Things to do in Taman Negara: the best activities & travel tips
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
You can choose to explore the jungle of Taman Negara independently, but there are also plenty of organized tours available. During our visit, we combined both options. We explored some parts of the rainforest by ourselves but also booked two guided excursions. Having a guide really adds value because you learn much more about the environment and often spot wildlife that you would easily miss on your own. Looking back, this was the perfect balance. We loved being able to explore independently while also joining a guide occasionally to discover more about the jungle.
Night walk through Taman Negara
On our arrival day, we decided to book a night safari through Taman Negara. It gets dark quickly in the rainforest, so after dinner we joined a small group and headed into the jungle. Bringing your own flashlight is essential because otherwise you won't be able to see much. It's also important to wear suitable clothing. The jungle is full of mosquitoes and you may encounter leeches, especially after rainfall. Most routes follow wooden walkways, but you will still come across plenty of insects along the way. Our guide was excellent at spotting wildlife, and within a short time we discovered several impressive creatures, including:
Giant huntsman spiders
Tarantulas
Snakes
Centipedes
Scorpions
It was definitely a successful evening, although I have to admit that I found some moments quite exciting (and slightly scary!).
The Canopy Walk in Taman Negara
The next morning, we headed back into Taman Negara early to explore the park independently. We decided to visit the famous Canopy Walk, and it was very easy to do without a guide. The route was clearly marked and takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the walkway. Because we arrived early, we had the entire canopy walk almost to ourselves. If you visit later in the day, you may have to wait before entering as it can become quite busy.
Update: Unfortunately, we understand that the Canopy Walk is currently closed. It is not yet clear when it will reopen.
Jungle trekking through the rainforest to Bukit Teresek
After visiting the Canopy Walk, you can continue hiking to the Bukit Teresek viewpoint. From the Canopy Walk, it takes approximately one hour to reach the top, where you are rewarded with beautiful views over the endless rainforest. Starting from the entrance of Taman Negara, the complete hike takes around 2 hours and includes both the Canopy Walk and Bukit Teresek. Since the Canopy Walk can become crowded later in the day, we recommend combining these two highlights and visiting the Canopy Walk first before continuing to the viewpoint. The first part of the trail follows wooden walkways, but soon you will find yourself walking on a real jungle path. The route is well marked with signs, so this hike is perfectly possible without a guide. However, the rainforest quickly becomes hot and humid, so make sure to bring:
Plenty of water
Snacks
Sunscreen
Good hiking shoes
Stay on the marked paths and never wander off on your own. You really don't want to get lost in this enormous jungle.
Once you reach the viewpoint, you can also continue to Bumbun Tabing, a wildlife observation tower located about 2 kilometers from Bukit Teresek.
Boat Trip along the tembeling River
After our independent hike through Taman Negara, we decided to slow down in the afternoon. We booked a boat trip to Lata Berkoh, a beautiful natural area with waterfalls and river rapids where you can relax and swim.
We joined a guided longtail boat tour and cruised along the Tembeling River, surrounded by dense jungle. It was an incredible experience and one of our favorite activities in Taman Negara. During the journey, we spotted several monkeys playing near the water, which made the trip even more special. Along the way, we stopped at the oldest known tree in Taman Negara: the impressive Tualang Tree. This enormous tree is truly spectacular, and the short walk to reach it is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
After about an hour on the river, we arrived at Lata Berkoh. Here you'll find a beautiful natural river area filled with rocks and small rapids, making it the perfect place to relax, swim and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
