Mulu National Park Entrance — Attraction in Borneo

What a fabulous park! I stayed 4 nights and had plenty to keep me engaged and busy the whole time.

Activities: I would recommend doing one or two guided tours per day, and mixing in maybe one unguided/self led activity like a hiking trail. The trails are well marked and relatively flat. Book tours early, as they can fill up. Do the Fastland cave and another cave for sure. Also, you can walk on your own to see the bat exodus from the cave each night.

Accommodation: The private rooms are much nicer than the dorms. The mattresses in the dorms are sad, and you can feel the metal springs poking you through the very thin mattress topper. The dorm is large with has 14 beds. There is decent AC and hot water, and the staff kept everywhere clean and in order. Reserve early, as rooms can go fast!

Food: the park cafe has a variety of dishes. I recommend the beef rendang, umai (local ceviche), and mulu laksa (filling spicy noodle soup with chicken). The milkshake was also good! The western dishes aren’t great, aside from the fries. Also, check out the restaurants just outside the park for some variety (and cheaper prices).

WiFi/cell service: There was no WiFi at all in the park during my stay. Some days I had cell signal most of the day, while other days I had absolutely no cell service for most of the day. Enjoy being disconnected and relax in the rainforest!

Staff: They are all genuine, kind, and helpful. As a bonus, everyone at the front desk and restaurant spoke excellent English. Many of the guides did too.

Two critiques:

(1) The longhouse tour was okay, but they just dropped us off to walk around one area outside the longhouse where they were selling woven bags. Even though our guide didn’t speak English, it would have been nice if he had taken us to see other parts of the longhouse, perhaps going inside.

(2) It would have been nice if they had explained some important information at the desk when I booked and paid for some of my tours. For example, I didn’t know the restaurant wouldn’t be taking orders when I got back from the night walk (and I would miss dinner) or that I would need to order a to-go lunch on another tour because it would last a long time with nowhere to get food during the tour. Occasionally, I was told this information as the tour began, which was too late to do anything about it (or left me scrambling to fix the situation before the tour left). Be sure to ask for such information (and what you should wear, footwear, etc.) when you book!

But those were minor inconveniences in what was overall a wonderful and unique experience. You should...

Seems the general process is you book some activities in advance to reserve a spot, such as the pinnacles and adventure caves, then hope others join in to meet the minimum group size. I booked some activities 8 months in advance that never happened due to a lack of participation. Luck of the draw!

After crossing the bridge, take a right to the HQ reception to get a 5 day pass. 30myr for international visitors.

Then you go to the counters inside the building to select and pay for your requested trips/guides/activities etc. They take cash and card payments. For those that need a specific number of people I would put my name down on the list to reserve a spot and then pay on the day in the morning to confirm.

The staff were helpful and had good English. Their tours are priced fairly for the area and trapped audience. It's not a complete rip off like the prices to climb Mt Kinabalu via a tour company.

There was no WiFi, at least for me as a guest who did not stay in the accommodation. They also have an in site cafe which is open late (useful for dinner after a mate activity). Naturally, more expensive than outside.

There's a good mix of unguided and guided activities to keep you busy with 2 to 3 per day (morning, lunchtime and evening). Depending on the combination you pick.

They could make their booking system online to help with transparency on when stuff starts, if it's got enough people etc. currently it is all logged in a physical book which is a bit old school. The website is not the best and lacks info in my opinion.

I could leave my bag at the security office/luggage room for free whilst I was doing an overnight activity...

This exceptional natural destination earns a perfect 5-star rating for delivering an outstanding park experience combining natural wonders with excellent management.

The staff enhances the visitor experience significantly through their friendly approach. Their welcoming attitude and helpful nature make exploring this natural wonder both comfortable and informative.

The park's organization stands out as particularly impressive. Well-maintained trails, clear signage, and efficiently managed tours demonstrate thoughtful planning and professional execution. This level of organization allows visitors to fully appreciate the park's natural beauty without logistical concerns.

The natural experience itself is remarkable. The park offers visitors a chance to explore pristine rainforest, impressive cave systems, and unique wildlife in their natural habitat. The preservation of these natural wonders while maintaining accessibility for visitors shows excellent balance.

For anyone seeking to experience Borneo's natural heritage, Mulu National Park provides an ideal destination. The combination of professional management, friendly service, and extraordinary natural beauty makes it a must-visit location for nature enthusiasts.

This park demonstrates how careful management and preservation can create an exceptional natural experience while maintaining high standards of visitor...