Sarawak’s Jurassic World

Hidden gems in Bumi Kenyalang

By Pavitraa a/p Sundaram

The most well-known attributes of Sarawak are its captivating culture and magnificent landscapes. However, the Bengoh Range is arguably less renowned than destinations like Kuching and Mulu National Park. This incredible natural beauty is tucked away in the jungle between the edges of Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia. It’s widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Malaysia.

As you explore this relatively untouched natural haven, it will feel as though you’ve been transported to a whimsical fairy tale setting, not unlike the awe-inspiring wilds of Jurassic Park. Too good to be true? Well, see for yourself! If you love being in nature and exploring, this is one for the bucket list!

An hour’s drive from Kota Samarahan will take you to Bengoh Range, Sarawak’s Jurassic World. With its pristine natural beauty and majestic, cascading waterfalls, this treasure trove offers tourists a quick getaway for fresh air from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Surrounded by untouched nature, tourists can carry out recreational activities such as hiking and experience a village lifestyle while visiting this wondrous hidden gem in Sarawak.

Stunning view of the emerald Bengoh Lake — Kampung Sting, Sarawak.

Sinthu at Pe’Ann Waterfall, Bengoh Range.

View of Curtain Waterfall, Bengoh Range.

Sinthu, 24, from Negeri Sembilan and a degree student at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), shared her experience travelling in this place. She recommends booking the boat and guide in advance if anyone plans to travel to Jurassic World because it is challenging and dangerous to hike without a guide there.

You can find some of the agencies of guides on Facebook, but be prepared to fork out between RM40 and RM60 per person. Those who live in Sarawak, Kuching especially, should decide on a day trip. But those who live far away or want to spend more time exploring can choose to stay overnight in nearby accommodation options.

“As for us, I managed to get an agency guide for RM40 for each person at a student price,” Sinthu said.

“From the starting point at Bengoh Dam jetty, we hopped on a 20-minute boat ride before entering the village area for their hiking expedition and experience the grandeur of waterfalls and immerse in the exquisite natural landscape.

“First, we moved to the Sting village, known as the village on the clouds. To get to this village, you need to take a boat, and when you get to the site/jetty, you need to hike uphill for about 30 minutes. From this village, you can see an expansive view of the Bengoh dam area, which is impressive,” she said.

This village is the oldest Bidayuh village in Sarawak and is believed to have existed since 300 years ago. The people of this village continue the traditions of the Bidayuh community, such as growing rice and black pepper, while making it a source of income and meeting their own needs.

Sinthu at Susung Waterfall, Bengoh Range.

Sinthu on the signature branch of Jurassic World, Sarawak.

The Bengoh Range, with its beautiful natural surroundings and biodiversity, helps visitors step into the jungle by disconnecting from the online world to reconnect to nature. Sinthu mentioned that she experienced a digital detox during the visit to the place, as no phone signal was found. As such, don’t expect any notifications or calls here.

She added that the guide told her that villagers used bamboo poles to build hiking trails and bridges for crossing the rivers.

“Bamboo trees grow naturally and abundantly here, so the villagers use them as trails and bridges. According to the guide, the bamboo poles are tied with durable PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic straps, and the poles will be changed once or twice a year, if necessary,” she said.

While hiking along the trail, one will be mesmerised by some breathtaking waterfalls in Bengoh Range, such as Curtain Waterfall, Koring Waterfall, Pe’an Waterfall, and the furthest one, Susung Waterfall. The 1.5km trail is an hour away from the village’s entrance.

Here, Sinthu found a vast and sturdy hanging branch to sit on and capture pictures with the view of the alluring Susung Waterfall.

“Visitors are not allowed to swim in Susung Waterfall for safety reasons because the water is very deep. However, they can enjoy the cool waters of Curtain Waterfall,” she said.

The Curtain and Susung waterfalls have recently gained local interest due to their unique semblance to the jungles in the famous movie Jurassic World.

According to Sinthu, the total round trip to the four waterfalls takes about four hours. So, it is advised to build stamina before climbing this challenging range.

From this, it could be decided that the hike to Bengoh Dam will be tiring, but it is worth it after reaching the most must-see sights in the area to witness mind-blowing scenery. The air is clean and the relaxation after the hike is guaranteed. It is advised to have good shoes, a raincoat, plenty of water, extra clothes and mosquito repellent, and a good guide before going to Jurassic World of Sarawak in Bengoh Range.

• This article was written by a student from the Strategic Communication Programme at the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, UNIMAS.