Pahang Nature Activities - Taman Negara

Taman Negara

Ancient Rainforest Wonder
Taman Negara (National Park) is the first and the oldest official Protected Area in the country, which was originally named King George V National Park. Declared in 1938 by the Sultans of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu (during King George's Silver Jubilee), it was gazetted to preserve the land's indigenous nature in perpetuity. The park was renamed Taman Negara after the nation gained independence in 1957.

Taman Negara is the largest of all Protected Areas in Peninsular Malaysia with 4,343 sq km. The Pahang section of the park is the largest at 2,477 sq km, followed by Kelantan's portion at 1,043 sq km and Terengganu's at 853 sq km. The Peninsula's highest peak is Gunung Tahan at 2,187m.

Taman Negara is indeed one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated at 130 million years old. The abundance and diversity of nature is phenomenal, one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems.

Managed by Jabatan PERHILITAN (Department of Wildlife and National Parks), Taman Negara's Future is secure with stated objectives as follows:

• To protect and conserve the flora and fauna in Taman Negara and to maintain the tropical rainforest ecosystem
• To propagate species of flora and fauna
• To manage Taman Negara as a sustainable recreational area
• To conserve all objects and places of historical, aesthetic or scientific interest
• To provide a natural lab for research on species and habitat found in the tropical rainforest for management purposes.
  
  

Taman Negara: Tips for a Terrific Time

• Visitors are reminded that, as a protected National Park, nothing is to be damaged or taken out of Taman Negara
• When jungle trekking, find out and choose a trail that you can complete before dark. Do not stray off a trail - the rainforest is dense and you can easily lose your direction
• Always notify a person about your plans for the day, especially if you're venturing on your own
• Enter the jungle with a sense of respect and humility. Be as quiet as possible to avoid alarming other beings
• Take plenty of water and power snacks. Unless trekking with a guide, it is not advisable to eat jungle fruits or drink water from any source
• Wear light, loose clothing; comfortable long-sleeved shirts and long pants for protection from insects, leeches, thorny plants and abrasions
• Wear roomy, light but sturdy footwear with good ankle support and traction, and two pairs of socks to prevent blisters for long treks
• Use a hat with a wide brim to shade against intense sunshine and rain. For longer treks, pack a poncho or other rain gear
• When going camping, pack as light as possible. Use a comfortable rucksack with padded shoulder straps, hip belt and internal frame
• Bring a map and compass if you're navigating into the deeper end of a jungle trail - under some dense canopies the sun might not be clearly seen. A whistle is a useful tool for attracting attention in case of emergency
• In certain condition, the forest can be very cold. Bring a waterproof jacket for comfort
• A basic first aid kit for to treat wounds and bites is advisable.
• For longer trips, bring extra batteries for your torchlight; or candles and matches.
• Choose a clear camping site free of debris and away from rotting trees. During rainy periods, do not camp too close to any river. Always pick a higher spot.
  

Taman Negara: Taste of Trails & Treks

Jungle Trekking
Trekking is the most popular activity. Nothing beats a closer look at all the different flora found in the jungle, and the occasionally oversized fauna here and there. Having a guide is best to help you uncover the secrets of the forest, especially for night trekking where you'll get to experience the nocturnal jungle life.

Canopy Walkway
Don't miss the park's canopy walkways if you want to get a bird's eye view of the world's oldest rainforest. Two have been built at Kuala Tahan and Kuala Koh. Kuala Tahan's canopy walkway is the longest in the world, reaching a close 1/2 a kilometre in length.

Observation Hides
If on your trails and treks you failed to spot any wild animals, don't despair. Tropical fauna, even large predators are fairly shy and tend to remain hidden. This is why various bumbun or jungle hides have been built near these wildlifes. These simple high sheds with basic amenities gives you the opportunity to spend overnight while quietly wait for animals to come by.

Taman Negara: Trudge to the Top

Mountain Climbing
If climbing up mountain tops is your cup of tea, Taman Negara is the place to be. The park hosts Gunung Tahan, which at 2,187m is the highest peak in the Asian continent. The challenging summit can be reached by trekking, river fording and climbing over 3 to 8 days; depending on whether you're taking the Sungai Relau (closest point), Kuala Tahan or Kuala Koh (most challenging) route.

Taman Negara's other entry point of Tanjung Mentong is through Tasik Kenyir popular climb, Gunung Gagau.

A local guide is required for any mountain climbing expedition in Taman Negara.

Taman Negara: Kuala Tahan

The Kuala Tahan entry point is the most popular and nearest route from Kuala Lumpur. This entry way also comes with the highest number of accommodation and food, as well as recreational activities and facilities.

Getting to Kuala Tahan
The nearest major town is Jerantut, Pahang. The journey from Kuala Lumpur or Kuantan using car or public transport takes about three hours. From Jerantut, visitors can either take a bus or taxi to the Kuala Tembeling Jetty, 16km from Jerantut for the boat ride. Visitors can also take the night train, which stops at the Kuala Tembeling halt. From Kuala Tembeling Jetty, the boat trip takes about three hours to reach Kuala Tahan.

The boat fare is RM22 per person. Boats leave at 9am and 2pm daily

Permit and License
Each visitor must obtain an entrance permit of RM1 per person. A fishing license costs RM10 while a camera license is RM5.

Accommodation
Kuala Tahan village that is just across Sungai Tahan has several local homegrown resorts, consisting of chalets, hostels, suites and bungalows. Camping sites are also available. The more luxurious Mutiara Taman Negara Resort is situated by the river within the park's boundary.

Recreational Activities
Jungle Trekking and Canopy Walkway
See Taman Negara from the longest canopy walkway in the world, which spans 450m long and suspends 40m above ground. Definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Bumbun
(Observation Hides)
Tropical wildlife are shy and normally camouflages within the jungle. Overnight in a Bumbun and get an up and close opportunity to observe wildlife that visits the mineral salt licks.

Orang Asli
Aboriginal Settlement
Visit the orang Batek, and watch their fascinating blow-pipe and fire-making skills that are essential in their lifestyle.

Cave Exploration
Explore the limestone forest comprising some of the most beautiful stalactite and stalagmite caves such as Gua Telinga, Gua Peningat, Gua Kepayang, Gua Daun Menari and Gua Besar.

River and Waterfall Exploration
A boat trip up Sungai Tembeling is one of the most exciting activities. Encounter numerous rapids and get splashed along the way. Take a ride to the popular Lata Berkoh waterfall, a great picnic and swimming area surrounded by natural landscapes.

Fishing
Check out cool fishing spots at Sungai Tahan and Sungai Keniam.

Bird Watching
It's bird watching galore, with 54% of bird species in the world can be found in Taman Negara.

Climb Gunung Tahan
The highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia takes at least 7 days to scale from Kuala Tahan. With its steep slopes, conquering the tricky fivers is of course part of the adventure.

Contact
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Km 10, Jalan Cheras
56100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 603-90752872
Fax: 603-90752873

Taman Negara: Sungai Relau

The Sungai Relau entry point, where Merapoh is the nearest small town, is marked by limestone hills and caves. This point is the closest and easiest way to conquer Gunung Tahan. However, fishing is forbidden in this area as it is a fish breeding sanctuary. Instead of eating the fish, you can feed them using a special technique.

How to Get There
Visitiors can either drive or take the public transport, passing through the towns of Kuala Lipis or Gua Musang along the Kuala Lumpur-Kota Bharu main road. Those taking the train may disembark at Merapoh Station.

Permit and License
Each visitor must obtain an entrance permit of RM1 per person. A fishing license cost RM10 while a camera license is RM5.

Accommodation
Besides 40 hostel beds, 13 room rest house and camping facilities in Sungai Relau, there are a 60 hostel beds in Sungai Juram (RM10 per person/night). There are also camping grounds that can accommodate 50 campers at any one time at RM1 per person/night. The 4WD transportation from Sungai Relau to hostels in Sungai Juram costs RM7.50 per person.

Recreational Activities

Climb Gunung Tahan
The main activity in Taman Negara is to climb Gunung Tahan, which takes about 3 days, less than the 7 days if you're planning to use the Kuala Tahan or Kuala Koh route.

Night Walk and Night Safari
Both activities involve guided excursions at night with flash light, as most animals are more active during the dark. While one is just trek walking, the other involves a 4WD ride further into the jungle. You can expect to see wildcats, foxes, wild boars, and more.

Cave Exploration
There are two interesting caves to explore. Gua Gajah is named after the elephants, which are often seen in the area. Gua Peningat is a honey bee sanctuary.

River Activities
The clear and refreshing cool river water is ideal for swimming.

Fish-feeding
This is a designated fish sanctuary (especially for the kelah species), so fishing is prohibited. A popular activity here is to watch the freshwater fish up close in their natural habitat and summoning with a ringing bell to feed them.

Bird Watching
Early morning and evening are the best times to see local birds in the Sungai Relau area, with more than 300 species identified.

Taman Negara: Kuala Koh

The entrance to the Kelantan side of Taman Negara was opened in 1995. Although it is a slope-filled area with many bamboo species, the name Koh was derived from the locals. It is the Kelantanese meaning for palm. It is also a historic area where Mat Kilau, a Malay warrior who fought against the British occupation. This entry way is said to have the best chance for wildlife sighting, which is attributed by the fact that it is not visited as much as other areas.

Getting to Kuala Koh
Visitors can either drive or take the public transport to Kuala Koh from Gua Musang in Kelantan. There is a road connecting this park entrance to the Gua Musang Kuala Krai main road.

Permit and License
Each visitor must obtain an entrance permit of RM1 per person. A fishing license cost RM10 while a camera license is RM5 per camera.

Accommodation
There are 6 chalets and a 74 hostel beds. Rates are RM30 per chalet and RM5 per person at the hostel. Campers are charged RM1 each.

Recreational Activities

Bird Watching
Some of the rarer dense jungle birds are seen here. Experienced bird watchers have been known to spot more than 150 species within a few days.

Wildlife Photography
Due to the dense jungle and undulating terrain, this area affords greater opportunity for photographers. Explore the possibilities of capturing a variety of flora and fauna into your camera.

Bumbun (Observation Hides)
An overnight stay at the Bumbun Impian high hide, which takes a 30 minute hike from Kuala Koh, may reward you with views of the shy tropical wildlife that visits the salt licks nearby.

Fishing
There are some great fishing spots here. However, fishing is prohibited in certain rivers as it's been designated as breeding grounds for fishes.

Orang Asli Aboriginal Settlement
Visit the friendly native inhabitants, the orang Batek, and let them entertain you with ancient jungle tales and their blow pipe and fire-making skills.

Climb Gunung Tahan
The trail to Gunung Tahan from Kedah Koh offers an alternative route. The Kuala Koh trail is more challenging and rigorous, as climbers have to go through steep ridges. However, guides are available.

Suspended Bridge Canopy Walkway and the Ara Circle
Several interesting jungle trails are available. One is located across the river, where visitors make their way via a suspended bridge and on to a canopy walkway. A highlight not to be missed is an aged circle of giant ara (Ficus spp.) roots that you can walk in and under. There is also the recent discovery of the Rafflesia trail.

Kayaking or Rafting
The crystal-clear rivers around Kuala Koh provide the perfect spot for kayaking, or bamboo rafting from Kuala Pertang to Kuala Koh. The trip takes about two hours.

Contacts
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Km 10, Jalan Cheras
56100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 603-90752872
Fax: 603-90752873

Taman Negara: Tanjung Mentong, Tasik Kenyir

This entrance into Taman Negara is quite different from the rest as it passes through Tasik Kenyir, Southeast Asia's largest man-made lake and a nature recreation in itself. The southern arm of the lake lies within Taman Negara, enclosing some interesting caves and forest views unavailable at the other entryways.

Getting to Tanjung Mentong, Tasik Kenyir
Visitors can reach Tanjung Mentong through the 2 jetties in Gawi or Jenagor of Terengganu. The motorboat trip cuts across Tasik Kenyir and takes about 45 minutes.

Permit and License
Each visitor must obtain an entrance permit of RM1 per person. A fishing license cost RM10 while a camera license is RM5.

Accommodation
There are 5 chalets and a 60 hostel beds. Rates are RM30 per chalet and RM10 per person for a nights stay at the hostel. Campers are charged RM1 each.

Recreational Activities

Fishing
There are some great fishing spots here. However, fishing is off limites in Sungai Cacing, as it is a designated breeding area for local fish.

Scenic and Wildlife Photography
With an incredible lake, submerged jungle trees and many hill islands, this area is a photographer's paradise. Explore the limitless possibilities of capturing a variety of flora and fauna on camera.

Cave Exploration
There are two important caves, Gua Bewah and Gua Taat, with the latter having discovered significant archaeology tools. Archaeologists have found artifacts such as kitchen utensils, axes and tools dating back to the Neolithic Age (4000 BC).

Taman Negara: Climb Gunung Gagau

This popular mountain-climbers' destination in Taman Negara stands at 1,376m, giving you the view of all three states from its peak.

Contacts
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Km 10, Jalan Cheras
56100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 603-90752872
Fax: 603-90752873

Taman Negara: Tips for a Terrific Time

• Visitors are reminded that, as a protected National Park, nothing is to be damaged or taken out of Taman Negara
• When jungle trekking, find out and choose a trail that you can complete before dark. Do not stray off a trail - the rainforest is dense and you can easily lose your direction
• Always notify a person about your plans for the day, especially if you're venturing on your own
• Enter the jungle with a sense of respect and humility. Be as quiet as possible to avoid alarming other beings
• Take plenty of water and power snacks. Unless trekking with a guide, it is not advisable to eat jungle fruits or drink water from any source
• Wear light, loose clothing; comfortable long-sleeved shirts and long pants for protection from insects, leeches, thorny plants and abrasions
• Wear roomy, light but sturdy footwear with good ankle support and traction, and two pairs of socks to prevent blisters for long treks
• Use a hat with a wide brim to shade against intense sunshine and rain. For longer treks, pack a poncho or other rain gear
• When going camping, pack as light as possible. Use a comfortable rucksack with padded shoulder straps, hip belt and internal frame
• Bring a map and compass if you're navigating into the deeper end of a jungle trail - under some dense canopies the sun might not be clearly seen. A whistle is a useful tool for attracting attention in case of emergency
• In certain condition, the forest can be very cold. Bring a waterproof jacket for comfort
• A basic first aid kit for to treat wounds and bites is advisable.
• For longer trips, bring extra batteries for your torchlight; or candles and matches.
• Choose a clear camping site free of debris and away from rotting trees. During rainy periods, do not camp too close to any river. Always pick a higher spot.