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Endau-Rompin
State Park, Pahang
 Endau Rompin, straddling the Johor/Pahang
border, is the second National Park, after Taman Negara. It covers an area
of approximately 80,000 hectares of rich and exotic flora and fauna,
encompassing the watershed of the rivers Endau and Rompin, from which it
derives its name. In other words, this place is huge.
The entry point to the park is an Orang Asli (Malaysian aborigines) village.
Although the natives have been influenced by the modern world, they still
practise a hunting and gathering lifestyle. They are also the custodians of
fascinating myths and legends about the jungle that have been handed down
from one generation to the next. But apart from exploring this spellbinding
cultural aspect of the park, how can you get your hands dirty in this giant,
timeless Garden of Eden? Easy. You can camp, hike, fish, canoe, shoot
rapids, explore caves, climb mountains, bird watch and swim in this amazing
national park.
The park is home to a vast range of species of birds, mammals, frogs,
insects and exotic varieties of orchids, herbs, medicinal plants and trees.
It seems that every time a scientific expedition returns from Endau - Rompin,
they discover a new species!
In existence for over 130 million years, this rainforest holds rare flora
and fauna, many of which are not found anywhere else in the tropics. The
most prominent of these unique species is the Sumatran Rhinoceros. Regular
treks through the jungle will give adventurers sightings of leaf monkeys,
long-tail macaques, white-handed gibbons, elephants, deer, tapirs and the
occasional tiger and leopard. For adventure lovers and river trekkers, there
are exhilarating rapids and fairly substantial waterfalls.
To protect the pristine environment, only limited areas of the park are open
for ecotourism. Entry to the park requires a special permit from the Johor
National Park Corporation. But the much easier option is to get the permits
at the District Office, which is just next to the Police Department in Kuala
Rompin before reaching the FELDA Selendang turnoff from Lanjut Beach. Upon
entry to this park, trekkers will be guided by forest rangers to ensure
safety at all times.
Key Tips
The park is closed during the rainy season (November to March). Please read
the park regulations before you enter the park.
How to get there
By Road
Drive from Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, using the North-South Expressway.
Once at Kluang, take a detour to Kahang town. There, a four-wheel drive
vehicle will take you on a 56km jungle track to Kampung Peta, which is the
point of entry to the National Park.
By River
It is also possible to reach the park by boat along the Endau River, taking
about three hours starting from Felda Nitar II. There are camping
facilities, catering for up to 300 visitors. These are located at Kuala
Jasin, Batu Hampar, Upeh Guling and Kuala Marong.
Accommodation Overview
Camping or staying in basic dorms in designated areas remain the only - and
popular - option.
SOURCE: TOURISM MALAYSIA
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