Fly Into Sarawak
- Gateway Cities
- Kuala Lumpur, Singapore
- Arrival Airports
- Kuching (KCH), Miri (MYY)
- Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air, AirBorneo
- Typical Flying Time
- 1h 40m – 2h 15m, direct
Come for Rainforests, Stay for Sarawak.
Wild orangutans, living longhouses, and rivers that still decide where the roads end.
Overview
Meet Malaysia’s Wildest State.
On the island of Borneo, Sarawak unfolds as a destination of rare experiences. Venture into ancient rainforests in search of orangutans, cruise along winding rivers, step inside centuries-old longhouses and discover caves shaped over millennia. In between, Kuching offers a gentler rhythm, elegant heritage, riverside charm and a rich culinary culture. Sarawak brings together nature, culture, and discovery in a journey that feels both immersive and wonderfully unhurried.
Quick facts:
Upcoming Event
Borneo Jazz Festival
4–5 December, Miri
Peak Season
June – September
The driest, brightest months to travel
For Travellers
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Kuching, UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and UNESCO Delta Geopark.
Getting There
Find Your Way in Sarawak
Reaching Malaysia is the easy part.
Here’s the route from there into Sarawak itself, and around it.
How to Get Around
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01
Domestic Flights
Short regional hops link Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Mulu; the only practical way in to Gunung Mulu National Park.
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02
Road, Bus & Car
Express coaches and rental cars cover the coastal Kuching–Sibu–Bintulu–Miri corridor; Bako, Semenggoh and the Cultural Village are all under 90 minutes from Kuching.
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03
River Express Boats
Longboats and express ferries run upriver from Sibu and Kapit into the interior; the way in where roads don’t reach, including Batang Ai longhouse country.
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04
Sea
A passenger ferry links Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei; a common add-on for agents packaging a wider Borneo route.
Things to Do
Activities to Build Itineraries Around
From cave systems large enough to swallow cathedrals to a wildlife centre where the appointment is with a wild orangutan, these are the experiences that define a Sarawak trip.
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01Nature & Wildlife
Bako National Park
Sarawak’s oldest wilderness, by boat
A 20-minute boat ride to wild proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs and seven ecosystems in one park.
Best at — sunrise, for the monkeys
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02Wildlife
Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Where wild orangutans still keep office hours
Semi-wild orangutans return to feeding platforms most mornings and afternoons, 25 minutes from Kuching.
Best at — the 9am or 3pm feeding window
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03Culture & Heritage
Sarawak Cultural Village
Seven longhouses, one afternoon
A living museum of Sarawak’s Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Orang Ulu communities, staffed by their own descendants.
Best at — the daily cultural show, early afternoon
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04City & Heritage
Kuching Waterfront & Old Town
A river city that rewards slow walking
Heritage shophouses and a riverside promenade linking Fort Margherita to the Old Court House.
Best at — dusk, ending on the waterfront
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05Adventure & UNESCO
Gunung Mulu National Park
Cathedral-sized caves, UNESCO-listed
Karst caves reachable only by air, home to the largest known cave chamber on Earth.
Best over — 2–3 nights, flown in from Kuching
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06Festival · June
Rainforest World Music Festival
The world’s musicians, in the jungle
A three-day world music festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village, drawing artists from a dozen-plus countries.
Note — Book accommodation early — June sells out
Itineraries
Ready-Built Itineraries
Persona 01 · Culture and wildlife
Kuching Culture & Wildlife Discovery
4 Days / 3 Nights
Ideal for first-time visitors and families
Persona 02 · Nature and soft adventure
Mulu UNESCO Rainforest & Caves Adventure
4 Days / 3 Nights
Ideal for nature lovers and photographers
Persona 03 · Signature Sarawak highlights
Kuching–Mulu Signature Experience
6 Days / 5 Nights
Ideal for international and long-haul travellers
Accommodations
Top Selling Accommodations
Good to Know
FAQ
Do travellers clear immigration twice, once for Malaysia and once for Sarawak?
Yes. Sarawak retains its own immigration control under Malaysia’s federal structure, so every arriving traveller clears a separate Sarawak entry stamp on top of the national one, even on a domestic connection from Kuala Lumpur.
What is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
A mandatory online arrival form for all foreign travellers, filed within 72 hours before landing in Malaysia. Visa requirements still vary by nationality, so always confirm against the traveller’s passport before booking.
How do travellers get between Sarawak’s towns once they’ve landed?
By short domestic flight. Kuching connects on to Miri, Sibu, Bintulu and Mulu, the only practical way in to Gunung Mulu National Park. Bako, Semenggoh and the Cultural Village are all under 90 minutes from Kuching by road and river.
What language and currency should travellers expect?
English and Malay are both widely spoken, with English common across hotels, tours and restaurants. The currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), and cards are accepted at most TBO-partnered stays and city venues.