Taman Negara is Malaysia's largest National Park. It's the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. A virgin jungle expanse covering 4,343 square kilometres, Taman Negara was established in 1939 and is Malaysia’s first and largest National Park. It is also one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated at 130 million years old. The diversity of flora and fauna here is phenomenal, making it one of the world’s richest ecosystems. It encompasses a sprawling tropical rainforest that's said to be 130 million years old. Kuala Tahan, the main entry point, is a base for the nearby canopy walkway, river trips and treks through the jungle to the top of Mt. Tahan. The park is home to tigers, macaques and birdlife, as well as the enormous flowers of the rafflesia plant.
Source: berniedup / Flickr
Lubok Simpon
Entrance Fees and Costs
The entrance fees for Taman Negara are surprisingly reasonable. You can purchase permits at park headquarters upon arrival.
Entrance Cost: RM 1
Camera Permit: RM 5
Fishing Permit: RM 10
Canopy Walk Entrance: RM 5
Crossing the river by boat to the park entrance costs RM 1 each way.
Activities and Things to Do in Taman Negara
The primary reasons travelers visit Taman Negara are jungle hiking and bird watching. The national park is home to an estimated 350 species of birds.
Visit Park Headquarters: You can enhance your visit to Taman Negara by looking around the park headquarters compound a little. Informative videos are shown in the Interpretative Room at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
Canopy Walk: For good reason, the most popular activity in Taman Negara is to scramble across the Canopy Walk. The 1,738-foot-long bridge is suspended 130 feet in the air allowing you to potentially spot some of the many birds and monkeys that call the national park home.
Smell the Trees: The sap from one species of tree in the park smells and tastes like cola! Ask a ranger about how to identify one.
Meet the Orang Asli: Small Orang Asli (the indigenous people) settlements are found throughout the national park; some are only accessible by boat. A visit usually includes shooting a blowpipe gun and trying different fruit juices.
Visit the Kelah Sanctuary: Boats stop at this fish sanctuary on the way back from the Lata Berkoh rapids. The large fish churn as you stand barefooted in the water. Fortunately, they are friendly!
Other Things to Do: Caving is an option within the national park, as is “shooting” through rapids in speedboats. Safaris (day and night) via 4WD can be booked. Guided and self-guided fishing is available.
Hiking in Taman Negara
Most popular trail options
Bukit Teresek: More of a scramble than a hike, this 1,100-foot-tall hill is a relatively easy challenge with rewarding views of the national park.
Night Safaris: Arranged via the rangers in park headquarters, venturing into the jungle at night is an unforgettable experience. A man-made hide is available for watching animals interested in accessing the salt lick. Along with nocturnal creatures, you may even see glowing fungi!
Lata Berkoh: Fit trekkers can walk the 5.5 miles to a popular stretch of rapids on the river. Unfortunately, the finale for your hike won’t be one of remote isolation — groups who don’t want to make the hike often charter boats to go there.
What to Pack
Poncho or rain gear, dry bag for waterproofing your passport and electronics.
Good Shoes or a pair of Adidas Kampung ( Adidas Kampung is a generic name for cheap black rubber shoes that are usually made in Malaysia. Being made 100% out of rubber, they are waterproof, easy to dry, and thus ideal for trekking in tropical weather.)
Tall Socks Leeches can be a real nuisance on some trails. Wear socks that reach above the knees and spray them with mosquito repellent.
Small Backpack Although tour operators will provide your drinking water, you’ll need an easy way to carry several liters!
Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
Flashlight , especially if you’ll be participating in one of the night walks.
Weather
The climate in Malaysia is generally hot and humid throughout the year. This is also similar to Taman Negara. Abundance with sunshine and warm weather makes Taman Negara an excellent tropical getaway destination that is suitable to be visited all-year-round.
Temperatures in Taman Negara are in the range of 26°C – 35°C during the day and 24°C – 29°C at night. It depends on the amount of rainfall and sunlight on the day. On average, Taman Negara receives 12 hours sunshine each day. To make yourself feel comfortable, it is advisable to wear lightweight clothes.
From middle of November until middle of January, the monsoon season often brings more rain to Taman Negara. Normally, the rain comes in the late afternoon or evening and last for a few minutes. Throughout the period, the park is open for tourists as usual. The park activities are not affected by the rain except the Canopy Walkway. However, the park is closed for tourists if flooded.
The Canopy Walkway is closed during the rain because of the safety reason. The wildlife officer will evaluate the canopy conditions after the rain stops and re-open once they satisfied on the safety aspects.
The weather described above is a general pattern but the actual are unpredictable. Rain comes and goes, sometimes within minutes and the sun shines again after that. Bottom line – although it rains, you still have FUN.
Taman Negara Sites Map
Get to Taman Negara
There is no direct flight to Kuala Tahan or Taman Negara. The area only can be accessed is either by road or river from Labu Sentral jetty or Kuala Tembeling jetty directly to Kuala Tahan jetty
Bus or shuttle services are available from Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Kuala Besut Jetty, Perhentian Islands to Taman Negara vice versa.
Address
Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara Pahang.
Contact Us
Mutiara Taman Negara Eco Park Resort Resort shuttle
The shuttle departs from Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur at 8am on daily basis. There are few option to choose to let you experiencing fully by road journey or partially by boat.
Stay at Taman Negara
Source: Mutiara Taman Negara Eco Park Resort
Mutiara Taman Negara Eco Park Resort
The Mutiara Taman Negara Resort has a superb rainforest setting overlooking the Tembeling and Tahan rivers. Being the only Resort inside the National Park boundary, it is an ideal place from which to explore the surrounding area. Accommodation is in comfortable Malaysian-style wooden chalets with hot and cold showers, air conditioning, television, mini-fridge, coffee & tea making facilities and ceiling fans.THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Address
Kuala Tahan, 27000, Jerantut, Pahang, Malaysia
Contact
Phone +609 266 2200
Special Offers Buy Now Stay Later MCO Deal RM230 Nett /Night
Chalet room inclusive of breakfast for 2 persons + RM30 F&B or Activity Voucher
Purchase Period : 12th June – 15th Aug 2020
No booking dates required
Stay valid till 30th June 2021
2D1N Explorer Package Starting from MYR288.00/Night
2 days 1 night accommodation
Half Board meal Buffet breakfast & 1xDinner
Activity : Jungle trekking to Teresek Hill
Activity : Canopy Walk
Tour inclusive of Licensed Nature Guide and Insurance Coverage
Source: AsiaCamp & Resort
AsiaCamp & Resort
AsiaCamp & Resort in Kuala Tahan provides accommodation with a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. Free private parking is available and the resort also features bike hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area.
Address
Kompleks plancongan asia camp taman negara , 27000 Kuala Tahan, Malaysia
Contact
Phone: 012 658 4456
Source: Taman Negara Xcape Resort
Xcape Resort Taman Negara
Located in a 4 acre piece of land in the Kuala Tahan Village in Pahang, Malaysia, the Xcape Resort (formerly known as Woodland Resort) in Taman Negara, Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia is a perfect getaway from the city where nature and tranquility awaits you in the most unique setting surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
Address :
Taman Negara Xcape Resort :
Lot 818, Kampung Kuala Tahan, 27000 Jerantut, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.
Tel: +609 266 1111, +609 266 2111
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