Published on December 8, 2014
Ancient rainforests and quirky creatures are only highlights in this wide-ranging tour of Malaysia’s natural riches.
1.1. Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah
Situated in the 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Sepilok orang utan sanctuary uses its rehabilitation of orphaned orang utans to educate the public on the importance of wildlife conservation. Visitors get to enjoy the rare and thrilling opportunity to see an orang utan up close: the viewing gallery gives an opportunity to see the orang utans being fed by rangers. Tel: 6089 531 180, www.orangutan.org.
1.2. Royal Belum State Rainforest Resort, Perak
The 117,500-hectare Royal Belum State Park is part of the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex, one of the largest untouched forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. The park boasts a profusion of biological riches: freely-roaming large mammals like the Asian elephant, Malayan tiger and Sumatran rhino; all ten species of Malaysian hornbills; and 3,000 flowering plants, including the world’s largest flower, the elusive Rafflesia. The gateway to the park is at Pulau Banding, 40km from the town of Gerik. www.royalbelum.my
1.3. Taman Negara Pahang
At an estimated 130 million plus years old, the rainforests in Malaysia’s first and foremost national park are some of the oldest in the world. The river boat rides and jungle trails within Taman Negara allow visitors to get up close and personal with the Taman Negara’s 434,350 hectares worth of natural riches. A canopy walk gives visitors a glimpse of life in the rainforest canopy, while cave exploration takes visitors deep into the park’s mysterious limestone caves. Tel: +609 266 1122 / 4152, www.wildlife.gov.my.