Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, occupying the northwest coast of Borneo. It is the destination for travellers who want serious jungle — vast tracts of rainforest, longhouse communities of the Iban and other Dayak peoples, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and some of the world's most spectacular caves. Most visits begin in Kuching, a surprisingly liveable riverside city with good food, a strong Peranakan Chinese heritage, and easy access to wildlife parks.
Bako National Park, about an hour from Kuching by road and boat, is the best place in Sarawak for a first taste of Borneo wildlife. Proboscis monkeys are virtually guaranteed. Further northeast, the Niah Caves near Miri are one of Southeast Asia's great archaeological sites — Palaeolithic burials and rock paintings have been found here, and the cave system itself is enormous. In the interior, the Mulu National Park (a UNESCO site) holds Deer Cave, one of the largest cave passages on earth, and the jagged Pinnacles of Gunung Api.
Logging has reduced the forests significantly over the past few decades, but protected areas remain impressive. The longhouse culture along rivers like the Rejang and Skrang is still alive, though increasingly commercialised closer to the coast.
Getting around requires a mix of flights, longboats, and patience. AirAsia connects Kuching, Miri, and Sibu. The interior runs on river transport.
