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.