Taman Negara National Park: Travel Guide
Taman Negara is a top travel destination and a must-visit place in Malaysia. Are you planning on visiting this national park? Read our travel guide focusing on things to do in Taman Negara, and we also share with you practical information on how to get to the park, when to visit, what to pack, where to stay, and whether it is better to travel there independently or with a guide.
It's hot and humid, heavy clouds are rolling over the forest, and it's getting darker. We just jumped off the bus in Kuala Tahan, a Taman Negara National Park getaway and a place where we are going to spend this night.
After a quick look on the map, we decide on a direction where it is most likely possible to find accommodation.
After a quick search, we found a basic room in a small private cabin. It looked old and musty but fine for one night. But something had happened before we stepped into the room and before we unpacked our bags.
As we were walking towards our cabin, we met another fellow traveler, who was holding a camera in his shaking hand. He just mumbled something about seeing a snake and showed us a picture of a huge black snake slithering in front of his porch.
As it was dark already, and we still had to walk like twenty meters to our room, we tried to put our most encouraging expression on our faces, faintly smiled and nodded, and with a racing heartbeat, strode off to our room.
This situation was like 'Welcome to Taman Negara National Park' sign, except there was a huge snake instead of the word welcome.
We think Taman Negara really properly welcomed us and showed us why so many tourists want to arrive in the park when in Malaysia - forest, wildlife, and an authentic experience.
Taman Negara is still an incredible and little spoiled place in the heart of Malaysia, even though the getaway Kuala Tahan is a little bit commercialized.
At first we did not know how much time we want to spend in Taman Negara National Park, and eventually decided to stay only one night in the area. To get more than just a glimpse of the rainforest, we recommend you to stay in the park for more than one night or plan your schedule better than we did.
Still, even one day allows you to hike a few shorter trails, visit the Canopy Walkway, do the night jungle walk, enjoy the boat ride, and we bet you can squeeze another activity in your itinerary if you plan your time carefully.
In this travel guide, we want to share with you our experience, and tell you more about things you can do in Taman Negara National Park, wildlife you can see, tips on where to stay, how to stay safe, what to pack, and much more.
TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
Some scientists estimate that Taman Negara is more than 130 million years old, which makes it one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
It covers an area of 4343 square kilometers, and a visit to this place is an incredible travel experience. It's a thick deep jungle with brown rivers and ancient tall trees, fascinating animals, that you can't see anywhere else.
Sprawling across three states in Malaysia, the park attracts both foreign visitors and locals, who don't mind a little bit of discomfort, and in reward, can enjoy violently lush green scenery.
Simply put, Taman Negara is a must-visit place in Malaysia.
WILDLIFE IN TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
The national park is home to some unique animals, like Malayan tiger, Asian elephant, or gaur (also known as Indian Bison), though you would be incredibly (un)lucky to spot a tiger in the forest (these animals are shyer than you would have expected), but you might be able to spot more common animals.
Among other interesting animals, you can see are birds, fish, insects, snakes, or amphibians.
If you decide to do the night walk, there are plenty of nocturnal animals, that you can't see during the day, so it is definitely a good idea to walk in the forest during both day and night.
THINGS TO DO IN TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
Canopy walkway, short hikes, multi-day treks, boat tours, night walks. All these activities are amongst the best things to do in Taman Negara National Park, and the more time you spend the bigger is the reward.
No matter how much time you have, you simply have to try some of the highlights, because spending time outside in nature is the true reason why to visit the park.
Here is our list of the best things to do in Taman Negara, one of the most popular destinations in Malaysia.
CANOPY WALKWAY
Being high up in the treetops is not something you do every day. If you've never been on a canopy walkway before, this walk roughly 40 meters above ground overlooking the tropical rainforest will be a truly memorable experience.
Try to get there as early as possible, because the crowds can kind of ruin the mood of this amazing place, walk slowly and observe, you might spot toucans or monkeys.
This is also a reason why to push yourself out of bed, because as everywhere, animals are more active either early in the morning, and then later in the afternoon.
Canopy walkways have been very popular recently, and we can absolutely understand what is the fuss about, because all our experiences, either here in Taman Negara or in other countries rich in forests and wildlife such as Costa Rica, were remarkable.
Even if you are in the park for only a day, this is an activity you simply have to put on your list.
TREKKING IN TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
Taman Negara National Park has an incredible network of walking, hiking, and trekking trails.
One of the easiest hikes is to Canopy Walkway, which you can extend for a Bukit Teresek hike, which offers great views of the rainforest. Hiking in the jungle is a unique experience. What we usually appreciate the most?
The silence only interrupted by sounds of animals and squeaking trees, the sight of plenty of unusual plants, and a countless of photo opportunities.
It is possible to walk around the well-marked paths on your own, but for bigger adventures, we recommend you hiring a guide not only to enhance your safety but to get the opportunity to learn more about nature and wildlife around you.
RIVER CRUISE
It would not have been a proper jungle experience without cruising a brownish river in the middle of nowhere.
There are many ways how you can incorporate the boat ride into your itinerary.
The ride from Kuala Tembeling (read more in the How to get to Taman Negara section) to Kuala Tahan was one of the highlights of our trip to the national park.
It takes about three hours, it's very cheap, and although it's still only a way how to get from one place to another, it's fun, and experience on own. Which is great, because often getting to a destination can be dull, but not in this case.
Once in the park, another boat cruise, the one to Lata Berkoh along the Tahan River is a popular activity you can try in the morning before it gets too hot in the jungle.
NIGHT JUNGLE WALK
Usually, the night walk is one of the best adventures to do in Taman Negara, and overall in every jungle area in the world.
You will see that the jungle comes alive at night, and with a knowledgeable guide, you can spot snakes, nocturnal insects, or tree frogs, which were hiding all day.
t's actually kind of scary to walk in the forest at night because you do not know what creature is watching you (just kidding), but it's an incredible experience.
Don't forget to bring a headtorch, you are going to need it.
VISITING TAMAN NEGARA WITH TOUR OR INDEPENDENTLY
If you've been reading our travel blog for some time now, you know that when it is possible, we always prefer visiting places on our own, without a guide and not accompanied by other people.
That's being said, to get the best experience from Taman Negara, it's always better to hike with local guides. Not only they know the trail, but they are also sure where to go next, and they are incredible in spotting the wildlife.
They know everything about the animals, jungle life, plants, and the overall experience from the jungle is heavily dependent on them.
You can buy tour packages in Kuala Lumpur or directly at Kuala Tahan.
If you decide to buy the tour on the spot, it's usually cheaper, but you might have a problem finding other people to share the cost of the tour, but this is more or less a problem of longer treks to the jungle (4 to 7-day treks), shorter options usually fill up quickly.
It's also possible to visit Taman Negara on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur with a professional guide.
It's a great choice for people short on time who want to get the best of the park, mind you, there is some hiking included in the tour, so get in the shape a bit before you sign up.
Independent hikes in the park are also possible, but you will be very limited not only by the trails but you won't be able to see that much, which would really be a shame.
HOW TO GET TO TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
There are more ways how to get to the national park. For budget travelers and backpackers, to get from Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara using public transport is the best choice, although it's a little bit more time-consuming.
There is not a direct bus from Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara National Park, and you have to get to Jerantut first.
In Kuala Lumpur, get to the Pekeliling Bus Terminal first (take a monorail to Titiwangsa station), from where the buses depart to Jerantut several times a day.
It takes about three hours to get to Jerantut, and once you get there, you can choose between two ways to reach Taman Negara.
Now, you can catch a direct bus from Jerantut to Kuala Tahan, a getaway to Taman Negara (departs three times a day), or you can get to Kuala Tembeling by bus first, where you will find a jetty, and from there take a small boat to Kuala Tahan.
The boat ride is very scenic, and we highly recommend you to not miss out this experience.
The hardest part is to plan and time all the bus and boat connections perfectly.
We took a slightly different approach and left the boat ride for the departure day, but no matter how you plan your trip, after we visited Taman Negara ourselves, we think good idea is to arrive in the park by bus and get out by boat.
You can always book a private shuttle that goes directly to Kuala Tahan, though this option is more expensive, and is rather convenient when you are vacationing, short on time, or if you travel on a higher budget.
If you prefer flying, we have bad news for you, the nearest airport from Tamana Negara National Park is in Kuantan city (Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport), though it's still a 200 kilometers away from Kuala Tahan, so it makes no sense whatsoever to fly there.
KUALA TAHAN
The main entry point to Taman Negara National Park is a small village, Kuala Tahan. It's also a place where you will find accommodation, a small grocery store, travel agencies, and the entrance to the park.
The village is a starting point for all the activities and tours in the national park as well.
So even though the village itself is not somehow picturesque, you will most likely stay here at least for one night, unless you decide to visit the park on a one day tour from Kuala Lumpur.
WHERE TO STAY IN TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
Almost all hotels in Taman Negara are actually located in Kuala Tahan village.
There are no hotels in Taman Negara National Park except for Mutiara Taman Negara Resort, which sits at the edge of the forest and near park borders.
It's also the best place to stay to get an authentic experience and sleep right in the jungle, though it's a bit pricey for budget travelers.
We decided to stay in Kuala Tahan, as the resort was out of our price range.
The village mostly offers basic accommodation therefore, the rates are acceptable but since the village is relatively remote, rooms are more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur, or other big cities where the competition is tenser.
In case you are fine with more basic experience, camping in Taman Negara National Park is possible in designated areas. You will find some places to camp in Kuala Tahan too.
Lubok Tenor is the only proper campsite in the park without any facilities about three hours hike from Taman Negara entrance. There are more places in the park to camp, though it's better to visit them with a guide and proper gear.
Camping in hot and humid areas is not something we enjoy very much (we camped for a week in Amazon in Peru, and it was pretty challenging), and if you want to stay only in Kuala Tahan, we would recommend you to find a cheap room in a hostel, as it will be definitely more comfortable.
We've handpicked three best hotels in Taman Negara for every type of traveler.
Budget | Tebing Guest House - Though the price is slightly higher than you would expect for budget accommodation in Malaysia, it's worth the money. The rooms are clean and new, and the accommodation in Tebing Guest House is much nicer and comfortable than you would find in cheaper hostels in the village. Trust us, you don't want to stay in the same place we stayed in.
Mid-range | Balai Serama Guesthouse - Sitting on the riverbank, charming Balai Serama Guesthouse has an excellent tranquil location a few minutes walk from the touristy center of the village. You'll get beautiful views of the Tembeling River from the guesthouse, the accommodation offers air-conditioned rooms, an onsite restaurant, a lush green garden, and quiet place to sleep.
Luxury | Mutiara Taman Negara Resort - Just across the Tembeling River from Kuala Tahan is located the best hotel in Taman Negara. It's still relatively basic, but the amazing location at the gates of the rainforest makes up for any discomfort. The hotel has beautiful grounds, great cabins, it's clean, the staff is very helpful, and if lucky, you might spot monkeys (or other wildlife) even without leaving the resort.
WHEN TO VISIT TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
We didn't plan our trip to Malaysia around Taman Negara National Park, therefore, we visited it in February, without even knowing, that this month frames the end of the rainy season in the area.
Taman Negara is called a rainforest for a reason, and the monsoon season arrives in December and lasts till the end of January.
However, the monsoon season is not predictable at all, and every year starts and ends on different dates. Chances are high that it will rain at the turn of January and February too.
Said that the weather we had at the beginning of February was good, and we didn't experience any rain during our short visit.
The best time to visit Taman Negara National Park is anytime between February and October. The period between July and September is really hot in the park, and the maximum temperatures are at their highest. Also, the park is crowded during this time because of holidays.
The wet season not only brings rain, but also floodings, some activities might be canceled on short notice, or not available at all. You will see less wildlife, trekking can be difficult or impossible.
Before planning your trip to Taman Negara, always decide what you want to see and do in the national park. If you plan and time your trip to Taman Negara carefully, you will have a better chance to do all the activities, treks or tours, that this national park offers.
The accommodation is cheaper in the rainy season, however, it might be harder to find travelers you can share tours with.
WHAT TO PACK FOR TAMAN NEGARA
The forest hides many secrets, but you can prepare for most of them at home.
Bring mosquito repellent, loose clothing, head torch, and sunscreen. If you want to do water activities, bring water shoes. You will eventually use them on Perhentian Islands or Tioman, where we guess you are heading next.
We like to bring our own cocoon when backpacking around South East Asia, as the accommodation we usually choose to stay overnight is very basic. Although some rooms are equipped with a mosquito net, it's very common that there are holes in it, which make it useless. A mosquito net is quite cheap and light, and it will help you to have a dreamless sleep at night.
No matter the time of the year you visit Taman Negara, it's going to be hot and humid, and you will sweat a lot, so bring plenty of water when you plan on hiking, and stay hydrated. It is a good idea to buy a filtered water bottle so you decrease your plastic consumption.
If you decide on trekking and camping in the forest, check with your tour company, what's included, and what should you bring by yourself.
Even if you arrange the tour on the spot, ask the provider what to pack or what to leave behind.
SAFETY IN TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK
As you would probably expect, the biggest danger in Taman Negara National Park lies in the jungle itself.
Taman Negara is a large rainforest, and it's extremely easy to get lost in the jungle when hiking without a guide, so it's always better to either hire a local guide or be well-experienced and equipped with a map and GPS.
That's being said, conditions in the jungle can change any time, so even an up to date map does not have to show the reality and most current paths properly.
When it's raining, leeches come out. You will find them also in wet and damp places, and despite the fact, they have an ill repute for their bloodsucking nature, they are quite harmless, though can be quite annoying.
Many dangerous snakes live in the jungle, so watch your step and wear proper shoes.
When it comes to malaria and Taman Negara, it's better to always ask at your local travel clinic for the current situation as it changes every year.
At the moment, Kuala Tahan and its surroundings seem as a malaria-free zone, though this is a matter, that you should also discuss with a professional.
Unlike in Amazon Jungle, we didn't take anti-malarial pills, only used a strong mosquito repellent with DEET (you can also use a little bit more body-friendly organic insect repellent ), but we also didn't have any plans to hike deep in the jungle or do camping.
Bug repellent is not the only thing you can use to prevent mosquito bites.
You can also cover your body with loose trousers and a long-sleeved t-shirt, and limit your time outside after sunset and before the sunrise when the mosquitoes are the most active.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
