Famous Malaysian National Parks

When it comes to the range of national parks in the world then one country comes forth and that is Malaysia. Its primal forests, ranging from shoreline mangrove to mountaintop oak have been attracting tourist from a long past. Natural trees and forests of this land covers almost three quarters of the land, an area equivalent to almost the entire United Kingdom. This endlessly varied environment also shelters a host of the world's rarest and most amazing animals such as the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Clouded Leopard, the Sun Bear, the Monitor Lizard, and the Orang Utan, and so on.

Archaeological data revealed that it has for tens of thousands of years been the home of nomadic forest peoples, and ancient civilizations have flourished as well as disappeared in its vastness. Not only the astonishing views of national parks the tourists can enjoy an exhaustive tour of thrills and spills during their visit--boating through swirling rapids or between emerald green islands, stalking big game and fly-fishing for giant carp, bird-watching, mountain climbing, spelunking, swimming in placid river waters, or camping amidst giant tropical trees. The most famous Malaysian National parks can be listed below.

Bako National Park
The Bako National Park covers 2,742 hectares of a rugged sand stone peninsula to the east of the Bako River near Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. Millions of years of erosion have created a coastline of steep cliffs, rocky headlands and stretches of white, sandy bays. The coastline is also dotted by a sandstone cliff vegetation characteristic of Bako. Activities: Jungle-trekking, swimming, sunbathing, bird watching are some of the important activities of the park. The park is accessible from Kuching along a 37 km road and a short ferry ride across Sungai Santubong.

Crocker Range Park
Located south of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah,Crocker Range is densely populated with wildlife and is a trekker's paradise. Primates such as orangutans, gibbons, tarsiers and pigtailed macaques, along with porcupines, bears, civet cats, marbled cats, and wild pigs roam the park freely. Hornbills, pheasants and partridges can also be seen, as well as the renowned Rafflesia, the world's largest flower. 

Endau-Rompin Park
The Endau-Rompin area covers the boundary between Johor and Pahang. Sprawling over an estimated area of almost nine hundred square kilometers, it is one of the few remaining lowland forests in Peninsular Malaysia. It encompasses the watershed of the rivers Endau and Rompin, from which it derives its name. It is advisable to acquire an entry permit before making any arrangement to visit this area.

Gunung Mulu National Park
Within the boundaries of Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak is one of the most extensive and spectacular limestone cave systems on earth, as well as the second highest mountain peak in the state. Officially constituted in 1974 and opened to the public in 1985, Gunung Mulu National Park encompasses only 544 sq. km in North Sarawak, Borneo.  Jungle-trekking and caving expeditions are the main activities in the park. 

Kenong Rimba Park
Located in the valley of the Sungai Kenong, the Kenong Rimba Park offers cave explorations, rock climbing, jungle trekking, and fishing. This is also the home of an aboriginal race called the Batak. Cave expeditions, jungle walks, mountain climbing, swimming and fishing are some of the most popular choice of the adventure lovers. It is just 5 minute walk away from the railway station (9th mile, Kuala Lipis) is the jetty of Sungai Jelai.

Kinabalu National Park
With its peak at 4,101 meters (and growing), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South-East Asia. Within this area you would found some of the richest flora in the world, ranging from lowland dipterocarp forest to the montane oak, rhododendron, and conifer forests of the middle altitudes and eventually to the alpine meadows and stunted, windswept bushes of the summit. The park is about ninety kilometers from Kota Kinabalu. The journey takes about two hours.

Kuala Gula Bird Santuary
A prime nesting site, the Kuala Gula Sanctuary in Perak has over a hundred species of birds, some of them protected. It is situated in the mangrove swamps south of Bagan Serai. The peak months for bird watching are between August and December.

Niah National Park
The Niah National Park is the site of the Niah Caves, one of the largest limestone caves in the world. The Park covers 3,102 hectares (7,756 acres) of forest and limestone. The peak of Gunung Subis, which is 394 meters high (1,294 ft), dominates the landscape. Niah National Park is accessible by road via Miri or Bintulu, 2 hours from Miri and 3 hours from Bintulu, to the Park Head quarters. 

Rantau Abang Turtle Hatchery
To halt the decline of the number of the Giant Leatherback Turtle, an endangered species, hatchery work is being carried out at Rantau Abang. Approximately 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu, Visitors would lay in wait quietly from midnight to dawn to watch the memorable sight of these Giant Leatherbacks laying their eggs.

Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary
A twenty-minute drive from Sandakan, Sabah will bring you to Sepilok Forest Reserve, a enormous area of virgin equatorial rainforest. The wealth of indigenous and rare plants, animals and birds that have found sanctuary here are to be seen to be believed.

Taman Negara National Park
Taman Negara National Park ranges from the borders of Kelantan, Terengganu to Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia. A totally protected area of 4,343 sq km, Taman Negara is one of the world's oldest tropical rain forests. From Kuala Lumpur, the road journey takes about three hours. Travel to Jerantut by way of Mentakab or Raub. From Jerantut, Kuala Tembeling is sixteen kilometers north.

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Situated just off the west shore of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, the five emerald isles that comprise this park are fringed with white sandy beaches, surrounded by the sparkling aqua waters of the South China Sea. For hiking and camping, twenty kilometers of graded nature trails weave throughout Gaya's forest, the richest of the five islands in wildlife. Trekking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, bird watching are some of the must do activities of the area.

Source:  http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/nationalparks.htm
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