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The incredible shrinking lake is
the centre piece of this park. Called Loagan Bunut by the local Berawan
people, is the Sarawak's largest natural lake, covering 650 hectares. But
in dry months, usually February and May or June, the lake shrinks to
nothing and you can walk on
great expanses of dry mud flats.
The Loagan Bunut National Park is located in the upper reaches of the
Sungai Bunut where the water level in the lake is totally dependent on the
water level of Sungai Bunut, Sungai Tinjar and Sungai Baram.
The
water levels are usually lowest in the months of February and May or June.
These periods of low water last for about 2 to 3 weeks. The fish
populations also fluctuate as a result of this unique situation. When the
dry periods are at their peak, the lake becomes a huge expanse of dry
cracked mud that you can actually walk on. The lake and its surrounding
areas are vibrant and scenic, both during high and low water levels.
 Over
the centuries, the Berawan that dwell here have developed their own method
of fishing called selambau. During the dry months when the lake's water
level drops drastically, it is spectacular to witness this unique and
traditional method of selambau fishing being carried out. As the whole
lake dries up, they literally scoop up the migrating fish as the water
levels change. This technique has been used for centuries and has enabled
the Berawan fishermen to manage this unique fishery effectively and
sustainable for many generations
 The
park is an ideal spot for bird watchers. The common birds found here are
the darters, egrets, herons, bitterns, eagle, swallow, stork, broadbill,
malkoha, kingfisher, magpie robin, dove, bulbul, drongo, flying fox, kites
and the Stork-billed kingfisher, the largest of Borneo's eleven kingfisher
species.
The morning cacophony of gibbons attests to the rich animal life that
inhabits the park, which includes animals such as barking deer, bearded
pig, sambar deer, argus pheasant, long-tail macaque, black barded langur,
lesser mouse deer, small-tooth palm civet, giant squirrel and Gibbons can
also be heard doing their morning calls.
Park Accommodations at Loagan Bunut are available, offering four rooms
with seven double-decker beds in each room.
Getting There
The distance from Miri Town to Loagan Bunut National Park is about 130 km,
about two to three hours ride by 4W drive. Alternatives transports are
available with public transport such as by bus or taxi. Buses operated
from Miri to Lapok (Lapok Village is about 10 km from Loagan Bunut
National Park). From there visitors can rent a private car or van
transport.
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