The Wind Cave
This is also one of the special places in Sarawak. The Wind Cave that is only about 15 minutes away from Fairy Cave Sarawak
is one of the famous caves here in Kuching Sarawak Borneo. The Wind
Cave consist of multiple river passages through the rock leading to an
entrance on the far side of the hill overlooking the Sarawak River.
You’ll need at least 2 hours to cover this whole area. The Wind Cave Bau
is sort of like a pitch dark maze, so you’ll need to bring along Torch
Lights or night vision goggles. I was not prepared with the torches, but
not to worry, you can also rent them at the entrance at RM2 per torch
light.
The reason they call this the Wind Cave is because
you’ll feel a light breeze as you walk along the wooden platform that is
created along the cave. You’ll hear the bat sounds, and those who are
afraid of the dark, might find this place scary. I was told that the
Bats consist of many types, but they all have ultra sound navigation
system, so there are no cases where the bats touches the visitors. The
bats also feed on fruits and other insects so they are fairly safe.
There are 3 main tracks at the Wind Cave and one of them is quite
low, so for those who are tall, they’ll need to watch out. All along the
tracks are notice boards that explain with illistration about the caves
and their geological process. You can also walk through the nature
reserve near the Wind Cave.
Getting to this cave is fairly easy because it is located only 45
minutes from Kuching town and 5 minutes away from a town called Bau. The
Wind Cave Nature Reserve covers 6.16 hectares and
includes the cave itself and the surrounding forest. Outside the cave,
if you come in a group, there are Barbeque pit areas and clean
bathrooms. They are open every day from 8.30am till 4.30pm in the
evening.
The Wind Cave’s has
been gazetted as a nature reserve not just to
protect the cave and its inhabitants, but also
to conserve a number or rare species in the surrounding
limestone forest. Amongst the small to medium
sized trees and shrubs are some very rare palms,
including Arenga pinnata (called Inyok in the
local Bidayuh language), Arenga undulatifolia
(Opip in Bidayuh) and the gigantic Calamus ornatus
(Wi jelayan in Bidayuh).
Squirrels, shrews and a variety of birds can be
found along the river and the limestone hill. Black
nest swiftlets can be seen and heard inside the
cave, as well as 14 species of bat. Twelve distinct
species of snail have also evolved in the caves
and the covering hill, each unique to its own limestone
habitat.
Entry Fees & Permits
A nominal entry fee is
charged for visitors to the Wind Cave Nature
Reserve. Please check with the National Parks
Booking Office in Kuching or the Sarawak
Forestry website for the latest fee structure for those who is interested.
