ROYAL BELUM FOREST RESERVE

Four times the size of Singapore, and second only to Taman Negara, the Royal Belum forest reserve is one of the worlds oldest rainforests and Malaysia’s best kept secret.

Belum rainforest, located in the north of Malaysia along the border with Thailand, is an area estimated at 290.000 hectares in size. Close to 118,000 hectares has so far been converted into a state park known as the Royal Belum Forest Reserve. It is an initiative from the local government to preserve this forest as a permanent nature reserve for research. Indeed, Belum presents an incredible richness in animal life and lush vegetation. The precious rainforest is believed to be 130 million years old, which would make it older than the Amazon rainforest.

As for the wildlife, Belum is home to lots of endangered and unique species such as the Asiatic Elephant, Sumatran Rhino, the Malaysan Tiger, the White Handed Gibbon, wild boars, the Malayan Tapir, the Rafflesia flower, and all 10 species of Hornbills. The presence of numerous salt licks provides health and wellbeing to the animals, and they are an important food source for special types of water birds and ducks. As a result, Belum Park is a wonderful destination for nature lovers and fervent defenders of the environmental cause.

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Belum Highlights

Here are some of the best features of Belum:

The Temenggor Lake

The Temenggor Lake is a large man made lake which covers 15,200 hectares in Belum. It is a superb and serene place which is the setting for breathtaking sunsets. The lush jungle in background will add to this sensation. Once at the Temenggor Lake you can make the most of it by discovering the Orang Asli settlements (the local indigenous people).

Also, the lake will delight fishing enthusiasts. Indeed, fishing is the number one activity as you can find a wide variety of fish and there even are fishing tournaments organized every year.


Bird Watching

If you are an adept of birdwatching or simply an animal lover, the Belum Rainforest is the place to go as the list of rare and unique birds you can find there is quite long. Yes, Belum shelters more than 270 species of our winged friends, amongst them the famous Great Hornbill. Belum Temenggor has been listed Important Bird Area by the NGO Birdlife International.


Rafflesia

Belum is mostly known for being home to the Rafflesia Flower. It is because unlike the other countries or tropical regions where this flower can be found seasonally, it grows continuously in Belum Forest. The Rafflesia is a strange giant flower that can be very wide – up to one meter in diameter. This icon of the Malaysian tropical forest can be spotted in Belum along some Jungle trails.

To do also: jungle trekking, mountain climbing, visit some nearby waterfalls.