The Ultimate Rainforest World Music Festival Guide: From Jungle Beats to Borneo Bliss
Welcome to the heart of Borneo, where the rainforest pulses with rhythm and the spirit of cultural fusion dances through the trees. The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, is a sonic adventure, a tribal gathering and a celebration of our shared humanity. It takes place at the Sarawak Cultural Village on the Santubong Peninsula nestled at the foot of the forest-clad Mount Santubong.
Plan to spend more than a few days in Kuching. The city offers much, including jungle adventures, beautiful music and unforgettable experiences. The festival will be held from June 28th to June 30th.
Getting There
Flight to Kuching
Your journey begins with a flight to Kuching, the capital of Sarawak.
Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are offering a promotion from May 14th to June 29th, 2024, for travel between June 19th and July 7th, 2024. Use the promo code RWMF24 to receive up to 15% and
25% discount.
When travelling from the airport to the city center, you have several transportation options. You can take a taxi or a bus or use a ride-hailing service like Grab. The taxi fare is approximately RM30, the bus fare is around RM5, and the Grab fare ranges from RM11 to RM15. The distance to the city center is roughly 11km, and the journey typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions. If you opt for a taxi, you can purchase a ticket at the designated counter. To check for bus services, you can download the Kuching Metro App. Please be cautious of unverified private drivers who may be waiting for passengers around the airport.
Getting to RWMF
The venue is 35 km from Kuching City Center and takes about 40 minutes to an hour to reach. Shuttle services will be arranged to transport visitors to the RWMF venue from the city center. Pick-up locations will be at Riverside Shopping Complex and Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites. The shuttle service is free for RWMF ticket holders, but non-ticket holders will need to pay Rm12 one way from Kuching to Damai Central and Rm24 for the return journey. Please show your ticket when you board the shuttle. The shuttle timetable will be posted on the rwmf.net website.
If you plan on attending the RWMF, you can consider booking accommodation at beach resorts since the festival is an all-day event until late at night. If you choose to stay in town, you can coordinate with a Grab driver for your return trip, as it may be challenging to find a taxi. The cost for a one-way journey from the city center to the venue by Grab taxi is about RM65 for 4 persons and RM115 for 6 persons. Otherwise, you can use one of the shuttles.
Where to Stay
Kuching offers a range of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. There are several budget and luxury accommodations in city center near the Waterfront, such as The Hilton Hotel, The Waterfront Hotel, Harbour View Hotel, Astana Wing - Riverside Majestic Hotel, Grand Margherita Hotel, Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites, Imperial Riverbank Hotel, Pullman Kuching Hotel, Tune Hotel – Waterfront, The Lime Tree Hotel, Kuching Waterfront Lodge, The Ranee Boutique Suites, The Marian Boutique Lodging House and the latest addition of The Sheraton Kuching Hotel. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to get to the venue from the city center.
Festival Essentials
Before you head off to the festival, make sure you secure your festival ticket to enter the musical wonderland. You can buy tickets online for a day pass or a full 3-day ticket. Show your ticket to get your wristband at the redemption area. A second check will be done at the first entry to the venue. The gates will open at 10 a.m. For ticket prices, click here: RWMF 2024 Tickets - Rainforest World Music Festival
Food, drinks, animals, sharp objects, cigarettes, drugs and alcohol are not allowed inside. Do bring any essential medications you may need while away from home. Bring insect repellant to keep mosquitoes at bay, especially if you're bringing children along. Keep your identification cards and passport handy in case you need them. Save important local numbers as emergency contacts in case of any hiccups during the event.
Daytime temperatures can reach 33°C, so it's important to prepare for the heat by bringing a sunhat, umbrella, sunblock, and a portable fan. To avoid dehydration in the jungle, remember to drink water throughout the day. There will be 30 free water stations inside. Don't forget to bring your own refillable water bottle to help protect the environment. Most daytime activities occur in shaded or indoor areas, so plan to include indoor activities when it's too hot to be outside.
Since you'll be dancing, sweating and grooving, it's a good idea to pack extra outfits and a small towel. Also, remember to bring a poncho or raincoat in case of rain since the festival is set in a rainforest. Ditch your heels and opt for comfortable sandals to navigate the festival grounds
There are no available seats for the evening concerts on the main stage, so it's a standing event. If you prefer to sit on the ground, you may want to bring a small portable chair or outdoor mat. The mat can also be useful for impromptu picnics and daytime workshops.
You can purchase food and drinks at the venue. Only cash and e-wallets (QR Pay, Spay Global, Touch n Go) are accepted. There is one ATM machine at the venue.
If you feel unwell, follow the signs to the two medical bays on-site located at the Theater Stage and Iban Longhouse.
Since the festival is in a pristine rainforest, it's important to respect the environment by properly disposing of your rubbish. After the last encore, if you are heading to the beaches, be cautious of tides during the sunset.
For the full program of RWMF, click here: Full Day Program - Rainforest World Music Festival (rwmf.net)
Keeping the Little Ones Entertained
Children are welcome at the festival. It’s a family-friendly event with plenty of activities for them at the RWMF.
The festival offers a variety of interactive workshops on ethnic instruments, dance and crafts, allowing children to experience cultural diversity firsthand. Additionally, there are mini-concerts, jamming sessions and musical storytelling where kids can join in and enjoy the rhythm. The festival also features a craft bazaar with items such as beaded necklaces and tribal masks, as well as opportunities for children to showcase their dance moves on the jungle floor.
While having fun, please take precautions to ensure your children’s safety at the festival. Children must be supervised at all times. Do not let them roam around on their own, as the event grounds are very large and there will be a lot of people. Make sure they have enough space during the main stage evening concerts. Choose a spot where you can easily bring them out of the crowd. Ensure they stay hydrated and do not spend too much time in the hot sun.
Extend Your Stay
Don’t rush home just yet. Sarawak is your gateway to Borneo’s wonders: orangutans in Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, mystical caves in Mulu National Park and longhouse adventures in the heart of the rainforest.
So, there you have it— the ultimate guide to RWMF. It’s time to pack and head to Sarawak. Let the rainforest rhythms carry you away, and may your Borneo adventure be as lively as the beats echoing through the trees.
For more details, check out the official Rainforest World Music Festival website. Remember, in Sarawak, every day is a festival, so keep the spirit alive long after the last encore.