My next female wild camping and fishing adventure brought me to a mountain deep in Sarawak, East Malaysia. While this mountain is well-known among tourists, I didn’t follow the usual tourist routes.
Instead, I chose a quiet, locally known area — untouched by crowds and unknown to most outsiders. It’s about an hour and a half from Kuching.
Camping at the Foot of a Mountain in Sarawak
I didn’t hike to the top of the mountain. Instead, I set up my wild camping site at the mountain’s base, where the terrain was filled with rocks and dense vegetation.
As usual, I wasn’t alone — this time, I brought along a cousin. (I have many cousins in their 20s, 30s, and 40s — as of when I’m writing this in 2022.)
The moment we arrived in the late afternoon, I began to prepare for the night.
Building a Bushcraft Shelter Before Nightfall
Since I didn’t bring a tent, I quickly built a basic bushcraft shelter using materials around me. You can watch the process in my video.
The sky grew dark quickly, and I was thankful the rain held off until I finished the roof. As soon as the rain passed, it was time to fish — hoping I’d catch dinner before the jungle fell completely silent.
Jungle Fishing in Sarawak: Snakehead and Catfish Catch
I wasn’t sure what types of fish lived in the area, but I needed something for my evening meal.
My first catch — a decent-sized fish — escaped before I could reel it in. But soon after, I caught a good-sized snakehead and two large catfish. That was more than enough to fill my belly.
Jungle Cooking with Bamboo: Simple but Satisfying
As a minimalist hiker, I always travel light. For dinner, I cooked the snakehead in bamboo, seasoned with only salt and onions — a traditional jungle-style meal. Simple, smoky, and satisfying.
If you’ve ever hiked up hills in Borneo with a heavy backpack, you know how much weight matters. So I bring only the essentials.
A Rough Night Under the Jungle Roof
That night, I didn’t sleep much. My shelter had only a leaf floor and a basic roof. Maybe next time, I’ll spend more effort finding a better sleeping area.
But light sleep is common in the wild — it helps you stay alert and responsive. Safety in the jungle always comes first.
Wrapping Up: A True Off-Grid Experience for Women Adventurers
At 6 a.m. the next morning, I packed up and left for my next female solo wild camping destination. Each experience teaches me something new — not just about the jungle, but also about resilience, adaptability, and survival as a woman in nature.
🎣 Would you try wild camping and fishing in Sarawak?
Share your thoughts, or let me know your favorite jungle meals!