wanderlust.co.uk March 2020 157PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Alamy; Sarawak Tourism Board; Shutterstock
For more information, visit sarawaktourism.com
too; a three-day celebration
of Sarawak’s musical heritage- as well as those of indigenous
peoples from all over the world - along with workshops, craft
displays, and an impressive
commitment to sustainability
that has seen it ban single-use
plastic. It’s also working toward
a zero-waste goal and
collaborates closely with local
farmers and entrepreneurs.
Other calendar highlights
include Kaul, the Melanaus’
festival of spiritual cleansing
(April); Sarawak Regatta,
a dragon boat tournament
in Kuching (November); and
the Borneo International Kite
Festival in the seaside town
of Bintulu (September).
NATURAL
PROTECTION
Sarawak’s biodiversity is full
of surprises. Whether its
orangutans joining your hike,
the distinctive orange ’do
of a rhinoceros hornbill, or thewhiff of a metre-wide raffl esia
(the world’s largest – and
stinkiest – fl ower) in Gunung
Gading, there’s always
something wild and wonderful
for you to discover.
Sarawak is home to Malaysia’s
highest concentration of
Important Birding Areas,
including Batang Ai and Pulong
Tau national parks, meaning
more than 650 of Borneo’s birdspecies can be spotted in the
region. For more fl ora and fauna
encounters, look to the likes
of Bako and Kubah national
parks, where you can spot
native orchids, almost 100
different palm species, and
pot-bellied proboscis monkeys.
To pack in added adventure,
experienced hikers can tread
the 11.3km ‘Headhunters Trail’
through Gunung Mulu NationalSarawak Sensations
(clockwise from top left)
Women in traditional
costume; spot
orangutans in the trees;
rainforest trekking with
local tribes; the Ra lesia
lower; Gunung Mulu
National Park; and
a rhinoceros hornbillPark – with a longboat trip down
the Melinau river – or trek
between tribal villages in the
remote Kelabit Highlands.
Kayakers, dip your paddle in the
forest-fl anked waters of Sungai
Sarawak Kiri, a tranquil river
just 45 minutes from the
capital; cavers, explore the
subterranean splendour
of Gunung Mulu National Park;
and divers, set your sights on
Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National
Park or the shipwrecks along
the coast of Kuching.GIVING BACK
As well as protecting the state’s
thousands of acres of parks and
woodlands, the Sarawak
Forestry Corporation
(sarawakforestry.com) offers
hands-on conservation
opportunities with local
charities – such as volunteering
at an orangutan rehabilitation
centre, and releasing hawksbill
turtle hatchlings into the ocean.
Book the latter, and you’ll be
staying on Talang-Talang Besar- a tiny island reserve that’s far
from the beaten track – in the
company of dedicated
conservation specialists.
Sarawak has adventures
aplenty, but it reveals its true
treasures to those who linger
a little longer and pause to give
something back. By travelling
responsibly, you’ll have the
opportunity to connect with
Malaysia in a truly meaningful
manner – leaving your mark on
Borneo in the best possible way.