Bengoh Dam: a trail through Borneo’s beautiful nature

Surrounded by Borneo’s beautiful nature

Kuching is surrounded by stunning nature. Sarawak, or rather the entire island of Borneo, mainly exists out of tropical rainforest. If you happen to be a nature lover like us, this calls for exploration. We received a recommendation from friends that have pointed us to this day trip – which is a must do whenever you find yourself in the Kuching area – The Bengoh Dam hiking trail.

Good preparation is key

Bengoh Dam is about a one-and-a-half-hour drive from the Kuching town area. Be wary, there is no public transport leaving for Bengoh Dam. We believe your best bet is to rent a car (even better if you already own one) and drive up to the Dam. Another option is to book a tour in advance, but expect higher prices when everything is fully arranged just for you.

We decided to rent a car. We stocked up on food and drinks for the hike, had insect repellent and sunscreen ready and brought out our hiking shoes. We thought we were all set…

We looked up the address and location the night before, then we read that a guide was required for this hike and we had not arranged one. This guide would also arrange for the boat crossing and lead the way during the hike. We quickly contacted a tour organization and fortunately managed to arrange a guide last minute. A good preparation is everything; we still need to work on that a bit.

Bonus tip – how to arrange a Bengoh Dam booking:

There happens to be a special Facebook group dedicated to the Bengoh Dam hike. A good bet is to go there and check for all available options on either a guide or a full day tour. For us, we were able to find this phone number to book a tour or guide: +60 17809 4053. They replied very friendly and fast and they were able to arrange a guide for us. We did not need a whole tour, because we had a car to drive there ourselves. Because we only needed the guide for the boat ride and the trail they were friendly enough to adjust the price. In the end we had to pay RM 100.00 per person. You can probably go a bit cheaper than this, if you manage to arrange the guide in advance.

A beautiful ride to Bengoh Dam

After picking up our rental car, we hit the road. We are used to driving on the right side with the steering wheel on the left, but here it is the opposite. Lars turned out to be a natural and got the hang of this very quick.

The route to Bengoh Dam is quite simple, mostly straightforward. The ride was far from boring, as we were surrounded by high mountains and beautiful nature. Having our own car allowed us to take our time and enjoy the scenery. In the Netherlands, you hardly see any mountains or hills, so this was a nice change of scenery.

We arrived at the dam around 9.30am. This was pretty late for what they are used to. Most people go earlier at 8.00am to avoid the heat. Again a learning moment for us.

Upon arrival, we immediately knew we were in the right place because of the enormous dam, hence the name Bengoh Dam. Our guide was waiting for us there, which is also where the boat trip starts. However, make sure you register at the counter first (at the gates just before entering the area), they keep track of everyone who enters the park and who leaves so nobody is left behind. This is standard protocol in Sarawak as you might have noticed by now.

The best landscape views during the 15 minuten boat ride

We took place in the boat and set off. It was a fifteen-minute boat ride. A quarter-hour of enjoying the stunning surroundings, the serenity on the water and the sunshine. I would not have minded if the boat trip lasted longer and luckily we also got to enjoy it on the way back. As we docked, we immediately saw a small waterfall, a preview of what was to come.

Fun fact: did you know the water from the lake is actually used to source drinking water for Kuching?

Ready to start the trail

You arrive at Jetty Binaan by boat, a hut where you can eat, drink or rest. It is also the last place with a restroom before you start the hike, which is good to keep in mind. Additionally, there is a map of the trail available, useful for knowing what to expect. It is 1.2km to the first checkpoint at an easy level and then another 800m at a moderate level to the endpoint.

The hike started off well with a bamboo bridge, followed by an uphill path. We encountered several bamboo bridges along the way. Although the bridges did not always seem sturdy, we can assure you they definitely were. At first, we were cautious and crossed one at a time, but after a few, we were walking with the three of us on the bridges without any issues. This added a fun challenge to the walk. Because it is an uphill hike, every once in a while we were treated with a stunning view of our surroundings.

Ever since we arrived in Kuching we do hikes every now and then, for instance we already visited Gunung Gading before. Which is also why the hike itself was not that hard for us. However, for others it can be more difficult so please keep that in mind.

The thing that challenged us the most was the heat. After some time spent in Kuching already, we knew this upfront. In the shade of the trees, it was bearable, but in the open sun sweat poured down our backs. We encountered some hikers who were on their way back, all drenched in sweat. Seeing that made us anxious about what lay ahead. But when we reached the endpoint, we quickly understood why they were soaking wet.

Bengoh Dam’s biggest waterfall is absolutely gorgeous

Upon reaching the endpoint, resting was not the first thing that came to our minds. We were immediately captivated by the enormous Susung Waterfall you can see on the photo at the top of this blog. We could get very close to the waterfall, which was impressive. The noise from the falling water was immense and the power of the water made it splash everywhere. After only a mere thirthy seconds at the waterfall we were drenched, making it also the perfect way for us to cool down a bit. But that did not stop us from making some extra photos and videos and enjoying the beautiful scenery. At this very moment we also realised why everyone looked so ‘sweaty’ on the way back – it was actually the waterfall’s doing!

At the endpoint, besides the Susung Waterfall, there was another highlight: the Jurassic Park Vine. This vine is the perfect place to pose for some beautiful photos with the Susung Waterfall in the background. It is an unwritten rule, but you have to take the mandatory Bengoh Dam photo with the vine when you hike this trail.

A surprisingly fun way back

While we were taking photos at the highlights, we met another group of hikers and started chatting with them. We had brought some nuts with us and Lars decided to share. Each of them took about one nut, but it was enough to break the ice. The nuts and this adventure quickly created a bond, which is why we decided to continue the journey back together.

On the way out, we skipped the Curtain Waterfall to head straight to the endpoint, planning to stop there on the way back. This stop turned into a fun and cozy picnic with our new friends and ended with a jump into the water and a shower under the Waterfall. After diving into the water, we felt fresh, reborn and ready to complete the hike.

Bengoh Dam’s hiking trail coming to a close

Lars and I felt that the hike back goes by more quickly and easier than the outward journey. So before we know it, we were already back at the Jetty Binaan, back into the boats and on my way our way to Kuching. We felt fulfilled, happy and proud after completing this hike.

Coming to a close only one question remains: how do we review the Bengoh Dam trail? We say it is a must do if you are into hiking and exploring the nature. It is a great experience with a lot of different aspects. The relaxing boat ride is a unique start, the uphill hike with the bamboo bridges is a fun challenge and the waterfalls being your well deserved rewards after your efforts. Oh and before we forget: maybe add a swim too, to complete your adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

To help you out when you are planning to go do the Bengoh Dam trail yourself (we highly recommend it!) we gathered all the answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you happen to have any further questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message, we are always happy to help.