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Taman Negara,
Pahang
 Taman Negara (National Park) is the first
and the oldest official Protected Area in the country, originally named King
George V National Park. Declared in 1938 by the Sultans of Kelantan, Pahang
and Terengganu (during King George's Silver Jubilee), it was gazetted to
preserve the land's indigenous nature in perpetuity. The park was renamed
Taman Negara after the nation gained independence in 1957.
The most popular activities at Taman Negara are river cruises and jungle
trekking. The canopy walk is also a must-see, offering a fantastic close up
view of activity in the rainforest canopy. Observation hides are another
great way to observe wildlife. Simple huts built high above the ground allow
guests to stay overnight to catch opportunities to observe animals in their
natural habitat. Cave exploration is also available, either by boat or by
foot.
Taman Negara is actually one of the oldest rainforests in the world,
estimated at 130 million years old. The abundance and diversity of nature
here is phenomenal, making it one of the world's most complex and rich
ecosystems.
Key Tips
Wear light, loose clothing; comfortable long-sleeved shirts and long pants
for protection from insects and abrasions. In certain conditions, the forest
can be very cold. Bring a waterproof jacket for comfort. When jungle
trekking, choose a trail that you can complete before dark and do let
someone know when to expect you back. It is best to stick to the marked
trails in the jungle.
How to get there
By Train
Kuala Tembeling - the jump off point for the park - is also accessible from
Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Kota Bharu (via Tumpat) by rail. Trains from
these stations stop at Tembeling Halt, about half an hour's drive to the
jetty at Kuala Tembeling.
By Boat
The staging point for visits to the park is Kuala Tembeling, from which a
3-hour boat ride upriver takes you to Kuala Tahan at 9 am and 3 pm daily,
except for Fridays when the afternoon departure is at 2.30 pm. Mutiara Taman
Negara Resort also operates a speedboat service that takes only 45 minutes
to reach Kuala Tahan. The speedboat leaves Kuala Tembeling at 10.30 am and
1.30 pm daily. The most accessible gateway to Taman Negara is either through
Jerantut, a 3-hour trip from Kuala Lumpur. If you are driving a four-wheel
drive vehicle, you can take the logger trail right up to Kuala Tahan, where
you need to take a boat across the Sungai Tahan (Tahan River) to enter the
park.
By Bus or Taxi
Jerantut-bound taxis are available at the Puduraya Bus Terminal in Kuala
Lumpur. Alternatively, buses to Jerantut are found at the Jalan Tun Razak
Bus Station in Kuala Lumpur. From there, hop on a local bus or taxi to Kuala
Tembeling.
Accommodation Overview
There are chalets, hostel-style rooms, a camping ground and a resort in the
National Park area.
SOURCE: TOURISM MALAYSIA
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