Hidden streams along the trail
It was while my family celebrated Good Friday when my cousin suddenly suggested a trip to Sebarau Waterfall, in Kampung Bidak, Borneo Highland Resort area, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. At first I was not so keen on the idea, but my curiosity kicked in as he kept on talking about the beauty of this hidden treasure. Eventually I agreed and the day after in the morning he came to pick me up for the journey.
Remembering the suggestions of my other cousin who had been there before, I carried swimming suit – as all my other cousins, all excited about swimming in the falls – and sandals, not bothering about sport shoes as she had said the journey is easy and only takes about 30 minutes walk. Food was also on our mind: an egg, apples, some snack like buns and plenty of water supply.
The drive took about 1 hour from Kuching – beautiful countryside on both sides accompanied out journey – and we arrived the starting point of the walk at 10.30 am to reach Kampung Bidak village 30 minutes later. From there we followed a small trail heading towards the waterfall, crossing small streams where we took advantage to freshen our legs with the clear water. We passed farmers’ houses surrounded by banana trees, pepper trees, coconut and cocoa trees, we crossed a bamboo bridge, and I kept wondering what to expect from the waterfall.
The nature is really amazing in that area, really pure. One of my friends who works for the WWF once said to me that to judge wether a jungle or forest has a clean habitat, we must observe the insects: the more there are, the cleaner the area. Well, let me tell you that the army of ants we encountered, and the amount of insects, were amazing and plentiful. Oh and not to mention the amount of mosquitoes (thanks Joy for bringing the mosquito repellent!!!).
Flip flops and even barefoot!
20 minutes walk is all it took to reach Sebarau Waterfall, which is an amazing feature, with clean and cool water splashing off the top, and huge rocks covered with moss and trees. I did not waste any time, climbing the rocks to be near the fall and swimming in the fresh water. My cousins took lots of memory pictures. We were so pleased to have come.
FACTS
Sebarau Waterfall is past Kampung Bidak, a village off the road from Kuching to the Borneo Highland Resort.
My cousins enjoying the dip
You can reach it from Kuching by motorbike or by car. Bus service is non existent.
Park your car at Kampung Bidak and either ask the friendly villagers for directions or look for a local guide to take you there – handy especially if you visit off season and you may encounter some of the trail in bad conditions.
Remember that Sebarau Waterfall is sometimes called Bidak Waterfall.
The Borneo state of Sarawak has lots of waterfalls, some well-known some less. Sebarau Waterfall is a great hidden treasure yet to be discovered by mass tourism, and so worth a visit.
