Blanketed in dense rainforest, with 45
national parks, ive wildlife sanctuaries
and 15 nature reserves, there’s ample
opportunity to get out into nature, both
inland and on the coast. Kayak down the
Semadang River, hike up Mount Murud to
spot proboscis monkeys, or don a wetsuit
and dive beneath the waves for myriad
marine life.
Culturally and linguistically diverse,
Sarawak is home to 27 ethnic groups,
including the Iban tribe, which has long
since ceased headhunting but still maintains
many of its traditional customs and ways
of life. Orangutans are sacred to the Iban,
IMAGE: GETTY and their jungle home of Batang Ai is the
SARAWAK
MALAYSIA’S MOST MUSICAL STATE
Dramatic rainforest, pristine beaches and rare wildlife are just
some of the reasons to visit Sarawak — it’s also hosting the
Rainforest World Music this July, where infectious jungle beats
will play long into the nightbest place to spot the great ape. In the east,
meanwhile, the temperate highlands are
home to the Kelabit people, and intrepid
travellers can hike from longhouse to
longhouse throughout the region. The
capital, Kuching, is not only a gateway to the
country’s tropical interior but a standout
stop in its own right, its busy streets full of
markets, museums and restaurants.
One of the best times to visit is in July,
when the tropical climate is drier and
it’s possible to coincide a trip with the
Rainforest World Music Festival. Set in thick
jungle in the Sarawak Cultural Village, just
20 miles from Kuching, the event now hosts
more than 23,000 festival goers.PARTNER CONTENT FOR SARAWAK TOURISM