Malaysia is a country full of wonders: from the East-meets-West wonders of Kuala Lumpur, to the colonial charm of old-world Melaka, but for adventurous travelers, a trip to Taman Negara cannot be missed.
Taman Negara, Malaysia’s biggest national park, has a total area of 4,343 km², and is fast becoming a major draw for eco-tourists from around the world. The park is home to an astonishing array of natural life, including the Indochinese Tiger, Macaques, Sumatran Rhinoceros, and Asian Elephants. But trekking deep enough into the jungle to spot them is not for the faint-hearted.
Tips for Trekking in the Jungle
Inside Taman Negara there are many well marked hiking paths, ranging from the relatively easy and short 4km trek to the Teresek View Point, to a massive 110km trek to Gunung Tahan, that can take anywhere up to 9 days.
To pick the perfect trek for any fitness level, the first port of call is the tourist information office in the head quarters, just inside the park. Maps, advice and permits (it is illegal to enter the forest without one) are available here, and the friendly staff are happy to help trekkers decide what routes they should take. For the very brave hiking aficionados who want to sleep in the jungle, it is possible to hire camping equipment and book a night’s stay in one of the park’s hides at the office as well.
Before setting off on any trek, even the very shortest, trekkers must ensure they have the following:
- A sturdy pair of hiking book: the terrain here is tricky, especially after the rain, flip-flops are a big no-no and sneakers wont cut it.
- Water, and lots of it is almost impossible to imagine how hot it gets in the rainforest, even on a cloudy day, and trekkers will have to work hard to stay hydrated. A minimum of 1.5 liters per person, per day is required, but twice that amount is recommended.
- Insect repellent: Deet is the most effective form of repellent to keep the beasties away, but there is controversy over potential side effects. Natural alternatives are available in any pharmacy in Malaysia and in the park HQ.
- Food: high energy snack bars and some fruit for shorter journeys, and more substantial meals for long treks. If sleeping the jungle, rent a stove from the tourist office and bring some noodles or baked beans.
- Sunscreen: getting burnt is no-one’s idea of fun and can lead to heat exhaustion.
- Emergency supplies: flash light, cell phone, and a first aid kit. It is highly unlikely that any serious mishaps will happen, but be like the boy scouts and come prepared just in case.
When to go to Taman Negara
Avoiding the rainy season makes a trip to Taman Negara much more enjoyable. The driest time to go is between February and September, with most tourists arriving in August.
How to stop Leeches
All trekkers must resign themselves to this fact: it is impossible to complete a hike without being attacked by leeches.
However, measures can be taken to prevent the bloodsuckers from being entirely successful. Covering skin with repellents, such as Deet or tobacco (that’s right, ordinary tobacco), can work for a little while, but frequent re-application is necessary because trekkers will sweat profusely from every pore.
There is some debate about covering your legs versus wearing shorts. Trousers will stop some of the fiends from getting to tasty leg flesh, but inevitably some will make their way through. Wearing shorts makes it much easier to spot the beasts and remove them. Leech socks are available to buy in the park shop, and are quite an effective barrier, but remember, leeches can fall onto your arms from trees, and will wiggle as far up your legs as they need to in order to get to unprotected skin (leeches on the derrière are not unheard of!).
Removing leeches is also problematic. Pulling them off can leave teeth in the skin, causing the small open wounds to become infected. Smothering the affected area with Vaseline will make the bloodsucker drop off, as will burning them. Or, simply letting them drop off once they have had their fill is perfectly safe: leeches do not carry any harmful diseases.
How to Spot Wildlife in the Jungle
Many visitors will be disappointed to hear that seeing any rare animals in the jungle is highly unlikely: they are wild animals and the park is not a zoo. But, for people determined to glimpse an elephant or tiger, the best chances are by staying overnight in one of the park’s hides.
There are several hides in the park, at various distances from the head quarters. The further away they are from civilization, the greater your chance of spotting something. The hides themselves consist of wooden huts overlooking popular animal hangouts, such as salt licks. They are not luxurious: wooden beds, no running water, rats, cockroaches and no electricity are among some of the problems.
To spot any animals, it is imperative to remain very, very quiet, and stay up late into the night. Animals are naturally scared of humans, so chatting into the night is a sure fire way to send them running in the opposite direction.
Remember, seeing any wildlife is not guaranteed, but even if you don’t spot anything exotic, the trip itself is a wonderful and unforgettable experience, through some of the world’s greatest natural scenery.
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