Kuala Lumpur Off The Beaten Path Tips by wondersF

Visiting Tropical forest -Kanching Recreation Park Parks & Gardens Review

Many travelers would love experiencing the ambience of a tropical forest. But then, there are factors of guide, destination, purposes and most of all time constraints.

Well, not really! The hills around Kuala Lumpur offers plenty of such opportunities. Ranging from a half day [morning only] trip to an all days excursion affair.

Difficulties ranges from easy walk to a strenuous climb.

Having said that and this is quite a diverse topic though within a small confine of jungle walks.
In this page, I would recommend a walk and trekking with difficulty 5 in the scale of 10
A half day climbing in the tropical forest.
This is an 45 minutes climb to the 7 waterfalls in Lata Kanching. Traveling time out of Kuala Lumpur should be an hour in heavy morning traffic and same on return. Getting yourself started another 30 minutes.
The rest, relaxing besides the waterfalls and stopping half around town for lunch - all should be completed within 5 hours.
Take Highway 1 north towards the town of Rawang. Mid-way, about 12 kilometer out of town, the park is on the right after passing the Templer Park Golf Course.
There is car park, and peddlers selling refreshment. Follow the signboard to do the walking up. At the end of the track, the last waterfall is still accessible by climbing up using the roots of tree just beside the waterfall itself.

The walk is very safe as you would not encounter any wild animals or snakes. You would see strange flora, insects or butterfly. There is no chance of getting strayed and lost in tropical jungle as you will be walking on pavements.
The last part with small trail on the steep slope! Use your discretion as it needs some outdoor experiences. Do not stray away from the waterfall area once at the very top.

Phone: 012 6285990

Website: http://khong.8k.com/

Deerland - Patting Zoo in Rengit

Patting Zoo is quite a common feature in many countries but most people in Malaysia haven't heard of one operating in Malaysia. Yes, there is one near Kuala Ganda. In fact, on a road that branches off from the approach to Kuala Ganda.

It is on the road to Rengit where the Wildlife Department has its training institute. This place is name the Deerland.

So named, as the main activities inside the compound is the feeding and mingling with a flock of deer. On this plot of land is divided into 2 sections. One, the area housing the animals for patting and second area with simple sheds to simulate experiences living in the tropical jungle.
Available to the public, beside the Deer, there are birds, lizards and snake.

The other attraction is the Malaysian Sun Bear. This huge animal is tamed and visitor can personally offer milk in a feeding bottle. Tame enough to be cuddled for a picture. Overall, I am quite impressed with its facilities and the activities planned.
Entrance fees is Rgt 15 pax and the place closed on Friday.

Getting to the Deerland.

Take the Expressway to Kuantan. At a point about 120 kilometers away from KL, there should be an interchange at Lanchang. Exit the interchange and there would be adequate signage to guide travel to Kuala Ganda which is about 12 kilometers away. After 10 kilometers distance, there should be a T junction.
Straight on for another 3 kilometer would be Kuala Ganda, but a right turn would be heading for the Deerland. Signage here is good and adequate.

Traveling time from Kuala Lumpur is approximately 2 hours. Refreshment and snacks are available in both the Deer land and Elephant camps. Consider the time spend driving and touring, its best to plan for half way stop for lunch or dinner. It is a good opportunity to see what this part of the country can offer.

There is a small settlement beside the Expressway at Bukit Tinggi which offers many restaurants. Food is Chinese and I would recommend one that I patronize on all my trips. It is the "126 Restaurant."

Kuala Ganda - Elephant Rehab Camp

The sanctuary for elephant was started as a spin off from the Tasek Kenyir project. They had to round up the wild elephants in the area as the lake was constructed and flooded. These elephants were sent to this camp had since rehabilitated and released back into the jungle. After that exercise, not many elephants encountered in the wild needed rehabilitation and the camp ran low on a stock of animals.

However the place became quite well known among visitors to the country. The camp now maintains a minimal stock of animals to run shows and inform visitors their mission. Unlike Thailand who have rounded up their working animals and gathered them into an area to become tourist attraction. Kuala Ganda is not. Understand that this is not a normal work camp, there would be no activitiy to show unless and until the period of the daily show time.

I think the most important point, visitors intending to visit the camp to find out from the camp -What time is the show?

So if you are a causal visitor and arrive there at the time when there are no activities, the animals are kept in the woods away from the compound, left by themselves to idle.
You could still see the animals from the perimeter fencing and the animals would be about 300-400 feet away. The animals are not in their routine but resting until the show is on.

I cannot remember properly, I think Showtime is 2.30 pm in the afternoon.

To reach Kuala Gandar, Take the Expressway to Kuantan. about 120 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, look for the exit at Lanchang. There the camp is about 12 kilometers from the turn pike and adequate road signs will guide you to the camp.