Taman Negara National Park
From Wikitravel
Taman Negara National Park is the largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia. It is famous for its rainforest, birds, and insects.
[edit] Understand
Admission is RM1, a camera permit RM5. If you also want to fish, it is an additional RM10 for your entire length of stay. Permits can be bought at the park headquarters, just across the river from the village in the park, Kuala Tahan.
[edit] Climate
The dry season runs from February to September, which is the best time to visit the park. The peak tourist season is from April to August.
[edit] Talk
The local taboos to talk about while in the park are:
1. Not boasting about your abilities. 2. Joke about animal attacks. 3. Sing or talk loudly in the jungle.
[edit] Get in
The easiest way to get to the park is through an arranged service from Kuala Lumpur.
Alternatively, to do the trip yourself, first take a bus or a train to Jerantut (RM19 from Kuala Lumpur), and then take a taxi from Jerantut to the jetty at Kuala Tembling, costing RM16.
The river boat leaves from the jetty at Kuala Tembling at 9:00am and 2:00pm for Kuala Tahan. The 60km journey takes 2 to 3 hours, and costs RM35.
Alternatively, you can drive to Kuala Tahan; although you would miss the river boat trip, which is an important part of the experience. Parking is available at the hotels. From East Coast Expressway, exit at Temerloh and proceed to Jerantut. You will reach a T-junction. Turn right to Kuala Tahan -75km). The journey is 3 and half hours from Kuala Lumpur. There are plenty of roadsigns so you shouldn't get lost. You will drive across estates of palm oils and winding roads. Beware of cows and buffalos. There is no phone signal in the estates.
[edit] Get around
It is easy to get around without any guide. You can explore the forest on your own. However, if you go into the deep jungle, especially by the Keniam, Tenol, or Tahan Mountain trails, it is better to go with guide, as you will learn a lot about the jungle and save yourself from getting lost.
[edit][add listing] See
- Lata Berkoh & Waterfall Cascades. A famous spot for swimming in clear and cool water. Beware of strong currents and not stray too far from the bank. You can reach Lata Berkoh by boat ride for RM160. The boat ride itself is a unique experience. You can ask the boatman to turn off the engine (on your way back only) and enjoy the sound and sights of the jungle. It is like being in a Rambo movie! Half way to Lata Berkoh you can stop by the Kelah Sanctuary. edit
- Kelah Fish Sanctuary. The Kelah fish is a culinary delight of the locals. They are known their sweet flesh and is absolutely delightful when steamed fresh. You can feed these friendly fishes here with food that be bought from the Rangers. Stand bare footed in the river and watch as they come to nibble at your feet. edit
- Videos on Indigenous flora & fauna. Shown at the Interpretive Room at 8.45 pm daily edit
- Tahan Wildlife Observation Hide. You may see some wildlife at the salk lick. It is best to stay overnight. edit
[edit][add listing] Do
- Jungle Trekking. Jungle treks of various duration, some up to nine days, are possible. Trekking requires considerable preparations and a guide must be taken on all long trekking journeys. Although challenging, the jungle treks prove to be an equally rewarding authentic jungle adventure. edit
- Climb Bukit Teresek (Teresek Hill). 334m high hill. The trail is relatively easy until the foot of the hill. Then it turns to a moderate climb among ropes and tree roots. Get lucky and spot various wildlife including wild hog, rare birds, scorpians and others. Smell and drink the native Seranti tree, which is similar to a cola. When you finally reach the view point, you will be able to see almost the entire national park. edit
- Canopy Walk, (On Bukit Teresek). Walk across the longest suspension bridge in the world, at 530m. Walk across the canopy 25 to 40 meters high, and view the rich and divers flora and fauna at the summit of the forest. RM5. edit
- Visit the Orang Asli Settlements. "Orang Asli" means "original people" in the Malay. The Orang Asli live a nomadic lifestyle in Taman Negara. Their settlements are found along the trails. Some settlements are accessible by boat. Let them teach you how to shoot a blow gun and drink the juices of the local fruits. edit
- Night Walking Safaris. View nocturnal plants and animals in an easy hour guided trek from the Ranger's headquaters. See flowers that only blooms at night, water dragons, snakes, glow in the dark fungis, stick insects other weird and wonderful creatures. edit
- Night 4WD Safaris. Go on a guided drive through the forest and view owls, leopard cats, snakes, and nocturnal birds. You can see Kingfishers, Hornbills, Otters, Monitor Lizards and more edit
- Fishing. It is estimated there are as many as 300 species of fish in the rivers. You may only fish the waters of Sungai Tahan below Lata Berkoh and Sungai Keniam below Kuala Keniam Kecil. Fishing tends to be best in the drier months of February to April and June to August. Permit costing RM10 per rod is necessary. edit
- Cave Exploration. Gua Teliga (Ear Cave) has rock formation in the shape of an ear. Gua Kepayang and Gua Daun Menari (Dancing Leaves Cave) are some of the few limestone outcrops that you can explore along with animals and insects that live in the caves. edit
- Shooting The Rapids. Travelling upstream on Sungai Tembeling from Kuala Tahan is an exhilarating experience. One must be prepared to get drenched as the boat has to negotiate 7 sets of rapids. edit
- Bird watching. There are over 350 species of birds in the park edit
- Climb Gunung Tahan (Tahan Mountain). You will need to carry your own food and tent on this 4 to 7 day journey to the top of the highest mountain in Peninsula Melaysia at 2,187m, . There is a slim chance of seeing elephants in the wild. Needless to say, guides are necessary. Months of physical fitness training is needed before most trekkers would attempt the climb. edit
[edit][add listing] Eat
There are floating restaurants at the riverside of Kuala Tahan, including Family Restaurant, Wan Cafe, and LBK. These cafe serve local delicacies such as toasted bread with kaya jam (weird but tasty combination of egg and coconut), fried rice, drinks, sandwiches, and soups.
Outside of Kuala Tahan there are not many restaurants.
[edit][add listing] Drink
There are not a lot of bars in Kuala Tahan. Chess Corner, near the Tembling Riverview Guesthouse is a nice bar where locals sing songs and play the guitar at some nights. However, this bar does not serve alcohol. There are also several cafes across the Tembelign River which a reachable by a quick boat ride.
One local drink you should try is the "Sirup Bandung", which is a blend of rose syrup and milk. It is a tasty concoction to drink after a day's trek.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- Dakili House, ☎ +609-250 7685 (dakili_tn@yahoo.com), [3]. Fan dorm bed: RM15. edit
- Ekoton Chalet & Dorms, ☎ +6092669897. From RM20 to RM100. edit
- Liana Hostel, ☎ +6092669322. Basic hostel with lackluster bathrooms. Fan dorm bed: RM10. edit
- Mutiara Taman Negara. Upscale resort. Wild hogs sighting are a regular sighting and can be seen scavenging for food in the evening. Also features a restaurant. Dorm bed: RM80; Room RM300 to RM1,820. edit
- Nusa Holiday Village, (15 minutes by boat upstream from park headquarters), [5]. Dorm bed: RM15, A-Frame: RM55, Cottage: RM90, House: RM110; Boat tranfers from Kuala Tahan are RM5 for guests.. edit
- Park Lodge Taman Negara, ☎ +609-2667930 (parklodge@nurnilam.com), [6]. 2-person room: RM50. edit
- Rainforest Resort, (Across the Tembeling River), ☎ +6092667888 (resvns@rainforest-tamannegara.com), [7]. From RM150 to RM450 if booked online. edit
- Teresek View Motel & Hostel, ☎ +6092669744, [8]. Fan dorm bed: RM10; Air-con dorm bed: RM20; Fan Room: RM60; Air-con room: RM80. edit
- Travelers Home. Homestay style accommodation but with new, clean rooms at affordable rates. RM110 and up. edit
[edit] Stay safe
There is no violent crime in Taman Negara. As anywhere, do not leave valuables lying around unguarded.
Wear footwear when outside and not go out barefoot. If you make a jungle trek on your own inform the park headquarters where you are going and at what time you will be back. People sometimes get lost in the jungle.
Leeches are common in the park but are not as dangerous as they are made out to be.
[edit] Get out
Get schedule information and buy boat tickets at the travel booths at the floating restaurants.
Boats run to Kuala Tembling at 9:00am, 10:00am, and 2:00pm, costing RM35. From there, you can catch a bus to Kuala Lumpur (RM40), Penang, Cameron Highlands, or other destinations.
A cheaper but much rougher option is to catch a public bus to Jerantut (RM7). From Jerantut, there is air-conditioned bus and train service to Kuala Lumpur (RM17) and other destinations.
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