Bucket List / Adventure Travel Goals
Trek In Taman Negara
Ticked off in December 2022
Walk through a rainforest older than the Amazon, swaying high in the canopy above trees that dinosaurs knew.
The adventure
The journey in sets the tone: a long, narrow wooden boat pushing up the brown Tembeling River, jungle walls on both banks and kingfishers flashing across the water. At Kuala Tahan the road ends, and beyond the river lies some of the oldest rainforest on the planet.
Inside, the air is hot, wet and loud with cicadas. Buttress roots taller than you fan out from giant trees, hornbills whoosh overhead and the trail is littered with the tracks of tapir and wild boar. The canopy walkway sways on ropes and planks tens of metres above the forest floor, putting you at eye level with orchids and squirrels. At night, guided walks reveal glowing fungi, stick insects and scorpions, and those who sleep in a hide may hear elephants moving in the dark.
Why it’s epic
- Around 130 million years old, making it one of the oldest tropical rainforests on Earth.
- One of the world's longest canopy walkways, strung between the treetops above the forest floor.
- Home to Malayan tigers, Asian elephants, tapirs, gibbons and over 350 species of birds, though the big mammals are rarely seen.
- Gunung Tahan, the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia at 2,187 metres, is a tough multi-day trek from the park.
What it is
Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth, around 130 million years old.
How to do it
Reach Kuala Tahan by bus and boat. Walk the canopy walkway and hire guides for longer treks.
Top tip
Wear leech socks.
Need to know
- The best months are roughly March to September; the north-east monsoon from around November to January can flood trails and stop boats.
- Leeches are everywhere after rain, so wear leech socks and long trousers and carry insect repellent.
- Longer treks and overnight hides need a licensed guide and a park permit, both arranged in Kuala Tahan.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days
- Best time to go
- March to September
- Fly into
- KUL airport
The park itself is cheap to visit; the long-haul flight to Kuala Lumpur is the biggest cost.
Do it yourself
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My experience
Done in December 2022. I hiked in Taman Negara during a winter trip to Malaysia.
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