Taman Negara Kuala Tahan, Jerantut (Pahang, Malaysia)

Taman Negara or National Park was established in Malaysia in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after independence, which literally means "national park" in Malay. The total area of Taman Negara is 4,343 km²which encompasses three states, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.


Photo : Myself with friends at Taman Negara gateway.

The main attraction in Taman Negara :
1) Gunung Tahan (Tahan Mountain)
Gunung Tahan is the highest point of the Peninsular; climbers can use Kuala Tahan (Jerantut, Pahang) or Merapoh (Kuala Lipis, Pahang) as their departure point. Taman Negara is the home of some rare mammals, such as the Indochinese Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Gaur (seladang) and Asian Elephant. Tahan River has been preserved to protect the Malaysian mahseer (ikan kelah in Malay), a type of game fish.

2) Sungai Tembeling (Tembeling River)
Sungai Tembeling is the waterway to Taman Negara. Some people will also call this river as Sungai Pahang (Pahang River) or Sungai Tahan (Tahan River). This river is ideal place to fishing especially Ikan Kelah (Malaysian Mahseer). But, you are not allowed to fishing inside Taman Negara area, except you are given special permit by Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Photo : Myself during boating along Pahang River toward Taman Negara.


3) Canopy Walkway
Canopy walkway in Taman Negara is the most nature and longest hanging bridge in the world. Im not sure the fees to climb the canopy, if im not mistaken the fee is RM5.00 per person. I can guarantee, you will claim again next time. But, please forget to claim this canopy if you are too 'chickening' of height and possibilities of reptiles such as snake in you walkway.

Photo : Myself walking along the longest canopy walkway in Taman Negara

4) Others
You can also visit and have memorable experience while boating at Lata Berkoh (Berkoh Rapids), exploring Gua Telinga (Telinga Cave), enjoy the tropical rain forest and birdwatching or jungle trekking.

Transportation :
1) By road. If you like adventure or too afraid of water, may be you can choose to go there by road, but only using 4X4 vehicle. Some people will say its Ok to go the by normal car, but believe me the road from Jerantut to Kuala Tahan using normal vehicle is terrible as I have the experience last October 2007 (Ignored and forgive me if the related authority already upgraded the road).

2) By river. This is recommended way to Taman Negara if you are real naturist (love nature). You can using normal Tembeling Jetty at Kuala Tembeling (Jerantut, Pahang) or Mutiara Taman Negara Jetty (if you booked a trip with them).

Accomodation :
You can choose to stay in hotels, motels, chalets or you even camping in the camping site provided by Taman Negara authorities. Im not recommended anyplace because im used to stay in my foster family in Kampung Bantal or I just have my one day trip here because im local (even now im working in Selangor).

Reminder / Important!
All visitors to the Taman Negara must get permits from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

For details please visit :
www.taman-negara-nks.com
www.jerantut.com

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