habybpalyoga.com – If you are visiting Brunei and wondering where to go for an usual day trip, look right across the border to Sarawak, Malaysia. Tucked away near the town of Limbang lies Kampung Meritam, home to natural bubbling mud volcanoes (lumpur bebuak) where you can dip into mineral-rich mud straight from the earth.

What is Lumpur Bebuak and Why Does it Happen?

Unlike regular volcanoes that spew red-hot lava, mud volcanoes are not driven by magma. Instead, they are geological pressure valves:

• Underground Pressure: Deep below the surface, pockets of pressurized hydrocarbon gases (primarily methane) mix with groundwater and dense subterranean clay sediments.
• The “Bebuak” Bubble: when this mixture finds natural fault line or fissures in the rock, the expanding gas forces the cold, liquid mud upward, creating a rhythmic, the plop-plop bubbling sound as it reaches the surface.
• Cool to the Touch: the mud is cold, smooth, and mineral-dense. Locals believe the high sulfur and mineral content acts as a natural skincare treatment, leaving your skin soft once you wash it off.

Getting There from Brunei

Kampung Meritam sits about 35 km south of Limbang Town, making it an easy half-day or full-day road trip from Bandar Seri Begawan.

• Cross the Border: drive southeast from Bandar Seri Begawan toward the Kuala Lurah Border checkpoint (Brunei side), crossing into Tedungan (Malaysia immigration). Keep your passport, vehicle permit, and digital arrival cards handy.
• The Drive to Limbang: from the Tedungan Border, follow the main paved road for roughly 40 to 45 minutes into Limbang Town.
• Reaching Kampung Meritam: From Limbang, take Jalan Meritam heading south for approximately 35 km (around 40 minutes). The site is well-marked with wooden boardwalks build around the active mud mounds.

Tips for The Visit

• Wear old swimwear: the gray clay will cling to fabric, wear clothes you do not mind staining permanently.
• Facilities On-Site: the local council has built simple shower stalls, changing room, and boardwalks, but bring your own towel, fresh water, and soap.
• Floating sensation: stepping into the main crater feels suprisingly buoyant due to the thick density slurry. You float effortlessly without sinking far.

Prepare small cash notes (Malaysia Ringgit) before arriving. Entry is RM 10 per person, and access to the on-site shower facilities costs an additional RM 5.