The Proboscis Monkey — An Icon of Borneo

The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus, or monyet belanda in Malay — literally "Dutch monkey") is found only on the island of Borneo and is one of Southeast Asia's most endangered primates. The male's extraordinarily large, pendulous nose — which can exceed 10 cm — acts as a resonance chamber, amplifying calls and displaying dominance.

Bako National Park is one of the most reliable locations in the world for proboscis monkey sightings. A small but stable population inhabits the mangrove fringe and coastal forest around the park headquarters area.

When to Look

Proboscis monkeys are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The best times for sightings are:

  • Early morning (6:00–8:00 AM): Groups descend from sleeping trees to feed. The mangrove area near the park HQ boardwalk is particularly productive.
  • Late afternoon (4:30–6:30 PM): As temperatures cool, monkeys become active again before returning to sleeping trees. Evening sightings from the jetty area and along the Telok Assam trail are common.

Where to Look

The most reliable spots for proboscis monkey sightings within the park:

  • Mangrove boardwalk (Telok Assam): The single best location. Monkeys regularly cross the boardwalk and feed in the nipah palms and mangroves directly adjacent to the trail.
  • Park HQ vicinity: The trees immediately around the park headquarters and cafeteria area. Monkeys often visit the tall figs and mangroves here in the morning.
  • Telok Delima beach area: A secondary location where troops sometimes forage in the late afternoon.

Photography Tips

Proboscis monkeys are shy and easily startled. Maintain a respectful distance of at least 10 metres, avoid sudden movements, and do not use flash photography. A 300mm+ telephoto lens is ideal. The golden light of early morning and late afternoon provides the best photographic conditions under the forest canopy.

Other Primates in Bako

While proboscis monkeys are the headline act, Bako also offers excellent chances of seeing:

  • Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) — common throughout the park, including the HQ area. Do not feed them; they can become aggressive.
  • Silver leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus cristatus) — more shy than macaques; look for them in the upper forest canopy.