Pahang : Places Of Interest Nature & Adventure | Page 1 | Page 2 | Kuala Gandah - Elephant Sanctuary |
Magnificent Wilderness
Pahang is endowed with natural treasures that never fail to enchant nature-lovers. Its 130 million-year-old rainforest is home to a fascinating range of plants, animals, birds and reptiles. Its pristine lakes offer spectacular sights while its majestic cave formations and rushing rapids provide unrivalled thrills.
TAMAN NEGARA
For a truly back-to-nature experience, plan a trip to Taman Negara or the National Park. Covering an area of 434, 350 ha. Taman Negara has been a focus of plant and animal evolution longer than any other forest in the world.
The park straddles across three states. Over half of its total area including its headquarters at Kuala Tahan is in Pahang.
Tourists will be amazed at the diversity of flora and fauna encountered. Look out for the giant buttressed tualang trees as they tower 200 feet above you in the dense dipterocarp forest. From here, one can also begin the ascent up Peninsular Malaysia’ s highest mountain, Gunung Tahan at 2,187 m above sea level. Wildlife can be observed from ‘hides’ overlooking salt licks and grassy clearings. Get a bird’seye view of the park on the longest canopy walkway in the world. Before you leave, be sure to visit the Orang Asli settlement.
Visitors can access the park via Kuala Tahan or Sungai Relau, Merapoh in Pahang. Other entry points are Kuala Koh in Kelantan and Tanjung Mentong in Terengganu. Permits and licenses can be obtained from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) offices in Kuala Lumpur and at the entrances to the park.
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SUNGAI RELAU
Sungai Relau is an alternative entry point into Taman Negara or the National Park. It is located west of Taman Negara, about 7 km from the small town of Merapoh. Noted for its diverse biological resources, Sungai Relau is where you can enjoy kayaking, caving and even a night safari. This is also one of the three embarkation points to Gunung Tahan. The trail here to the summit is shorter than the main route from Kuala Tahan with a return walk taking five days. Accommodation includes hostels and campsites.
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KENONG RIMBA PARK
This park is sprawled over 120 sq km with its eastern and northern boundaries fringing Taman Negara. Caving is a popular sport here. Climbing the Kesong Valley Range will lead to the many caves in the park. The more popular ones are Gua Hijau (Green Cave), Gua Buta (Blind Cave) and Gua Harimau (Tiger Cave). Take a cruise along Kenong River and enjoy the scenic view. Accommodation here consists of chalets and campsites. From Kuala Lipis town, the park is accessible by a 2-hour boat ride and a trek to the base camp.
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LAKE BERA
Lake Bera, measuring approximately 35 km long and 20 km wide, is the largest natural freshwater lake in Peninsular Malaysia. It is also Malaysia’s first Ramsar site, a recognition given to wetland areas for its international importance in nature conservation. Nature enthusiasts will be thrilled to discover nearly 328 species of flora, 200 species of birds, 50 mammals and more than 95 species of fish in the lake area.
Enjoy a river safari or go trekking to catch sight of monkeys and flying squirrels. A boat ride around the lake will be a memorable experience as the boatsmen skilfully navigate through the maze of vegetation. Spend a night at the resort and visit the Semelai tribe to watch their interesting method of collecting resin from Keruing trees. Lake Bera is situated 163 km from Kuantan.
LAKE CHINI
About 100 km southwest of Kuantan lies Lake Chini, Malaysia’s second largest natural lake. It teems with a variety of freshwater fish, and the surrounding wilderness is home to unique flora and fauna. Primates such as Whitehanded gibbons, Long-tailed macaques, Pig-tailed macaques and Banded langurs have been sighted here. At certain times of the year, the lotus-filled lake is a sight to behold.
Legends and folklores enshroud the lake with a mystical aura. Lake Chini is said to be the site of a submerged Khmer city, guarded by a mythical creature. A host of activities can be enjoyed here, including boat rides, fishing trips and jungle trekking. For a fascinating experience, visit the Jakun settlement, one of Pahang’s indigenous peoples and take home a unique handicraft. Overnight visitors can enjoy a stay in the solitary lakeside resort.
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Pahang : Places Of Interest Nature & Adventure
