Kubah National Park

Approximately 20 kilometers west of Kuching is the Kubah National Park. It is dominated by sandstone plateau and covers an area of 2,230 hectares. The Matang Range formed a scenic backdrop at the park which includes three mountains— Mount Serapi, Mount Selang and Mount Sendok that can be seen clearly from Kuching. v The Park is a Mixed Dipterocarp forest and has one of Borneo's widest selections of palms and orchids. Kubah National Park offers four trails and one of it leads to Gunung Serapi. Trekking Gunung Serapi is fun and looks easy because of the tarred road but can be quite challenging as the return trip takes about 5 to 6 hours . On top of the mountain is the telecommunication Tower, which is a restricted area.

There are four trails at Matang Wildlife Centre. The Sungai Rayu trail will lead to Kubah National Park. Visitors who want to go to the waterfalls can try the Sungai Senduk or Sungai Buluh trail. Along the Pitcher Trail, visitors will be able to spot pitcher plants scattered all over the forest floor.

All the jungle trails meander through the cool forest and provide opportunities to observe the rich variety of plant life. The picturesque waterfalls provide perfect spots for picnics and cool refreshing dips after the energetic walks through the forest.

Along the Palmarium Trail, visitors can expect to see lots of palms trees. The waterfall could be reached in about 2 hours using the Waterfall Trail which is the most popular trail. Ulu Rayu trail leads to Matang Wildlife Centre and takes about 3 to 4 hours. Selang Trail offers a good view of Matang and the Santubong peninsula.

The park has six jungle trails and a path that leads to the summit of Gunung Serapi (5-6 hours return trip). Wooden shelters are located along the various trails. The Main Trail passes through dipterocarp forest and links the various trails of the park.

The Palmetum is the park's showcase trail, passing through an area rich in palms.

The Selang trail leads to a view point about 45 minutes walk from the HQ. After about 30 minutes you come to a very steep section where ropes are provided to help with the climb. At the end of the trail you'll find a raised wooden platform complete with a bench chair and some superb views of Matang and the Santubong peninsula.

The Waterfall Trail is the most popular trail in the park. It passes through mixed dipterocarp forest and incorporates a number of plankwalk sections that cross streams and swampy land. From the HQ, it takes about 1 hr 30 mins to reach the waterfall.

The Rayu trail leads from the park HQ to the Matang Wildlife Centre and takes about 3-4 hours (one way). First follow the main trail before turning right to begin a relatively easy descent through the rainforest. Mid-way along the trail you'll find some rainforest giants, and pass numerous Bintangor trees which are currently the subject of Aids research. At the end of the trail you enter a swampy section (watch out for leeches) before coming to a crystal clear stream and the riverside picnic areas at the Wildlife Centre. Note that you can also start both the Waterfall and Rayu treks just past the 900 feet point on the Mount Serapi path. The trek from the road to the waterfall takes about 45 minutes and begins with a steep descent on a wooden staircase that winds its way down the forested slopes. The new Belian trail is about 1 hour's easy walking and as well as huge Belian (Borneo ironwood) trees, there is a wide variety of other plant life. Colorful forest birds including the maroon woodpecker, white rumped shama, chestnut-naped fork tail, and rufous-collard kingfisher are often heard and seen, and giant squirrels are frequently spotted jumping from tree to tree.

Visitors to Kubah National Park will have the chance to see the plant life of Borneo as the forest area dominating the park is rich in palms trees and orchids which include species like Licuala, Rattans, Pantu, Pinanga, Appendicula, Dipodium and Eria. The park is also a haven for a wide variety of butterflies.

The dipterocarp forest, interspersed with patches of scrub and kerangas, is also home to a variety of wildlife which include bearded pigs, mouse deer, squirrels, black hornbill, amphibians and reptiles. Chances of seeing the animals are quite slim here as compared to Bako National Park, as the animals tend to hide deep in the forest.

As not to disappoint visitors to the National Parks, there is the Matang Wildlife Centre as an alternative, which is very much a part of Kubah National Park. The centre houses the endangered wildlife such as Sambar Deer, Crocodiles, Sun Bears, Civets and Bear Cats. The major attraction are the Orang utans, which are either orphaned or rescued from captivity.

The animals are kept in large enclosures. There are also three aviaries for Hornbills, Sea Eagles and a host of other indigenous birds. The best time to visit the centre is during it's feeding time.

Both Kubah National Park and Matang Wildlife Centre are favorite destination for day-trippers because of its short distance away from Kuching City Centre. For those who want to explore more of the forest, accommodation and other facilities are available.

Accommodation facilities are available at the park and also at the Matang Wildlife centre.

8 rooms; 16 single 16 twin (Fan only, attach bathroom & toilet) RM15.00 per bed, RM40.00 per room

Applications for perm its and reservations for accommodation can be made at the National Parks booking office, Kuching.

(Sarawak Tourism Complex, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg) TEL: 6 082 248088 FAX: 6 082 248087 ONLINE BOOKING: http://ebooking.com.my

Kubah National Park is an easy and enjoyable day trip from Kuching. Situated on a small sandstone plateau, this small park (2,230 ha.) boasts crystal clear streams and a host of small waterfalls and bathing pools. Kubah is mostly covered by mixed dipterocarp forest, but it also has one of the widest selections of palms and orchids in Borneo. The varied wildlife includes bearded pig, mouse deer, black hornbill and many species of amphibians and reptiles. However, Kubah's wildlife tends to stay deep in the forest so it is not really a park for "wildlife encounters" (Bako is unbeatable in that respect). Kubah's appeal lies in its rainforest scenery, its waterfalls, streams and bathing pools and the 93 species of palm found within its boundaries.

MATANG WILDLIFE CENTRE

Matang Wildlife Centre, part of Kubah National Park, houses endangered wildlife in large enclosed areas of rainforest or spacious cages. The main attraction is the Orang Utan training programme, where young Orang Utans, who were either orphaned or rescued from captivity, are taught how to survive in the wild. The best time to see the Orang Utan is at feeding time (see below). As well as the Orang Utans, the Centre includes spacious enclosures housing Sambar Deer, Crocodiles, Sun Bears, Civets and Bear Cats, and three large aviaries featuring Hornbills, Eagles, Kites, Storks and a host of other birds native to Sarawak.

There are some pleasant riverside picnic spots a short walk from the information centre and four jungle trails. The Pitcher Trail, which follows a circular path through the forest, takes approximately two hours and trekkers should not have too much difficulty in spotting the various specious of pitcher plants that litter the forest floor at the sides of the trail. The Rayu trail leads to the Kubah Park headquarters and takes 3-4 hours. The Sungai Buluh trail leads to two secluded waterfalls and takes 2-hours (one way)

There is an information centre, accommodation facilities and a small canteen just a short walk from the car park.

Animal Feeding Times

Orang Utan : 9.30 am and 3.30 pm daily
Hornbills : 9.30 and 3.30 pm daily
Sambar Deer : 9.30 am and 3.30 pm daily
Crocodiles : 3 pm every Sunday

Accommodation Facilities:

Kubah Park HQ: Type 4' Forest Lodge, RM 225 per house (kitchen, 2 bedrooms (6 beds), air-con, TV, hot water and verandah). Type 5' Forest Lodge, RM 150 per house (3 bedrooms (10 beds), fan and common cooking facilities). Hostel, RM 15 per person.

Matang Wildlife Centre: Type 5' Forest Lodge (2-bedrooms, each with double bed) RM 150 per house. Hostel, RM 15 per person or RM 40 per room (4 beds), Campsite RM 5 per person.

Getting There: Kubah is only 21 km from Kuching whilst Matang Wildlife Centre is 35 km from town. Travel agents can arrange tours to the park, or take Matang Transport Co. bus No. 11 or a local mini-bus (see Travel Connections). Bus 11 passes Kubah Park HQ but it does not go all the way to Matang Wildlife Centre. If you are heading to Matang Wildlife Centre ask to be dropped off at the turning for the Polytechnic. You may be in for a long wait; at the time of writing there is no regular bus service to the Wildlife Centre. Local mini-buses (bos sewa) serve the villages in the Matang area but the service is irregular. If you do see a small white bas sewa, flag it down and ask the driver to drop you off at the Centre. The only other alternative is to try and hitch a ride. The one-way taxi fare is RM 30-35 - negotiate a 'wait and return' fare or arrange a pick up time. Alternatively, local tour operators run day trips to both the National Park and the Wildlife Centre.

Situated approximately 20 km west of Kuching is the Kubah National Park. Covering an area of 2,230 hectares, it as gazette as a National Park in 1989. The area is largely composed of sandstone/ siltstone and shale in the shadow of three mountains-Gunung Serapi, Gunung Selang and Gunung Sendok. The crystal clear waters of fast flowing streams run down a series of waterfalls, some as high as 10 meters. The tranquil and picturesque setting makes it a popular destination for day-trippers .

• FLORA AND FAUNA

Mixed dipterocarp forests predominate with patches of scrub and kerangas adding variety. The area is rich in palms and orchids which include species of Licuala, Rattans, Pantu, Pinanga, Appendicula, Dipodium and Eria are found in abundance.

The cool forest, the nearby mangrove and the dissected terrain is home to a considerably large wildlife population. This includes the mouse deer, squirrels and the bearded pig. The loud calls of the black hornbills (kenyalang), can be distinctly heard as you walk through the park. This venerable bird features prominently in many Iban religious ceremonies. Other notable inhabitants of the park are varieties of amphibians and reptiles.

• PLANNING AN ITINERARY

Visit the Matang Wildlife Centre and see some of the endangered wildlife species of Sarawak in their natural environment. Visitors will also gain valuable insights into efforts to conserve these species and their habitats.

Jungle trails meandering through the cool forests provide opportunities to observe the rich variety of plant life found here. If you're quiet enough you may hear the loud "gronk" of the hornbills echoing through the forest canopy.

The picturesque waterfall is provide perfect spots for picnics and cool refreshing dips after the energetic walks through the forest. Rest a while and take in the beauty of your tranquil surroundings before moving on to new pursuits.

For an insight into the local culture visit the nearby longhouse (Rumah Jugah) on the banks of Sungai Rayu.