Taman Negara National Park
Taman Negara means “national park”, it is not only the oldest rainforest in the world, but also the oldest national park in Malaysia. Nearly 4,500 square kilometers of forest are protected, with the park area covering the West Malay states of Pahang, Trengga Nu and Kelantan. There are no roads, the only way to explore the reserve is by walking along forest trails or boating on rivers.
General Information
The rain forest is almost 130 million years old and the climate in the area has remained the same as it was during the age of the dinosaurs, and the ice age apparently did not affect the area. The flora and fauna here are superb – Sumatran rhinos, tigers, Asian elephants, biruangs – Malayan bears, leopards, tapirs, monkeys and birds – you can hear them chattering and shouting high up in the trees. Southeast Asia’s tallest tree, the tualung, also grows here; the jungle paths have hideouts from where, if you’re lucky, you can see wildlife.
.
In the northwestern part of the park rises West Malaysia’s highest mountain, Gunung Tahan, at 2,187 meters. The most amazing experience in this park is walking on the “bridge” between the trees. The longest bridge in the world (430 meters) passes from tree to tree at a height of 50 meters above the ground. From here you can enjoy stunning views of the vegetation and animals that live here.
.
A boat ride on the Tembeling River is likely to be one of the highlights of your visit to the park. Along the way, you’ll be able to admire the wildlife and orang asli fishermen, the only people allowed by the park authorities to stay here. Wear a hat and stock up on bottled water. The trip usually takes about three hours or more as certain sections of the river dry up, forcing passengers to walk along the riverbank while boatmen drag the sampan over rapids.
.You may also decide to take the two-hour drive from Jerantut to Kampung Kuala Tahan (village), where inexpensive accommodation can be rented and floating restaurants serve local and Western cuisine. On the riverbank opposite the village is the park’s headquarters in Kuala Tahan, which offers a range of accommodation from chalets to bungalows and shared bedrooms, as well as a restaurant and a small store. The park headquarters organizes evening informative slide demonstrations to introduce tourists to general information about the features of the rainforest.
.Forest trails
Trails leading from the park headquarters into the forest are marked at headquarters, which you can follow with your own group or on an organized tour. There are day trips and overnight tours to observe what is hidden from view during the day. On this tour, you can observe wildlife, visit a neighboring salt marsh and water pits. Overnight stays are organized at several camouflaged observation points (bumbuns), namely Kumbang, Yonge, Tabing, Belau and Segar Anjing. If you don’t have a sleeping bag with you, the park headquarters will provide you with sheets. The most popular walk is over a suspension bridge set 27 meters above ground level. Day trips are available from the park headquarters: leaving early in the morning, you take a walk to Bukit Indah, then take boats over the rapids to Kuala Trengganu and walk back to the headquarters. Another walk is to Tabing camouflaged parking lot, then boat ride to Lata Berkoh rapids and return to headquarters. You can take a boat trip down the Tembeling River to Gua Teling (Bat Cave), where you have to crawl in on all fours before you can straighten up to your full height. You will then find yourself in a large cave inhabited by hundreds of fruit and insect-eating bats that are not too interested in humans. Your appearance can only elicit squeamish displeasure from giant toads and small safe white cave snakes.
.
The most adventurous can embark on a seven to nine day trek for experienced walkers and mountaineers up and down the highest peak on the Malacca Peninsula, Gunung Tahan (elevation 2187 meters). With such a heavy climb, the group must be accompanied by a guide.
.Flora and fauna
The local tropical dipterocarp forest includes the tualang tree – it is about 50 m tall and is the tallest tree in Southeast Asia. At altitudes above 1,500 meters you can see mountain trees of the laurel and oak families.
.
With proper patience and some luck during the day or from the rotating observation platform at night, you can see wild pigs, sambar deer, muntjacs (small deer), gibbons, pig-tailed macaques, langur monkeys, tree shrews and flying squirrels. Visitors to the Kumbang Refuge have sometimes even spotted rare tigers and leopards.
.During the fruit ripening season, ornithologists have spotted up to 70 species of birds just around the park headquarters. These include small fish eagles, crested kite-eaters, prairie pheasants and pomegranate pittas. From September through March, you can also see migrating Arctic birds, Japanese paradise flycatchers, and Siberian blue nightingales.
.
Even if you don’t get to see most of the wildlife mentioned here – but you’re sure to see something – the experience of sleeping in the forest, with its incredible noises, the mysterious flickering of fireflies, and the sense of invisible but omnipresent life and movement all around will make this an unforgettable adventure.
.Prepare for your visit to the park
Before visiting Taman Negara Park, don’t forget to buy batteries and insect repellent. The park’s isolation means things are much more expensive inside.
Visitors must obtain a permit from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.
.
