Taman Negara - world’s oldest tropical rainforest awaiting you

After 130 million years old, Taman Negara still maintain the status as one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest which promises staggering 4343 sq km of virgin jungle. 

           Taman Negara

The relatively abundance and diversity of natural habitats here is phenomenal, causing it to be one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems. It remains as the home of a large variety of wildlife including the sambar, barking deer, tapir, tigers, elephant, gaurs, leopards, sun bear, monkeys, wild boars and the sumatran rhinocerous but monkeys are most commonly seen. 

          Natural Environment

The canopy walkway is 1.2 km long and 25 high, a very long and frightening suspension walkway which is the world’s longest of its kind. This bridge has been created for biological research purpose and later become the tourist spot. Crossing is intimating yet an amazing and incredible experience that is unforgettable. 

                Canopy Walkway

For the fellow angler, Taman Negara is a fishing paradise which is best in the drier months of February to April and June to August. The rivers such as Sungai Tahan, Sungai Tenor, Sungai Tembeling, Sungai Terenggan, Sungai Keniam and Sungai Perkai, for instance, are home to more than 300 fish species.

Fresh water fishing is also the highlights in Taman Negara Ikan Kelah or Malaysia Mahseer is a famous species which is preserved and protected at Kelah Sanctuary in Sungai Tahan. Fishing is forbidden here as it is a fish-breeding sanctuary; instead fish feeding or snorkeling with the fishes is allowed.
           River Trips- by boat

River trips sightseeing tours is mesmerized by the picturesque beauty along with some interesting flora and fauna as well as abundant of geological and biological attractions.

Rapid Shooting is one of the tourist’s attractions. From Kuala Tahan, get a boat ride upstream to Kuala Trenggan in wooden boat for shooting the rapids. Although some of the rapids are very shallow, but the skillful and experience boatmen purposely shooting for the tourists to get wet to enjoy the trills. All tourists are required to wear a life jacket for safety purposes. 

                   Orang Asli- traditional way to set up fire

A night walk for spotting animals too serves as another high event for tourists. Experiencing walking in the dark at night in the jungle and watching deer in the wild with the torch light is another unforgettable experience.

Visiting the Negrito Batek Orang Asli settlements which is living near the river in the park and learning their way of life made our trip so much more meaningful. They use the traditional way to set up fire for cooking, gather wild food and hunting with blowpipes as they have for countless generations. 

           Reminder

Gunung Tahan located within Taman Negara National Park, is the highest point of the Peninsular Malaysia with 2187M height and generally considered the most difficult summit to climb. It is about 55km from Kuala Tahan. It is very challenging to reach the summit by passing 27 peak of mountain and 7 time of river crossing using 4 days. Well, this is not included in my journey this time as it demands physical fitness.

In 1925, an area of 9,240 hectares surrounding Tahan Mountain was gazette as a Tahan Mountain Game Reserve by the British government and declared as a National Park in 1939 through the states of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu under an enactment in 1938/9. It was named King George V National Park, named after the King of England. After independence in 1957, it was named Taman Negara.

The creation of this park was due largely to the persistence of Theodore Hub back, Chief Game Warden of the Federated Malay States. He pestered the colonial government relentlessly for 15 years until the region was set aside for conservation in 1938.

His enthusiasm was carried on by subsequent state and federal governments, and by the Department of Wildlife and National Park. Now, it covered a total of 4,343 sq km, seven times the size of Singapore.

From Kuala Lumpur it will take about 3 hours 30 minutes to Kuala Tembeling. Taman Negara is a restricted area, nothing is to be damaged in or taken out of the area. All bookings and reservations must be made in advance at the reservations office in Kuala Tahan.