MY · Perak · 5.55°N 101.35°E

royal belum

Ancient rainforest by houseboat, with rafflesia, hornbills and maybe elephants.

Best time
Trips run all year, but rain can come any time. Big flocks of hornbills are often seen around August and September.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
About 5 hours' drive from KL to Gerik, then on along the East–West Highway to Pulau Banding on Temenggor Lake. From Penang it's about 2.5–3 hours.
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MY · Perakroyal belum5.55°N 101.35°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Ancient rainforest by houseboat, with rafflesia, hornbills and maybe elephants.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingRoyal BelumMY, Perak
KLroyal belum
≈ 271 km from KL, as the crow flies
Visitors to Royal Belum State Park can take a boat out on the Temenggor lake. By boat, you can visit the encampment of the Aboriginal peoples, as well as access untouched areas of primary forest where

Photo: Evelyn Tai · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Part of Belum-Temengor, the largest continuous forest in Peninsular Malaysia, stretching up to the Thai border. Visitors base themselves around Temenggor Lake and explore by boat, looking for rafflesia, hornbills and signs of elephants and tigers.

Things to do

  1. Houseboat tripsStay on a houseboat on Temenggor Lake and head out on smaller boats each day.Map ↗
  2. RafflesiaShort treks lead to the giant flower when one is in bloom. Blooms are unpredictable, so ask your guide.Map ↗
  3. HornbillsAll ten of Malaysia's hornbill species live here. Bring binoculars.Map ↗
  4. Salt licksGuides take you to natural salt licks where elephants, tapirs and deer come to feed, though sightings aren't guaranteed.Map ↗
  5. Orang Asli villagesSome trips stop at Jahai or Temiar villages along the lake.Map ↗

Good to know

  • You need a permit to enter Royal Belum State Park. Operators usually arrange it, so book a few days ahead.
  • Keep your distance from wildlife and never feed animals. Go with a licensed guide.
  • Ask before taking photos in Orang Asli villages, and bring leech socks for the treks.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.