'''Taman Negara National Park''' is in Peninsular Malaysia.

Understand

This national park is one of the best known and the oldest national park in Malaysia. It is famous for its rainforest. It is easy to get around as guides are not necessary.

The park Headquarters are just across the river from the village Kuala Tahan. This is where most people enter the park, but there are also three other official entries.

Admission is RM1, a camera permit RM5. If you also want to fish, it is an additional RM10. The permit is valid for as long as you want to stay in Taman Negara. Permits can be bought at the park headquarters, or if you use a tour operator to take you to Kuala Tahan, at their headquarters.

Talk

The local taboos to talk about while in the park are:

1. Not boasting about your abilities.

2. Joke about animal attacks.

3. Sing or talk loudly in the jungle.

Get in

The river boat leaves from Kuala Tembling Jetty at 09.00am and 02.00pm for Kuala Tahan (Park Headquarters) and takes about 2-2 1/2 hours (RM 25). There is also a bus service but the boat ride is likely to be one of the prettiest parts of the trip. Tour operators run round trip services from many locations including Kuala Lumpur.

Local buses to Jerantut leave in the morning, at 3:30pm and 7pm (RM6) then bus from Kuala Tembeling to Jerantut (RM5)

Alternatively, you can drive to Kuala Tahan. There are parking spaces at the motels and resorts. There are plenty of roadsign so you shouldn't get lost. It takes about 1 hour from Jerantut town. You will drive across estates of palm oils and winding roads. Beware of cows and buffalos. There is no cell phone signal in the estates.

Get around

The major advantage of this park is that it is easy to get around without any guide. You can explore the forest on your own. However, if you go into the deep jungle, especially by the Keniam, Tenol, or Tahan Mountain trails, it is better to go with guide-- you will learn a lot about the jungle and save yourself from getting lost in it.

See

Bird watching

Slides and films on the Park's indigenous flora and fauna are shown at the Interpretive Room at 8.45 pm daily

In and around the Park, various soft adventures are available

Cave Exploration - Gua Telinga (Ear Cave)

Fishing

Jungle Trekking

Kampung Experience thumb|The canopy walk in [[Taman Negara National Park

Mountain Climbing

Shooting The Rapids

Swimming in Natural Pools and Cataracts

Canopy Walk

Hill Climbing - Bukit Teresek

Waterfalls cascades - Lata Berkoh

Overnight Stay at Animals Salt Lick Hide

Do

Hired guides are a necessity if you plan to go deep into the forest. However, if you have one with you on a short journey, they can point out interesting facts and creatures you would otherwise has miss such as trees that are used to make arrows, poisonous barks, plants with medicinal values, curious insects, and others. They can add value to your trip if you so choose to hire them.

  • Bukit Teresek (Teresek Hill) - Half day trek from the Ranger's Headquaters. The trail is relatively easy until the foot of the hill. Then it turns to a moderate climb among ropes and tree roots. Get lucky and spot various wildlife including wild hog, rare birds, scorpians and others. Smell and drink the native Seranti tree, which is similar to a cola. When you finally reach the view point, you will be able to see almost the entire national park.
  • Canopy Walk - This is the longest suspension bridge in the world. Practically the whole point if you are only here for a short trip. You can try the suspension bridge while trekking Teresek Hill. RM 5 per adult.
  • Night Trekking - View nocturnal plants and animals in an easy hour plus trek from the Ranger's headquaters. See flowers that only blooms at night, water dragons, snakes, glow in the dark fungis, stick insects other weird and wonderful creatures.
  • Lata Berkoh - A famous spot for swimming in clear and cool water. Beware of strong currents and not stray too far from the bank. You can reach Lata Berkoh by boat ride for RM 160. The boat ride itself is a unique experience. You can ask the boatman to turn off the engine (on your way back only) and enjoy the sound and sights of the jungle. It is like being in a Rambo movie! Half way to Lata Berkoh you can stop by the Kelah Sanctuary.
  • Kelah Sanctuary - Kelah is a culinary delight of the locals. They are known their sweet flesh and is absolutely delightful when steamed fresh. You can feed these friendly fishes here with food that be bought from the Rangers. Stand bare footed in the river and watch as they come to nibble at your feet.
  • Gunung Tahan (Tahan Mountain) - Known as the most difficult mountain to reach the peak. You will need to carry your own food and tent on this 7 day journey to the top. There is a slim chance of seeing elephants in the wild. Needless to say, guides are necessary.
  • Eat

    Outside of Kuala Tahan there is limited restaurant except of the services provided by your respective accommodation.

    Good floating restaurants at the riverside include Family Restaurant, Wan Cafe and LBK. These cafe serve local delicacies such as toast bread with kaya jam (weird but tasty combination of egg and coconut), fried rice and drinks along with other common things such as sandwich and soups.

    Drink

    There are not a lot of bars in Kuala Tahan. Chess Corner, near the Tembling Riverview Guesthouse is a nice bar where locals sing songs and play the guitar at some nights. However, this bar does not server alcohol, only coffee, tea, and fruit juices. There are also several cafes across the Tembelign River which a reachable in a minute's boat ride.

    One local drink you should try is the "Sirup Bandung", which is a blend of rose syrup and milk. It is a tasty concoction to drink after a day's trek.

    Sleep

    There is plenty of accommodation in Kuala Tahan. In the park itself there are hides (RM5 , book at the park headquarters) and camp sites.

    The Mutiara Resorts located inside the park are the most expensive and luxuries place to stay with prices ranging from US$1.50 for hostel to US$350 for a bungalow per night. Wild hogs sighting are a regular sighting and can be seen scavenging for food in the evening.

    For a natural setting please head upriver for Nusa Holiday Village, built to blend with the surroundings and provides a pleasing environment. Located just a short walk away, you can bath in a natural stream.

    Across the Tembeling River (just 1 minute boat ride away) are are several affordable alternative accommodations in motels, the Rainforest Resort and Woodlands Resort.

    Another option is Travelers Home, homestay style accommodation but with new, clean rooms at affordable rates. Food is included and the service is excellent. Prices are about 75 Rm per night per person.

    All of these accommodations can help you arrange for guides and trips to make your stay a pleasant one.

    Stay safe

    There is no crime in Taman Negara. However, being in the midst of a jungle, there is an abundance of wildlife even in the gardens of your accommodation hotel. Advisable to wear footwear when outside and not go out barefoot. If you make a jungle trek on your own inform the park headquarters where you are going and at what time you will be back. People sometimes get lost in the jungle.

    Leeches have a bad press and the thought of them is worse than an encounter. Best to be brave and go without trousers, pull your socks up and cover with mossie spray. When one of the little fellas jumps up onto you leg it will be easy to spot and you can just flick it off, after you've done a little dance that is.

    Get out

    There are some tour operators in the floating restaurants. They run boats to Kuala Tembling (9:00 in the morning, RM35), and from there busses to Kuala Lumpur (RM40) and other destinations. Cheaper but also much more rough is the local public bus service, starting 7:30 am towards Jerantut. From Jerantut, there are several buses (also air-conditioned ones) towards Kuala Lumpur and other places, leaving every 1-2 hours, and also a train.