Taman Tumbina Zoo — Attraction in Sarawak

6 things about Taman Tumbina Bintulu Zoo

The name : "Taman Tumbina Bintulu" (aka "Taman Tumbina Zoo" in Google Maps) is actually a botanical and zoological park. It is about 5 minutes walk from "Jungle Trekking Taman Tumbina Bintulu". These are 2 different places that are located next to each other. There is no path connecting these two places.

Getting there. I find Grab to be the most convenient mode of transport for tourists in Bintulu, unless you've got a rented car. Note that taxis here are few and they don't run on meters. If you hail a cab, tell the driver your destination and he'll tell you the fare!!

What's in it? It's a zoo, so you'll find animals and birds there. I'm a birder so I'm interested in the birds. Apart from the normal birds, the hornbills were the ones that interest me most. There's a good collection of raptors too. Saw some animals, the star of which is the lonely tiger at the top of the hill. He's located in a building with a huge lion statue at the top ... yes, a lion statue and don't ask me why!! The sad thing is that I'd rather not see any of these creatures there. They are meant to be free and in the wild. I did find some free flying birds there - oriental pied robin, pink-necked green pigeons and an unexpected Red-crowned Barbet!

Entry fee : I went to the ticketing counter to pay my RM2 entrance fee. But the guard told me it was free.

Signages : The park maps are located around the park so it's easy to find your way around. It's not a small park and there's quite some walking to do if you want to cover the whole park. Bear that in mind when bringing small children.

Attire : It is quite a well maintained park. There are proper roads and walking paths. There are also some shelters to rest and to take cover on a rainy day. I took more than 2 hours to walk the place and yet I did not cover the whole place. I forgot to check but someone said the closing time is 6pm. Bring water - the only vending machine is at the entrance to the park. Didn't see any canteen there though.

Note: There are not many interesting places in Bintulu and this is one of them. Less than 10 minutes walk away is the entrance to Tanjong Batu, another place of interest...

Great getaway within Bintulu town.

The name Tumbina is a combination of Tum(buhan) and Bina(tang) in Malay language. Tumbuhan means plants is Malay; while Binatang is animals. As the name suggested, the park features both plants and animals. However, the park doesn't display many exotic or endemic or interesting plant species.

Tumbina is Located front of a beach . Just be a few stone throw away from Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) office ( which located on top of hill ) . Car park is limited but free. Cars can be parked at beach front if Park's car park are not available. Both car park are free. Park entrance is free as well.

Too bad the Orang Utan and Harimau are retired. However both the crocodiles and hornbills are still around. There are few species of hornbills in captivity : Buceros rhinoceros (rhinoceros hornbill), Anthracoceros malayanus ( black hornbill), and Rhyticeros undulatus ( wreathed hornbill). Also available are 3 lazy crocodiles.

The park is a Good short getaway for local and tourist as well. Locals will come for morning or evening stroll or jog. Tourists will enjoy the animals which are not normally seen, especially the hornbills, crocodiles, sun bears, binturong, etc.

Terrain is hilly, tarred, but somehow shady with scattered seatings .

Also selling flowering plants in polybags fronting the management office. Stingless bees honey also available for sale.

Beside the park is a natural trail up the BDA office. The trail is very easy to walk. Good for morning and evening walk.

Both the park and trail are quite shady, thus suitable to visit even...

14/july 2025. This taman tumbina does not have a good maintenance. Lot of stuff and place need to be repair. I went there yesterday and i pity to all the animals there, they're trap inside a cage, cage that look like it never been clean or power wash. All the animals look sad tbh. They deserve better. And some road to go to some animal or plant place got closed due to landslide. But the landslide happen like months ago and still look the same . Its like no one do anything. Of course they cant do anything abt it, since years ago they let pple in for free without any payments. Not even a cent. Dude, how do u keep the place in a good maintenance, food for the animals, workers, cleanliness. U need money. Do like other place, there will be some pple who give more information about the plants/animal . No worker?? Of course laaa how u pay them if u let pple in for free, atleast 2/3 ringgit ?? This is an abuse especially towards the animal themselves. No maintenances at all. If there's a zombie apocalypse or everyone evacuate from Bintulu, this place is the first place i would go to and free all them animals, especially the birds. They deserve to fly and not trap in a small unclean cage?? Cant wait to be a zoologist and make this place better or become rich and buy the whole place. Feel bad for the animals. The place...