Long Banga is a rural village located in the north east of Sarawak, Malaysia, in the Marudi division. It lies approximately 589.6 kilometres (366 mi) east-north-east of the state capital Kuching. The name of "Long Banga" originated from a small river near the site of the village.

Before the mid-1980s travel to the village was predominantly by river, but in the late 1980s and early 1990s, this isolated place could be reached by small aircraft like the DHC-6 Twin Otter and helicopter. Now it is also accessible by timber or logging road from Merawa Camp. There are also scheduled flights by Malaysia Airlines to Miri and Marudi. The village is said to date back to about 1900 and was founded by a group of Kenyah people from Long Peluan, followed by some saban people. They converted from pagan beliefs to Christianity in the 1960s. The village was used as a base by the Allied Army during the Confrontation in the mid-1960s. Currently, the village has one primary school (SK Long Banga), a clinic, an airport (Long Banga Airport) and a church.

How to Get There

By Plane

If you are traveling to Long Banga by air, Long Banga STOLport is the only airport that serves the rural area of Long Banga in Sarawak. The STOLport serves Malaysia Airlines' MASwings, which flies to Miri and Marudi once a week.

Tourist Attractions

Miri

Miri is known as the gateway to Brunei which is about two hours drive away. It is also the staging point for adventure treks into the interior of Borneo, or pleasant day trips into the green rainforest. The city of Miri faces the South China Sea and is situated along the banks of the Miri River and part of the city is surrounded by a ridge known as Canada Hill where Malaysia’s first oil well, Miri Oil Well Number 1 (fondly referred to as the Grand Old Lady) successfully struck oil in August 1910. Miri caters to many visitors from neighbouring oil-rich Brunei with its strong currency and affluent populace. With a number of modern high rise shopping complexes, Miri serves as the main commercial hub for towns and villages in its division as well as those in Bintulu and Limbang divisions. Miri also offers excellent food and entertainment outlets and there are many pubs, bars, cafes and karaoke lounges. There are many food outlets ranging from fine dining, bistros serving western cuisines to Chinese, Malay and local authentic dishes at seafood restaurants, cafes, and roadside food stalls. If you are traveling by air, Malaysia Airlines flies six times daily (except Sundays) between Kuala Lumpur and Miri, with one stopping over at Kuching, as well as five flights between Kuala Lumpur and Miri on Sundays, with one stopping over at Kuching. AirAsia also flies non-stop four times daily.

Lambir Hills National Park

The park is easily accessible by car 30 minutes from Miri City. The area covers an area of approximately 6952 hectares, with rich varied flora and fauna.

Niah National Park

One of Southeast Asia’s most important prehistoric site, Niah National Park, lies a mere two hours drive from Miri city. The discovery of the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia along with other pre-historic relics in the cave, make the cave Borneo’s most important archeological site. The relics point to the existence of human activity in this area almost 40,000 years ago.

Loagan Bunut National Park

The ‘shrinking lake’ Loagan Bunut gives its name to Loagan Bunut National Park. In the dry months of February until June, it is possible to walk right across dry mud flats of this popular bird-watching site. During the rainy season, they fill up to form a large, shallow lake.