Brunei is a beautiful place. Known as the abode of peace, the sovereign states wealth is derived from its petroleum and natural gas fields. Its no wonder why Forbes ranked the country as the fifth richest nation.
Brunei is located in Southeast Asia on the island of Borneo. It shares a border with Malaysia. Most of its culture is Malay and has influences from Islam as well. There are two parts of the island. Majority of the population lives in the western part, while only a few live in the eastern part.
Ulu Temburong National Park
The eastern part of Brunei is known as the Temburong District. It is a mountainous area and the town lives near the rainforest. This is where the beautiful Ulu Temburong National Park is located just within the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve. They take pride in this untouched and unspoiled park within the rainforest. It’s a unique place for a vacation. Its so well preserved that only a small section of the park is accessible to tourists and the rest is off limits.
Only scientists are allowed to venture into the deeper parts of the rainforest. These scientists come from all over the world to study different species and the wildlife that lives in the pristine ecosystem. The rainforest is home to 400 different kinds of butterflies. It is the first national park since 1991. Also known as the Green Jewel of Brunei, the national park continues to be protected and preserved all throughout the years.
Best Time to Visit
If you are an animal and nature lover, you would want to visit Ulu Temburong National Park very early. The best times to spot the amazing animals are during sunrise and sunsets. The only way to see them is to join a tour that will take you in the rainforest along the river banks. There you can spot or hear birds and monkeys, such as the hornbill and the Bornean gibbons.
How to Get There
Ulu Temburong National Park is located in the upper region of eastern Brunei. On the south part of the park are mountains and hills. The northern part is the lowlands where the Temburiong and Belalong rivers can be found. The only way to get there is through river longboats from Bandar Seri Bagawan, the capital of Brunei.
The first destination is Bangar through the Limbang River, which would take about 45 minutes. From there, a road trip to Batang Duri would take about 40 minutes. Then another 40-minute boat ride along the Temburong River and into the park.
Activities
There are pathways and trails made for tourists, such as the canopy walkway that leads to different tree canopies in the rainforest. From there you can enjoy a view of the ecosystem. It would take some effort to climb and walk through the walkway but it would definitely be worth it. There is also a waterfall just outside the park where you can enjoy a foot massage from fishes that would nibble on dead skin on your feet.