Sarawak Malaysia Borneo: Getting to Niah National Park, Miri Sarawak Borneo

Some of the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQs) at our Visitor Information Centre Miri about Niah National Park are:

~ How to get there?

~ How long do we need to visit this park?

~ Do we need a tour guide to visit the caves?

Here are some basic info about Niah National Park:

Niah National Park is about a 2-hour drive from either Miri City or Bintulu town. The cave itself was a major centre of human settlement as early as 40,000 years ago, and features one of the world’s largest cave entrances, Paleolithic and Neolithic burial sites, and iron-age cave paintings. The surrounding area is covered in dense primary rainforest and is home to many species of plants and wildlife. The caves remain important for local communities, with birds nest and guano collection providing valuable employment and income.

Q’s no. 1: How to get there?

Step 1: From Miri bus station, use bus route no.28 (fare RM2.00 per person) to Pujut Corner Bus Terminal (the out station bus terminal).

Step 2: Suggest to take the 7.30am or 8am express bus (fare RM10.00 per person) and the journey takes approximately 1hr30mins to Ngu rest-stop.

Step 3: Hire a ‘private taxi’ to the Niah National Park headquarters which is approximately 30mins drive from Ngu rest-stop. Fare is from RM30.00 up to RM50.00 per transport, depends on the number of the group.

For the return trip, just reverse step 3, 2 & 1.

Q’s no. 2: How long do we need to visit this park?

The return overland journey requires at least a 4-hr journey and you need another 4-5hrs to explore the park; total of 8-9hrs needed. If you wish to do it as a day trip, it would be a good idea to start your journey from Miri latest by 8am and you should back in Miri by 6pm. Overnight? No problem, the park has chalets for rent from RM42.00 - RM157.50 per room per night.

Q’s no. 3: Do we need a tour guide to visit the caves?

There are 2 ways we can look at this situation:

1) You may not need a guided tour for this trip, just that you need to do a lot of reading from the information leaflet, visit the museum (take note the museum closes on Monday & public holidays) and besides that, the park has place some mini information board along the trail and at the cave entrance.

2) However a guided tour (package tour or hiring a private tour guide) will be an additional bonus because the tour guide can explain and give more information to you. Meaning to so say, less time spending on reading, and more time to see & experience the park itself. Our local tour operators sell Niah Caves package and if you wish to hire a private guide, contact the park for arrangement but you need to inform them at least 2 days in advance.

For more info on the park, visit www.sarawakforestry.com or call the park direct at +6085 737454.