Bako National Park Campsite, Sarawak
01 Quick Facts
02 🌴 The Vibe
Bako is Sarawak's oldest national park — established in 1957 — and in September 2025 it was formally recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park. It’s also the closest real wilderness to Kuching. You trade the car for a 30-minute boat ride, and the moment the boat leaves the jetty, the city is gone entirely.
What makes Bako special is the contrast: dense mangrove and kerangas forest on one side, hidden coves and sea stacks on the other. Campers who pitch at Telok Pandan Kecil sleep on a sandy beach cove that's only reachable by trail from park HQ. It's not glamping, it's not a resort — it's bare-bones coastal camping with proboscis monkeys for neighbours.
This place suits people who want real nature with the safety net of a managed national park. Families, first-time campers and solo travellers all work here. It's less suited to campers who want car camping, loud group nights, or any kind of convenience — the boat schedule and the tides run your day, not the other way round.
03 🚙 Getting There
The park has no road access. You drive to Kampung Bako jetty (about 40–60 minutes from Kuching city), park (paid parking near the jetty), and take a boat.
Shared boats are the budget option — around RM30–35 per person each way; a private charter runs RM110–140 per trip. Plan around the tides: boats run from roughly 7am and stop when the tide window closes. Book your return boat with the same operator before you head in — first-timers who forget this end up negotiating at the beach.
04 ⛺ Camping at Bako
The designated public campsite is at Telok Pandan Kecil, a beach cove about a 40-minute trail walk from park HQ. You register at HQ first, pay the RM5/person/night camping fee, and carry everything in on foot — sand, tent, food, water included.
- The walk in is hot and sandy — pack light, use a Naturehike backpack, cover your gear. Trolleys and wagons are not practical on this trail.
- There are no facilities at the cove itself — toilets and water are at HQ. Plan your water carefully; there's no supply at the campsite.
- Prefer a little privacy? A Blackdog portable toilet folds flat and tucks into your pack for cove camping.
If beach camping isn't your thing, the HQ area has hostel dorm beds (RM15.75) and forest lodges (RM200/night for a 2-room). Many visitors do a mixed trip: camp one night at the cove, sleep in the dorm the second.
05 🛠 Facilities
Toilets & showers — Flushing toilets and basic shower areas at HQ. Fine, not fancy. Bring your own toiletries and toilet paper; the canteen doesn't stock essentials.
Food & water — A canteen at HQ serves simple meals (budget RM15–20 per meal) and drinking water. At the campsite cove: nothing — carry in what you need. A foldable Naturehike / Shinetrip water bucket is the easiest way to haul water from HQ to the cove.
Power — HQ has limited power; the campsite has none. A good camp lamp and a powerbank are non-negotiable if you're staying at Telok Pandan Kecil.
Wildlife etiquette — Bearded pigs, long-tailed macaques and silvered langurs roam the park. Keep food sealed and hung, and never feed the animals — the macaques will raid an open tent in seconds.
06 💬 What Campers Are Saying
"Very beautiful place. We saw a lot of wildlife and had a lot of fun. I would really recommend getting a guide for the day and share the costs with other people, as it will be easier to spot animals and see the beautiful views of the reserve."
"Amazing national park near Kuching. Would definitely recommend hiring a tour guide, as they know exactly where to look to find the wild animals. Also recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants despite the heat to help prevent mosquito bites."
"What a place, so easy to get yourself around on the trails but note the times for the trails are one way! The place is teeming with wildlife, food from the canteen lovely and staff kind and knowledgeable."
Google's own review analysis (checked 20 Aug 2026, 5★ 4,552 · 4★ 729 · 3★ 191 · 2★ 44 · 1★ 78): the biggest themes are the boat ride (383), proboscis monkeys (329) and jungle trekking (210). The consistent picture: Bako rewards people who plan ahead and punishes people who don't. The park itself is world-class — the logistics are simply not handed to you on a plate.
07 💰 What to Budget 2D1N · per person · MY
| Park entry | RM10 |
| Boat (shared, return) | RM60–70 |
| Camping fee (1 night) | RM5 |
| Meals at canteen | RM30–45 |
| Total (approx.) | RM105–130 |
Non-Malaysians add RM10 entry → roughly RM115–145.
08 🏕 The Camp Tip
- Do the Telok Pandan trail at first light — cooler, and the sea stacks are stunning before the heat builds.
- Sand, not soil: regular pegs won't hold in loose beach sand. the Naturehike sand pegs are angled for exactly this.
- Tie your shelter down properly: coastal gusts come through the cove at night. take a length of paracord for extra guylines.
- No power at the campsite: a Naturehike camping light doubles as light + backup signal.
- Book before you go: campsite slots go through the Sarawak Forestry Corporation portal — weekends and school holidays fill weeks ahead.
09 ❓ FAQ
Q1Can you camp overnight at Bako National Park?
Yes. The public campsite at Telok Pandan Kecil costs MYR 5 per person per night. You must register at park HQ and carry your gear in on foot.
Q2How much is the boat to Bako National Park?
Shared boats from Kampung Bako jetty cost MYR 30–35 per person each way. Private charters cost MYR 110–140 per trip. The last boats depend on tides.
Q3Do you need a permit to camp at Bako?
Only the standard entry fee plus camping fee, both paid at HQ. Camping at unmarked sites or research and commercial filming require separate permits. Drones are generally not permitted.
Q4What is the best month to visit Bako National Park?
The dry season (June–September) gives the best trail conditions and cleaner beach campsites. Avoid heavy monsoon months if you're planning the Telok Pandan campsite.
10 🔗 You Might Also Like
- 91 Beach Campsite — another Sarawak coastal option closer to Kuching (upcoming)
- Best Campsites in Sarawak 2026 (upcoming)
- Permata Pugu, Lundu — beach camping with cabin options (upcoming)
Author note: Rates checked against Sarawak Forestry Corporation on 20 Aug 2026. Google rating, review count and camper quotes are real, pulled live from the Bako National Park listing on 20 Aug 2026. Photos are of Bako National Park via Wikimedia Commons (free CC licence, credited above). Our team is visiting Bako in the coming weeks — this page will be refreshed with first-hand campsite photos and field notes.