Camping is always fun and wonderful experience. There is a camp-site near to the headquarters for the visitors who chose to camp. Camping gears and cooking facilities can be rented from Mutiara Taman Negara with a reasonable cost. All the camp-sites such as Lata Berkoh, Kuala Terenggan and Kuala Keniyam are located near to the river. Do not pitch your tent too close to the river as the water level will rise immediately after a heavy rainfall. Deposit all rubbish into a rubbish dump at the camp-site or bring them back to Kuala Tahan. Remember! cleanliness and safety must always come first.
The night walk and night safari is a fun filled trip. Visitors can engage a guide or buy a tour from Tour Desk at Mutiara Resort or Information counter in Taman Negara. The night walk will take place within the park headquarters and night safari is at Kuala Tahan. You will be amazed to sight some wildlife like Slow Loris, Owl, Civet Cat, mouse deer, and wild boar as these animals are active at night to search for foods. A lot of insect will also be sighted during the night walk, occasionally you can see the deadliest snake, scorpion and spider.
Taman Negara is covered with dense and lush vegetation is home to many wildlife including birds. There are about 300 species of birds can be sighted in Taman Negara, Dove, Racket tail drongo, Hornbill, King fisher, Crested Argus Pheasant to name a few. Wake up early as most of the birds are active in the morning and late afternoon. Bring along your binoculars and a book of bird’s for reference. Places like Lubok Simpon, Kuala Tahan, Kuala Terenggan and Kuala Keniyam are good spot for bird watching. Birder could take a boat for river trip as plenty of birds can be sighted along the river.
You could arrange this breathtaking activity with some travel agents at Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara. Your agent will brief you what to do and what to take for the white water rafting. Usually, the trip will begin at Kuala Terenggan and end up at Kuala Tahan. This two hours journey is along the Tembeling river across seven different rapids. Do not leave the rubber dinghy if your boat is capsize, always wear a life jacket for your safety.
RIVER TRIPS:
River trip is a must for visitors to Taman Negara. Hired a boat or kayak from the Taman Negara Boat Association. The river trips here are extremely popular, you can watch the flora & fauna as you cruise up and down river. Tahan and Tembeling rivers are always the best to experience and discover the secret of the rain forest.
Visit the native of Taman Negara, this indigenous people are ‘Negrito origin’ and they are called ‘Batek’. These people are nomadic by nature, dwell from one place to another searching for foods. They build their temporary house close to a river, Fishing is their daily activity but only for their own consumption. Jungle products is their main income, with some money they earned they could buy rice, biscuits, cooking oil, sugar, tea & coffee, salt and tobacco (cigarette). The Batek people are allowed to take whatever they want from the jungle because they are part of Taman Negara. Hire a boat and a registered guide for this tour, some of them lives along the Tahan river and some along Tembeling River. You could have first hand experience to witness how they start fire from soft dried wood with rattan palm and a blowpipe demonstration. In return, give them some money to show your appreciation. Take something with you such as clothes, foods, sweets & biscuits for the children. You could also buy mini blowpipe and comb made of bamboo as a souvenir and this will help them to earn some side incomes.
RAPID SHOOTING: (ADVENTURE OF 7 RAPIDS)
The adventure of seven rapids is one of the most adventurous river trip in Taman Negara. Rent a boat from Kuala Tahan to go up the Tembeling river and end up at Kuala Terenggan. Take a chance to witness surrounding wonder of nature, passing through seven rapids and see boatman at their skill meandering his boat through rocks and rapids. On your way back, break your journey at Nusa Viilage for refreshment. Be prepared to get soaked wet, the water will splash all over, keep your belonging safe in a plastic bag especially your camera. This trip will takes about two to three hours.
From Kuala Tahan it takes about 45 minutes by 4 seaters boat to reach Lata Berkoh. It is an adventurous river trip up the Tahan river through swirling rapids and fast flowing river. You have to walk 800 meters through the trail from where you were embarked to reach the fall. The waterfall offer visitors the invigorating experience of swimming in a cool deep pool. Bring along some snacks & drinks as Lata Berkoh is nice spot for picnic. On your way back, stop over at Lubok Tenor, the sanctuary for the famous Masheer fish. Here you can feed, swim and touch them. This fun filled trip is a must to all visitors and should not be missed.
FISHING:
Fishing is a paradise in Taman Negara. Hire a boat with the local people to go for fishing trip. There are many fishing spot such as Kuala Keniyam, Kuala Perkai, Kuala Sat, Kampong Mat Daling and Jeram Perahu. Kelah (masheer) fish is a challenge to anglers to catch, ripe palm oil husk is a favorite bait for Kelah fish. Beside Kelah, other fishes like Sebarau, Tengas and Tengalan also can be catch. If you intend to go fishing for just a few hours or half a day, you could do it along the Tembeling river between Kuala Tahan – Kuala Trenggan.
Gunong Tahan is the highest peak in the Peninsular of Malaysia. This tough and adventurous trip is only for people who would like a challenge to scale and conquer the summit. To scale the mountain it’s take a week (7 days, 6 nights) for a return trip. Make the arrangement with the Wildlife Department in Kuala Tahan, engage a better guide and set the date. It is advisable for you to do it during dry season ( March – October ). Get some advices from Wildlife Department about equipments, foods, clothes, cooking facilities, insect repellent, first aid kits and camping gears. Always follow your guides instruction, they are expert and know the trail better than anyone. Safety and Cleanliness must always come first, come back in one piece, throw rubbish in the rubbish dump at the camp site or deposit it in your bag and bring back . You will be awarded a certificate endorsed by The Wildlife Department.
A proposed itinerary for Gunong Tahan.
Day 01 : Kuala Tahan – Melantai Camp (8-9 hrs) camping
Day 02 : Melantai Camp – Putih Camp (5-6 hrs) camping
Day 03 : Putih Camp – Padang Camp (8-10 hrs) camping
Day 04 : Padang Camp – G Tahan – Padang Camp (6 hrs) camping
Day 05 : Padang Camp - Putih Camp ( 7-8 hrs) camping
Day 06 : Putih Camp – Melantai Camp (5-6 hrs) camping
Day 07 : Melantai Camp – Kuala Tahan (7-8 hrs)
