Similajau National Park

Similajau is a small island located not far away from Bintulu. It is no doubt a beautiful place with a Golden Beach and coastline. An ideal place for camping trips and a popular destination with jungle trackers. There are also reasonably-priced chalets for the visitors to stay over night.

The Similajau National Park is situated 20 km east of Bintulu town in Sarawak, it covers an area approximately 71 sq. km, being 25 km long and 3.5 km at its widest point.

The terrain of the park is flat along coast gently undulating further east into the park. The park is made up of a variety of vegetation, from mangrove swamps, particularly along rivers in the northern areas of the park to lush tropical forest in the interior. The park contains a variety of wildlife, monkeys and wild boar being particularly evident.

The park headquarters is situated at the southern side of the Likau river and is not actually within the park boundaries. The park HQ is currently being developed to provide comfortable accommodation for visitors to the park and improve the rangers residences.

The main features that would attract visitors to the park are the rivers, the coastline, trails for trekking or shorter walks within the park, wildlife and vegetation. Access to the park is by trails and by boat, there being many sandy coves suitable for landing a small boat in calmer waters.

The River
Crossing the park are a number of rivers. The rivers contain many points of natural beauty and form a focal point for much of the wildlife activity. Among the rivers are the following:

The Likau	The river is large enough to be navigable by boat until the mini rapids four kilometres up from the mouth. It should not be swum due to the possible presence of crocodiles. (There was once suspected sighting of 3ft crocodile at the river mouth). The river is slow flowing (and tidal) with a number of wide tributaries, although most of these can be crossed on fallen logs. The vegetation of the south bank is extremely thick and very slow to pass through. Logging and fallen trees further impede progress. A survey was carried out with a view of cutting a trail along the south side, a small distance inland. However, extensive logging (which had devastated up to 60% of the land) and thick secondary vegetation proved prohibitive. The only plausible value of such a trail would be to educate people on the damage done by logging. There was a fair amount of evidence of wildlife. A second set of mini rapids was quite scenic and had potential as wildlife viewing point. There was heavy evidence of pigs along the south bank and deer, pig and honey bear tracks were spotted inland. The river is however ideal for boat trips, due to its proximity to the Park HQ and the possibility of some walks up above the first rapids might be considered.
The Kabalak	A marked difference was found in the feature of the river. Worth mentioning is Jacal rapids which are a wide set of the slides about 50 metres square. Located at the bottom of the slides is a monkey nest and deer were seen in the area. Nearby is a group caves housing a number of bats. At either side of the slides the bank resistibly affording good views of the river. There is also a small waterfall of about 3 feet into a plunge pool. In conclusion, the Kabalak is an attractive river and the associated trail is worth walking.
The Niabruck	The Niabruck is similar in many respects (i.e. size, flow rate) to the Kabalak. The main tributary is attractive, especially further up where the water is free flowing. the banks are steep in places, although the associated trail is reasonably flat. There is much evidence of wildlife in the river. Monkeys were spotted where the nature trail crosses the river and four wild pigs were seen crossing the river. This spot would make an excellent wildlife cartage point as it is possible to sit high on the bank over looking a bend in the river. A mouse deer was also observed at this point. The river might benefit from some clearance although there were concerns that this would drain some of the pools from which wildlife drink.
The Joolian	At the mouth of the Joolian is an extremely attractive lagoon. It is, however, estuarine and so is periodically flooded with salt water. Progress inland from the coast is difficult due to the thick bond of mangrove that runs adjacent to the river. It is not possible to take a boat from the sea to the lagoon, however the river might be suitable for exploration by canoe in the lower reaches. There are some small rapids. For a kilometre stream from this point the river is attractive. Vegetation on the banks is fairly thick but it is possible to wade along the river. Twenty metres upstream of the nature trail there is a bend in the river and a picturesque pool. However, upstream of the pool the water flow becomes congested by reeds. There are a large number of animal tracks in the area of the nature trail and monkeys were spotted here in several occasions.
The Judith	The Judith river is fairly slow flowing but is blessed with very clear water. The river is particularly attractive about 1.5 kilometres in from the mouth where there is a 30 feet rock slide 7 feet wide which runs into a plunge pool about 5 feet deep. The surrounding rocks have a covering of picturesque ferns and openness of the river provides a welcome break from the closeness of the forest. Further up towards the source, the river contains some unusual rock formations described as hexagonal slabbing. There is a potential site for a camp, just over one kilometre in, by a small tributary. For some reason there has been a lot of natural wastage of the trees and moving the logs would create a suitable clearing. There are numerous pig wallows especially in the latter half of the river.
The Sebabong	The Sebabong is one of the most attractive rivers in the park. The river is wide, with clear water. Fish are plentiful. The first kilometre of the river is navigable by boat up until a set of mini rapids. There is also a trail marked along the south bank for this section of the river. A nature watch was also attempted from a boat over this part of the river. Besides these rapids there is an attractive series of white water sections and pools known as the Megaport rapids (named after a similar site in Zimbabwe). Below the rapids as small tributary-joins the river. It has a 15 feet waterfall, fry now but flowing during the monsoon. Moving up the river banks get steeper and at points the river is congested by spiky reeds. The flow rate simonises marginally until one reaches the Sebabong slides. These consist of a large pool fronted by a rock slide 30 metres by 20 metres dropping about 5 metres. Water flows evenly over the whole surface although the rocks are fairly slimy. There is also a pool above the slides to the border and beyond the river is wide but moves freely. The banks are steep and passable. It is about 200 metres from the slides to the border. I general, the south bank is passable but the north is marshy in places, especially towards the coast. There is a camp on the bank, 20 metres in front the border, suitable for about 20 people. There is plenty of evidence of wildlife along the banks in the form of pig/deer tracks. Monkeys were also heard.
The Similajau	The Similajau marks the top of the park and logging commences north of the river. The river is ideal for longer boat trips although it already hosts a fair amount of logging traffic. There are thick and fairly impenetrable mangrove swamps running in a belt for the first kilometre from the coast along the southbank. However, on the other side of the belt the going is fairly easy. Further upstream as the ground becomes higher the going gets easier. Points of interest along the river include an old abandoned locomotive about 10 metres in from the river. Although in an advanced state of decay the engine is interesting for the sake of its absurdity. Further upstream, just after the river splits on the western tributary, there is an excellent vantage point for a prospective observation tower that would afford a good view of the river and out across the canopy. A camp site might also be considered at this point since there are no others in the northern part of the park. There is a lot of wildlife along the river banks. Monkeys were seen on the trees and two crocodiles were spotted from the river (fortunately while the observers were on a boat). The best asset of the river would probably be for boat trips incorporating the observation tower and the locomotive.

Trails
The objects of trails are to ease trekking within the park and to provide access to points of interest. There are two main trails that run along the boundaries namely the border trail and the coastal trail. These are clearly marked and well cleared. The nature trail runs along the middle of the southern end of the park. A number of similar trails cross the park, often following the course of rivers. In addition, there are a number of logging trails that run inland from around Tg. Un Mulu, although their progress is restricted by rivers. At present, they are not marked on the map although it is plausible that they should be as it would be a great help to navigation.

The Coastal Trail	The coastal path runs for nine kilometres along the park coastline from the north bank of the Likau Estuary to Tg. Un Mulu. It is possible to continue up along the beachline until the top of the park although there are problems in places during high tides and several of the rivers need to be swum. Below Tg. Un Mulu the rivers have been bridged apart from the Kabalak which must be evaded. The trail is very easy going and if any of the paths were to be developed as a cycle track this one would be most suitable. The trail blocked in places by fallen trees and chainsaw would be advisable. Caves were found about one kilometre up from the Likau, on the coast. They contained bats and two types of bird nests. It has been suggested that the coastal path be extended from Tg. Un Mulu up the park, moving inland and meeting the Similajau 1 kilometre north of the proposed observation tower.
The Border Trail	The Eastern boundary is marked by the border trail, which runs the length of the Liaku to the south of the Similajau. The trail is marked by yellow and red bands. In general, the trail is easy going.
The Nature Trail	The objective of this trail is to allow the visitor to move through the park inland. The Nature Trail starts from the coastal path (200 metres from the Likau) and runs till Van Gouth crossroads. This section of the trail is marked with yellow bands and is of the same standard as the Niabruck. This and all subsequent sections are marked with tree notching. Branching off the Nature Trail are a number of smaller trails which can be incorporated into circular walks.
The Kabalak Trail	This is a cut path, marked by tree notching that runs from the coastal path. The path splits after 200 metres, the upper path continuing along the south bank of the river until the waterfall. While the lower path runs east to Van Gouth crossroads.
The Blue Trail	The Blue Trail is a clear path that runs from Van Gouth crossroads to Jacal rapids. It has already been well cleared and is easy going, although quite steep in places.
The Niabruck Trail	The trail is marked along the north bank of the river for about 1.5 kilometres from the coast. Although the banks are steep in places the trail itself is mainly flat. There are several crossing points along the river and the south bank, although slightly thicker is by no mean impenetrable.
The Judith Trail	The proposed Judith Trail runs along the north bank from the coast to the river source. It has been marked from approximately one kilometre where the tributary joins and there is a large clearing caused by natural wastage of trees. Ideally, the trail needs a couple of bridges, one about 300 metres from the Sebabong and also over Judith would make an ideal round trek from Golden Beach.
The Sebabong Trail	The Sebabong trail moves up the south bank from the coast to the Border trail. The trail stays close to the river where possible but at times is about 30-40 feet above it. With clearance in selected places the trail would afford excellent views of the river suitable for wildlife watching.

Exploration By Boat
A number of rivers surveyed would be suitable for trackers to explore by boat. In particular, the following rivers :-

• River Sebabong ­ we would suggest that the entire length of river could be surveyed (from the coast to the rapids) in longboat.

• River Suroba ­ it would be possible to survey this river by canoes. Trackers could either be accompanied by a guide or take out canoes independently.

• River Kabalak ­ it is possible to canoe as far as the waterfall (a distance of approximately 2 kilometres).

• River Similajau ­ there are two recommended routes. The first is to take a boat down the river as far as a logging camp, from where treks could walk to the birds nest caves (not actually in the National Park).

Thus, the Similajau National Park not only awaits the visitors to enjoy its slender and attraction but as well as a good place for nature education.