Exploring Mulu National Park: Travel Tips From Brunei

Mulu National Park is a remote area in Malaysia Borneo, almost adjacent to Brunei, and can only be reached by air. Malaysia Airlines (MASwings) operates daily flights to Mulu from Miri, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu. The cheapest way to get from Gunung Mulu National Park to Brunei is to fly, which costs $40-$160 and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Fly to Miri, Kuching or Kota Kinabalu

The easiest way to get to Mulu National Park from Brunei is to fly. Malaysia Airlines (MASwings) operates daily flights to Mulu from Miri, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu.

MASwings is a subsidiary of Malaysian Airlines and offers daily flights to Mulu from these three locations using 72-seater ATR72 aircraft. The duration of the flights varies depending on the departure location: 30 minutes from Miri, 1 hour and 20 minutes from Kuching, and 55 minutes from Kota Kinabalu.

Miri, located in Northeast Sarawak, serves as the main gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park. If you are travelling from Melbourne, you can purchase a return ticket to Kota Kinabalu, which may be cheaper than a return ticket to Brunei. Malaysia Airlines offers direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to Mulu on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. On other days, you can fly to Miri and then take a connecting flight to Mulu.

When planning your trip, it is important to allow for a flexible itinerary due to the unpredictable weather conditions in Mulu, which can result in flight cancellations. Heavy rainfall may occasionally cause delays or cancellations, so it is advisable to allow sufficient time for connecting flights and pre-booked activities.

In addition to flights, there are also tour packages available that include transportation and accommodation. For example, the 5D4N Miri-Brunei Mulu UNESCO Tour includes a guided tour of Miri, a day trip to Brunei, and a visit to Mulu National Park. This tour provides an opportunity to explore the cultural and natural attractions of both Miri and Brunei before heading to Mulu National Park.

Book with Malaysian Airlines or Royal Brunei Airlines

Mulu National Park is a remote area that can only realistically be reached by flight. Malaysian Airlines (MASwings) offers daily flights to Mulu from Miri, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu. MASwings is a subsidiary of Malaysian Airlines and operates all rural flight services in Sarawak.

To book with Malaysian Airlines, you should contact your travel agent and quote the flight details for reservations. The official travel agent in Mulu is Majestic Leisure & Tours SDN BHD, and their contact details are as follows:

• Tel: +6085-427751 / +6085-417751 / +6085-437751
• Fax: +6085-437751
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.borneotravelnetwork.com

Daily flight durations from these locations to Mulu are as follows:

• Miri: 30 minutes
• Kuching: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Kota Kinabalu: 55 minutes

Please note that heavy rainfall may occasionally result in flight cancellations, so it is important to allow for a flexible itinerary and sufficient time to catch connecting flights and pre-booked activities.

You can also fly between Gunung Mulu National Park and Bandar Seri Begawan with Royal Brunei Airlines. This route includes multiple carriers and has flights starting at $125 one-way.

Travel via boat to Batu Bungan

To get to Mulu National Park from Brunei by boat, you will first need to get to Miri, Malaysia, by plane. Malaysian Airlines offers two flights from Brunei to Miri daily, with an average duration of 30 minutes and a cost of $42.

From Miri, you can travel to Mulu National Park by boat. The park is known for its clearwater and wind caves, which can be explored with a guide.

Boat tours to Mulu National Park depart from the Container Hotel in Miri. You can get to the Container Hotel by bus, taxi, or car. The bus is the cheapest option, costing $1 and taking approximately 58 minutes. A taxi will cost $9-$11 and take around 56 minutes.

The boat tour to Mulu National Park is a popular choice for visitors, offering a unique perspective of the park's natural beauty. The boat ride itself takes around 30 minutes, and you can expect clear skies and temperatures of around 23 degrees Celsius in the morning, rising to 34 degrees Celsius in the early afternoon.

It is important to note that Mulu National Park is located in a remote area, and heavy rainfall may occasionally result in flight cancellations. Therefore, it is recommended to allow for a flexible itinerary and sufficient time for connecting flights or pre-booked activities.

Visit nearby Miri

Miri, in Northeast Sarawak, is the main gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park. It is a charming city with a rich history dating back to the pre-World War II era. Here are some tips and suggestions for visiting Miri:

• Getting to Miri: Miri is accessible by flight from various cities in the region, including Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Brunei. You can fly to Miri directly or connect through one of these cities.
• Miri Cultural Experiences: Miri offers a range of cultural attractions, such as Canada Hill, the Grand Old Lady (the first oil well drilled in Miri), the Miri Petroleum Museum, and the Tua Pek Kong Temple, which is one of the few buildings that survived World War II bombing.
• Shopping in Miri: You can explore the local shops, markets, and handicraft stores in Miri. It is recommended to try the famous Kek Lapis Sarawak, a traditional layered cake, and purchase local handicrafts as souvenirs.
• Nearby Attractions: Miri is also a convenient base for exploring nearby attractions, such as Niah National Park, Lambir Hills National Park, and Loagan Bunut National Park. These parks offer diverse natural landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural sites.
• Accommodation in Miri: Miri has a range of accommodation options, including 4-star and 5-star hotels, as well as budget-friendly alternatives like hostels and homestays.
• Dining in Miri: The city offers a variety of dining options, from quaint eateries to restaurants serving local cuisine. You can also find international cuisine, such as at the Marriott, which offers a convenient base for exploring the area.

Miri is an excellent starting point for your journey to Gunung Mulu National Park, and it offers a wealth of cultural and natural attractions to enhance your overall experience.

Take a guided tour

Mulu National Park is a remote area that can only be reached by plane. Malaysia Airlines operates daily flights to Mulu from Miri, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu. The flight from Miri to Mulu is 30 minutes.

The park employs 10 qualified and experienced guides who can be booked directly at the park headquarters. The guides wear uniforms with the Borsarmulu Park Management Sdn Bhd logo.

Amazing Borneo Tours offers a 5-day, 4-night Miri-Brunei Mulu UNESCO Tour with a National Park stay. The tour includes:

• A guided tour of Miri, including Canada Hill, the Petroleum Museum, the Grand Old Lady, the Old Chinese Temple, the local market, and shops.
• A day trip to Brunei's capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, including visits to the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, the Royal Regalia Museum, the Kampung Ayer, the Nurul Iman Palace, and Jerudong Park.
• A safety briefing, a tour of the Mulu Exhibition Centre, and a walk to Deer and Lang's Caves.
• A boat ride to the Batu Bungan Handicraft Centre to meet members of the nomadic Penan tribe, and a visit to the Wind and Clearwater Caves.

Marriott Mulu also offers a guided tour package, which includes a blow pipe demo or cooking class (prior booking required), breakfast, dinner, and a snack box for 3 days and 2 nights.

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