Taman Negara Endau Rompin

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.

Still, this may be the key factor in preserving the park's natural heritage from the destruction that results from a glut of visitors. Travellers and tourists from Kuala Lumpur or any northern destination will need to take the trunk road or North-South Highway to reach the Ayer Hitam exit. From there, it is an hour's drive to reach Kahang and then, the Taman Negara Endau Rompin turn-off is at the left by an oil palm plantation. You will follow a rough, laterite road that meanders for about an hour through more oil palm estates. Keep your windows up because it gets very dusty as lorries often zoom by, stirring up clouds of smoke and dirt.

Finally, a vista of mountains and forest will greet you once you have covered sufficent distance, the laterite track transcending to a hole-ridden tarred road that leads into the jungle. From here, it is another hour through the harsh road, crossing rickety wooden bridges and negotiating muddy bends. A 4WD vehicle or similar transport is almost compulsory. If you have none, the National Park Office runs daily trips with their own jeeps for visitors.

Finally, you reach the entrance of the park, and a tranquil environment of green and cool welcomes you to Endau Rompin. Get your permits done at the park office, grab a map and you can start exploring to your heart's content. The park is vast and full of natural wonders, so a trip that's worth at least a few days is recommended.

From the park, one usually heads first to Kuala Jasin, a beautiful and picturesque confluence of two large rivers. As the currents here are strong, a back route takes you to a calmer side of the river where you can swim in the very deep but clean waters. Around the park are trails that lead you to discover the jungle or waterfalls, such as Anak Jasin and Buaya Sangkut.

The Upeh Guling waterfalls are especially interesting as its landscape is littered with deep crevices and concaves resulting from years of erosion. There are also several peaks you can climb including Gunung Pertawai (840 m), Gunung Janing (655 m) and Bukit Segonggong (703 m). As for wildlife, Endau Rompin Nationa Park is full of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians to find. Tigers are common in the area and it is not unusual to find their tracks criss-crossing your path, even upon returning to the same area you've just trodden a while ago! The park offers accommodation through chalets, dormitories and camp sites at the headquarters in Kampung Peta as well as Kuala Jasin.