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<\/p>\nThere are two sides of Malaysia: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Borneo). Both are filled with an abundance of natural wonders and government-run national parks. Malaysian forests, with some estimated to be over 130 million years old, are teeming with incredibly diverse plant and animal life that is unique to its habitat. If you’re interested in a foray into a forest, underwater or atop mountains, National Parks are a good marker of particularly great places for outdoor experiences right bam in the middle of eco-rich nature. There are several well-known national parks in Malaysia, such as Batang Ai National Park, Niah National Park, and Lambir Hills National Park. Which ones are the best to explore? Here are our top 6 picks!<\/p>\n
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Trek in a forest over 100 million years old<\/strong> With an estimated age of 130 million years, Taman Negara is one of the most ancient rainforests in the world. Covering an area of over 4,000 square kilometres, Taman Negara is one of the most exciting and diverse forests in the world that you can visit. If you\u2019re lucky, you\u2019ll be able to spot the park\u2019s famous, albeit rare, residents, such as the Malaysian tiger, Asian elephant, and the Malayan peacock-pheasant.<\/p>\n [tabs]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Best Time to Visit” icon=”entypo-weather”]<\/p>\n The climate of this rainforest is always hot and humid, although February-October often brings the driest weather. Since November-January can be wetter than usual, some areas of the park may be inaccessible.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Getting Around” icon=”entypo-map”]Visitors can trek through the forest, go to the canopy walk, or take a wooden longboat down one of the park\u2019s green snaking rivers.[\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Where to stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Great for groups and located in the midst of the jungle is Mutiara Taman Negara<\/u><\/a>, a resort that offers villa-style rooms, family rooms, as well as camping facilities.[\/tab]<\/p>\n [\/tabs]<\/p>\n See gravity-defying natural sea sculptures<\/strong> Located in Malaysian Borneo, Bako National Park<\/a> offers an impressive range of vegetation – from mangroves and swamps to forests and ocean life. Add to that beautiful and rare animals, and you\u2019ll find that the variety found at this park is especially unique. Don\u2019t miss the sea and wind-worn limestone and sandstone cliffs, especially the curvy Sea Stack.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [tabs]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Best Time to Visit” icon=”entypo-weather”]The forest can be extremely hot and humid with a little breeze, so if you\u2019re looking to visit when it\u2019s less humid, April-September would be a good idea. Otherwise, the weather is pretty much constant throughout the year.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Getting Around” icon=”entypo-map”]\u00a0Bako National Park has 16 official trails which range from 30 minutes to over seven hours. String the trails together and camp overnight in the park.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Where to stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]\u00a0Although\u00a0Cove 55<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is not situated inside Bako National Park, it\u2019s only 20 kilometres away, making it a good option for nature lovers with a taste for luxury. With only 12 rooms, look forward to beautiful sea-view rooms and a stunning swimming pool.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [\/tabs]<\/p>\n Make like a monkey and traipse the canopies<\/strong> Why visit: The thrilling 250-meter canopy walk, dangling 15 meters off the ground, allows nature lovers a view of the forest from above. This scenic portion of Penang National Park<\/a> connects two trails and is built on gorgeous dipterocarp trees.<\/p>\n [tabs]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Best Time to Visit” icon=”entypo-weather”]\u00a0Come during March-October for the driest months but note that weather doesn\u2019t change significantly throughout the year.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Getting Around” icon=”entypo-map”]\u00a0You can easily walk around this small park on your own, but if you want to have a tour, you can hire private guides and boats on the premises.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Where to stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]\u00a0A short 20-minute drive from the Penang National Park is PARKROYAL\u00a0Penang\u00a0Resort<\/u><\/a>,\u00a0a sprawling retreat located on Batu Ferringhi Beach.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [\/tabs]<\/p>\n Visit\u00a0one of Malaysia\u2019s first national parks<\/strong> Why visit: Kota Kinabalu<\/u><\/a>\u2019s famous Kinabalu Park<\/a> is home to the first Unesco World Heritage Site in Malaysia and one of the country\u2019s first national parks. The real star of this park is Mount Kinabalu, a 4,000 metre-high giant that\u2019s still growing. The rest of the park spans 750 square metres and contains a variety of landscapes and animals such as the sun bear, Bornean ferret badger, and the oriental small-clawed otter.<\/p>\n [tabs]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Best Time to Visit” icon=”entypo-weather”]\u00a0If you wish to spot orangutans more easily, come here during May-September when the weather is drier.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Getting Around” icon=”entypo-map”]\u00a0There are a total of nine trails in the park ranging from 15 minutes to two and a half hours. If you\u2019re planning to trek up the mountain, note that climbers must be accompanied by an official guide.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Where to stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]<\/p>\n Splurge a little and treat yourself after a hard climb to the well-appointed Shangri-La\u2019s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa<\/u><\/a>\u00a0– a hotel that has something for everyone in the family.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [\/tabs]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Zipline from island to island at this unique park <\/strong> Located just off Kota Kinabalu are the five pristine islands that create the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park<\/a>. This marine park has terrific (and often uncrowded) beaches and excellent options for snorkelling and diving. Not to miss is the Coral Flyer which connects Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi by a zip line.<\/p>\n [tabs]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Best Time to Visit” icon=”entypo-weather”]\u00a0As the seas can be choppy during the months of November-February, it\u2019s a good idea to avoid the islands then – especially if you don\u2019t have good sea legs.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Getting Around” icon=”entypo-map”]\u00a0There are regular ferries from Kota Kinabalu, and you can hire small boats to bring you to each of the islands.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Where to stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]\u00a0Manukan Island Resort<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is a secluded beach resort that offers direct access to the beach with a lush forest in the background. It\u2019s here where you can experience peaceful isolation in nature.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [\/tabs]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Spot amazing sea, land, and air animals <\/strong> An impressive array of animals take refuge in the mangroves of Kuching Wetlands National Park<\/a>. Keep your eyes peeled for an abundance of all kinds of wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, crocodiles, white-bellied sea eagles, and mudskippers. Bird watchers and animal lovers will especially take to this park.<\/p>\n [tabs]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Best Time to Visit” icon=”entypo-weather”]\u00a0Like the rest of Malaysia, the weather is relatively stable throughout the year. However wet December and January can put a damper on your activities.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Getting Around” icon=”entypo-map”]\u00a0The park has a variety of trails that are fairly easy for beginner outdoors men.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Where to stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/travelblog.expedia.com.my\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Taman-Negara.jpg\")
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Bako National Park, Kuching<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Penang National Park, Penang<\/a><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nKinabalu National Park, Kota Kinabalu<\/a><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nTunku Abdul Rahman National Park,<\/u> Kota Kinabalu<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/travelblog.expedia.com.my\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/6288348992_61f0ec376c_o.jpg\")
chris davey \/ CC BY-NC 2.0<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\nKuching Wetlands National Park, Kuching<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Bernard DUPONT \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n