Borneo wildlife adventure - The bat cave

Fluttering bats of Mulu

Soar across the tree tops of the tropical rainforest before your plane lands on a jungle air strip in the largest national park in Sarawak, Royal Mulu National Park. During this Borneo wildlife adventure, you'll stay in a rustic jungle lodge made entirely out of wood. Accompanied by your guide, you'll trek deep into the tropical rainforest where you'll explore one of the largest limestone caves in the world. This cave is filled with the most bizarre looking stalagmites, stalactites and other rock formations. As the sun goes down and you arrive at the cave exit, you'll experience the mass exodus of thousands of of bats fluttering out of the cave into the night sky. To make your Borneo wildlife adventure complete, you'll sail straight through the rainforest in a wooden jungle boat and will arrive back at your lodge in the dark. Need more action and adventure during your trip? Then extend your stay and try a strenuous trek to the 'Pinnacles' of Mulu or go adventure caving deep in the labyrinth of caves.

Duration	3 days/ 2 nights	Accommodation	Rustic jungle lodge Comfort level 2 or 4 (see accommodation)
Price	£ 130 per person - based on 2 people sharing, lodge £ 256 per person - based on 2 people sharing, luxury resort	Includes	Mini bus and boat transfer to and from Mulu - park entrance fee - jungle walks - cave visit (incl. 1 x lunch pack) with English speaking guide - 2 nights in rustic jungle lodge
Transport	Minibus and boat	Excludes	Domestic flight Miri - Mulu and other meals

Day 1 - Miri - Gunung Mulu National Park

Get going on this Borneo wildlife adventure module from Mulu, which is only a quick domestic flight away from Kuching or Kota Kinabalu (layover in Miri). Make sure you get a window seat, this alone will give you an incredible view of the tropical rainforest below you. After about 40 minutes you'll begin to descend and eventually land on Mulu's small air strip where your guide will be waiting for you. A 'longboat' will then take you to your modest wooden jungle lodge. The jungle lodge is built on 3m high poles, resembles traditional longhouses and was built according to longstanding traditions. All parts of the building are connected by a central wooden walkway. If you prefer a more luxurious accommodation, you can also stay at the only luxury resort in the area. This resort is located in the heart of the jungle, on the banks of the Melinau River and is available for an additional charge.

After you check in you'll head straight out into the park and off you go on a 3km hike across a wooden walkway. Looking around you'll see a wide variety of amazing plants, birds, insects and if you look close enough, monkeys. The first cave you'll reach is 'Lang Cave', an enormous cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites. You may want to bring along a raincoat, quite a bit of ground water drops down from the cracks in the limestone. The cave is illuminated by large lamps and it is easily accessible by walking across the walkways. The next cave, 'Deer Cave' is nearby. Millions of bats live in this cave. Don't forget to bring along a flashlight, the cave is quite dark and has some slippery spots. As the sun begins to set, you'll walk back towards the cave entrance (the largest cave entrance in the world). Out of nothing, you'll hear an immense noise, whirring and fluttering. When you look around you'll see thousands of bats flying out of the cave. They'll head out into the nocturnal jungle as one swarm in search of insects. Being able to watch this is truly quite an extraordinary experience. At around 7pm or 8pm you'll be back at the lodge and you'll be able to sit down to a delightful meal at the restaurant. In the evening you can relax in your spacious, comfortable room.

Borneo wildlife adventure - Natural swimming pools

Day 2 - Gunung Mulu National Park

At around 8:30am, after a hearty breakfast, you'll set out through the jungle in a long, wooden jungle boat. Along the way you'll pass Penan tribe villages. The first cave you'll come across is the 'Wind Cave', an enormous cave filled with bizarre natural pillars. Your boat ride will then continue on towards 'Clearwater Cave', which was created by an enormous network of underground rivers. A long staircase will take you through this fascinating cave network. Temperatures can soar in the caves, so it's best to wear cool clothing. After visiting the caves, pull on those swimming trunks and hop into the emerald waters of the pools to cool off. While enjoying a picnic lunch, you may see the beautiful 'Rajah Brooke' butterflies fluttering above the water. Eventually your boat will take you back to your lodge where you'll arrive in the late afternoon, so you'll have time to sit back and relax until dinner. At the end of the day you'll spend the night at the lodge.

Day 3 - Gunung Mulu National Park - Miri

After breakfast you'll be taken to Mulu airport where a turbo prop plane will be waiting to take you to Miri. No planes are allowed to fly into Mulu after 4pm so that they do not disturb the bats leaving their caves. On Borneo nature, and not humans, comes first. From Miri you can fly on to Bintulu to continue your Borneo wildlife adventure. You can also choose to continue travelling to the traditional city of Kuching or to the more modern city of Kota Kinabalu.

Borneo wildlife adventure - No flying after 4pm

Borneo wildlife adventure - Amazing rock formations

Borneo wildlife adventure - Jungle clearing

Borneo wildlife adventure extension

Fluttering bats and a climb to the Pinnacles (3 nights)

One of Mulu National Park's most distinguishing features is the presence of so called 'pinnacles' (see photo). These pinnacles are quite unique and they are certainly worth a visit. Anyone in relatively good health and a reasonable level of physical fitness can complete the climb to the panorama view at 1750m.

Day 2: Gunung Mulu National Park
On day two of this extension to your Borneo wildlife adventure, you won't return to your chalet at the end of the day. You'll head out by boat at 9am to the village Long Litut, approximately an hour away. From here trek through the rainforest for about three hours past the Litut River and on to the rustic lodge where you'll be served dinner in the evening.

Day 3: Gunung Mulu National Park - Pinnacles
After an early breakfast you'll start out on your last climb. The path is quite steep and goes on for 2.5km up the mountain to the panoramic view at 1750m. As you climb, you'll see the most beautiful orchids and 'pitcher plants'. The view is simply stunning and the intriguing rock formations, created by years of erosion, shoot up from the ground into the heavens. Sometime in the afternoon you'll arrive at the campsite where you can go for a swim in the river. At the end of the day you'll spend another night at your lodge.

Day 4: Gunung Mulu National Park - Miri
The following morning a boat will take you back back to the park entrance where a transfer will be waiting to take you the airport for your flight back to Miri.

Duration	4 days / 3 nights	Accommodation	Jungle lodge or luxury resort. Comfort level 2 or 4 (see accommodation).
Price	£449 per person - based on 2 people sharing in a jungle lodge £569 per person - based on the luxury resort	Includes	Mini bus and boat transfer to and from Mulu - park entrance fee - jungle walks - visits to caves and 2 day trek to the Pinnacles - English speaking guide - 1 night in a jungle lodge and 2 nights in Camp 5 - meals: 3 x breakfast, 3 x lunch and 3 x dinner
Transport	Minibus and boat	Excludes	All other meals

Another extension option...

Fluttering bats and Borneo adventure caving
For the adventurous at heart who are also physically fit, we offer an exciting outdoor activity: adventure caving. You'll wade through underground rivers, crawl through small passage ways, climb over boulders and slide down a tightened piece of rope. This is an absolute must if you want to explore the caves completely... adventurous travellers only.

If you would like to participate in this excursion, be sure to mention this on the quote request form or booking form and we'll add it to your travel proposal. You'll spend an additional night in the Rainforest Lodge.

Borneo wildlife adventure - Mulu adventure cave

Duration	2 days / 1 night Mulu National Park extension	Accommodation	Jungle lodge or luxury resort. Comfort level 2 or 4 (see accommodation).
Price	£ 180 per person - based on 2 people sharing jungle lodge £ 242 per person - based on 2 people sharing, luxury resort	Includes	1 day of adventure caving with English speaking guide - 1 night in a jungle lodge - meals: 1 x breakfast, 1 x lunch and 1 x dinner
Transport	None	Excludes	Anything not mentioned in the tour description

Borneo wildlife adventure - Adventure caving

Tips

Best time to travel
Visit Royal Mulu National Park any time of year; but be prepared to encounter plenty of other jungle-enthusiasts during local holidays and school holidays. To avoid disapointment, avoid visiting the park during these times if at all possible. Have a look at the local holiday periods.

What to bring along
Bring along a raincoat, or even better yet, bring along a poncho so that you can also cover your daypack and/ or camera. A flashlight is also a must. Both can be purchased at the spot or in Kuching or you can simply bring them along from home.

Footwear
Don't go out and buy expensive fancy footwear if you're only going to use them during this module, not necessary. If you do choose to book an extension to visit the Pinnacles or to go adventure caving then it's best to bring along closed shoes with a sturdy tread. Some paths can be steep and if it rains some areas can become slippery.

Click here for the quote request form

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