Bako National Park, about 37 km north of Kuching by road and a short boat ride, is the best wildlife park accessible from the city. The park's resident population of proboscis monkeys — the large-nosed, pot-bellied monkeys endemic to Borneo — is virtually guaranteed to be seen from the main trails, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon near the beaches. Silvered langurs, long-tailed macaques, bearded pigs, monitor lizards, and the extraordinarily rare flat-headed cat also live here.
The trail network covers most of the park, ranging from short beach walks to full-day hikes to the plateau interior. Overnight accommodation is available in the park headquarters — staying overnight gives you the best chance of wildlife encounters, including the possibility of seeing slow lorises and other nocturnal species at night. The sea stack rock formations and the beaches are beautiful even if you see no wildlife. Getting there requires a bus to Kampung Bako village followed by a 20-minute boat ride, with park entrance fees paid on arrival.