Waterfall @ Royal Belum State park, Malaysia

 

BOA Outdoor Trails: Ulu Kenas Recreational Forest, Kuala Kangsar, Perak

Located in the district of Kuala Kangsar, Perak Darul Ridzuan. Coordinates of the park is  N 4 41.350   E 100 53.217

Ulu Kenas Recreational Forest is rich in flora and fauna of tropical rainforest. The main forest type is Hill Dipterocarp Forest. Others include Dipterocarp palm forest, upper hill dipterocarp forest, oak-laurel forest and montane ericaceous forest. The park is a popular mountain climbing destination of Gunung Bubu (1657m). Sungai Kenas flows through the park. The park is situated within Bubu Forest Reserve. The park is home to many endemic plants and wild herbs found in the upper reaches of the park. Shady keruing neram (Dipterocarpus Oblongifolia) trees on the river banks provide scenic and panoramic view of the cascading river.

Getting to the park: Roads suitable for all vehicles to the park. Use the Kuala Kangsar to Manong main road and turn into the park at Kampung Ulu Kenas. Public transport available along Kuala Kangsar – Manong road. Visitors using bus need to walk for 2 km to the park from the main road. A taxi can be hired from Kuala Kangsar or Ipoh.

BOA Outdoor Trails: Bukit Larut, Taiping, Perak

Bukit Larut is Malaysia’s oldest hill station and founded in 1884. It is located just ten kilometres from quiet Taiping town of Perak. Formerly it was called Maxwell Hill. Bukit Larut is approximately 1250m above sea level. It is located in the wettest part of the country, this hill station experiences the highest rainfall in the country.

Bukit Larut is not nearly as developed as more celebrated hill resorts such as the Cameron or Genting Highlands. However, it preserves much more of the atmosphere of a colonial hill station, with modest, welcoming bungalows, carefully cultivated gardens, and a pervasive atmosphere of cool quietude. Reaching the top of the hill requires a four-wheel drive vehicles. Since private vehicles are not allowed, the resort authority caters to this service. A land rover is available at the foot of the hill. It leaves every hour from 7am to 6pm.  30 minute drive up the steep bends will bring you to the top. The narrow winding road was reportedly built shortly after World War II and was completed in 1948.

The road up twist and turns through tropical virgin jungle, and fresh green fragrance and cool air greeting you as you ascend. In the past, coffee and tea were grown on an experimental basis but seized to continue due to transport and logistic complexities. Midway to the top is the Tea Garden House situated. That was once part of an tea-estate. The view at this point is magnificent and features the entire Taiping town as well as the Lake Gardens. Also visible are the suburbs of Aulong and Simpang and the 19km stretch of Taiping – Port Weld road.

At the summit you are treated to a spectacular view of the West Coast of the peninsula. On a clear day, it is possible to view the sweeping coastline stretching from Pangkor Island to Penang. Visitors are usually enthusiastic about attempting an invigorating climb to the Cottage, which incidentally happens to be the only accessible summit. The hill is riddled with groves of evergreens and vibrantly colorful flora and fauna. Nowhere in Malaysia will you witness a wide canvass of roses, dahlias, daisies, pansies, petunias, lupines and marigold abound in profusion. The cool climate also favours golden sunflowers, reputedly the largest variety in the country. To top it all there is a waterfall for cool fun.

Bird life here is plentiful. The best trail for bird watchers is the Gunung Hijau Trail, which spirals up towards the summit of Gunung Hijau, one of the peaks of the hills. The unspoilt mountain forest is also home to smaller fauna such as gibbons and squirrels, while its flora comprises species such as wild orchids, Mountain Giant Fishtail Palm and many species of bracken-like ferns. Besides leisurely strolls through verdant flower gardens or indulging on relaxation spots, visitors also have the option of playing tennis, 1115 meters above sea level, just below the clouds.

There are a few bungalows and a rest house available up the hill for rent. The costs is around RM 38 for a room to about RM 400 for a bungalow per night. The hill resort is a marvellous place for those who treasure silence and peace, and those that like to seek a sanctuary above the clouds.

For details, please contact:
Ketua Bahagian Pelancongan, Pendidikan & Seranta
Majlis Perbandaran Taiping
Tel : 05-8080777 extension 215
Fax : 05-8053928

BOA Outdoor Trails: Matang Mangrove Forest, Larut, Perak

Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is the largest single mangrove forest in Peninsular Malaysia, covering an area of 40,151ha. It is one of the world’s best well-managed mangrove swamp in Perak.

Mangrove ecosystems are highly productive and represent the life support systems for fisheries, forestry, medicine, food and other products. Within this mangrove swamp are found multitudes of tree species, birds and marine life which is a heaven to nature lovers.

Other attractions there are the charcoal ovens which produce charcoal out of selected mangrove trees, fish rearing and the picturesque fishing village.

GETTING THERE:

The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is located in the Larut Matang District, in Perak, Malaysia.For visitors coming from Kuala Lumpur, access from the North-South Highway and take Changkat-Jering Interchange (Exit 146). For visitors coming from Penang, take Exit 148 Kamunting/Taiping. Take the road towards Kuala Sepetang (Port Weld). Ask for directions if necessary. The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is about 2 km from the pekan of Kuala Sepetang.

BOA Outdoor Trails: Royal Belum, Gerik, Perak

BOA Outdoor Trails: Wildlife Conservation Center, Sungkai, Perak

Situated within the 2468 hectares at the Sungkai Wildlife Reserve, the Sungkai Wildlife Conservation Centre is a complete conservation complex run by the DWNP for the reeding of pheasants, seladand and deer. The facilities available at the centre are breeding cages for pheasants and hornbills, paddocks for the Sambar deer, paddocks for Deer, paddocks for Malayan Gaur, egg incubators, pheasant hatchling laboratory and isolation cages. All the deer and Malayan Gaur are managed intensively for breeding purpose.

There are 62 Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor), 12 Timor Deer (Cervus timorensis) and 11 Malayan Gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki) including calves and adults. In addition, there are five species of Hornbils, including the Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), the Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus) and the White-crowned Hornbill (Aceros comatus). There are also six species of pheasants that are being bred here that includes the Malayan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron malacense), Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus), the Crestless Fireback (Lophura erythropthalma), the Great Argus (Argusianus argus), the Mountain Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron inopinatum) and the Crested Fireback (Lophura ignita).

BOA Outdoor Trails: Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak

Kuala Gula is a fishing village located along the coast of Perak, approximately 50 km south west of Taiping. The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is within the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, a rich mangrove and mudflat ecosystem. Nearby is Pulau Kelumpang, an island within the reserve which is surrounded by the Selinsing River at its south east, the Kelumpang River at its north east and the ocean on its west. Pulau Kelumpang is encircled by new mudflats rich with young mangrove (Avicennia spp) trees. These mudflats are vital foraging areas for migratory species as well as nesting sites for resident species.

Diversity of Wildlife

Kuala Gula is renowned locally and internationally especially amongst birdwatchers for it is a hotspot for waterbirds, both resident and migratory species. Local as well as foreign tourists all over the world, including the United States, Australia, Europe, Japan visit Kuala Gula to observe these birds.

Each year, migratory species stop at Kuala Gula along their migratory route. There are several migratory routes worldwide, and Malaysia is within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Various waterbird/migratory species can be observed from the end of August until April the following year. Species which are classified as Endangered by the IUCN such as the Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea, Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes) and Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) can be found here. The existence of the Kuala Gula mangrove forests ensures suitable rest areas and nesting grounds for many species. Additionally, the sandbanks and mudflats are a stable source of food supply for the birds, which rely on fish, crabs, molluscs and other invertebrates for sustenance. The majority of the birds found here are protected by Malaysia’s Protection of Wild Life Act 76/72.

Based on various surveys conducted by PERHILITAN between 1984 and 2007, 192 bird species, including migratory species, have been recorded. Mammals such as squirrels, rats, bats otters, leaf monkeys, macaques, wild pigs, dolphins, leopard cats and civets can also be found here. Reptiles such as monitor lizards, pythons, watersnakes and pit vipers can also be observed.

For further information:

Director, PERHILITAN Perak
Tkt. 3, Wisma Persekutuan
Jalan Dato’ Seri Ahmad Said
Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-243 6645
Fax: 05-243 6635