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NATURETaman Negara Endau Rompin

Pahang

by

Muhammad Hazimi Samsuri

Endau-Rompin National Park is a protected tropical rainforest in the southernmost prolongation of the Tenasserim Hills, Malaysia. It is an area south of the state of Pahang and to the northeast of Johor covering an approximate area of 870 km², effectively making it is the second largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia after Taman Negara, with approxi-mately 26 km of trail. It is the second national park proclaimed by the government of Malay-sia.

The park is one of the oldest tropical rainforest complexes in the world and features rock formations some 248 million years old. Apart from that, the park contains the largest remaining population of the threatened Sumatran rhinoceros species on the Malay Peninsula. Gunung Besar which is the second highest in Johor is located in the park.

TheparktakesitnamefromtheEndauandRompinriversthatflowthroughthepark.OtherriversthatflowthroughtheparksareSegamat,SelaiandJasin.

During the monsoon season that covers from November till March, the park is closed tothepublic.Further,fishingisbanned from September till Octo-ber during mating season.

The History

Thefirstscientificstudyofthe area was conducted in 1892 by H.W. Lake and Lieutenant H.J. Kelsall. With the aid of the study, the forest complex of Endau-Kluang was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1933. Later in 1972, the forest reserve was expanded to include Lesong forest reserve in Pahang.

+In the same year, the fed-eral government came up with a proposal to federally protect 2,000 km² of the complex as a national park. At that time there was no legal mechanism to create a national park. In 1980, the Na-tional Parks Act 1980 (Malaysia) was passed by the Malaysian Parliament. However, dispute between federal and state powers prevented the creation of a national park in the area at

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that time.Five years later, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks proposed rough-ly the same areas to be gazetted as wildlife sanctuary to protect the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros.

The Park Endau-Romping is a beautiful national park in the south-eastern part of Peninsular Malay-sia. Together with Taman Negara and Royal Belum State Park it contains some of the oldest rainforests in the world. The name comes from the two rivers that run through the park; the Endau River and the Rompin River. People that visit the national park do so to visit the many won-derful waterfalls, or to visit the Orang Asli tribes. The park is not easily accessible (by normal vehicles) which makes it an attrac-tion especially popular among adventure seekers. Many travel agencies offer pack-age tours to Endau-Rompin; this often includes transport, accommodation, meals and guided jungle trails. Entry to the park requires a special permit (RM10) from the Johor National Park Corporation.

What to See Just like Taman Negara there are many wildlife species that live in the park, chances on spotting them are slim as they have ample space to roam around within the park boundaries. The national park is known for having the largest remaining population

of the highly endangered Sumatran rhinoc-eros. Other animals that live in the national park are the white-handed gibbon, Malaysian tiger, Asian elephant, wild boar, tapir, slow loris, deer, long-tail macaques and leopards. Among the many bird species that live in theparkarethehornbillsandkingfishers.

As most of the animals know how to evade visitors it is more common to spot insects, spiders and the occasional snake.

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Look Around

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Attractions

There are many activities and attrac-tions at Endau-Rompin National Park to keep you busy for at least 3 or 4 days. Among the most popular attractions are; jungle trails, a visit to the Orang Asli (Jakun tribe) village, rubber tube rafting, night safari (walk or by 4x4), numerous fantastic waterfalls, a few beautiful lakes and river cruises.

The Endau Rompin State Park offers various kinds of activities to enjoy such as camping, jungle trekking, bird watching boating and fishing.Thisparkwillalsoallowitsvisitorsthe opportunity to get back to nature and experience the mysterious secrets of its wil-derness. Located just 10 to 15 minutes drive from the main enterance of the park, the Mahkota Waterfall is a spot that should not be missed. This highest waterfall in the park

cascade about

60 metres high. The most interesting factor about this waterfall is the location of the Ke-lapa Gading Cave. This 25 metres high cave is situated right in the midst of the waterfall.

SomeofthebestfishingspotsinMalaysiacan be found here in the Endau Rompin State Park. One of the most popular sites are found along the lower reaches of the Sungai Kinchin and Sungai Kemapan. It is known thatsomeofthebesttimetoenjoyfishingwould be during the months of February to April and from June to August. Besides, the fishescaughthereintheEndauRompinStatePark are noticeably larger as compared to those caught in other rivers in Malaysia. Leisurely trekking through the jungle and be-ing shaded by trees that are almost hundred years old is one of the best ways to enjoy and discover the breathtaking beauty of the En-dau Rompin State Park. You would be able to gaze up into the dense canopy above and en-joy the sight of toadstools and multicoloured fungsi. For those who are opting for a more

adventurous and physical demanding activi-ties, hiking the treacherous terrains of the park along with the guide of an Orang Asli will be a wonderful experience as he will en-tertain you with some exciting mysteries and mythologies of the Endau Rompin. During your visit here, you should not miss and forget to visit the Padang Tujuh. This is the site for bonsai trees and provide some of the most spectacular views ever found. The combination of the Endau and Rompin river that brought to the park’s name provide the most amazing river safaris unlike anything elsefound.ThesemagnificentriversoftheEndau Rompin State Park offers some of the most spectacular views in Malaysia.

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Activities of interests -

1. rubber tube rafting,2. night safari, 3. 4 x 4 off road adventure, 4 three beautiful waterfalls, 5. Orang Asli (Aborigines) Village, 6. exotic trekking trails and bird watching, 7. Comfortable basic accommodation chalet with mattresses. suitable for adults and chil-dren. 8. Short easy trails are available around the chalet areas leading to small water cascades and clear water wading pools.

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Checklist trip to Endau-Rompin National Park

1. First aid travel kit with personal medicine2. Tripod for your camera (to make pictures in low light conditions)

3. Mosquito repellent4. Rain coat, poncho and/or umbrella5. Headlamp or flashlight6. Dry clothes in an aqua bag7. Comfortable walking shoes8. Special socks against leeches

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Best time to visit Endau-Rompin

The national park can be visited from April to October and is closed during the monsoon season (November to March). This is the same monsoon that renders islands like Perhentian, Redang and Tioman (relatively nearby Endau-Rompin) nearly inaccessible.

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Ways to enter the park The national park has three main entry points, two located within the state of Johor and one within the state of Pahang. The two entry points in Johor are mostly used by visi-tors. At the eastern side of the park you have the Peta entrance, nearby Mersing so good to combine with a visit to Tioman Island of one of the surrounding tropical islands. This park entrance is most used by visitors. Travelers that come from Kuala Lumpur also enter the park at the Peta entrance. The Selai entrance, southwest of the national park, is the least accessible entrance. At this side of the na-tionalparkyouwillfindahugeamountofbeautiful waterfalls. In this area most of the remaining tigers and elephants live. Do know that the last part of the trip to the park is over inaccessible roads; you need a 4x4 to travel to any of the three park entrances which you can arrange beforehand via the Park HQ

How to get to Endau-Rompin National Park

The best way to get to Endau-Rompin National Park is by rental car though you will not be able to use the car within the park (unless it is a 4WD). If you come from either Kuala Lumpur (5hrs) or Johor Bahru (3hrs) you should follow the main North-South Expressway until you reach Exit 244 (Air Hitam Interchange). From there you follow the signs via Klu-ang to Kahang. From there you can follow the signs to the Park HQ (Peta). If you are on a package tour Kahang is the place to drop your car and to get on the 4WD for the drive to Kampung Peta. At the Park HQ

Map of Endau-Rompin National Park

Below you can see a map of Endau-Rompin National Park.

you can also arrange 4WD transport to the national park (accommodation at Kampung Peta); but make sure you arrange this before-hand

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