Kubah National Park

Introducing Kubah National Park

While Bako has the edge for wildlife and popularity, Kubah National Park is the nearest national park to Kuching and makes another easy and rewarding day-trip option. Just 20km west of the city, the park’s 22 sq km protect a range of forested sandstone hills that rise dramatically from the surrounding plain to a height of 450m. There are waterfalls, rainforest walking trails and lookouts, and the beautiful rainforest is home to a wide variety of palms and orchids.

Walking trails include the paved entrance road, which runs right up to the summit of Kubah’s highest peak, Gunung Serapi; it’s a two- to three-hour walk. The peak is often shrouded in mist but there are lookouts along the way. You can probably grab a lift up then walk down. Most of the other trails run off the entrance road. The Ulu Rayu Trail links Kubah with the Matang Wildlife Centre, 5km from the turn-off, and takes about three hours to walk. The Waterfall Trail takes about 45 minutes from the turn-off and ends at a natural swimming pool.

Entrance to the park costs RM10, and trail maps are available at the park office (011-225003). Accommodation can be booked through the Kuching visitors information centre (082-410944; www.sarawaktourism.com; Sarawak Tourism Complex, Jln Tun Haji Openg; 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm Sat & Sun).

The Kubah park headquarters offers hostel, resthouse and double-storey chalet accommodation. In the comfortable, clean hostel (dm/r RM15/40), rooms are fan-cooled and have shared bathrooms. There’s no restaurant, but a kitchen is supplied with all facilities, including a fridge and utensils.

Forest lodges (r RM120-225; ) with full facilities sleep eight to 10 people each. Kubah is entirely self-catering; if you have transport you can get supplies in the local kampung or even dine back in Kuching, but otherwise you’ll have to bring all your own food.

Matang Transport Co bus 11 leaves Kuching for Kubah at regular intervals RM1.60, 40 minutes; there’s no set timetable, but services should run roughly hourly in the morning. The bus will drop you at Sungai Cina, from where it’s a 300m uphill walk to the park entrance.

A taxi from town will cost at least RM60 return; arrange with the driver a time to be picked up. Another option is to drive, but the park is not well signposted. Follow the signs to Matang then turn left at the crossroads 200m past Red Bridge; the park entrance is about 3.5km further on.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009