As a nature lover, the Niah cave nature retreat is one you cannot miss. It is located within the Niah National Park in Northern Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Southeast Asia’s oldest human remains, is also a hidden rainforest teeming with unique wildlife. Here are some of the remarkable wildlife you might encounter on your Niah cave nature retreat.
Crown jewel of Sarawak’s skies
Soaring high above Niah National Park’s towering canopy, The Rhinoceros Hornbill is impossible to miss. It is the iconic state bird of Sarawak. You’ll know it by its distinct large orange casque and echoing calls that boom through the jungles. This magnificent bird truly rules the treetops and is a living symbol of Borneo wild and ancient spirit.
The jungle’s sneakiest superstar
It’s unlikely that you will cross paths with this elusive apex predator. This wild cat is native to Borneo and Sumatra. It is a vulnerable species due to a decreasing population and has been on the IUCN Red List since 2015. On occasion, there have been camera-trap sightings in the deeper forest.
The OG cave influencer
The Niah Cave gecko has been striking poses on these limestone walls since before selfies were the in-thing. If you search the ground or cave walls you might spot this rare, cave-dwelling reptile found only in Sarawak. It lives off an ecosystem created by bat and bird droppings, or guano, and spends its entire life cycle in the dark zone of caves.
The forest fashionista: Prevost’s Squirrel
This is one of the most colourful squirrels in the world. It has a glossy black coat with orange and white patches. They seek shelter in tree hollows and build their nests from twigs, branches and leaves. They are active creatures and can often be seen along the forest trails near the caves.
Morning call from the Bornean Gibbon
At dawn, the rainforest comes alive with the haunting, melodic songs of the Bornean Gibbon. These agile and acrobatic primates swing effortlessly from branch to branch, their golden fur catching the sunlight. You will hear them before you see them!
Slow and steady
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to look into the big, round eyes of the Slow Loris. With its gentle, unhurried movements, this nocturnal primate spends the evenings creeping through the branches in search of insects, nectar and fruit.
The daily nature show
The swiftlets and bats share the caves without competing—one inhabits it by day, and the other by night. No visit to Niah is complete without witnessing this daily exchange. It’s a visually mesmerising experience that occurs at dawn and dusk each day.
Head to the Great Cave (Gua Niah Besar) or the forest boardwalk at dusk, around 5.30 to 6.30pm. The cave comes alive with the symphony of bat squeaks and swiftlet clicks. Thousands of bats stream out of the cave mouth, ready to hunt for the night. Swiftlets dart in from all directions. Sit quietly and enjoy this ancient dance overhead. The less movement and light, the closer the bats will fly.
At dawn, around 5.30am to 6am, the pattern reverses. Swiftlets fly out for the day, while bats return from a night of foraging to rest on the cave ceilings. The same cave chambers were used by humans at least 40,000 years ago. It’s fun to think our ancestors were watching the same exodus.
Niah National Park by night
The national park is a magical place after dark. To experience all its attractions, stay a night or more at one
of the top eco resorts in Sarawak. Check into the Niah Cave lodge’s Painted Suite, inspired by the park’s
painted cave that is known for its 1,200 year-old wall paintings.
