Ulu Temburong National Park

Introducing Ulu Temburong National Park

This up-and-coming national park is situated within the wider Batu Apoi Forest Reserve, a large area of primary rainforest that covers most of southern Temburong. It’s rapidly becoming Temburong’s prime attraction for locals and tourists.

The forest is rich in flora and fauna, and the jungle can be explored along walking trails. The main visitor route leads to a lofty canopy walkway, one of the longest in the world. When floods and overgrown undergrowth permit, you should be able to continue to the Sungai Apan waterfall or tackle the rugged two-day walk to Bukit Belalong.

The Kuala Belalong Rainforest Field Studies Centre was developed by Brunei Shell and the Universiti Brunei Darussalam to provide facilities for research into tropic­al rainforests. It’s primarily for scientists and school groups, though interested overseas visitors can stay here, usually arranged through a tour.

Most tours embark at the Outward Bound centre (www.outward-bound.org/docs/info/OBBD.htm) on Sungai Temburong, which offers outdoor adventure programs and activities for groups and individuals.

A permit is required to visit the reserve. Travellers usually take a tour; if you want to visit independently, you’ll need to contact the Forestry Department (forestrybrunei@hotmail.com; BSB 238 1687; Bangar 522 1839;) to inquire about individual and overnight permits, a process that can take several days. As travel within the park also requires hiring a boat (B$150), it’s often easier to go on a tour.

Tour companies in BSB offer a variety of packages. The standard rate is around B$245 per person for a two-day trip to the park, including an overnight stay at a Murut village on the way up the Sungai Temburong. There’s plenty of scope for group rates and other discounts, though it’s cheaper by far to get the boat to Bangar and either book at the tourist office (B$85) or hang around and try to negotiate a ride-along with an existing group.

Last updated: Oct 27, 2009