Endau Rompin National Park
Discover Endau Rompin National Park
Endau-Rompin National Park is the second designated national park in Peninsular Malaysia. And rightly so, as it contains the one of world's oldest rainforests and the volcanic rocks there date back 240 million years. Its name is derived from the two rivers through the park; the Endau river in the south in the state of Johor and the Rompin river in the state of Pahang in the north. It also has some unique flora and fauna, including the endangered Sumatran Rhino. It has some of Malaysia's best waterfalls namely Buaya Sangkut, Upeh Guling and Batu Hampar all within 2 hours trek of each other. Also you'll get a chance to meet the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia, known locally as Orang Asli. The major tribe that call the park home is the Jakun. A proper trip to see all the major highlights of Endau-Rompin National Park should take 3 days. Of course it's not hard to spend a week to get lost amidst the breathtaking rivers and forests. Unless you're an experienced jungle trekker, it's best to stick to the packages offered – the Johor National Parks Corporation organises the most reasonably priced ones.
Taste of Endau Rompin National Park...
There is only one restaurant in the park's premises – at Kampung Peta. Bring your own food and cooking utensils. The park provides a free canteen that has a gas stove, piped water as well as some utensils, but these utensils are not well kept. If you are camping, bring a portable gas stove as you are not allowed to start a fire on the ground. You can stay at the chalet (RM80; max 2 persons) or at the dorm (RM20 per person) at the Park HQ. Both the chalet and dorm are comfortable. Of course, the only complaint is the mosquitoes, so you'd better bring your insect repellent along. In September 2011, the dorm mattresses were infested with fleas. Anti-histamines can help with itching from their bites. The park provides camping equipment (at RM20 per person) and your guide will help you set up camp. Important items that a trekker must possess - a large knife and waterproof matches or lighter. Check with your guide or expedition leader whether it is safe to swim in the river. Rivers may look safe but if there are heavy rain up stream, the river water level may swell in a very short time and can sweep away even a very strong swimmer. If you are lost, back track and check your bearings before continuing. Stay put because it would be easier for the rescue teams to locate you than if you were to wander around aimlessly. Listen to the sounds of water, either stream of river. Follow it downstream until it leads you back to civilisation.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Endau Rompin National Park into what it is today.
The Orang Hulu (Indigenous people) of the area tell a story of an old crocodile that lived in the pools above the waterfall. One day it floated downriver and got itself trapped between the boulders where its body formed the cascades of the fall. (buaya = crocodile, sangkut = trapped). Another less popular story but entertaining all the same tells of a family who lived by the banks of Sungai Jasin. The father dreamt of his son's death in the jaws of a crocodile that lived in the river. He took it as a warning and with that, moved his family upstream. The recurring dream drove the family further upstream pass the waterfall. True to the premonitions of these dreams, the crocodile had followed them. On climbing the fall, the croc lodged itself between the boulders and the father took this opportune moment to kill it. He made a drum from the leather of the crocodile and hung the drum high in the house. One day as the son was playing below the drum, it fell on him killing him instantly. The weather is generally hot and humid all year round. Temperatures range between 25 and 33°C. Rainy season is between mid-December and mid-January. Most appropriate clothing for the jungle are loose-fitting cotton long-sleeved shirts and long pants to help keep insects at bay. Leech socks are advisable. Helpful to bring along a first aid kit, torchlight and insect repellent....
Climate
The weather is generally hot and humid all year round. Temperatures range between 25 and 33°C. Rainy season is between mid-December and mid-January. Most appropriate clothing for the jungle are loose-fitting cotton long-sleeved shirts and long pants to help keep insects at bay. Leech socks are advisable. Helpful to bring along a first aid kit, torchlight and insect repellent. Visitors are requested to help the Department of Wildlife preserve nature's beauty by keeping litter and noise pollution to the minimum. There are 3 entrances to the Endau-Rompin National Park. You can either enter through Johor (East or West) or through Pahang. Each entrance means a different adventure as the Johor National Parks Corporation manages the Johor portion of the park while the area encompassed by Pahang comes under the Pahang National Parks Corporation. The Johor Endau Rompin East approach (Kampung Peta) is the more popular, time saving and easier approach.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are 3 entrances to the Endau-Rompin National Park. You can either enter through Johor (East or West) or through Pahang. Each entrance means a different adventure as the Johor National Parks Corporation manages the Johor portion of the park while the area encompassed by Pahang comes under the Pahang National Parks Corporation. The Johor Endau Rompin East approach (Kampung Peta) is the more popular, time saving and easier approach. If you are driving, it's best to take a 4WD, as there are no tarred roads for the last 20 km of the journey, only mud tracks. You must inform the Johor National Parks Corporation at least a week prior to your departure. If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru or Singapore, use the National Highway and exit at Air Hitam. Turn right at the exit and drive on for another hour to Kluang. Whatever last minute supplies you need would be best bought here....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Takah Pandan has more than 50 m of straight fall and is a spectacular sight. It is also the site for the water abseiling activity. Takah Beringin is harder to reach due to the terrain and almost not passable during the wet seasons. The scenery surrounding the waterfalls is mystical and enchanting. Takah Tinggi is the largest of the three has easier access but a longer walk but easier walk. The base of the waterfalls has a large pool teaming with fishes. No fishing is allowed as the area is gazetted as a fish sanctuary. The rubber tube rafting, night safari & night trekking, 4 x 4 off road adventure, the three beautiful waterfalls namely Takah Tinggi, Takah Pandan and Takah Berangin, adventure team building, water abseiling and jungle survival training are referring to activities available at Endau Rompin Selai or Endau Rompin West (the entry point is from the town of Bekok) in West Johore.
Where to Stay
You can stay at the chalet (RM80; max 2 persons) or at the dorm (RM20 per person) at the Park HQ. Both the chalet and dorm are comfortable. Of course, the only complaint is the mosquitoes, so you'd better bring your insect repellent along. In September 2011, the dorm mattresses were infested with fleas. Anti-histamines can help with itching from their bites. The park provides camping equipment (at RM20 per person) and your guide will help you set up camp. Important items that a trekker must possess - a large knife and waterproof matches or lighter. Check with your guide or expedition leader whether it is safe to swim in the river. Rivers may look safe but if there are heavy rain up stream, the river water level may swell in a very short time and can sweep away even a very strong swimmer. If you are lost, back track and check your bearings before continuing. Stay put because it would be easier for the rescue teams to locate you than if you were to wander around aimlessly.
Money & Budget
Handicraft games – About the only thing on sale there for visitors is the Orang Asli made games from bamboo. These cost RM2.50 each and basically tests your IQ in getting a rope entangled between the bamboo without breaking the bamboo. According to an article in The New Straits Times, the toy is used as an offering to the forest spirits (Orang Bunian) in the situation that they get lost. There is only one restaurant in the park's premises – at Kampung Peta. Bring your own food and cooking utensils. The park provides a free canteen that has a gas stove, piped water as well as some utensils, but these utensils are not well kept. If you are camping, bring a portable gas stove as you are not allowed to start a fire on the ground.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Important items that a trekker must possess - a large knife and waterproof matches or lighter. Check with your guide or expedition leader whether it is safe to swim in the river. Rivers may look safe but if there are heavy rain up stream, the river water level may swell in a very short time and can sweep away even a very strong swimmer. If you are lost, back track and check your bearings before continuing. Stay put because it would be easier for the rescue teams to locate you than if you were to wander around aimlessly. Listen to the sounds of water, either stream of river. Follow it downstream until it leads you back to civilisation. Always think of self-preservation and never take unnecessary risks. Try to leave some sort of mark along your path by systematically slashing leaves or tree barks so that you can find your way back if necessary. Don't run because you may trip up and hurt yourself.