Tanjung Datu National Park 5D4N

Tanjung
Datu comprises a narrow strip of forested hills and stunning beaches with clear emerald green waters. Located at the southwestern tip of Sarawak, Tanjung Datu is one of Sarawak’s smallest national parks but it is perhaps the most beautiful.  A key attraction is its seclusion. The park’s remoteness means that the beaches are pristine and the rainforest intact.  The park is home to a variety of wildlife include Bornean gibbons, pig-tailed macaques, long-tailed macaque monkeys, silver-leaf monkeys, civet cats, bearded pigs, diverse birdlife and more. Green turtles also nest on the park’s beaches from April to September.

0900 hours - Pick-up from hotel in Kuching and proceed by road (approx. 2 hours) to the small coastal town of Sematan. Take a boat (approx. 60 mins) to Tanjung Datu National Park. Arrive at Tanjung Datu National Park HQ around 1330 hours, walk across the beach and settle in at the campsite. (If the tide is low or sea conditions prevent boat landings at the park HQ, arrive at the small bay of Telok Upas and walk 15 minutes to Park HQ.) The rest of the day is at your own leisure. Relax on the beach, hike the Telok Upas or Viewpoint trails, have a swim or visit the turtle hatchery. Enjoy dinner at the park HQ. After dark go on short night walk and search for wildlife such as wild boar, sambar deer, mouse deer, barking deer, civet cats and other nocturnal creatures. Return to the park HQ then take a stroll along the beach to see if any turtles have come ashore to nest. Please note turtle sightings are not guaranteed. Overnight at the camping shelters at the park HQ.

After breakfast, around 0800 hours go for a jungle trek along the Pasir Antu Laut trail. Enjoy the forest scenery along the 2.7 km trail and keep a look out for wildlife. Gibbons, banded langurs and hornbills are sometimes spotted on this trail. Midway along the trail you will come to a small stream. Take a short break before continuing through the pristine forest to Antu Laut beach. Have a swim at the beach before returning along the forest trail. Half way along the trail turn left onto a small track that leads to the main turtle beach. Huge boulders are found along the coast here where the rainforest runs right down to the beach. Admire the views before walking back along the beach to the  park HQ arriving around 1300-1400 hours. Have a late lunch at the park HQ. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Go snorkelling near Telok Upas or alternatively go for another walk or relax on the beach. Dinner at the park HQ. After dinner go for a short night walk and search for
nocturnal creatures. Overnight at the camping shelters at the park HQ.

After breakfast, go for a jungle trek along the Belian Trail that passes through the rainforested slopes of the 542 metre Gunung Melano, the highest peak in the park. Enjoy the forest scenery and keep a look out for wildlife. Cabbage-like Rafflesia buds are often seen on the forest floor. If you are lucky you may see a Rafflesia flower in full bloom. Return to the park HQ for lunch. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Go for a swim, a walk or relax on the beach. Dinner at the park HQ. Overnight at park HQ room or camping shelters.

Breakfast in the guesthouse. Then free at leisure to explore the village or have a swim. 1100 hours board a boat and travel back to Sematan, arriving around 1200 hours. Have lunch in a local restaurant / coffee shop in Sematan. Return to Kuching arriving late afternoon. Be dropped off at your hotel in Kuching.

Note: This tour is available from April to October. Tanjung Datu is not accessible during the monsoon months owing to high seas. Some activities are subject to weather conditions and may be re-organised to best meet operational situations.