It would be difficult to overstate the attraction of Malaysia for anyone who appreciates the natural world. Its primal forests, ranging from shoreline mangrove to mountaintop oak, are of the sort that most of the world now knows only in myth. One can walk for hundreds of miles in Malaysia under a continuous canopy of green, marveling at an abundance of plant and animal species equaled by no other location in the entire world.
A single half-kilometer plot of land in Borneo's lowland dipterocarp forest, for example, may well contain more than eight hundred different species of trees alone, a stunning degree of variety that pales, however, in comparison to the profusion and diversity of flowers, birds, ferns, and insects. This endlessly varied environment also shelters a host of the world's rarest and most remarkable animals: the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Clouded Leopard and Malaysian Tiger, the Sun Bear, the Monitor Lizard, and the Orang Utan, or "man of the forest," are just a few examples.
Where to go
Batang Ai National Park, Sarawak
You can travel by boat up the rivers that flow into the lake or trek on the jungle trails looking for the wildlife. On your travels you can stay at Iban longhouses and sample their traditional way of life.
Endau-Rompin Johor National Park, Johor
When you feel a yearning for space, and the urge overtakes you to toss that deadline, ditch your handphone and take a break, it's time to pack your bags and experience the thrill of nature!
Mount Arong Recreational Forest, Johor
A tranquil lowland and shady forest with crystal clear river water, this forest lies 17km from Mersing and 22km from Endau along the Mersing - Endau road.
Mount Kinabalu/Kinabalu Park, Sabah
The park is known for the abundance and diversity of its plant life with over 1,200 species of flora and fauna. It was gazetted to preserve the valuable natural heritage encompassed within the mountains and its natural environment.
Niah National Park, Sarawak
The Niah National Park is world famous for the oldest human remains in South-East Asia found in its Great Caves dating back some 40,000 years.
Penang National Park, Penang
Tucked in the northwest corner of Penang Island is the world's smallest national park. The 1,213-hectare metropolitan national park may be tiny but it packs a punch hosting a wealth of flora and fauna within its hilly coastal-forested area.
Similajau National Park, Sarawak
With long sandy beaches, geological formations and rainforest treks, Similajau, just 20km northeast of Bintulu offers a host of activities from trekking to birdwatching and coastal and river cruises.
Taman Negara, Pahang
Straddling the borders of Pahang, Terenggganu and Kelantan, Taman Negara is a totally protected area of 4,343 sq. km. and is home to one of richest and most complex ecosystems in the world.
Crocker Range National Park, Sabah
This national park is situated in the rugged Crocker Range is crisscrossed with numerous streams and waterfalls. It offers fantastic opportunities for mountain climbing, trekking, bird watching and animal sightings
