Bukit Shahbandar

Bukit Shahbandar Forest Recreation Park is a 234-hectare recreational forest in Kampong Jerudong 'B', Brunei-Muara District, about 15 km from Bandar Seri Begawan. It is on the coast road between Jerudong and Tungku Beach^[1].

Long-tailed macaques are among the animals seen in the park^[1].

Native kerangas woodland grows here alongside stands of Acacia mangium and Caribbean pine. The natural vegetation has been altered, and the park is mainly coniferous plantation^[1].

A prominent grassy ridge with several peaks at 119-143 m extends south, and east of it is a coastal range of densely forested hills^[1].

Brunei has a hot, humid equatorial climate with rain through the year.

The site was earlier a cattle farm^[1].

Jogging and hiking trails were added in 1980 and the park was fully developed in 1998 under the 6th National Development Plan. The downhill mountain bike event of the 1999 SEA Games was held here^[1].

Nine hills each have distinct paths, numbered trails, steep and rocky sections, checkpoints and rest shelters. There is also a mountain biking trail and observation towers with views of Bandar Seri Begawan and Jerudong^[1].

It is a 15-20 minute drive from the capital via the Muara-Tutong Highway, with free on-site parking. Facilities include children's play areas, light workout equipment, a large pond and refreshment stalls^[1].

It is a protected recreational forest managed by the Forestry Department for recreation and education rather than for primary forest conservation^[1].