They hunt and forage in the jungle and live off the land. Visitors are treated to a glimpse into the lives of the Orang Asli, who demonstrate how they carve the darts that they use for hunting and how they make fire without lighters or matches. In the village, children play with cats and dogs and chickens strut around the place. Wood smoke drifts from the chimneys of the wooden huts and life here is lived without running water or electricity.
Your visit is brief and accompanied by an interpreter as the villagers speak their own language and for me one that was tinged with a bit of sadness as you could see how these people are caught in between the two worlds of their traditions and tourism.
A hut in the Orang Asli village, Taman Negara. There are several multi-day walking trails through the rainforest, such as the trek to Gunung Tahan that takes seven days and six nights to complete. Smaller, local trails such as the walk along the river to Lubok Simpon can be accessed from Kuala Tahan, where you can pick up maps at the visitors centre and plan your route. For longer hikes it is advisable to go with a local guide who knows the rainforest intimately and can share their knowledge of the wildlife and plants you will encounter.
They will also be best placed to guide you through the challenging terrain of the jungle. If you do decide to head off unaccompanied, always tell someone you travel plans, take a good GPS system and hiking equipment with you as the most challenging part of your walk will be navigating the jungle itself. You can experience the rainforest at night either by a walking tour led by a local guide or jumping on board a 4WD night safari that will take you deep into the jungle to spot lizards, owls, snakes and even the elusive and adorable slow loris.
It was raining heavily both nights when I was there so I opted not to take part in either of these activities, but I have experienced the Bornean jungle at night when I stayed at the Kinabatangan River. I unexpectedly experienced the rapids on the Tembeling River as we journeyed to visit the Orang Asli settlement.
Although I had specifically asked not to be placed on the boat that was taking thrill seekers up river through the rapids, I somehow got shepherded on. The crew on the boat aimed the vessel straight into each set of rapids they came across, causing great waves of brown river water to cascade into the boat, soaking us all to the skin.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, my advice is to bring old clothes you do not mind getting stained with river water and ensure you either take no valuables at all with you or that they are secure in a waterproof bag.
As soon as I reached Kuala Lumpur I headed straight to the nearest laundry to wash all my filthy clothes clean…. On the bank of the Tembeling River. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so if all you fancy doing is sitting and sipping a cold juice as you watch the river go by, then you will be spoiled for choice at one of these floating jungle restaurants.
Floating restaurant at Taman Negara. All visitors are required to pay for a camera pass to the national park. I purchased my camera pass at an office at Tembeling jetty. If you have arrived at the national park independently via public transport, then you can pay an entrance fee of 1 RM to Taman Nagara at the park office.
Your journey to Taman Negara will definitely be one of the highlights at the national park. I began my journey in the Cameron Highlands, where I took a shared mini van to a river jetty at a place called Kuala Tembeling. The best way to get a look at some of the amazing animals in Taman Negara National Park is by visiting a hide. You can easily get to most of these by hiking through the forest along either the Keniam or Tenor trails.
All the hides are built in strategic locations where you will have the best chance of seeing animals. Mama Chop is one of the most serene of all the floating restaurants in Taman Negara National Park as it is located a little way away from the main strip. The lunch menu is made up of vegetarian Indian fare which is great for any non-meat eaters and also makes a nice change of pace if you want something a little different from the standard dishes served in the rest of the park.
In the evening the menu changes and you can get equally delicious traditional clay pot rice dishes. Taman Negara is a great spot if you want to go fishing and you can officially do so at both Sungai Tembeling River and Sungai Keniam River. Some of the famous fish that swim in these waters are made up of local species such as kelah, baung, gohok, lampam, krai and tapah.
If you want to have the best chance of catching anything then it is best to visit in the dry months which run from February to September, rather than the rainy season. Some of the prime fishing spots in the park include Rincing, Rawa, Lata Said and Kuala Perkai and many of these are between two and five hours away from the Kuala Tahan jetty.
These are suitable for intermediate and advanced anglers although amateurs may prefer the spots at Sungai Tembeling which are shallower. You should note however that the cave is sometimes closed for safety reasons as the inside is secured to make it more stable. Gua Telinga is around 2. After you have trekked to the cave, you will be fitted out with caving equipment including a helmet, lamp and battery pack and can then crawl and climb down into the main chamber.
Gua Telinga means Ear Cave in Malay due to its shape and one of the highlights here is the number of cave dwelling bats found inside. It takes around two hours to trek to the cave from the central park headquarters but once there you can explore the inside of the cave at your leisure.
Some of the residents of the cave that you can expect to meet include bats, racer snakes, and a whole host of insects. One of the big draws here is that you can even set up camp at the cave and stay here overnight for a truly unforgettable experience.
The tributary of Ulu Tahan cascades into the main river artery and this is the main section of what is known as the Four Steps Waterfall. Taman Negara is known for having some different species of birds which is the highest number in any part of Peninsular Malaysia. You can visit bird watching areas in Kuala Tahan and Kuala Terenggan and from May to August the areas are covered in colorful species who come down to feed from the splendid fig trees that are located in the park.
Some of the birds that you are likely to see here include Yellow-vented Flowerpeckers as well as Green Boardbills, Blue-winged Leafbird and majestic Rhinoceros Hornbills. Another claim to fame of the park is that you will find six different kinds of pheasants here including the Crestless Fireback and Malaysian Peacock.
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Taman Negara National Park is the stunning Canopy Walkway which is conveniently located close to the park headquarters. This has the claim to fame of being the longest suspension bridge in Malaysia and spans some meters. The canopy stands at a height of 25 meters but also rises to 40 meters in height in certain areas.
If that weren't enough, Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests on earth with an estimated age of at least million years. Regardless, an excellent infrastructure and relatively easy access are blessings for the many travelers and ecotourists who visit each year. For many good reasons, Taman Negara remains a top destination in Malaysia. Taman Negara is located around 3.
Getting there involves first reaching the town of Jerantut, located to the south just outside national park boundaries in the Malaysian state of Pahang. Buses and tourist vans run from various points in Malaysia to Jerantut. Once in Jerantut, you have two options bus or boat for reaching Kuala Tahan, the base village inside the national park.
Going by boat is certainly scenic, however, they are much more expensive. Entering by boat takes between hours, depending on the conditions of the river. Boats seat around 15 people and depart from Kuala Tembeling Jetty when there is enough demand.
If making your own way sounds daunting, numerous travel agencies around Kuala Lumpur sell van-boat combo tickets for Taman Negara. Although day trips from Kuala Lumpur are available, they require a ridiculously early start and rushed sightseeing. The entrance fees for Taman Negara are surprisingly reasonable. You can purchase permits at park headquarters upon arrival.
Crossing the river by boat to the park entrance costs RM 1 each way. Arrive with enough Malaysian ringgit so you don't have to worry about ATMs or exchanging money at less-than-ideal rates. The driest period is between March and September. Many species of birds begin mating season and are easier to spot in the spring months.
Winter in the Southern Hemisphere sends people scrambling for warmer destinations and fresh air so trails get busy. Groups of backpacking students take advantage of summer break by visiting the area.
Monsoon season for Taman Negara is from October to January. The national park remains open, however, heavy rain often forces the closure of the canopy walk, one of the highlights. Flooding may cause access delays and road closures. The primary reasons travelers visit Taman Negara are jungle hiking and bird watching.
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