Rumble…rumble… in the Jungle

After months of hectic work schedule, it was time for another of our Happy Campers retreat. There are many interesting locations in Malaysia to choose from, but as some of our happy camper team members have yet been to Taman Negara Pahang before so… Taman Negara it is.

Taman Negara means National Park, and many Malaysians might not know this but in 1938, this Taman Negara was known as King George V National Park, up until Malaysia receive its independence. This national park encompasses of 3 states in Malaysia ie Pahang, Terengganu & Kelantan. It is known to be one of the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, dating back over 130 millions years old.

To get to Taman Negara, you have to first get yourself to Jerantut, Pahang. From there you can either drive straight in to Kuala Tahan (the park headquarters), but for first timers, we do recommend you to enter Kuala Tahan via Kuala Tembeling. This way you can enjoy the boat ride upstream which is part of the Taman Negara experience.

Boat Fee is RM30 one way per person and it departs daily from 9am – 2pm. The boat ride takes about 2 – 3 hours as it is going against the current and also depending on the river water level. However, the return trip can be as fast as 1.5 hours.

There are many types of accommodation provided at Taman Negara. From 5 star hotel to hard core camping,  all you need to do is to choose one that is within your budget or adventure level.

There are a few must visit places once you are at Taman Negara. Lata Berkoh is a waterfall that is located about 8.5km hike from Kuala Tahan. You can get there by full jungle trekking or get the help of a boat ride halfway.

On the way to Lata Berkoh

Canopy Walk is another must activity to experience. It is about 1.2 km from Kuala Tahan and it is not for those who has fear of heights. Like the name, the canopy walk took us walking 45meters above the ground, in between the tall, gigantic rainforest trees of Taman Negara. The trail is 510 meters long and the view is breathtaking.

The Canopy Walk project began on October 1992 and it was first open to visitors in mid 1993 with the first length of 250 meters.

Canopy Walk

For safety purposes, only 2 people are allowed at any one time to walk across between each tree station.

Basically, our activities at Taman Negara was filled with hiking, trekking and more hiking. Next we decided to go on a 2.6km trekking up to Bukit Teresek.

The trail to Bukit Teresek is quite challenging for some of us Campers …due to lack of exercise obviously…but thankfully all of us  managed to reach to the top including our 6 year old daughter, Alyssa & 7 year old son, Gael.

On top of Bukit Teresek. We can see Mount Tahan from here (covered by clouds)… the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia.

Today there are about 500 orang asli living within Taman Negara and they live quite a simple life. There are two groups of orang asli in Taman Negara that is the Batek and Semokberi of the Negrito tribes. A typical orang asli village comprises about 10 – 30 family members.

Thanks to our guide, our visit to one of the orang asli villages was filled with fun-filled activities and a fire-making demonstration by one of the orang asli elders.

Trying out our skills in using the blow pipe

Fire making demonstration by the tribe leader (Tok Batin)

Alyssa with orang asli children

All in all.. it was a much needed jungle get-a-way from our usual city jungle. Can’t wait for our next retreat!