Taman Negara - Malay for "national park" - is the largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia. It is famous for its rainforest, birds, and insects.
Admission is RM1, a camera permit RM5. If you also want to fish, it is an additional RM10 for your entire length of stay. Permits can be bought at the park headquarters, just across the river from the village in the park, Kuala Tahan.
The dry season runs from February to September, which is the best time to visit the park. The peak tourist season is from April to August.
The local language is Malay (Bahasa Malaysia or colloquially, Bahasa Melayu)
- Lata Berkoh & Waterfall Cascades. A famous spot for swimming in clear and cool water. Beware of strong currents and not stray too far from the bank. You can reach Lata Berkoh by boat ride for RM160. The boat ride itself is a unique experience. You can ask the boatman to turn off the engine (on your way back only) and enjoy the sound and sights of the jungle. It is like being in a Rambo movie. Half way to Lata Berkoh you can stop by the Kelah Sanctuary.
- Kelah Fish Sanctuary. The Kelah fish is a culinary delight of the locals. They are known for their sweet flesh and is absolutely delightful when steamed fresh. You can feed these friendly fishes here with food that be bought from the Rangers. Stand bare footed in the river and watch as they come to nibble at your feet.
- Videos on Indigenous flora & fauna. Shown at the Interpretive Room at 20:45 daily
- Tahan Wildlife Observation Hide. You may see some wildlife at the salt lick. It is best to stay overnight.
Lata Berkoh & Waterfall Cascades. A famous spot for swimming in clear and cool water. Beware of strong currents and not stray too far from the bank. You can reach Lata Berkoh by boat ride for RM160. The boat ride itself is a unique experience. You can ask the boatman to turn off the engine (on your way back only) and enjoy the sound and sights of the jungle. It is like being in a Rambo movie. Half way to Lata Berkoh you can stop by the Kelah Sanctuary.
Kelah Fish Sanctuary. The Kelah fish is a culinary delight of the locals. They are known for their sweet flesh and is absolutely delightful when steamed fresh. You can feed these friendly fishes here with food that be bought from the Rangers. Stand bare footed in the river and watch as they come to nibble at your feet.
Videos on Indigenous flora & fauna. Shown at the Interpretive Room at 20:45 daily
Tahan Wildlife Observation Hide. You may see some wildlife at the salt lick. It is best to stay overnight.
- Jungle Trekking. Jungle treks of various duration, some up to nine days, are possible. Trekking requires considerable preparations, a lot of water and a guide must be taken on all long trekking journeys. Although challenging, the jungle treks prove to be an equally rewarding authentic jungle adventure.
- Climb Bukit Teresek (Teresek Hill). 334-m high hill. The trail is relatively easy until the foot of the hill. Then it turns to a moderate climb among ropes and tree roots. Get lucky and spot various wildlife including wild hog, rare birds, scorpians and others. Smell and drink the native Seranti tree, which is similar to a cola. When you finally reach the view point, you will be able to see almost the entire national park.
- Canopy Walk. Walk across the longest Malaysian suspension bridge in the world, at 530 m. Walk across the canopy 25-40 m high, and view the rich and diverse flora and fauna at the summit of the forest. There's no need for a guide to get there. In March 2013 an important part of the walk was closed for renovation. RM5.
- Visit the Orang Asli Settlements. "Orang Asli" means "original people" in Malay. The Orang Asli live a nomadic lifestyle in Taman Negara. Their settlements are found along the trails. Some settlements are accessible by boat. Let them teach you how to make a blow gun and shoot it. Some background: the local travel agencies negotiated with the very shy Orang Asli group to abandon the nomadic lifestyle and settle down next to the river (in face of the canopy walk) so that they are easily accessible. Everyday about 10-15 tourists come to the settlement, and the travel agencies pay them RM5 for each visitor. RM45.
- Night Walking Safaris. View nocturnal plants and animals in an easy hour guided trek from the Ranger's headquarters. See flowers that only bloom at night, water dragons, snakes, glow in the dark fungis, stick insects other weird and wonderful creatures.
- Night 4WD Safaris. A guided drive through a palm plantation to view owls, wild cats, snakes and birds. You could see kingfishers, hornbills, otters, monitor lizards and more. One or more guides will shine spotlights on any wildlife they can find. Note that the tour does not take place in the park, but on the developed side of the river 15 minutes out of Kuala Tahan. This means there isn't a rainforest backdrop but at best palm trees and at worst the remains of cut down palm trees. It is not offered by the park but by private companies such as Han Travel.
- Fishing. It is estimated there are as many as 300 species of fish in the rivers. You may only fish the waters of Sungai Tahan below Lata Berkoh and Sungai Keniam below Kuala Keniam Kecil. Fishing tends to be best in the drier months of February to April and June to August. Permit costing RM10 per rod is necessary.
- Cave Exploration. Gua Teliga (Ear Cave) has rock formation in the shape of an ear. Gua Kepayang and Gua Daun Menari (Dancing Leaves Cave) are some of the few limestone outcrops that you can explore along with animals and insects that live in the caves.
- Shooting The Rapids. Travelling upstream on Sungai Tembeling from Kuala Tahan is an exhilarating experience. One must be prepared to get drenched as the boat has to negotiate 7 sets of rapids.
- Bird watching. There are over 350 species of birds in the park
- Climb Gunung Tahan (Tahan Mountain). You will need to carry your own food and tent on this 4-7 day journey to the top of the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia at 2,187 m. There is a slim chance of seeing elephants in the wild. Needless to say, guides are necessary. Months of physical fitness training is needed before most trekkers would attempt the climb.
- Swimming. You can swim at Lubuk Simpon, the most accessible swimming hole in the park. It is a nice place to cool down after a day jungle trekking, and you can spot some fishes.
Jungle Trekking. Jungle treks of various duration, some up to nine days, are possible. Trekking requires considerable preparations, a lot of water and a guide must be taken on all long trekking journeys. Although challenging, the jungle treks prove to be an equally rewarding authentic jungle adventure.
Climb Bukit Teresek (Teresek Hill). 334-m high hill. The trail is relatively easy until the foot of the hill. Then it turns to a moderate climb among ropes and tree roots. Get lucky and spot various wildlife including wild hog, rare birds, scorpians and others. Smell and drink the native Seranti tree, which is similar to a cola. When you finally reach the view point, you will be able to see almost the entire national park.
Canopy Walk. Walk across the longest Malaysian suspension bridge in the world, at 530 m. Walk across the canopy 25-40 m high, and view the rich and diverse flora and fauna at the summit of the forest. There's no need for a guide to get there. In March 2013 an important part of the walk was closed for renovation. RM5.
Visit the Orang Asli Settlements. "Orang Asli" means "original people" in Malay. The Orang Asli live a nomadic lifestyle in Taman Negara. Their settlements are found along the trails. Some settlements are accessible by boat. Let them teach you how to make a blow gun and shoot it. Some background: the local travel agencies negotiated with the very shy Orang Asli group to abandon the nomadic lifestyle and settle down next to the river (in face of the canopy walk) so that they are easily accessible. Everyday about 10-15 tourists come to the settlement, and the travel agencies pay them RM5 for each visitor. RM45.
Night Walking Safaris. View nocturnal plants and animals in an easy hour guided trek from the Ranger's headquarters. See flowers that only bloom at night, water dragons, snakes, glow in the dark fungis, stick insects other weird and wonderful creatures.
Night 4WD Safaris. A guided drive through a palm plantation to view owls, wild cats, snakes and birds. You could see kingfishers, hornbills, otters, monitor lizards and more. One or more guides will shine spotlights on any wildlife they can find. Note that the tour does not take place in the park, but on the developed side of the river 15 minutes out of Kuala Tahan. This means there isn't a rainforest backdrop but at best palm trees and at worst the remains of cut down palm trees. It is not offered by the park but by private companies such as Han Travel.
Fishing. It is estimated there are as many as 300 species of fish in the rivers. You may only fish the waters of Sungai Tahan below Lata Berkoh and Sungai Keniam below Kuala Keniam Kecil. Fishing tends to be best in the drier months of February to April and June to August. Permit costing RM10 per rod is necessary.
Cave Exploration. Gua Teliga (Ear Cave) has rock formation in the shape of an ear. Gua Kepayang and Gua Daun Menari (Dancing Leaves Cave) are some of the few limestone outcrops that you can explore along with animals and insects that live in the caves.
Shooting The Rapids. Travelling upstream on Sungai Tembeling from Kuala Tahan is an exhilarating experience. One must be prepared to get drenched as the boat has to negotiate 7 sets of rapids.
Bird watching. There are over 350 species of birds in the park
Climb Gunung Tahan (Tahan Mountain). You will need to carry your own food and tent on this 4-7 day journey to the top of the highest mountain in [[Peninsular Malaysia]] at 2,187 m. There is a slim chance of seeing elephants in the wild. Needless to say, guides are necessary. Months of physical fitness training is needed before most trekkers would attempt the climb.
Swimming. You can swim at Lubuk Simpon, the most accessible swimming hole in the park. It is a nice place to cool down after a day jungle trekking, and you can spot some fishes.
There are floating restaurants at the riverside of Kuala Tahan, including Family Restaurant, Wan Cafe, and LBK. These cafe serve local delicacies such as toasted bread with kaya jam (weird but tasty combination of egg and coconut), fried rice, drinks, sandwiches, and soups.
Outside of Kuala Tahan there are not many restaurants.
There are no bars in Kuala Tahan as it is a Muslim village. Chess Corner, near the Tembeling Riverview Guesthouse is a nice bar style cafe where locals sing songs and play the guitar at some nights. However, this 'bar' does not serve alcohol. There are also several cafes across the Tembeling River which a reachable by a quick boat ride.
You can still buy alcohol from the shop across the Teresek View motel. The alcohol is "hidden" in a separate room near the cashier. Can of beer RM12, small bottle of spirit RM20.
One local drink you should try is the "Sirup Bandung", which is a blend of rose syrup and milk. It is a tasty concoction to drink after a day's trek.
There is no violent crime in Taman Negara. As anywhere, do not leave valuables lying around unguarded. Beware of theft from hotel rooms and always monitor and secure your belongings.
Wear footwear when outside. If you make a jungle trek on your own inform the park headquarters where you are going and at what time you will be back. People sometimes get lost or disoriented in the jungle.
Leeches are common in the park but are not as dangerous as they are made out to be. They're fairly annoying, although after a few days, you'd get used to them.
Schedule information and boat ticketing is available from the travel booths at the floating restaurants.
Boats run to Kuala Tembling at 09:00, 10:00, and 14:00, costing RM35. From there, you can catch a quite worn-out bus to Kuala Lumpur (RM40), Penang, Cameron Highlands, or other destinations - try not to sit on the bumpy back seats.
A cheaper option is to catch a public bus to Jerantut RM7. From Jerantut, there is air-conditioned bus and train service to Kuala Lumpur RM17 and other destinations such as Cameron Highlands RM23 or the East coast