iban longhouses further
upstream require an additional one hour travel by
longboat from here.
Accommodation
The luxurious Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, by the lake, is where
many visitors stay. Bookings are generally done through the Hilton Hotel
in Kuching. Longhouse stays are generally arranged by Kuching-based tour
operators who operate independent jungle lodges. Independent travellers
may experience problems in arriving at longhouses unannounced.
Food
None available for sale inside the Park or in the immediate vicinity of the
park. Food is provided for those on organized tours. Water is essential
in the rainforest.
Tips
While not cheap, visiting the Park is best done as an organized package
through one of several Kuching tour operators. These packages include
transfers to Batang Ai, accommodation (hotel or longhouse),
meals, guide and park transport. Independent travellers will find doing
all this difficult in such an isolated park. Visitors staying in Iban
longhouses need to be aware of local Iban customs so as not to offend
anybody. Several days should be allocated for visiting Batang Ai.
For booking and further enquiry, please contact us
Integrated Conservation and Development
Project
