Rainforest fun in Malaysia

If you are taking a break in the tropics, one of the most stimulating activities you can undertake is exploring a lush rainforest.

In Malaysia, wannabe explorers will discover one of the world's most beautiful and striking rainforests, the Taman Negara, one of the great natural wonders of the world.

The oldest rainforest in the world according to some, the Taman Negara in east Malaysia has been a conservation area for more than 60 years and is the country's largest and most visited national park.

The vast lush forests cover some 4,343 square kilometres, spanning the states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahan, meaning its delights are accessible from a number of points in Malaysia.

Just over a quarter of the forest is made over to the Gunung Tahan game reserve, which is home to wild ox, a wide variety of deer including the sambar and the tiny mouse deer, tapirs, leopards, tigers and sun bears.

The bristling array of fauna can be observed from several wildlife hides, from which you can secretly watch elephants and more than 300 species of exotic birds in their natural habitat.

While in Taman Negara, guides can take you on a number of treks, showing you the highlights of the scenery and wildlife. So whether it is the Canopy Walkway or the Gua Telingga cave exploration, you will get to see different sides of the forest.

There are also animals that are more shy than others, so it is worth taking a night time trip through the jungle to see what comes out when the sun goes down. The atmosphere is at once tranquil and scary, but is most definitely a unique experience.

For more information on Taman Negara, visit www.taman-negara.com
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