Rafflesia in Gunung Gading National Park – and suddenly here’s the biggest flower in the world

Last Updated on 17 January 2026 by Cycloscope

Rafflesia in Gunung Gading National Park, Malaysia, Borneo.
You can find the biggest flower in the world

It has now been about two months since we began cycling the roads of Malaysian Borneo, and it seems the time has come for a change: time to see a new country and explore Indonesia.

We saw so many things here: huge-nosed proboscis monkeys and ancestral caves, beautiful folks we have known, met endangered people, and sailed on rivers through the jungle. But there is still something left for us to do: see the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia.

So, we leave the city of cats (Kuching) and head to Gunung Gading National Park, located on the road to one of the border posts with Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan).

This is where we hope to see this huge parasite flower, a flower that can exceed 100cm in diameter and weigh up to 10 kg, a flower that takes months and months to bloom and then lives no more than 7 days.

A flower on the verge of extinction, like everything here in Borneo: plants, animals, people.

The road from Kuching to Lundu (Gunung Gading National Park)

There are two ways to reach Lundu (the town where the park is located) from Kuching:

• The southern route, 98km, is mostly on highway H150. This may be the fastest route if you are driving or taking the bus.
• The north route, 91km on quiet roads, near the coast for a little stretch, and with nice scenery overall, passing beside Kubah National Park.
  
  This is definitely the road you want to take if you’re by bicycle, and also if youare in your own transportation and wish to be in a quieter environment. Just beware that there are almost no shops or settlements on this road, so pack food and water.

Check the map at the bottom of the article for more details.

It’s almost dark, and we find a very cheap Chinese hotel in Lundu, a village about 4 km from the national park. Lundu is a small, sleepy, and nice (by Borneo’s standards) town with a few restaurants and hotels.

Gunung Gading National Park

Entry fees, accommodation prices, and opening times

The next morning, we go to the park. The entry fee is the usual 20MYR, and the park opens at 8 AM and closes at 5 PM.

It’s also possible to sleep in the park where there is a dormitory with a kitchen, but yesterday was too late, and it was closed. A room inside the park costs 40 ringgit. There are 4 beds, so the price of each bed is 10 ringgit (€2).

At the entrance, we are told there is no Rafflesia in bloom at this time. We know; we called a few days ago and have been informed of the sad news.

To book a room and inquire about the park and the presence of rafflesia, you could call the Gunung Gading National Park at (+6) 082 735144 or the National Parks Booking Office in Kuching at (+6) 082 248088.

But anyway, DO NOT TRUST THEM! You’ll find out why.

The trail to Waterfall 7

However, reconciled with the idea of not seeing the biggest flower in the world, we head along the waterfall’s path. It’s a pretty easy trek through the spectacular jungle, home to many plant and insect species.

There are three beautiful waterfalls where you can swim, especially number 7, which is a really relaxing spot. Overall, the park is worth it even without Rafflesia.

There are also many animals in this park, but they are shy and not easy to spot; we just saw some insects.

Then, suddenly, while we are about to reach the last waterfall, I turn around and see it: it is enormous, a few meters from the path to my left.

It’s a surprise, I never thought seeing a flower could be so exciting! Nearby, there are also two Rafflesia puppies, still in a ball before they unfold.

It does not stink; everyone says it does, but it is not so, at least in this case. The petals are thick and fleshy, the colors are very vivid, and they are at least one meter in diameter and are beautiful. We remain enchanted for at least half an hour.

“The presence of the flower will be confirmed to the inquiring tourists only if located within a certain area; if there’s a rafflesia in bloom somewhere else in the park, they will always tell you there isn’t.”

On the way back to the park entrance, Elena is attacked by a small leech. We arrive at HQ and discuss the Rafflesia at the front desk. They tell us that they didn’t know; it must have blossomed today, and we feel blessed.

After conversing with the park’s employees, we learned that the presence of the flower will be confirmed to inquiring tourists only if it is located within a certain, screened, and patrolled area. In essence, if there’s a rafflesia in bloom somewhere else in the park, they will always tell you there isn’t.

This move, which may seem unfair, actually prevents irresponsible tourists from damaging the flower, so only those who are really interested in the park and willing to explore it anyway can come into contact with this natural wonder.

After thinking about it a lot, I came to the conclusion that it’s a very wise attitude.

Did you like this article? Like it and share it! Have some thoughts? Comment!

our previous adventures in Borneo

• pt1: from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom, crossing the Crocker range
• pt2: Jungle Train, from Tenom to Beaufort
• pt3: crossing Brunei by bicycle
• pt4: Around Miri, Lambir Hills, Logan Bunut National parks and Tusan Beach
• pt5: The caves of Niah National Park
• pt6: From Belaga to Kuching by boat
• pt7: Kuching and Bako National Park
• pt8: Rafflesia in Gunung Gading National Park (you are here)
• pt9: Overland Border crossing from Sarawak into Kalimantan, the secret Aruk border
• pt10: Sambas, the wooden Venice of Indonesian Borneo
• Reportages
• Chap Go Meh in Singkawang: piercing yourself with swords to please your Gods

• Hydroelectric devastation in Borneo
• Part 1: Interview with SaveRivers
• Part 2: A Visit to Sungai Asap
• Here are some general hints for budget travel in Borneo (by bicycle or not)

Map of the road from Kuching to Lundu (Gunung Gading National Park)

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