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 Just
20km west of Kuching, Kubah National Park is the nearest national park
to the city and is an easy and rewarding day trip. There are waterfalls,
rainforest, walking trails and lookouts.
The sandstone plateau includes three mountains: Gunung Serapi, Gunung
Selang and Gunung Sendok. These can be seen clearly from Kuching. Within
the park's 2230 hectares you can find rare ferns and orchids. These were
one of the reasons Kubah was developed and declared a national park in
1989.
 Kubah’s
beautiful dipterocarp rainforest is home to a wide variety of palms and
orchids, interspersed with patches of scrub and unusually rich area of
kerangas, is home to bearded pigs, black hornbills, squirrels, mouse
deer and many species of reptiles and amphibians.
However, there’s less chance of encountering animals here than in Bako
National Park as the animals tend to stay out of sight within the
forest’s deeper recesses. For that cool wildlife encounter visitors
should head on to Bako Park. But for those who like to traipse around
jungle trails and take in nature in all its glory as displayed by the
vast array of greens and dancing streams, Kubah is the place for you.
Kubah’s appeal lies in its rainforest scenery, its waterfalls, streams
and bathing pools and the 93 species of palm found within its
boundaries.
The park has four 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 for the convenience of hikers and tourists.
The Main Trail passes through dipterocarp forest and links the various
trails of the park. The first section of this trail is called the
Palmarium as it passes through an area rich in palms. The Selang trail
leads to a view point about 45 minutes walk from the park’s
headquarters.
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 may be found a
raised wooden platform complete with a bench where hikers may rest their
weary legs and indulge their eyes with 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 includes a number of plank walk sections
that cross streams and swampy land. It usually takes a two-hour hike
from headquarters to reach the waterfall.
The Ulu Rayu trail leads from the park office to the Matang Wildlife
Center and takes about 3-4 hours hike before reaching the Center.
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 that have been
studied for their medicinal properties and possible use in AIDS
research.
At the end of the trail is a rather swampy section where visitors would
be well-advised to be wary of leeches. After this is a crystal clear
stream and the riverside picnic areas at the Wildlife Center.
MATANG WILDLIFE CENTER
Part of Kubah National Park, the Matang Wildlife Center houses
endangered wildlife species in large enclosed areas of rainforest or
spacious cages. The main attraction is the Orangutan training program,
where young orangutans, who were either orphaned or rescued from
captivity, are weaned and taught how to survive in the wild. The best
time to see the Orang Utan is at feeding time.
In addition to the orangutans, the Center’s wildlife displays include
spacious enclosures housing sambar deer, crocodiles, sun bears, civets
and bear cats, and three large aviaries housing hornbills, sea eagles
and a host of other birds indigenous to Sarawak.
Visitors who, after hours of hiking and exploring the Center’s
enclosures are also welcome to rest and enjoy a picnic on some very
pleasant riverside picnic spots which can be reached by a short walk
from the information center.
For hardy hikers who prefer to embark on another adventure, there are
also four jungle trails that may followed from the Center’s grounds. The
Pitcher Trail, is a two-hour hike following a path that circles through
the forest and affords trekkers the chance to spot the various species
of pitcher plants that may be found littering the sides of the trail.
The Sungai Rayu trail leads to the Kubah Park headquarters and takes 3-4
hours to negotiate.
The Sungai Senduk and Sungai Buluh Trails both lead to waterfalls and
take one and two hours respectively.
There is an information center, accommodation facilities and a small
canteen where tourists may avail of refreshments and snacks located just
a short walk from the car park.
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