Bako National Park in Borneo with a Baby or Toddler – Tips & Experience

Proboscis monkeys, spiders, snakes, and all kinds of tropical plants in the middle of the dense jungle – and all that with a baby?
Sounds crazy? Maybe a little. But that’s exactly the kind of adventure we took on – and it turned out to be one of our most unforgettable experiences in Borneo.

Just about a 40-minute drive from Kuching lies this small natural gem on a remote peninsula.
At just 27 square kilometers, Bako National Park is the smallest in Sarawak, but also one of the most popular in all of Malaysia – and for good reason.
You’ll encounter incredible biodiversity in a stunning variety of landscapes: dense rainforest, mangrove forests, rugged coastlines.
And let’s not forget its most famous resident – the proboscis monkey, which can only be found in Borneo.

For us, visiting Bako National Park was one of the main reasons we came to Borneo in the first place.
At the same time, we wondered: is a trip like this even doable with a baby?
After all, this isn’t a zoo – it’s real wilderness, with all the challenges that come with it, for both big and small.

In this post, we’ll tell you how we experienced a day in the jungle with our daughter, what we paid special attention to, and how you can best prepare for a visit with a baby or toddler.
With our personal experiences and practical tips, we hope to help you enjoy your own trip well-prepared and relaxed – and to take home some unforgettable memories.

GETTING TO THE BOAT JETTY

For a long time, we debated whether we should even attempt a visit to the national park with a baby.
In the end, we decided to go for it – and luckily, everything worked out perfectly for us.

By chance, we got a Grab driver who had previously worked as a guide in Bako National Park.
During the ride, he explained that the park, located on a peninsula, is only accessible by boat.
The more budget-friendly option is to share a boat with up to five people.
However, this means everyone has to go and return at the same time – which, with a baby, wasn’t really ideal for us.

His advice: spend a bit more money on a private boat and an experienced guide. That way, you have much more flexibility inside the park and can return at any time if needed.

He also recommended a guide named Sabariman – apparently one of the best in the park.
While we were still on the way, our driver tried to contact him to check if he was available that day.
And once again, we got lucky: as we arrived at the ticket counter, Sabariman was already there to greet us.

He took a moment to walk us through the plan for the day and emphasized how important it is to have an experienced guide when visiting the park with a baby.
After paying for our tickets, we were ready to begin our little jungle adventure.

Important note: Don’t forget to bring your passport – without it, you won’t be able to buy a ticket for Bako National Park.

During the roughly 30-minute boat ride into Bako National Park, Sabariman told us a little about himself.
He’s a father of three, grew up in the small village by the boat jetty, and spent several years working as a reptile researcher in the United States.
For scientific projects, he even traveled to the Amazon before eventually returning home with his family.

He has taken his own children to the national park since they were babies, so he knows exactly where little ones can crawl or walk safely, and what really matters when visiting with a baby or toddler. Sabariman speaks fluent English and could probably talk for hours about the park’s wildlife, plants, and sensitive ecosystem.

In addition to his expertise as a guide and biologist, photography is his true passion – especially wildlife and macro photography.
Not only did he give us helpful tips on using our own camera, but he also regularly reached for his own gear whenever we were a bit too slow.
With his professional camera, he captured unique moments we definitely would have missed without him.

Our Grab driver certainly didn’t exaggerate – we couldn’t have wished for a better or more genuinely kind guide.
We wholeheartedly recommend Sabariman – whether you’re traveling with kids or simply love nature.
You can reach him via email at riman1978@gmail.com. It’s best to contact him early, as he doesn’t work in the park every day.

ENTERING BAKO NATIONAL PARK

As soon as we arrived in Bako National Park, we had to be cautious: signs near the jetty warned of crocodiles. We didn’t see any, since they’re mostly active around dusk.
Instead, we were greeted by a small group of long-tailed macaques – including a baby.
Our guide quickly pulled us a few steps back, explaining that getting too close to the young ones, whether intentionally or not, can provoke an aggressive response from the mother – a risk he didn’t want to take with us or our daughter. We waited at a safe distance, let the monkeys pass, and then continued on our way.

From the boat jetty, a narrow wooden boardwalk leads directly to the park headquarters (HQ).
Before heading out on a trail, you’re required to sign the visitor log.
This allows the rangers to keep track of how many people are currently in the park – and estimate their whereabouts in case of emergencies.
Sabariman took care of the registration for us, since he already knew which trail he wanted to take us on.

Good to know: If you’re planning to explore Bako National Park on your own, be aware that while you can choose your trail in theory, the final decision is always made by the park ranger on duty. Depending on the weather, time of day, or temporary closures, some trails may be off-limits. That’s why it’s mandatory to check in at the HQ before starting any hike and to officially register your route.

In total, 18 different trails are waiting to be explored.
You can find an initial overview, as well as up-to-date information on open or closed routes, on the official website of Bako National Park.

While our guide handled the check-in formalities, he gave us a very helpful tip: we could let our daughter crawl and play a bit in the HQ’s air-conditioned information room before putting her into the carrier for the hike. The room is not only pleasantly cool but also completely safe – no animals or poisonous plants to worry about.

He also reminded us to make use of the moment: apply mosquito repellent thoroughly (including for our daughter) and dab on a bit of sunscreen for her face.

To be extra safe, he suggested storing one of our backpacks in the HQ’s lockers and only taking the essentials on the hike: water, baby formula, diapers.
Even the side pockets needed to be emptied. The monkeys in the park are fearless – they know exactly where to look and can open zippers with surprising skill.

MEETING BORNEO’S MOST UNIQUE MONKEYS

It really seemed to be our lucky day: just as we were about to start our hike, Sabariman spotted two proboscis monkeys relaxing in a large shrub between the HQ and the beach.
These fascinating creatures were perched on thick branches, almost at eye level, calmly snacking on fruit. They didn’t seem the least bit bothered by our presence.

This gave us a rare opportunity to not only see these unique animals up close, but also to observe and photograph them in peace over an extended period of time.
An unforgettable moment – and the actual hike hadn’t even begun yet.

TELUK DELIMA TRAIL

Eventually, we managed to tear ourselves away from the proboscis monkeys and began our jungle hike. We chose the Teluk Delima Trail.

The trail starts right behind the HQ, takes about 45 minutes each way (it’s not a loop), and is marked with blue-and-white trail markers.
It first passes a few huts and the campground before turning into a long wooden boardwalk that runs almost straight through the dense jungle.

Just a few meters in, our guide pointed out a pit viper – perfectly camouflaged among the green leaves.
Without him, we would have walked right past it.
This bright green venomous snake can stay in the same spot for months, which is why the park rangers usually know exactly where to find them.

Caution: The venom of the pit viper can be deadly to humans – keeping a respectful distance is absolutely essential!

Along the trail, we kept coming across spiderwebs – often with their eight-legged residents still inside.
Whenever a web crossed directly into our path, Sabariman carefully cleared it away – mainly for our daughter’s sake.
He explained that the bite from this type of spider is about as harmless as a mosquito bite for adults, but could be significantly more painful for young children – a risk he preferred to avoid completely.

Thanks to his scientific background and keen eye, he also spotted a few truly fascinating specimens we would have never noticed ourselves: tiny spiders, perfectly camouflaged among the leaves and branches along the path. As we walked, he shared interesting facts about the different species – and captured a few of those cool encounters with his camera.

Of course, we also learned a lot about the park’s diverse plant life.
At the time of our visit, Sabariman was involved in a research project studying the effects of climate change in Bako National Park, and he gave us some really insightful background information along the way.

On the way back, we spotted another proboscis monkey – this time well hidden high up in the treetops.
Another highlight was a Sunda flying lemur (also known as colugo), sleeping quietly on a branch far above.
These adorable animals are nocturnal, so we only saw it dozing – but it was still a special moment.

Just before reaching the headquarters, a few wild boars crossed our path.
They were rummaging through the forest floor for food and seemed completely unbothered by us or the other visitors.

Back at the HQ, we took a short break. We recharged with some snacks, drank plenty of water – absolutely essential in the tropical humidity – and gave our daughter a chance to move around freely before continuing on.

TELOK PAKU TRAIL

Energized from our break, we set out on our second and final trail of the day: the Telok Paku Trail.
It’s about 1.5 kilometers long and takes roughly one hour each way (not a loop), so you should plan for around two hours total.

This trail is more challenging in parts: narrow boardwalks, steep wooden ladders, heavily rooted sections, and slippery stones lead you through the dense rainforest.
With a baby, it was a bit of an adventure – but absolutely manageable. That’s why we decided to walk only about halfway to a viewpoint offering stunning views of the sea.

In terms of wildlife, we weren’t quite as lucky this time. Apart from a variety of birds and a few monitor lizards swimming in the water, it was relatively quiet.
But just before we reached the HQ again, we had one last wildlife surprise: another guide called out to Sabariman from a distance, pointing out two “flying snakes” right by the path.
These snakes – called paradise tree snakes – are known for their gliding abilities. They don’t have wings, but can still soar impressively from tree to tree.

Although they are mildly venomous, they’re considered harmless to humans. For us, it was a fascinating sight – and the perfect ending to our rainforest hike.

OUR CONCLUSION AFTER VISITING BAKO NATIONAL PARK WITH A BABY

In our opinion, visiting Bako National Park with a baby or toddler is definitely doable.
However, it’s important to adjust your expectations and prepare for a slightly different experience than you’d have without a child.

Certain activities, such as a guided night walk, weren’t an option for us.
Even though one of us could have joined in theory, staying overnight in the park with a small child felt too risky – so we opted for a day trip instead.
When it comes to choosing trails, you’ll also be a bit more limited when traveling with a young child.

Financially, you should also plan for a bit more. When traveling with a child, we highly recommend booking a private (albeit more expensive) boat to stay flexible and reduce stress.
It’s also worth investing in an experienced guide – ideally someone who not only knows a lot about the local flora and fauna but also understands the needs of your child.

Our visit to Bako National Park couldn’t have been more wonderful – and we probably owe that largely, if not entirely, to our guide Sabariman.
His experience, calm demeanor, and keen eye for the small wonders of the rainforest turned our day into something truly special.

Even today, we often look back fondly on this unforgettable experience.
We love showing our daughter the photos of the fascinating wildlife and lush plant life – and who knows, maybe one day she’ll return to visit this magical place herself.

And finally, here’s a short checklist with the most important things to pack for your visit to Bako National Park:

• Ergonomic and breathable baby carrier
• Long, lightweight clothing for your child (for sun and mosquito protection)
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
• Mosquito repellent (suitable for adults and children)
• Plenty of drinking water and small snacks
• Diapers, wet wipes, and a change of clothes
• Sturdy, non-slip shoes
• Rain protection (e.g. lightweight poncho)
• Camera or smartphone for photos
• Cash (for entrance fee, boat, tips, etc.)
• Lightweight daypack

Tip for everyone arriving by Grab: It's a good idea to exchange phone numbers with your driver on the way to the boat jetty.
This way, you can contact them in advance as soon as you head back by boat from the national park.

That ensures they’ll be there to pick you up at the jetty – and you won’t be left waiting.
Especially in the afternoon or during bad weather, it can be hard to get a Grab in that area.
If none are available, your only option may be the much less convenient bus ride back to Kuching.

Would you like to know which other countries we visited during our five-month parental leave trip through Southeast Asia – and what we experienced there? Then have a look at the following blog posts:

• Traveling Cambodia with a Baby – Tips, Useful Information & Our Experiences
• Bali Round Trip with a Baby – Route, Tips & Highlights
• Thailand Round Trip with a Baby - Route, Tips & Highlights
• Vietnam Round Trip with a Toddler – Itinerary, Tips & Highlights

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• Find affordable Transfers with 12Go.com
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
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• Discover the best accommodations
• The best Travel Guides for Malaysia
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