Gunung Mulu National Park (National Park, Mountain)

Gunung Mulu National Park

Gunung (Mountain) Mulu National Park is a lush tropical jungle home to longest network of caves and magnificent pinnacles situated in Mulu, on the island of Borneo, the State of Sarawak, Malaysia. The park was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2000 because of its biological significance and limestone karst features.The park is also dominated by three mountains, Gunung Mulu 2,376m, Gunung Api 1,750m, Gunung Benarat 1,585m where more experienced cavers can arrange for challenging caving activities here

Getting to Gunung Mulu National Park

Because of its geographical location, the only practical way of getting to Mulu is by air. MASwings, a subsidiary company of Malaysian Airline Services operates direct flight to Mulu from Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri flying on ATR72-500 aircraft. If you really love nature and can’t depart from it, you may choose the much longer route through the river from Miri, which will take 10 to 12 hours of boat ride, where as the plane takes only 30 minutes.

Where to eat and sleep

There are 3 types of accommodations to choose from if you start your activities from the park Headquarters (HQ). Royal Mulu Resort offers 3-star resort accommodation sits in the middle of rainforest only 5 minutes drive to the park. This place is suitable for honeymoon treat, family vacation and travelers travelling on higher budget seeking for resort activities, nature and comfort. Buffet breakfast and dinner are usually included in the package. A la carte menu is only available during lunchtime. There’s also one small privately run restaurant outside the resort.

National Park HQ provides accommodations within the park area as well. This is the most convenient way of exploring the park without any transportation arrangement and you need to pay park entrance fee RM10 (USD3) one time only on the first day. Re-entry fee is chargeable on daily basis to those who stay outside the park.  Foods are easily available at Cafe Mulu which owned by the park.

There are upcoming privately run lodges outside the park area. Mulu River Lodge is one of them, literally a stone throw away from the park entrance is offering RM35 per bed inclusive of breakfast. It has long house concept with a role of single bed arranged against the wall and certain sections have curtains served as partitions. Next to the lodge is Sweetwater Restaurant runs by the same owner serving local food, local rice wine and beer. Currently bookings are only available via the phone or walk-in.

Best time to visit

Mulu National Park is open all year round. You can’t possibly avoid the rain because it is sitting in the tropical rainforest and it rains almost 280 days per year in Mulu.  So there is no perfect timing to visit except to coincide with the blossoming season in June-September (can be considered the driest months), where you’ll see more birds and animals around. Do bear in mind of the great influx of tourists and booking ahead is necessary for guides and accommodations especially for independent travelers.

·         Experiencing UNESCO World Heritage Site

Caves: Mulu National Park is famous for its four show caves (Deer, Langs, Clearwater and Wind). Each caves are unique and has its own beauty. Deer Cave is the largest cave in the world and home to over millions of bats and swiftlets. If the weather permits, visitors may witness bat exodus at bat observatory outside Deer Cave in the evening. During my visit, the bats didn’t come out for 2 days and only managed to see it on the 3rd day. As the name suggests- “show caves”, the normal route leading to the caves are accessible by the convenience of concrete pathway and wooden plank walkway. Very tourists-friendly and I mean extremely tourists-friendly despite the flight of stairs you have to climb. If you’re up for squeezing between rocks and getting yourself dirty, you MUST go for adventure caving ranging from introduction, intermediate and advanced level to avoid extreme disappointment.

Nature Walk: There are few sites cater for short day trips out from Park HQ. Discover the world’s longest canopy walk (480meters), night walk along Kerangas and Lowland Riverine Forest, medicine plant trail, Paku waterfall and trekking through the Camp 1 trail. If you pay closer attention to your surroundings, you’ll find these living organism around you (as shown above).

Boat Ride: You may experience the longboat ride going to the Clearwater and Wind Caves. The boat stops at Batu Bungan Village, a Penan longhouse settlement and a small handicraft market is open everyday except Sunday. Besides that, make a trip down to Long Langsat stream and enjoy the crystal clear river and a swim.

Challenging Treks, Trails and Climbs: There are 3 challenging overnight trekking activities to choose from,The Pinnacles, The Headhunter’s Trail, Gunung Mulu Summit Trek. An alternative to climbing can be replaced by Kerangas Forest Walk or Melinau Gorge from Camp 5.

·         Arranging your trip

You may arrange your trip with tour operators or directly arrange with the Park HQ. Bookings are necessary to avoid disappointment as some of the activities must be accompanied by guides. If you’re on a budget, independent tour (booking directly with the park) is possible and can be done at a much lower price.  If you plan to stay with Royal Mulu Resort and looking for convenience, the resort will take care of that through their activities tour packages.

Niah (National Park)

Niah National Park

One of the main attractions in Miri - Niah Caves is located on Sungai Niah or Niah River. It is situated around 3km from the small town of BatuNiah and is situated an estimated distance of 110km from Miri city. Niah Caves is located further down to the road from Lambir Hills National Park.

The huge Niah Caves was gazette as a National Park in the year of 1975. The cave consists of one big cave with the name of (The Great Cave) and several smaller caves including the popular Painted Cave and The Large Chamber or Padang. The Great Cave is easy to access as there are plank walks built for tourists to walk on. While walking all the way into the Great Cave, different species of trees and plants with beautiful tropical rainforest are to be seen around you. Wildlife is to be seen around too such as lizards, butterflies and various kinds of birds flying just above you. If you are lucky, you may spot one or two hornbills.

After you went deep into the Great Cave, you can hear birds chirping and see the bird nests above the corner of the caves. After a back passage of the Great Cave, you lead yourself to The Painted Cave. In the Painted Cave, there are paintings carved all over on the wall of the caves and the ancient burial site of the 'death ship' is in the cave. The 'death ship' is the boat - like coffins that were used to contain the bodies of the dead back in those years. The 'death ship' has been transferred to Sarawak Museum and so what is left to see there is the burial ground of the coffins. If you were to visit the caves during August to December and January to March, you most probably have the chance to experience and watch how the locals collect the birds' nests with very high bamboo ladders. Niah Caves is definitely a perfect place for nature lovers and will work well as a one day trip.

Most visitors make their visit to the Niah Caves as a one day trip. However, if you want to explore more of the caves, there is accommodation offered in the National Park. Well equipped chalets and dorms are up for your selections to spend your nights. You do not even have to worry of your food as there is a cafeteria which offers local and western cuisines. If you want to get some junk food or can food, you can go for a walk in the shopping malls in Miri town. There are quite a number of shopping malls around such as Boulevard Shopping Mall, Imperial Mall and Bintang Mall.

How to get there

As Niah Caves is located between Miri and Bintulu, you can take a taxi to the National Park in either city. From Miri, take the bus Suria from Miri Bus Station. The ride is about 2 hours tops. From Bintulu, take also the bus Suria from Bintulu Bus Station. However, the ride from Bintulu will be longer at around 3 hours tops.

URL:

http://sarawak.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Niah-Cave.php

Penang Botanic Garden

Penang Botanic Gardens

The Penang Botanic Gardens, more popularly known as the "Waterfall Gardens", was established by the British way back in 1884 from an old quarry site. The beautiful grounds and the tranquility of the gardens have long been enjoyed and admired by millions of visitors. Besides being the arboretum living plants specimens, it is also the seat of botanical conservation, education and training. The Gardens also play an important role in the field of horticulture and landscaping development. The Gardens were founded in 1884 by Charles Curtis from the Gardens and Forests Departments Straits Settlements. As the first Curator, Curtis was a devoted plant lover who tirelessly transformed the granite quarry into a garden, and greatly contributed to the botanical and horticulture development of the Gardens.

Walking around the Gardens, one cannot miss the Cannon Ball Tree (Couropita guanensis) and the large buttress roots of the Sengkuang Tree (Dracanta melondao). Look out for the Pinang Palm (Areca catechu) that lent its name to the island of Penang, and the Black Lily (Taccaintegrifalia) with its unique purplish-black coloured flowers. The endemic Slipper Orchid (Paphio pedilum barbatum) and the ginger, Geoctachys penangensis, can also be found here.

Look out also for the wildlife inhabiting the gardens. Commonly seen are the long-tailed Macaques, Dusky Leaf Monkeys, Black Giant Squirrels and a myriad of insects and butterflies.

From afar, one could catch a view of the famous waterfall up on the hills above the reservoir.

Some useful guidelines:

1) it is important to respect the plants and animals here. Please do not remove, damage, or intentionally disturb them.

2) Keep the grounds clean at all times. Do not litter. You can also help us by picking up any rubbish that you come across during your walk.

3) Stay on established trails.

4) Do not start fires.

5) Observe and listen to the voices of your natural surrounding. Appreciate nature without disturbing it with loud noises. Please also refrain from using any audio equipment.

How to get there

By car or bus. The garden is about 8km from town centre. Parking is available for vehicles at several car parks just outside the Garden entrance.

URL:

http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/portal3/what-to-see/nature-attraction-and-beauty/botanical-garden.html

Lambir hills, miri serawak (National Park)

Lambir Hills National Park

The famed Lambir Hills National Park is located along the Miri-Bintulu road, 36 km south-west of Miri town in Sarawak, East Malaysia. It was gazetted as a park in 1975, and covers an area of 6,952 hectares. 

There are around 1,173 tree species in the park alone, with 286 genera and 81 tree families making Lambir one of the more diversified forests in Malaysia. Wild animals can also be found in the deeper parts of the park, especially monkeys, sun bear, pangolin and bats. 

It is best to visit the park in the morning, as there would be ample time to go along the various trails in the park. The main attraction of the park is its beautiful waterfalls, the nearest just a mere 0.18 km is Latak Waterfall. It is a 20 minutes walk from the Park office. If you stop to look at the wonderful forest flora and fauna along the way, it would probably take longer. 

Before entering the park, register yourself at the Park office where the guide will explain some necessary safety rules before entering the park. If you are going to the waterfalls further ahead, it is best to go early in the morning as the journey will take several hours.The guide will also advise that visitors to the park exit the park grounds by 5 pm as the gates to the park will be closed at this time. 

Other waterfalls in the park are ones on the Pantu trail such as the Pantu and Nibong waterfalls. It takes up to two hours journey to reach the falls. Then there are the Pancur, Tengkorong and Dinding waterfalls along the BakamTrail.The other primary trails are Main and Lepoh-Ridan. There are other trails in the park, of which further information can be obtained from the park office. 

There is even a 22-metre Tree Tower is situated on the Pantu Trail, about a kilometre from the Park Office. Visitors can climb and view the scenic Dipterocarp forest profile. It is also an excellent place for bird watching. 

Come visit Lambir Hills National Park and experience one of natures best natural wonders.

How to get there

By Air

Malaysia Airlines dan Air Asia flies to Miri on a daily basis.

By Road

Lambir Hills National Park is about a 30 minutes drive from Miri Town, via the Miri- Bintulu road. There are public transportations to the park from the city. Visitors can also opt to take the commercial buses en-route to BatuNiah, Bintulu, Tinjar, Bakong or Bekenu bazaars. The buses depart from WismaPelitaTunku in Miri. Visitors may opt to join organised trips from travel agents departing Miri city early in the morning, and returning to Miri after lunch.

Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary (Animal & nature)

Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary

The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is situated in Kerian of the state of Perak. It was in 1970 that the park was established by the Wildlife and National Parks to protect migratory and resident species of birds.

Its main objective of the sanctuary is to safeguard migratory and resident species birds which have been occupying the wetland area for a long time. The mudflat area is used by the migratory birds to feed and to rest during their migratory route from the northern to the southern hemisphere. 48 species from eight families of birds visit Kuala Gula from September to April every year. Their numbers are no less than tens of thousands each year.

Some of these birds even come from Siberia in Russia, Kazakhstan, Japan, China and Mongolia. The mangrove swamp forest and mudflat of Kuala Gula are not only essential for migratory birds but also for the 600 families of fishermen who rely solely on the mangrove forests and marine ecosystem for their livelihood. Fishermen here make a living by either being involved in cockle farming, aquaculture, crabs, shrimp and fishing.

Eco-tourism is slowly gaining popularity in Kuala Gula. This will slowly aid in helping fisherman make a better living in the near future. Last year alone, Kuala Gula received 5000 visitors. The fishermen living around the mangrove swamp forest have made ends meets within the natural ecosystem of the forest for many decades. The dependence on the swamp forest will continue to grow in the next generations to come.

The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary has won the "Best Tourist Attraction (Natural Attraction)" category during the Malaysia Tourism Awards, a prestigious award presented to agencies and organisations which contribute to the development of tourism in Malaysia.

How to get there

By road

Although the bird sanctuary is in the state of Perak, it is actually easier to get to it from Butterworth (Penang). Take the North-South Expressway south from Butterworth (Penang) for about 30 minutes, then turn off at Jawi for the town of Kuala Kurau. Another 30 minutes onwards and you should see the signs for the sanctuary.

URL:

http://perak.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Kuala-Gula-Bird-Sanctuary.php

Tasik Kenyir, Trengganu (Lake)

Kenyir Lake

Tasik Kenyir is the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia, spanning 260,000 hectares. It is also Malaysia's largest rock filled hydroelectric dam. When the area was flooded, most of the hills were above the water level, thus creating about 340 man-made islands.The rainforest that cradles the area furnishes the lake with an incredible assortment of flora and fauna. These include rare ferns, exotic orchids, hornbills, elephants, and panthers. It is also home to more than 8,000 species of flowers, 2,500 species of plants and trees, 800 species of orchids, and 300 species of fungus. 

It is a popular retreat for nature lovers as it is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. It is also an anglers haven as the lake is home to hundreds of species of freshwater fish like Baung,Toman,Kelisa,Lampam and Kelah. Surrounded by a vast tropical jungle, the lake area is a popular spot for angling, boating, canoeing, jungle- trekking, 4WD driving and golfing. 

Accommodation varies from a 3 star resort, chalets on the islands, floating resort or houseboats where rooms and meals are provided. The houseboat travels to waterfalls and fishing sites providing an exhilarating adventure for nature lovers. Tasik Kenyir is also a gateway to Taman Negara through Tanjung Mentong. 

How to get there

By Car

There are several alternative routes to go to Kenyir Lake. If you travel by car from Kuala Lumpur, head to Ajil through Karak Highway to Jerengau-Jabor Highway then onwards to Kenyir. Another alternative route is to take the coastal road through Kemaman, Dungun, Kuala Terengganu and then on to Kenyir Lake.

By Air

Fly with either Malaysian Airlines or Air Asia. They operate regular flights to the Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). From the Sultan Mahmud Airport, you could take a taxi straight to TasikKenyir. The fare is about RM 60.00, or if you are heading to Kuala Berang the fare is about RM30.00.

By Boat

There are a number of boat operators at the Gawi Jetty, who can take you using their fibre glass or double decked houseboats, across Tasik Kenyir. It is advisable to make prior bookings. Some travel agencies offer tour packages.