Location: Bintulu
Similajau National Park
showcases the unique geographical features of the Sarawak coastline north
of Bintulu - a chain of golden sandy beaches, punctuated by small rocky
headlands and jungle streams, and bordered by dense green forest. The 8,996
hectare park is at its best during the dry season (approximately February
to October) when the emerald green waters are crystal clear and ideal for swimming.
The park is very popular with locals at weekends. If you want to avoid the
crowds, visit during the week when you are likely to have the park all to
yourself.
Similajau's littoral fringe, kerangas (or heath forest) and mixed
dipterocarp forest provide a variety of diverse habitats for a wide range
of fascinating species. In amongst its pitcher plants, mangroves and giant
dipterocarp trees, Similajau is home to 24 species of mammals, including
long-tailed macaques, gibbons, banded langurs, shrews, mouse deer, barking
deer, squirrels, wild boar, porcupine, and civet cats. It is also a
birdwatcher's paradise, with 185 species of birds having been recorded
within the park's boundaries.
Similajau is also home to two crocodile species. The estuarine or saltwater
crocodile (crocodylus porousus) lives near the river mouths of the larger
rivers in the park and feeds on small mammals, lizards, turtles, fish and
water birds.
There are no known cases of crocodiles attacking visitors at Similajau, but
to be on the safe side visitors are advised to take note of the crocodile
warning signs. (It has also been known to attack humans at other locations
in Sarawak and in Australia). Please do not attempt to wade across the
larger streams in the park, but use the bridges instead.
Similajau's other crocodile species is the harmless false gharial
(tumistoma schlegii), which feeds exclusively on fish. Crocodiles are more
easily spotted at night, and the Park HQ can arrange crocodile spotting
boat trips for visitors. Prehistoric-looking horseshoe crabs can often be
found on the beaches or in the shallows, and green turtles frequently come
ashore to lay their eggs at Golden Beach and the two Turtle Beaches closer
to the park HQ. There are also occasional landings by hawksbill and
leatherback turtles. All marine turtles are Totally Protected Animals in
Sarawak and anyone found tampering with a nest is liable to a heavy fine
and/or a jail sentence. Other marine visitors include five species of
dolphin that are occasionally seen, usually be tween March and September '
the Irrawaddy dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, the Indo-pacific humpback
dolphin, the finless porpoise dolphin and the pantropical spotted
dolphin.
The main trekking trail (red markings) follows the coastline of the park;
from the park HQ you first cross the Sungei Likau suspension bridge to
reach the plankwalk over the mangroves, from where you have two choices -
to follow the plankwalk to the start of the trail proper, or take a short
on the left at the very beginning of the plankwalk; a wooden ladder leads
down to a secondary trail which joins the main trail near the junction for
the Viewpoint Trail. This leads to a shelter with picnic tables looking
back to the beach and park HQ. From shortly after the viewpoint turn-off,
the main trail hugs the coastline and passes numerous small bays and
beaches, eventually (1' - 2 hrs) reaching three idyllic beaches - two
turtle beaches each set in beautiful bays, and the aptly named Golden Beach
with its long, unbroken stretch of sand. A good way to get the most out of
Similajau is to hire a boat and be dropped off at Golden Beach and then
trek back to the HQ (or vice versa). Boats can be hired for half day and
full day coastal and river tours, or for crocodile spotting tours at night.
Birding in Similajau National
Park
Highlight species ~ Bornean Bristlehead,
Hook-billed Bulbul, Malaysian Honeyguide, Dusky Broadbill, Blue-winged
Pitta, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Black-thighed Falconet,
Malaysian Plover, Chinese Egret, Long-tailed Parakeet, Green Imperial
Pigeon, Ruddy Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Red-naped Trogon,
Diard’s Trogon, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Wrinkled Hornbill, White-crowned
Hornbill, White-bellied Woodpecker, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Rufous-winged
Philentoma, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Dark-throated Tailorbird,
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Copper-throated Sunbird, Large-tailed Nightjar,
Brown Wood Owl, Buffy Fish Owl & etc.
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