Endau Rompin National Park, Malaysia

Endau-Rompin National Park is the second designated national park in Peninsular Malaysia. And rightly so, as it contains the one of world's oldest rainforests and the volcanic rocks there date back 240 million years. Its name is derived from the two rivers through the park; the Endau river in the south in the state of Johor and the Rompin river in the state of Pahang in the north. It also has some unique flora and fauna, including the endangered Sumatran Rhino. It has some of Malaysia's best waterfalls namely Buaya Sangkut, Upeh Guling and Batu Hampar all within 2 hours trek of each other. Also you'll get a chance to meet the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia, known locally as Orang Asli. The major tribe that call the park home is the Jakun.

A proper trip to see all the major highlights of Endau-Rompin National Park should take 3 days. Of course it's not hard to spend a week to get lost amidst the breathtaking rivers and forests. Unless you're an experienced jungle trekker, it's best to stick to the packages offered – the Johor National Parks Corporation organises the most reasonably priced ones.

History

The Orang Hulu (Indigenous people) of the area tells a story of an old crocodile that lived in the pools above the waterfall. One day it floated downriver and got itself trapped between the boulders where its body formed the cascades of the fall. (buaya = crocodile, sangkut = trapped). Another less popular story but entertaining all the same tells of a family who lived by the banks of Sungai Jasin. The father dreamt of his son's death in the jaws of a crocodile that lived in the river. He took it as a warning and with that, moved his family upstream. The recurring dream drove the family further upstream pass the waterfall. True to the premonitions of these dreams, the crocodile had followed them. On climbing the fall, the croc lodged itself between the boulders and the father took this opportune moment to kill it. He made a drum from the leather of the crocodile and hung the drum high in the house. One day as the son was playing below the drum, it fell on him killing him instantly.

Flora and Fauna

Botanists have found many new species of flora and fauna along the stream and on the nearby hills in Endau-Rompin National Park. The most spectacular of the discoveries was the fan palm species, characteristic of the ridge and hilltop, named the Livistona Endauensis dominating the forest on the plateau of Gunong Janing Barat. Others interesting plants include the ‘Rhopa Coblaste’, more commonly know as the climbing bamboo, and the walking stick palm or ‘Phychorapis Singaporensis’, identified by its slender stems and feather-like leaf fronds, and many varieties of toadstools and orchids.

The Park teems with wildlife - tigers, elephants and wild boar, and the largest surviving population of Sumatran rhinoceros, which is highly protected and endangered. The only ape species of the area, the binturong (Arctictis binturong) and the white-handed gibbon are also found here. Housing the chirping drongos, hornbills and argus pheasant; the forest is also home to butterflies and fruit piercing moths belonging to the ‘othreis’species. Recent research also found of one of the world’s smallest dragonfly named Nannophya Pygmea.

Nature Study

Given the diverse variety of species and habitats in the area, this can be a very absorbing activity indeed. Inhale the heady perfume of the ‘Mussaendra mutabilis’, a woody climbing plant with fragrant flowers, used in traditional scents for the hair and cloths. Observe how the famous pitcher plant traps the unwary insect within its enticing water-filled sacs. See how millions on ants make their homes in tiny chambers.

Getting there and away

From Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru by the North-South Highway, on reaching Kluang, detour to Kahang town. There, a four-wheel drive vehicle will take you on a 56 km jungle track to Kampung Peta, the Visitors’ Centre and the point of entry to the National Park; or 3 hours journey by boat from Felda Nitar II.

There are two entry points to the Park, Kampung Peta and Nitar. The former is located 56km from Pahang Visitors would have to traverse through rubber and oil palm plantations, as well as dense jungle along dirt tracks to the base camp. From Nitar, a Felda Plantation scheme, the Park can be reached after an 8 hour boat ride along the Endau River. Kampung Peta is also the most remote Orang Asli (aboriginal) settlement in Johor.

CAMERON HIGHLAND (Travel and Tips)

CAMERON HIGHLAND

The refreshingly cool climate of the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia’s most expansive hill station, comes as a blessed relief from the sweltering tropical fug of lower altitudes on the peninsula. This hilly, lush upland area is famous for its tea plantations, the first of which was established in 1929. You can visit the Boh Sungai Palas Tea Estate to find out about the history of the plant’s cultivation in the visitors center, then sip and buy some of the flavorsome product. There are lovely views of the countryside from the Robertson Rose Garden and various attractive buildings such as the Chinese Sam Poh Temple and the Indian Sri Tehndayuthapany Swamy Temple, both in the settlement of Brinchang, which has a good night market on Saturdays. The Highland’s main town, however, is Tanah Rata, which has a decent range of accommodations and information services to help you sort out treks and tours. There are 13 hiking trails to follow and for some of them you’ll need a guide. More agriculture-tourism opportunities exist with bee, butterfly and strawberry farms all open to visitors, or you can make a round of the 18-hole golf course at the luxury Cameron Highlands Resort. On the way up to the Highlands pause at the pretty waterfall Lata Iskandar.

Here are some tips when traveling to cameron highland ..

When to visit Cameron Highlands
The best time to visit Cameron Highlands is during the off peak season or during the weekdays. It can get really crowded here with during the school holiday weekends and festive holidays and traffic can get really bad especially around the towns and tourist spots. Driving from Tapah or Ipoh can also take twice as long during these times.

Road Travel 
Be careful when driving to Cameron Highlands especially if you are a first timer. There are a lot of trucks and buses on the roads here most of the time. Overtaking can be a challenge especially on the Tapah-CH road. If you are not confident, just follow the vehicle in front you at a slow speed. Usually the local trucks and buses will signal for you to overtake when it is safe. During the rainy season, you can expect small rocks and tree branches on the roads.

If you are an inexperienced driver, avoid travelling at night if possible since there are no street light all along the way and there is very limited mobile phone coverage.

Petrol StationsMake sure you have at least half tank of fuel before you start your journey from the expressway exit. Petrol stations in Cameron Highlands are only available in the following towns :

• Ringlet - Shell & Petronas
• Brinchang - Shell & Petronas

The townsTanah Rata - This is where most of the smaller hotels, lodges and guest houses are located. Tanah Rata is generally more quiet and less crowded even during the peak season and it is the spot most backpackers prefer to stay. If you want to enjoy some peace and quiet, this is the place to stay.

Brinchang - Weekend night maket is located here and its only 5-10 minutes drive to the Kea Farm area. Traffic and parking can be a big problem during the peak season. This is the place to stay if you dont mind the crowd.

What to Wear
These days, you can make do with shorts and t-shirt during the day. The temperature can drop in the late evenings or when it rains and a light jacket would come in handy during times like this. Generally it can get very cold at night especially during the rainy season.

If you are planning to spend most of your day in the outdoors, do carry an umbrella with you or get one of those disposable plastic raincoat as it rains a lot here.

Credit Card
Credit cards are accepted in most big hotels. You may not be able use credit cards at smaller hotels and almost all of the restaurants here. You may want to check whether your credit card is accepted by looking for the credit card signs at the entrance.

Price of goods
Prices for general goods and food in Cameron Highlands is almost the same as anywhere else in West Malaysia. Some restaurants tend to overcharge especially during peak season. This is more common in Brinchang where most of the restaurants which caters to tourists are located.

Banks & Money Changers
The following banks can be found in Cameron Highlands:

Tanah Rata	- Maybank (This bank also operates a money changer which is open 7 days a week) - HSBC - Bank Simpanan - Hong Leong Ban - CIMB Bank - Bank Pertanian
Brinchang	- Public Bank
Ringlet	- CIMB Bank

Banks are only open Mondays through Fridays and generally only between the hours of 9.00am to 4.30pm. All banks above have ATM machines to cater for after-hours transactions.