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When you travel to Borneo, you immediately think of orangutans, Proboscis Monkees, and large patches of unspoiled rainforest. But did you know that Borneo also houses a gazillion of waterfalls, most of them unknown to tourists? I traveled to Sarawak and discovered this hidden gem in the Bornean countryside, called Sebarau waterfall.
Sebarau waterfall
The Sebarau waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located near Kampung Bidak in a rural area in Sarawak province. It is unknown to tourists and the perfect spot if you like to travel off the beaten path and have natural wonders like this all to yourself.
We were lucky to meet a kind local to take us to the waterfall. The location on Google Maps is incorrect and it is impossible to find it on your own.
At the bottom of the waterfall is a small pool, perfect for a refreshing dip after the short 20-minute jungle hike to the waterfall.
In this post, I will tell you exactly how to reach the waterfall with step-by-step instructions, although it is possible that you will also meet a kind local that is happy to accompany you.
Sebarau waterfall
Sebarau waterfall is located 50 kilometers from Kuching. Since there is limited public transport in Sarawak, getting to the waterfall will require you to have your own transport.
Skyscanner allows you to find the best deals for car rental in Kuching. Alternatively, you can hitchhike to kampung Bayur and walk from there to Kampung Bidak, where the waterfall is located. Kampung Bayur is on the road to the famous Annah Rais longhouse and a lot of locals/other tourists ply this route.
We have found hitchhiking to be extremely easy in Sarawak. As there is no public transport to most places, locals are very happy to take you along for a ride.
Road to Kampung Bidak
From Kuching, make your way to Kampung Bidak, either by driving yourself, by taking a taxi, or by hitchhiking. Do note that Grab cars will probably not drive this far out of Kuching. You can enter Kampung Bidak in Google Maps.
When you exit the main road (Jalan Bra’ang Payang) to Bidak village, follow the road to the left (not straight on to where Google Maps says the waterfall is located). You will arrive at a dead end point at a little round square.
When facing the houses, look for a small pathway to the left. You will see a blue house.
Just after the blue house, take another small path to the left. It might seem to you that you are walking into someone’s private property, but it’s not.
At the end of the path, you will come to this T-junction. Take it right. Follow it all the way until a dirt trail starts into the jungle. From this point, it takes about 20 minutes to get to the waterfall.
The jungle trail to Sebarau waterfall
You will pass by four or five streams which you can cross by taking the wooden beams that serve as little bridges. After five minutes into the trail, you will see a wooden cabin.
The trail will split two times. At both times, take the trail to the left. The easiest way to follow the trail is to follow the pipeline that goes all the way to the waterfall. The path also follows the right bank of the river most of the time. The trail is a bit rocky, with a lot of branches sticking out, so wear decent shoes.
After 20 minutes, you should arrive at the waterfall.
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses and homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For unique immersive homestays
Public transport in Sarawak is not abundant. If you want to get to some remote places you will have to turn to travel agencies or, like us, hitchhike! Here are the best resources we found online:
12GO: The best transport website for long-distance buses and flights in Sarawak.
GRAB: for taxi rides in cities and nearby attractions.
MAXIM: a slightly cheaper alternative to Grab but doesn’t drive as far outside of city centers as Grab cars.
Note that there is a local bus service that is operated by the government to Lundu and Sematan. It cannot be booked online and there is no information to be found online. It leaves from the Boulevard Mall in Kuching and only costs RM 1. Ask Grab or Maxim drivers about this local bus or ask around at the Sentral Bus Complex where the long-distance buses leave. Most Sarawakians have their own car and will not be able to help you. As far as I know, there is only one bus/per day.
There is a public bus system in Kuching but there is also little information online and most of the time it is not up to date. For the most recent routes and travel times check out the information at the bus station at the open-air market in Kuching. These buses also go to Bako National Park and Semenggoh Nature Reserve.
STICKY RICE TRAVEL: The best sustainable travel agency in Malaysian Borneo.
BORNEO ADVENTURE: another reputable travel agency organizing trips to Mulu National Park and Tanjung Datu.
KUCHING KARL FROM “SECRET SARAWAK ADVENTURES”: If you are looking for a different experience aside from the regular tours then don’t hesitate to contact Kuching Karl! He is affiliated with Woodpecker Lodge in Kuching and operates customized trips in 4×4 trucks at prices lower than the travel agencies. He is also the only tour guide that specializes in the best local food around Kuching and incorporates visits to “hidden gem restaurants” into his trips. You can get in touch with him through Woodpecker Lodge or Whatsapp him at +60199158965.
R&R Haven guesthouse
There isn’t a lot of accommodation near Sebarau waterfall. The best thing to do is to stay in Kuching and combine this waterfall with a visit to Annah Rais longhouse and the hot springs. The waterfall is just a small detour away from the road leading to Kampung Annah Rais.
We stayed at R&R homestay, which is located 4 kilometers away from Sebarau waterfall near kampung Bayur. It is very remote, there is no public transport and it isn’t ideal if you don’t have your own wheels. If you have though, I would highly recommend staying at the R&R Haven guesthouse. Roger, the host, is an Englishman married to a local Iban woman named Ren. They are very attentive and extremely friendly.
Another popular stay in the area is the Borneo Highlands Resort. You can visit the waterfall on the way to the resort.
Here are some tips for visiting the Sebarau waterfall:
Sebarau waterfall
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Sebarau waterfall in Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. I hope this guide is clear enough for travelers to reach the waterfall. If you followed this guide, and something wasn’t clear, please let me know in the comments below.
Also, if you have any questions before visiting the waterfall, let me know in the comments below or you contact me through my contact page!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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