About
Usun Apau National Park is located in the interior highlands of Sarawak on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. Established in 2005, the park covers approximately 185 square miles (478 sq km) and protects the remote Usun Apau Plateau, one of the largest volcanic plateaus in Southeast Asia.
Situated in the upper reaches of the Rajang and Baram River systems, the park preserves a unique landscape of montane forests, grasslands, waterfalls, and volcanic formations. Its isolation and limited accessibility have helped maintain the ecological integrity of one of Borneo’s least disturbed wilderness regions.
The park is best known for its spectacular waterfalls and highland scenery. Among its most famous attractions are the twin drops of Julan Waterfall and the impressive Latak Waterfall, both of which plunge from the edges of the plateau into deep forested valleys. Visitors who venture into the park encounter vast expanses of wilderness rarely seen elsewhere in Malaysia.
The remoteness of the park appeals to adventurous travelers, researchers, and conservationists seeking an authentic rainforest experience far from major tourist destinations.
Geographically, Usun Apau National Park is centered on a volcanic plateau that rises approximately 3,000 to 4,600 feet (900 to 1,400 m) above sea level. The plateau was formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago and is characterized by rolling uplands, forested ridges, peat swamps, grasslands, and deeply incised river valleys.
Numerous rivers originate within the plateau, making the park an important watershed for central Sarawak. Vegetation includes montane rainforest, heath forest, mossy forest, and patches of open grassland that are unusual within Borneo’s predominantly forested landscapes. The cooler temperatures and higher elevations create habitats distinct from the island’s lowland rainforests.
Wildlife within Usun Apau National Park reflects the diversity of its highland ecosystems. Mammals include bearded pigs, barking deer, clouded leopards, sun bears, civets, and various species of squirrels. Primates such as gibbons, leaf monkeys, and macaques inhabit the forest canopy.
Birdlife is especially rich, with hornbills, pheasants, broadbills, kingfishers, and numerous montane species found throughout the park. The plateau also supports a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects, many of which remain poorly studied due to the park’s remote location. Botanists have documented numerous orchids, pitcher plants, and other specialized highland flora that contribute to the park’s biological significance.
Usun Apau National Park plays a critical role in protecting one of Borneo’s most distinctive highland ecosystems. The park safeguards important watersheds, preserves rare montane habitats, and provides refuge for wildlife increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation elsewhere on the island.
Its conservation significance is often compared to Gunung Mulu National Park and Kinabalu Park because of its biodiversity, geological uniqueness, and ecological importance. Through its volcanic plateau, dramatic waterfalls, pristine forests, and rich wildlife, Usun Apau National Park stands as one of Malaysia’s most remarkable protected areas and an important sanctuary for the natural heritage of Borneo.
