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The Endau Rompin National Park situated on the Johor-Pahang border is one of the most prized sites for nature enthusiasts and conservationists, due to the extensive wildlife and pristine environment. This rich tropical forest land spreads out over an extensive area of nearly 820 square meters and is the Malaysian Peninsula's second largest national park after Taman Negara further north.
The Endau Rompin National Park can be reached from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore by road, although it is advisable to use a four-wheel-drive as the journey can get bumpy as you go off-road. This is all part of the rural experience and should be savored as part of your trip!
Both wildlife experts and nature fans will be able to spot rare and endangered animal and plant species as well as admire spectacular rock formations that date back to nearly 250 million years. This extensive sandstone plateau is characteristically hilly and meandered by numerous rivers, including the Jasin River, the Selai River and the Endau River.
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We believe the best way to visit the park is to include a day trip around your trip to wider Malaysia, particularly if you're in close geographical proximity (a neighboring state or Kuala Lumpur itself). Plan in advance and consider using either local guides, who are a great source of information and can show visitors the best locations where the rarer animals can be seen and other sites of interest, or plan a day trek through the park yourself. For many the best means of reaching the park will be via your own car, but look for the SUV or 4x4 equivalent option and seek out a reliable map before departure.
A top tip from the MalaysiaExplorer.net team for avoiding an arduous car journey is to base yourself in Mersing on the South China Sea coastline before adventuring into the park. Mersing is a beautiful, quaint and authentic destination relatively untouched by the beaten tourist trail. The accommodation here is also exceptional and the scenery equally beautiful. Pick in advance a day or two forecasted for good weather and take the short coastal car ride north to Endau before hopping on a boat up the river to the park itself. The journey alone can be a breathtaking adventure!
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After an adventure in the jungle retire to the luxury and beauty of Mersing's stunning Berjaya Suites (pictured on shoreline) - MalaysiaExplorer.net's top-pick resort. |
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The national park and forest opening was relatively recent, which means that the roads and paths are not always easy to access. The rugged trails, however, are a major draw for those who love to go off the beaten track on a trip. A permit is needed to enter the park and is issued by the National Park (Johor) Corporation. This is of course to preserve the pristine environment form human destruction. However, it is easy to obtain a permit on arrival, but you should be aware that fishing and environmental research work is limited to certain specified areas.
Things to see & do: Wildlife
The Endau Rompin National Park is the sanctuary of a large number of Sumatran rhinoceros, indeed the population of these rare animals is one of the largest in the country. Another rare species, this time belonging to the plant world, is the striking Livistona Endauensis a large fan-like palm tree typical of the park grounds.
Entering the park
You can enter the park through two main sites, the Nitar, a Felda Plantation program and the Kampong Peta. If you choose to enter the park form the Nitar entrance the best way to reach this point is by taking a boat ride up the River Endau to avoid traversing thick and difficult to navigate jungle terrain. If you want to get to the park by land, then the Kampong Peta is the best choice. However, it is quite a trek through dense tropical jungle vegetation, along remote paths and through palm oil and rubber plantations, but it is well worth the adventure due to the spectacular views and unique encounters, not to mention the sheer beauty of this pristine environment. The distance from the Pahang and the Kampong entrance is a little over 50 kilometers, the latter of which is also known for its Orang Asli settlement, the oldest and most remote aboriginal settlement in Johor.
Trekking & Outdoors
The park offers nearly thirty kilometers of trekking paths to choose from that take visitors through jungle wilderness, across rivers and under magnificent waterfalls. Large and small animals inhabit the park, including elephants and wild boar to name a few. The park also contains tiger habitat. Seeing these animals in the wild is truly fascinating, but carefully follow park guidelines and advice at all times to ensure safety. There are a few campsites, but with day treks you can fully appreciate the natural wonders and outdoor adventure without having to sleep outdoors at night. The Malaysian Nature Society often organizes guided tours in the park with different levels of difficulty. It is well worth taking a guide as the park is veiled by mysterious myths and legends which have been passed on through the centuries, one of which is the Upih Guling legend on the trek towards the Buaya Sangkut waterfall.
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Two good treks you can try are the Kuala Marong and the Batu Hampar, which are easy to moderate choices. The first trek will take visitors for a two-hour tour starting at the Kuala Jasin Base Camp where fish nurseries can be found and nature-centered facilities. There is also a turquoise lagoon known as the Tasik Air Biru near the base camp, providing an ideal site to cool down and relax.
The Batu Hampar is a little more demanding and leads trekkers from the Kuala Jasin up to the Buaya Sangkut waterfall taking around four hours. This path is mostly flat land, apart from the final climb up to the waterfall, and along the way you will be welcomed by the gushing roar of the Upeh Guling another spectacular waterfall.
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Complete your trip with our travel essentials checklist: Tours, Flights and Car Rental
- Tailor all aspects of your holiday or visit to Mersing with comprehensive tour and package choices.
- Read our top tips on car rental to ensure you choose a suitable vehicle at a good price.
- Our guide to Malaysia flights is packed with advice and pointers on finding the best routes and super deals.
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