Temburong (Belalong) National Park Travel Guide

Covering a tenth of the area of Brunei, the 500 sq km Ulu Temburong National Park is the finest example of the Sultanate's successful forest protection policy. Rainforest covers almost the entire area of the park, providing a unique environment for visitors to learn about the varied flora and fauna of Borneo. The park contains many rare species among its 170 different types of ferns, 700 tree species and tens of thousands of insects. You can only visit the park on an organized tour run by a registered operator.

The main attraction is the canopy walkway. This is reached by a 60 minute trek, which involves negotiating two hanging bridges and a plank-way, after which there is a steep climb up the steps of a near-vertical, 60-metre-high aluminum structure. Not for the faint-hearted! The views of Brunei Bay to the north and Sarawak's Gunung Mulu Park to the south are amazing. Gibbons, hornbill, flying lizards, frogs, snakes and numerous kinds of squirrels and small birds are all residents here. 

A Day In The Life
Morning - Having departed from BSB by longboat, you will be welcomed by a local guide at Bangar jetty. Arriving at Sumbiling Eco Village, you can take morning tea with local cakes, “Kiuh”, before departing via motorized longboat on Temburong River to Ulu Temburong National Park. Arrive at the park, register (the entry fee will usually be included in the cost of the tour) and begin trekking up the hill to the Canopy Walkway. From here you have a great view of the rainforest canopy – definitely a Kodak moment!

Afternoon - Trek back down to the river and visit the impressive waterfall. Back to Sumbiling Eco Village for lunch, shower, relax and enjoy the serene environment. Depart for Bangar Jetty before returning to Bandar Seri Begawan.

Essential Information
Insurance is highly recommended as this is an Eco-Adventure tour. As an outdoor trip, the itinerary and schedule are subject to change without notice, as your expedition may be affected by heavy rain, extreme heat and the high or low water-level of the river, depending on the season. Furthermore, your excursion may prove more adventurous than you anticipated if you take it when the water level is low, as you may need to get out from the longboat and push!

What to Wear - Shorts, t-shirt, old shoes or slippers are advised for the longboat trip. You may buy rubber shoes at Bangar town for around B$5/pair. For the forest walk, long pants, socks, shirt and a pair of sturdy walking shoes with a good grip for walking on slippery planks are essential.

What to Bring - A rucksack, an extra set of clothing, a towel, an extra pair of shoes or sandals, sun lotion, a hat, a raincoat, a camera, binoculars, a swimsuit, insect repellent, and snacks and drinks in case you get hungry and thirsty en-route.

Hidden Gems
In Ulu Temburong National Park, the bees will be searching for you! But don't be scared – they won’t sting you. In fact, if you’re lucky, they will lick the sweat from your body. They are cleaning bees, and without stings, they are totally harmless – but fascinating all the same.

From time to time the park office staff will conduct special night walks which allow visitors to observe the forest’s night-time inhabitants. A must for intrepid eco-explorers.

Accommodation
Most travelers will visit the park and then travel back to the city in a single day. However, if you are looking for a longer eco-tourism experience there are some places that allow you to stay overnight in the Park; the Ulu Ulu National Park Resort, a hotel situated right in the middle of the natural surroundings with access to a stunning waterfall formation is one of these. For more information see www.uluuluresort.com.

Transport 
There are many eco-tours which typically go to the Temburong district by a boat which traverses mangrove forests. It is then followed by a powered boat up the river to the Belalong National Park. Most trips begin in BSB, they travel via longboat from the jetty at Kampung Batang Duri. The boat ride is memorable and is part and parcel of the national park experience.

Denise Fo-Li-Leen is a student of journalism and adores writing and the beautiful place where she lives. She enjoys writhing because it allows her to share her opinions with many wonderful people. She has lived on Borneo all her life but would love to work abroad at some stage in her career. She hopes her writing will take her there one day soon.