2D1N Endau-Rompin National Park via Selai : Waterfalls Paradise

I used to think that there is only one national park in Malaysia – Taman Negara National Park in Pahang, Malaysia. Truth is, there is another national park closer to Singapore – the Endau-Rompin National Park. Taught in secondary school as I now recalled, this beautiful national park in the southeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, is unfortunately easily forgotten by tourists and hikers alike, perhaps due to its not-so-easy access (4wd is required).

Together with Taman Negara and Royal Belum State Park, Endau-Rompin National Park contains some of the oldest rainforests in the world. The name comes from the two rivers that run through the park - the Endau River and the Rompin River.

12 of us from MMC

The national park was once known for having the largest remaining population of the highly endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, however they had not been spotted in recent years. Other animals that have been spotted in the national park are the white-handed gibbon, Malaysian tiger, Asian elephant, wild boar, tapir, slow loris, deer, long-tail macaques, leopards, hornbills and kingfishers. Although home to many wildlife species, chances on spotting them are slim as they have ample space to roam around within the park boundaries.

Best time to visit Endau-Rompin

The national park can be visited from April to October but is closed during the monsoon season (November to March). 

How To Get There

Due to the park’s large size (approximately 870km square), there are three entrances to get into Endau Rompin each offering different facilities and adventures. The three entrances are:

◾North East Entrance: Kuala Kinchin via Kuala Rompin (Pahang)

◾East Entrance: Kumpung Peta via Kahang (Johor)

◾West Entrance: Selai via Bekok (Johor)

As we travelled from JB and Singapore, we went to Endau-Rompin Selai since it is the nearest to us. 

The nearest town from Endau-Rompin Selai is Bekok, a small town located approximately 42km north east of Yong Peng.

Mural art at Bekok town

Another mural

The easiest way to get there is to drive along the North-South Highway, exit into Yong Peng, then drive pass the town of Chaah, before finally reaching Bekok.

Are they famous for durians?

Small quiet town of Bekok

Simple breakfast

Another alternative is to take the KTM train. The train travels direct (northbound) from JB, but a transit at Gemas is required for those travelling southbound from the north (i.e. Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, Padang Besar) via the ETS train. These are two different trains, so a separate train tickets are required if you are travelling from the north, with one ETS train ticket to Gemas and another KTM ticket from Gemas to Bekok. 

From the Bekok train station, it is only 750m to the Park Office, where visitors are required to register prior to entering the National Park. Booking can be made online, and upon arrival at the Park Office, visitors can then register, make payments and switch to 4wd vehicle before heading into the National Park.

4wd is required to get to the National Park

The journey takes about 1 hour, passing through uneven dirt road with some potholes along the way. 4WD transportation services can be arranged directly with Bekok park office and it costs RM270 for a round trip from Bekok Park Office. 

Bekok Park Office

No. 8 Jalan Satria 1, Taman Berjaya, 86500 Bekok, Segamat, Johor Darul Takzim

Phone: +607 922 2875

Fax: +607 922 2576

Email: erselaijnpc@yahoo.com

Website: http://erselai.blogspot.com

Bekok Park Office

Cost

We paid a total of RM1392 for 12 pax, for our 2D1N package. That’s RM116 for each person. We booked directly with the National Park without going through a third party, and the price generally includes the following:

🔼Entrance permit

🔼Insurance

🔼2 guides for 2 waterfalls, night trekking and water tubing

🔼Water tubing fee

🔼Campsite fee at Lubuk Merekek

🔼Camera fee

🔼Vehicle pass

🔼Garbage deposit

It’s been three months since the trip and I could not recall the exact fare for each item, but generally, here’s the estimated costs:

🔼Entrance Permit: RM5 (Malaysian) or RM20 (Non-Malaysian)

🔼Insurance: RM2 per person

🔼Hiking Guide: RM110 per day to one waterfall. Additional waterfalls at RM60 per waterfall (1 guide for a maximum of 10 persons)

🔼Water tubing fee: RM10 per person for a maximum of 3 hours

🔼Night trekking: RM10 per person

🔼Camera fee: RM10 per person

🔼Vehicle pass: RM20 (car/bus/lorry) or RM5 (motorcycle/bicycle) per vehicle

🔼Campsite (Lubuk Merekek): RM17 per person

🔼Garbage deposit: RM50 per group

We had 2 4wd, so we entered with our own vehicle. If you don’t have one, you can also arrange one with the office for RM270 for a round trip from Bekok Park Office.

We got our own 4wd but you can rent one from the Park Office too

Other activities

Though our package included night trekking, none of us went in the end. There are also other activities which can be done in the National Park, such as fishing, bird watching and visiting the aborigine village. I wasn’t sure whether these were included in the package as an entirety or are separately charge. However, for your reference, here’s some pricing information I found online. For more accurate pricing, do check with the office when making your booking:

🔼Bird watching: RM100 per guide 

🔼Fishing: RM10 per rod

🔼Survival methodology: RM50

🔼Aborigine’s culture and games: RM25

Lubuk Tapah

Group photo here

Lodging options

As all of us have camping equipment, we chose Lubuk Merekek Campsite. It’s a huge campsite next to the river, which can fit up to 200 people, and is facilitated with toilet and shower room. However, you can also pay a little more for comfort, by booking huts, dormitory or chalets in the following campsites:

🔼Jungle Huts (Lubuk Tapah): RM80 per hut. Basic huts with a sleeping platform, two large mattresses, 3 pillows, lights and a wall fan. Common bathroom, cooking and dining area. Each hut can accommodate 3 person.

🔼Dormitory (Selai Visitor Centre): RM10-30 per person. Double decker bunk beds, lockers and fan, lights. Common bathroom and cooking area.  

🔼Standard Chalet (Selai Visitor Centre): RM120 per chalet. Two single bed, attached bathroom, fan. Each standard chalet can accommodate 2 persons. Common cooking and dining area.

🔼Family Chalet (Selai Visitor Centre): RM200 per chalet. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, kitchenette. light, fan, lots of power sockets. Accommodate 4 person. Common cooking and dining area.

Jungle huts

We didn't stay here but walked past on our way to the waterfalls

Tents are available for rent at RM40 per night (4-men tent). Food are not available for purchase in the National Park, so do remember to bring along your food for cooking. Gas stove are also available for RM40 per day, but you will need to bring your own cooking pots or mess tins.

Lubuk Merekek campsite

My tent borrowed from Kenny. Next to me is Wind who also didn't have his own tent. Doesn't this look like a semi-d?

Ps: I had previously emailed the management for updated price list for all the activities and facilities but have yet to receive any replies from them. The above-mentioned price is based on online resources. For more accurate pricing, please check with the management when making your booking.

The Waterfalls (Takah)

Takah everywhere

Takah means waterfalls in the local Jakun language, and this is the word you would see the most in the National Park, as written on signboards. It is estimated about 20 waterfalls in Selai area alone, but the main ones accessible to visitors are:

🔼Takah Tinggi 🔯

🔼Takah Selow

🔼Takah Pandan

🔼Takah Tempaang 🔯

🔼Takah Berangin

🔯 The waterfalls we selected for our package

Takah Tinggi

Takah Tinggi

The biggest and most impressive waterfall here is Takah Tinggi, which literally means “High Falls”. Also called Takah Tingkat Tujuh (Seven Step Waterfall), it is said to be a seven-tier waterfall, which is indeed a very tall waterfall true to its name.

Reminds me a little of Chemerong waterfall

The waterfall lies at the upper reaches of the Selai River and can be reached after 2 hours of moderate trekking, during which you will ford the Tempaang River.

Slow-shutter mode photo taken by Kenny with his Huawei

The cascading waterfall pours into a large, deep pool with many fishes. Fishing and swimming at Takah Tinggi is forbidden due to strong currents. There have been reported fatalities cases here before.

I looked a little blur as I moved, but overall I love this shot

Strong wind!!!

Takah Selow

Takah Selow is a three-tiered waterfall which is the nearest and easiest waterfall to reach, from Base Camp. It is said to take only about 30 minutes to arrive at the lowest tier. Many has deduced that the name derived from the English word “Slow”.

Takah Selow (image credit: rainforestjournal.com)

Takah Pandan

Starting at the same point for trekking towards Takah Tinggi, the trail diverts left at about 0.9km in passing by Takah Selow. After Takah Selow, the trek becomes a steep ascent for the next 200 meters before descending to Takah Pandan. Takah Pandan is a tall 40-50m waterfall with a small pool to swim in. Its tall and vertical shape resembles that of a natural wall.

Takah Pandan (image credit: rainforestjournal.com)

Takah Tempaang

Located 400 meters away, on a side trek from the main hiking route between Endau Rompin Selai and Takah Tinggi, is Takah Tempaang.

The large pool in the front and cascade is hidden inside

The pool in the front is deep enough for dipping but to get to the cascade, we need to get in from another smaller pool at the side. 

Small little pool which we needed to swim/wade through to get to the cascade

Powerful cascade

We found joy in wading through that mini pool and getting splash by the cascade.

Shot #1

Shot#2

Takah Berangin

Takah Berangin is the toughest and least explored waterfall in park. It follows the trail towards Takah Pandan, and requires a hike for another hour up a very steep slope. This is one of the few trails that do not follow alongside the rivers.

Takah Berangin (image credit: rainforestjournal.com)

The powerful water flow can be heard even from some way off. The waterfall is beautiful as it is tall and wide with a big pool to swim in. There is a constant spray and mist generated by its powerful cascade. Nonetheless, it is still safe to be for swimming.

Trail condition

Let's the adventure begins

The trail leading to the two waterfalls are rather flat and do not stretch far. The journey to Takah Tinggi took us around two hours whereas the hike to Takah Tempaang from there is less than an hour.

Following our guide into the jungle

Crossing stream

Any person with an average level of fitness could have easily done this hike. The only challenge in my opinion would be the abundance of leeches along the trail.

"Buffet" for the leeches

Aftermath

Leech preventive socks and long hiking pants are well advised if you are not a fan of leeches crawling on you calves and sucking off your blood. I wasn’t aware that there were so many leeches there, and as I was wearing shorts, my ankles turned into a buffet feast for those hungry leeches. Luckily for those who were behind me?

Stopped mid-way to snap this shot. I actually like snapping trees from below like this

There is also a trail heading to the summit of Gunung Tiong (1014 m), but this trail is presently not promoted as one of the attractions here. Now that I know there’s a mountain here, I’d love to trek up some day.

Night Trekking 

Our package also includes a guided night trekking, but as I fear the leeches and everyone else seemed to be more interested in playing card games, we gave it a pass. If you ever decide to do this, remember to pack your headlights with you. 

Dinner and Card Games

We ended the night with simple steamboat dinner and drinking games. With two rounds of card games, I had too much to drink and I was the first to hit the bed. The rest went on for another round before calling it a night.

Steamboat

Roasted duck

Drunken prawn

Card game

Breakfast

Breakfast was again self-cooked. I basically didn't prepare anything for breakfast, thinking I'd just skipped breakfast, but Momo cooked porridge and offered me some. Thanks a lot! *grin*

Porridge with chicken luncheon meat and fried egg

River Tubing

Let's go tubing!

One of the exciting activities which I looked forward to, was definitely the river tubing on Day 2. I’ve done white water rafting in Phuket, Thailand and kayaking somewhere in Negeri Sembilan, but this is my first time trying river tubing.

Carrying the tube upstream to start tubing

Unlike white water rafting, tubing is a solo activity, as the tube could only fit one person. We were provided with an inflatable tube, an oar and a safety jacket and we were all guided by the same guides who took us to the waterfall the day before.

Look at the water level!

It’s a free-flowing tubing, where we would be conveyed by the river current as we sat on the donut-shaped tube. Unfortunately, the water level was not high enough, and we were often stuck in between rocks.

River Tubing Shot #1

River Tubing Shot #2

It was quite tiring to get stuck every now and then, and each time it happened, we had to move our body back and forth, left and right, in order to free ourselves, and when that failed, we often had to stand up, carry our tube, walked past the obstacles and start again where the path if clear. Yes, you read that right! The river was so shallow that day, we could stand and walk. It would have been more fun if the water level is higher and the current is stronger.

River Tubing Shot #3

River Tubing Shot #4

Next Destination

Our river tubing activity took us roughly 3 hours, and by the time we were done, it was time to pack and leave. We didn’t bother taking a shower as we were heading off to another waterfall – Sungai Bantang Waterfall!

But before that, let's take a look at this video created by one of the fellow hiker for the entire trip. Thanks Soon Yee for the nice video!

Epilogue

Endau-Rompin National Park is a relatively less visited National Park in Malaysia as opposed to the more popular Taman Negara in Pahang. I’d always wanted to visit Taman Negara, but had not have the chance to do so. I’ve only stepped foot into Taman Negara to hike the Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, but the national park has so much more to offer.

Now that I’d visited Endau-Rompin, perhaps it’s time to plan a visit to the largest national park in Malaysia? 

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