Malaysia
Taman Negara
Region
Taman Negara is Malaysia's most famous national park, protecting a lowland rainforest in the interior of the Malaysian Peninsula, often considered among the oldest rainforests on Earth.
by Felix Gillen
Taman Negara is Malaysia's most famous national park, protecting a lowland rainforest in the interior of the Malaysian Peninsula, often considered among the oldest rainforests on Earth. Here, you experience the jungle on hiking trails, during boat trips, and on guided night walks, three to four hours by car northeast of Kuala Lumpur.Experience: Hike to Bukit Teresek, Canopy Walkway, Boat trip on the Sungai Tahan to the swimming spots of Lata BerkohTip: Plan at least two nights in Kuala Tahan; bring cash, there is no ATM in the village
The Taman Negara was founded in 1938/39 as King George V National Park and covers approximately 4,343 square kilometers in the states of Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu. An age of over 130 million years is often cited for its rainforest; this is an estimate, not a confirmed measurement. The highest point in the park and on the Malay Peninsula is Gunung Tahan, at approximately 2,187 meters.The starting point for almost all visits is the village of Kuala Tahan, opposite the park headquarters. From there, trails lead to the 334-meter-high Bukit Teresek; boats travel up the Sungai Tahan to Lata Berkoh. Groups of the Batek, an Orang Asli community, live on the edge of the park. The drier period from approximately February to September is considered the best time to visit; during the Northeast Monsoon from mid-November to mid-January, trails and facilities are partly restricted.
More places in Taman Negara
Around Kuala Tahan live groups of the Batek, an Orang-Asli community, whose camps lie on the edge of Taman Negara. Local operators offer short boat trips to one of these camps, where residents demonstrate blowpipe shooting and fire-making and sell handicrafts.
Sights in Taman Negara
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Essen & Trinken
The Batek in Taman Negara
The park is located on the traditional land of several Orang-Asli groups. The best known are the Batek, who live in and on the edge of the park and traditionally subsist by gathering, hunting, and trading forest products. The park legislation grants them usage rights.Some Batek camps near the park headquarters are visited by tour operators from Kuala Tahan with visitor groups. The residents demonstrate activities such as blowpipe shooting and fire-making, and sell handicrafts. A study by SOAS London (Endicott et al., 2016) describes that they present a simplified image of their culture to visitors. If you participate, ask for permission before taking photos and buy handicrafts directly from the makers.
Arrival and exploring the park
By BusPrivate shuttle buses (such as NKS or Han Travel) run directly from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Tahan, departing in the morning and arriving in the late afternoon. Alternatively, take a bus or train to Jerantut and from there a regular bus (about two hours) or a taxi (about one hour) to Kuala Tahan. If driving your own car from Kuala Lumpur, allow three to four hours. For the east coast, Han Travel departs daily at 8 AM directly from Kuala Tahan to Kuala Besut, the port for the Perhentian Islands.By BoatThe classic journey by longboat from the jetty at Kuala Tembeling takes two to three hours. Operators still offer this option, usually combined with a bus transfer from Kuala Lumpur; clarify departure times in advance.In the ParkWithin the park, you can get around on foot or by boat. Small ferries cross from Kuala Tahan to the park headquarters (as of 2024: RM 1 per trip). There, before hiking, you purchase your entrance and camera permit; fees in 2024 were RM 1 for entrance and RM 5 for a camera or mobile phone. Destinations further upstream, such as Lata Berkoh, can be reached by chartered boats or guided tours.
