Bako by Night

Bako by day is about monkeys and beaches. Bako by night is about everything else. Once the light fades and the day visitors have gone, the forest around the park headquarters comes alive with frogs calling from puddles, spiders waiting on leaves, glowing fungi on rotting wood and the sudden eyeshine of small nocturnal mammals. A guided night walk gives you a safe, informed way to see this side of the rainforest, led by guides with strong torches and a trained eye for the creatures that hide in plain sight. The trip typically begins with an afternoon transfer from Kuching, a boat ride across the bay to the park and a walk along a short trail after dark. The pace is slow, because guides stop often to point out a sleeping bird, a tree snake draped over a branch, a stick insect that looks exactly like a twig or a scorpion that glows under ultraviolet light. Even people who are nervous about insects find the walk surprising, since the guides have a way of making small creatures feel remarkable instead of frightening.

Night walks reward patience. Within the first hundred metres you may hear a chorus of tree frogs, and within the first fifteen minutes the guide will usually have found at least one snake or lizard asleep on a low branch. Pit vipers are among the animals that visitors hope to see, and keeping to the path and following the guide protects both you and them.

Mammals such as civets, flying squirrels and mouse-deer may appear in torchlight, and the occasional bearded pig forages near the headquarters at dusk. Experienced guides vary the route based on what has been seen recently and keep groups small enough that everyone can see what they find.

Because the walk ends late, some tours include an overnight stay at park accommodation and return the next morning, while others arrange a night boat back to the jetty. Ask which version you are booking, as it changes the packing list and the cost. Wear long trousers, closed shoes with grip and a light long-sleeved top, and apply repellent before you set out.

A small torch of your own is useful for the path, but follow the guide on whether to use white or red light, since bright light can disturb animals. Bring a rain layer in any season, because showers are common, and keep your hands off branches and trunks, where insects and thorns hide.

The night walk pairs naturally with a day visit to Bako, either on the same trip or on consecutive days, and it suits travellers who want a deeper sense of how much life a patch of rainforest holds. It is also a sound choice for older children who are curious and can stay quiet, though very young children may find the dark tiring.

If you have already seen the park by day, treat the night walk as a separate outing that shows a different cast of animals. If you are short on time, choose either the day trip or the night walk, and pick the night walk if you are more interested in reptiles, insects and amphibians than in monkeys.