Sabah Nature, Crocker Range National Park

The Park is situated in the rugged Crocker Range that divides the western coastal plains from the rest of Sabah. Lying more than 300 metres above sea level, it is spread over 139,919 hectares of forest terrain. The Padas River, which bisects the range between Beaufort and Tenom is just one of the twelve that flows through the mountains. Passage by boat is impossible due to the boulders strewn along the swift flowing Padas Gorge. However, human creativity led to the construction of a railway alongside the scenic gorge. Roads crossing the range have also made the interior more accessible from the coastal areas, making it possible for visitors to enjoy the tranquillity in the rugged mountains.

Crocker Range National Park: Flora and Fauna

The vegetation is a mix of dipterocarp and montane forest. The bright yellow flowers of the Dillenia suffruticosa are usually found on infertile deforested soil. There's also the Tetrastigma, the wild vine that plays host to the Rafflesia pricie, one of the three parasitic Rafflesia species found in Sabah.

The forest is home to at least five species of primates. There's the orang utan, gibbons, the furry tarsier with its enormous round eyes and frog-like hands and feet and the extremely sociable long-tailed macaques. Easily identified by their prominent cheek whiskers, they are often spotted obligingly grooming and picking out edible insects from each other! Their intelligent pig-tailed cousins (pig-tailed macaques) are extremely adept at plucking coconuts and can contribute significantly to the labour force in coconut plantations.

Bears, civet cats, marble cats, and wild pigs also roam the forest while hornbills, pheasants and partridges might be spotted flitting between the dense foliage.

Crocker Range National Park: Facilities

There are no visitor facilities within the park. However, there are plans to establish a Park Headquarters at the present site of the Forestry Department building in the near future.

Private accommodation is available at a resort outside the park area.

Crocker Range National Park: How to Get There

The Crocker Range National Park is not open to public. Those who intend to visit must obtain a written permission letter from the Director of Sabah Parks. This also applies to travel agents who are bringing tourists.