Batang Duri
Temburong
Batang Duri serves as the starting point for river journeys into the Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei's first national park established in 1991. Located in the Temburong District, the park covers around 550 square kilometers of untouched lowland and hill dipterocarp rainforests, often called the "Green Jewel of Brunei." Visitors access Batang Duri by road from Bangar town, after which experienced Iban longboat operators navigate the Temburong River into the park. The park features an extensive network of boardwalks and a canopy walkway rising 50 meters above the forest floor, offering panoramic views of the dense jungle canopy. The surrounding forest hosts a diverse flora including Shorea, Dryobalanops, and Dipterocarpus trees, with rich undergrowth of gingers, begonias, and rattan. Fauna includes the arboreal Eastern grey gibbon, rare butterflies like the Rajah Brooke's birdwing, and notable reptiles such as the earless monitor lizard. Batang Duri thus offers an immersive ecotourism experience in one of Southeast Asia's most pristine rainforests.
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Tip: The best time to visit Batang Duri and Ulu Temburong National Park is during the dry season to enjoy easier river travel and hiking. Visitors should consider purchasing tickets for guided tours in advance, especially for the canopy walkway experience. Boat trips are operated by skilled Iban boatmen, and wearing appropriate footwear and insect repellent is recommended. Discounts may be available for groups or students. Since access is only by river, plan your journey carefully and allow time for transfers from Bandar Seri Begawan to Bangar and then to Batang Duri.
Interesting facts
- •Ulu Temburong National Park covers about 40% of Temburong District, making it a significant conservation area in Brunei.
- •The canopy walkway in the park rises 50 meters above the forest floor, offering panoramic views of the rainforest canopy.
- •The park is home to the rare Rajah Brooke's birdwing butterfly, named after James Brooke, the White Rajah of Sarawak.
- •The Temburong River is navigated by experienced Iban longboat operators who skillfully handle sandbars, logs, and boulders.
- •The park supports over 400 butterfly species, including rare and endemic varieties.
History
The area around Batang Duri became part of Ulu Temburong National Park, established in 1991 as Brunei's first national park to protect its vast rainforest.
The park lies within the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve and represents a successful conservation effort preserving about 40% of Temburong District's land.
Historically, the region was under the private authority of James Brooke during the colonial era, reflected in the naming of species such as the Rajah Brooke's birdwing butterfly.
Over time, infrastructure like boardwalks and canopy walkways were developed to facilitate ecotourism while minimizing environmental impact.
Place Guide
Canopy Walkway1990s
A steel-supported walkway rising 50 meters above the forest floor, providing stunning vistas over the tallest trees and the surrounding rainforest canopy. It allows visitors to experience the forest from a unique aerial perspective.
Boardwalk Network1990s
An extensive system of boardwalks, bridges, and stairways totaling 7 kilometers in length, allowing visitors to explore various parts of the park without disturbing the natural environment.