[Updated 5 January 2021]
If there's one national park that every Malaysian should visit, that would be Taman Negara. Situated in Pahang, there are many things to do at Taman Negara, ranging from jungle trekking to visit the Orang Asli village. If you're planning to experience the best of Malaysia's oldest national park within a span of a weekend, check out our 3D2N Muslim-friendly itinerary to Taman Negara!
Taman Negara
- Taman Negara is Malaysia's oldest national park that's situated in Kuala Tahan, Pahang
- Said to be 130 million years old, it is one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
- Fun fact: Did you know that Taman Negara is older than the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, which is 55 million years old?
- The best time to visit Taman Negara is between February and September (dry season)
How to go to Taman Negara
- There are two ways to travel to Taman Negara
- By car: From Kuala Lumpur - Jerantut - Kuala Tahan, it takes about 3 hours 30 mins. Click here for routes
- By bus: Take the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Jerantut Bus Station (2 hours 15 mins). Then, take another bus from Jerantut Bus Station to Kuala Tahan Bus Stand (1 hour). The total bus fare is approximately RM86 per person. Click here for bus fares and journey
Where to stay at Taman Negara
- There are a few homestays and resorts available near Taman Negara
- Mutiara Taman Negara: We stayed here! It's the only resort that's located inside Taman Negara. The room rate starts at RM288 per night
- Xcape Resort Taman Negara: Situated in Kuala Tahan Village, this resort is within walking distance to Taman Negara. The room rate starts at RM20 per night
- Taman Negara Rainbow Guesthouse: A cosy homestay that's within walking distance from Jeti Taman Negara. The room rate starts at RM73 per night.
Day 1
- Once you arrived at Taman Negara, check-in at Mutiara Taman Negara Resort.
- #HHWT Tip: For Malaysians and Singaporeans, check out the Kembara 3D2N package that includes accommodation, half-board meals and activities (all tours inclusive of licensed nature guide and insurance coverage). The package starts at RM498 nett per person (twin share basis).
- After check-in, walk over to Jabatan Perhilitan (Wildlife Department and National Park) to pay an entry permit, a camera (including mobile phone) license and other fees.
- We paid an entry permit of RM1 per person and a camera license of RM5 per mobile phone.
- You must always carry the entry permit with you because you might be asked to present it to the nature guide from time to time. During our trip, we were only asked to present once before we began our Jungle Trekking and Canopy Walk activity.
- For lunch, head over to the in-house Seri Mutiara Restaurant that serves buffet breakfast or dinner, set lunch and a la carte menu.
- Halal status: The restaurant uses all meats and ingredients sourced from halal-certified suppliers, but alcohol is served in the premise for non-Muslim guests.
- Since the menu price at Seri Mutiara Restaurant is expensive, there are a few floating restaurants situated opposite the resort, including Taman Negara Floating Restaurant and Liana Floating Restaurant, that serve delicious food and are more affordable.
- However, you need to pay RM1 per person (one way) for a boat ride from the resort to the floating restaurant each time.
- Visiting the Orang Asli village and rapid shooting are two of the most popular activities in Taman Negara
- When you visit the Orang Asli village (native people in Bahasa Malaysia), you'll meet the Batek tribe who are known for their amazing hunting skills with the blowpipe and making fire using reed skin and roots.
- The Batek tribe is also nomadic, so you won't meet the same family when you return to Taman Negara again.
- Fun fact: The Batek people can speak Bahasa Malaysia because they communicate with the locals in Kuala Tahan. However, they're very shy and it's best to ask permission from the guide before taking photos of them.
Credit: Mutiara Taman Negara Resort on Facebook
- For rapid shooting, you'll sit in a high-speed longboat that shoots through the seven major rapids along Tembeling River.
- It was fun riding a boat that cuts through the river while getting soaked by splashes of water.
- Since it's a wet activity, bring a waterproof bag to store your phone, camera, wallet and other equipment.
- You don't want to risk getting your shoes wet too, so wear a pair of sandals or waterproof Adidas kampung (black rubber shoes) that can be purchased from the resort's supermarket.
- Both the Rapid Shooting and Visit the Orang Asli Village activities are priced at RM100 per person.
Day 2
- After breakfast, take a boat ride to a beautiful cascade named Lata Berkoh. The journey to the cascade also lets you experience the scenic view along Sungai Tahan
- If you're lucky, you might be able to spot water monitor lizard, river otter, eagle, hornbill, kingfisher and more.
- Before you reach Lata Berkoh, you'll stop to see the tallest tree in Taman Negara called Tualang Tree and feed the fishes at Kelah Sanctuary
- For your final stop, you need to jungle trek for 15-20 minutes before you reach Lata Berkoh where you can relax and enjoy the view.
- The Lata Berkoh boat ride is priced at RM286 per boat (maximum four people)
- After dinner, join the nature guide for Night Jungle Walk where you can see nocturnal animals and insects that roam Taman Negara at night.
- If you're lucky, you can spot sambar deer, mouse deer or porcupine too.
- While we were there, we spotted a herd of deers grazing in the field from the Observation Hide.
- #HHWT Tip: We recommend bringing a torchlight or use your camera's torchlight to spot these creatures.
- The Night Jungle Walk is priced at RM30 per person.
Day 3
- After breakfast, join the Jungle Trekking and Canopy Walk activity led by an experienced nature guide!
- While there are wooden platforms and stairs along the 400-metre trail, a bit of stamina is required to hike up the steep trail to the first lookout of Teresek Hill.
- If you want to see the view of Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, take another 10-20 minute hike to reach the second lookout.
- Once done, make your way down to the Canopy Walk known as one of the longest suspended bridges in the world.
- Since the bridge can only hold four people at a time, the nature guide will submit your name and you need to wait for your turn.
- While walking on the Canopy Walk, experience another panoramic view of Gunung Tahan as well as the surrounding canopy trees, hills and valleys
- The Canopy Walk is a weather-dependent activity. Since it rained when we arrive, the park had to close the Canopy Walk temporarily due to poor weather and we went back to the resort without experiencing the walk.
- #HHWT Tip: The Canopy Walk closes every Friday for maintenance, so remember to plan your activities accordingly!
- The Jungle Trekking and Canopy Walk activities are priced at RM77 per person
- After lunch, you can check out from the resort and bid farewell to Taman Negara
- You'll have the best time experiencing the sights and sounds of nature at Taman Negara, so make sure to return and discover more activities in the future!
There are many reasons why a nature getaway to Taman Negara is a must. From enjoying the scenic boat rides along the Tembeling River to admiring the view of Gunung Tahan, it's definitely a must-do for every Malaysian. If you're inspired to plan more nature retreats near Kuala Lumpur, these recommended reads are the best places to start!