Mulu National Park in Sarawak is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 295km of explored caves, home to millions of swiftlets and bats. Most first-time visitors come for the Mulu National Park show caves — here is how they work, what the standard trip covers and how to get there.
What are the Mulu National Park show caves?
Deer, Lang’s, Wind and Clearwater caves are the four accessible show caves, opened up with boardwalks, railings, paths and lighting. A guide is mandatory to enter any of them. Deer Cave contains the Sarawak Chamber, the largest known cave chamber in the world — over 400m wide, large enough to park eight jumbo jets side by side.
What is the bat exodus?
At sunset, millions of bats stream out of Deer Cave to feed. Our 3D2N itinerary includes a stop at the bat observation platform near Deer and Lang’s caves to watch it, followed by an optional night walk to learn about the park’s nocturnal wildlife.
What does the 3D2N show-caves trip include?
Two days exploring all four show caves, the bat exodus, the optional night walk, and on the last day a choice between the canopy skywalk for a bird’s-eye view of the forest or the park’s ground-level forest trails.
Where will I stay?
Most visitors on a 3D2N trip will stay in the accommodation with Mulu National Park or at the nearby Mulu Marriott. The park accommodation is well-managed, air-conditioned, clean and has rooms that can sleep up to 5 people, making it suitable for couples as well as families on a budget. Upgrading to Mulu Marriott will earn you a more extensive breakfast selection, a room with more amenities and a pool to cool off in after your cave visits.
If you are hiking the pinnacles then you will spend 2 nights at Camp 5, a basic jungle camp with shared sleeping space and stunning river views. Mosquito nets & bedding are provided.
What if I want more adventure?
The 4D3N Pinnacles trip adds a night at Camp 5 and a steep scramble up Gunung Api over razor-sharp limestone and metal ladders to view the Pinnacles. The 4D3N Trekking option instead follows a section of the Headhunter Trail through Kerangas forest with views of Melinau Gorge, reached by a longboat trip and a 9km hike to Camp 5. Adventure caving and week-long stays can be arranged on request.
Who is Mulu for?
Almost everyone. Impressive geological features, exceptional biodiversity and a range of activities from gentle boardwalk cave tours to the Pinnacles scramble mean Mulu works for families, birders and adrenaline junkies alike.
Access to Deer & Lang’s cave as well as the bat exodus is via a 3km long boardwalk from park HQ. By the time you walk there, visit both caves and return to your accommodation you will have walked around 7km. It’s an easy flat boardwalk but if your little ones tire easily, plan snacks and energy boosts accordingly!
The next day you will have an easy boat ride to Wind cave but access to Clearwater cave is via 200 relatively steep steps. Do-able for most families but if you have bad knees you may want to sit this one out.
The pinnacles are a challenging scramble and reserved for visitors aged 16 years and above.
Because the park is remote — close to the Brunei border in northern Sarawak — it also feels a long way from anywhere, which is much of its appeal.
How do I get to Mulu?
All access is by air to the tiny Mulu airport (MZV). Air Borneo flies from Kuching, Miri and Kota Kinabalu; from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or further afield you connect through one of those three cities. Most flights arrive before 1pm, so you can start a 3D2N or 4D3N tour the same day.
How many days should I plan?
Most people spend two or three nights. Two nights covers the show caves comfortably; three lets you add a trek to camp 5 either with or without the Pinnacles, or simply an extra day to relax by the pool at the Mulu Marriott.
See the 3D2N Mulu Show Caves trip or ask us about a custom Mulu itinerary.
