Set on the borders of Pahang and Johor in Southeast Malaysia, Endau-Rompin National Park is made up of a lush, pristine tropical rainforest. Covering an area of 48,905 hectares (800 sq. km), it is the second largest national park in Peninsula Malaysia after Taman Negara and has been upgraded to a national park in 1980s. With rock formations dating back some 248 million years, Endau-Rompin is mostly hilly with some prominent sandstone plateaus. It also happens to be the watershed of several rivers such as Endau River, Selai River and Jasin River.
Taman Negara Endau Rompin is the lesser known national park in Peninsular Malaysia, overshadowed by the more famous Taman Negara in Pahang. Located south in Johor, Taman Negara Endau Rompin is no less magnificent and some say, even more pristine and beautiful. However, it is far less accessible as conventional vehicles will find it tough to traverse the dirt tracks needed to reach the entrance.
Getting There:
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.
Besides the main entrance, at Kg Peta, there is another entry point at Kg Selai for the southern regions of the park. In this relatively unknown part of Endau Rompin, there is a powerful waterfall, the Taka Tinggi. To reach Kg Selai, take the Yong Peng exit of the North-South Expressway, direction Labis and follow the signs for Bekok. Continue to the recreational park of Sungai Bantang, where you can organise transport to the park and guides. You can drive yourself to the base camp at Lubuk Tapah, but inside the park the tracks are bad and a 4WD is needed. After registration at the Ranger Station you will pass a few Orang Asli villages.The tracks can become very bad in the rainy season. When you reach the Selai river, you will be suprised by the nice and well maintained Base camp. There is also a campsite. There is a number of basic chalets, kitchen facilities, but you must bring your own food.
Activities and interesting place to go:
Travelling into the deepest rainforest jungle of South East Asia gives one a wonderful sense of adventure. Trekking through the undergrowth, covered by the canopy of towering trees estimated at 100 years or more, drenched in perspiration, experiencing the little wonders of nature – leeches included; all come in a package when we explore the tropical rainforest. It is also an area full of myths and legends. The Park provides valuable insights into the unique Orang Asli (aboriginal) culture and their fascinating stories about the myths of the jungle.
Upih Guling Falls, which derived its name from an Orang Asli legend, is the best place to go for a swim and underwater fun. The cascades gush and spray downwards but some pools are not very deep or tricky. Several natural “bath tubs” are found surrounding the fall area, formed by tiny pebbles whirled round and round by the force of water over millions of years.
Buaya Sangkut Falls is a five-stepped waterfall which is a six-hour trek from the Visitors Control Centre along Sungai Jasin. The 40-metre-wide fall gushes a million gallons of roaring water a minute from a drop of 120 metres.
Mahkota Waterfalls, which is a cascading 50-metre fall, is the perfect spot for a picnic.
Sungai Kinchin and Sungai Kemapan, some of the best fishing spots in Malaysia, can be found within the Endau-Rompin grounds. The most popular sites are along the lower reaches of Sungai Kinchin and Sungai Kemapan. The best time for fishing is from the months of February to April and from June to August. Fishes caught here are noticeably larger than those caught in rivers elsewhere in Peninsula Malaysia.
Padang Tujuh is the site of vast varieties of bonsai trees, where Kelapa Gading Cave which is 25 metres high, is situated in the midst of a waterfall.
Jungle trekking and Camping
There are some 26 km of jungle trekking trails within the Park, the most well trodden path being the grueling 16 km trail from the base camp at Kuala Jasin to Batu Hampar and Buaya Sangkut, with numerous crossings of fast flowing rivers. There are several campsites which provide access to various easy and difficult treks.
Campsite: Kuala Marong (Easy trek)
2 hours’ easy trek from Kuala Jasin Base camp. Kuala Marong is the perfect campsite for trekkers who believe in back-to-nature facilities. In the darker, sluggish parts of this private pool, various freshwater fish nurseries can be found. The protected Kelah (Hampala macrolepidota) willingly cleans the scraps off dinner plates left in the shallow waters. ‘Tasik Air Biru’ is located about 50m upriver and is known as the blue lagoon. As the water gushes downriver it is trapped momentarily in this crook of the river creating a perfect deep pool for swimming.
Campsite: Batu Hampar (moderate trek)
Batu Hampar is the place to rest before making an ascent to the Buaya Sangkut waterfall. About 4 hours’ moderate trek from Kuala Jasin, the trail is mostly flat ground and purely a stopover area with a derelict hut nearby where there is a little shelter from rain. A little along the way from Batu Hampar roars Upeh Guling waterfall. Discover the natural swirl holes nicknamed ‘guling-guling’ carved into the sides of the bank. It is believed that millions of years ago pebbles lodged in crevices of the bank created these holes, some as wide as 2 metres.
Campsite: Buaya Sangkut (difficult trek)
The 2.2 km signage at Batu Hampar should not be sniffed at. This is a tough 2½-hours’ trek from Batu Hampar. The journey begins with a ½ hour meander through gentle grounds with large umbrella palms (Johannesteysmannia altifrons) fanning and shading the way. Then we reach the base of Bukit Segongong (765m). The climb has a 60° incline and this is maintained all the way. It can get slippery after a downpour so hang on to the ropes for support. Remember to bring lots of drinking water and some light snack or food for energy.
All the trekking is made worthwhile upon reaching Buaya Sangkut. The fall is situated 300m above sea level on Sungai Jasin and is 40m high, 30m wide with about 80cu metres of water (about 17,000 gallons) pouring down every second. At the top of the fall, where the shallow waters gently caresses flat sheets of rock, can be found transparent tadpoles with a red patch on its head complete with a single golden spot dressing its forehead. Along the river’s edge and in quieter spots, translucent green prawns 2 cm in length dart from under pebbles in search of food.
Orang Asli Village
Endau-Rompin is also home to the Orang Asli of the Jakun tribe. Drop by at Kampung Peta near the park entry point and gain valuable insights into Orang Asli culture. Find out how they survive in the wilderness and protect themselves from danger with their hunting and tracking skills. See their recreational activities and listen to their mesmerizing yarns about the myths of the surrounding jungle.
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.
Chalet/Resort Information:
1.Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru
2. Chalet Kampong Peta Asli Village
3. Chalet Selai Base Camp
Useful Information / Guidelines for Visitors:
* The park is closed during the rainy season from November to March. * No fishing is allowed during the spawning season from September to October. * Entry permits are required for visits to the park and these may be obtained from: National Parks (Johor) Corporation JKR 475 Bukit Timbalan 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor In addition, additional charges are also levied for entry into specific zones within the park. * Charges are levied for filming and fishing equipment, and insurance.
Park Regulations:
1. All visitors are required to report to the officer on duty at the Registration Centre in Kampung Peta. 2. There will be a short briefing at the Registration Centre. Entrance and other prescribed fees are collected. All items and belongings are inspected by the officer on duty. 3. Visitors are not allowed to overstay beyond the specified period. 4. All visitors are required to engage the registered guides of the National Parks Corporation. 5. Visitors who wish to hire boat services can inquire from the officer on duty. 6. Visitors are prohibited to make unnecessary noise while in the park to avoid disturbance to the wildlife. 7. All empty cans, surplus food and rubbish have to be taken out of the park, and disposed at designated disposal areas. 8. Entry into the park is only allowed through the specified entrances as determined by the National Park. 9. No fishing or angling is allowed in the park except at specified areas and time period. 10. Bathing and swimming are only allowed at specified areas - swimmers must be in decent swimming attire. 11. The National Parks Corporation disclaims responsibility for any mishap, accident or loss of belongings of any visitor while in the park. 12. Visitors are strictly forbidden from : 1. Bringing into the park any machinery, weapon, explosive, trap, poison or dangerous item. 2. Hunting, killing, hurting, trapping, or disturbing any flora/fauna, habitat or destroying birds’ nests and eggs. 3. Chopping, hurting, destroying or burning plants and objects that have geological, archaeological, historical or scientific importance. 4. Carrying into or purposely allowing reared animals to enter the park. 5. Displacing or moving any animals or plants, dead or alive, out of the park. 6. Displacing or moving out of the park any minerals or objects of geological, archaeological, historical or scientific importance. 7. Erecting any building in the park.
Visitors to the park are warned that they are liable to be prosecuted in the event they are found to have contravened any of the park regulations.
For more information please contact: National Parks (Johor) Corporation. JKR 475, Bukit Timbalan, Johor, Malaysia. Tel : 07 223 7471.Faks : 07 223 1033
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