Sanctuary to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, insects, and fish.

Spanning 4,343 sq. km and sprawled across the mountainous interiors of Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu is Taman Negara, Malaysia's premier national park. Formerly known as King George V National Park, the area was declared a national park by the three sultans of the above mentioned states as early as 1939 for the sole purpose of protecting and preserving the flora and fauna indigenous to this area.

This is seen as a natural move as Taman Negara is thought to be one of earth's oldest rain forest, with a history that stretches back to 130 million years ago. Undisturbed for a millennia, it maintains a natural habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, many of which have become highly specialized and are inter-linked with other species in both parasitic and symbolic ways. Although Malaysia has promoted Taman Negara as a popular tourist destination, the government has, over the years, taken careful steps to ensure its continuous conservation.

Lush riverine vegetation and trees that form a giant canopy above you plays a warm welcome to the start of a great adventure into an unknown and mysterious world that is reputably older than that of the Congo and Amazon.

Within this area, around the central masif of Gunung Tahan (the Peninsula's highest peak at 2,187 meters), there are countless limestone hills covered in thick forest, fast running streams, and abundant wildlife. Mind you, the rain forest is not a quiet place. In some respects it is as noisy as any big city with a cacophony of insect noises, bird calls, and animal cries that goes on night and day. This makes it a particularly favorable destination for trekking as the park's biodiversity is matched by a good network of jungle trails and the availability of expert guides.

The PARK AT A GLANCE

Size : 4,343 sq. km.

Highest Point : Gunung Tahan (2,187 meters).

Flora Fauna : Over 10,000 species of plants, 350 species of birds. Local mammals include mouse deer, barking deer, tapirs, wild boars, elephants, leopards, tigers, and monkeys.

Recreation : Bird watching, cave exploration, jungle trekking, white-water rafting, fishing, guided nature walks, mountain climbing, and more.