Borneo Pygmy Elephant – MALAYSIA WORLD HERITAGE TRAVEL SITE

Looking to escape from the hustle and bustle in the city and relax in a quiet jungle setting or unique staycation experience? Check out our favourite “back-to-nature” hotels in some states in Malaysia, from minimalist accommodation to green villages and luxurious getaways.

With more eco-conscious travellers around the world, many hotels have incorporated numerous sustainable measures that go beyond planting a few extra trees on its compounds. A stay in a hotel with lush, solar-powered gardens is no longer a dream as many hotels transform their once ordinary common spaces into tropical wonderlands that are pleasing on both your eyes and the environment.

The Element Kuala Lumpur

Holding the title as the tallest eco-friendly hotel in Kuala Lumpur at 275 metres (902 feet), The Element has a total of 252 spacious rooms. The interior has a modern design with marble bathrooms while its facilities include an on-site restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre. Anyone looking for comfort in the heart of Kuala Lumpur but is conscious of the environment should consider The Element.

With a Green Building Index certification and a stone’s throw from the city centre, the hotel uses environmentally friendly ways to create luxury and comfort. The hotel carries out eco-friendly practices on a day to day basis. Rain water harvesting, indoor air quality CO2 monitoring, and energy efficient LED lighting are just some of their many environmental efforts. The one that most people love most though, is their effort to reduce plastic wastage. It does not provide plastic mineral water bottles. Instead, they equipped each room with filtered drinking water that is certified by NSF International.

It is worth mentioning that this hotel is just a stone’s throw away from commercial districts, surrounded by shopping malls, trending eateries and tourist destinations. Guests can have a stunning view on iconic Petronas Twin Tower on the 39th floor where a 200 sqm indoor saline pool located.

Address: Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/kulel-element-kuala-lumpur/
Phone: +603 – 2771 3388

The Frangipani Langkawi Resort Spa

Overlooking the tranquil Andaman Sea and an archipelago of over 104 islands, the Frangipani Langkawi Resort Spa is located by a pristine, white sandy beach. The resort remains close to the bustling Cenang Beach, yet retains its natural charm as secluded hideaway as the two beaches lay parted by a cliff, accessible only by road.

Over the years, The Frangipani Langkawi Resort Spa has garnered a number of prestigious awards, including the ASEAN Green Hotel Award 2014, as well as Tripadvisor’s Top 25 Relaxation and Spa Hotels for Malaysia.

The Frangipani Langkawi prides itself as an eco-friendly resort and has developed over 200 green practises to promote sustainable tourism. These include numerous ways to recycle, like reusing the water from air conditioning units, collecting rain water, and reusing old bottles for art decoration. The resort heavily promotes recycling of all waste and also has its own chickens, hens and ducks to produce its own food. It also reuses old bath tubs and toilet bowls for decoration. Guests have the chance to adopt plants and have their names displayed.

Enjoy breath taking sunsets while sipping cocktails at Coco Jam Beach Bar at the resort. Facilities include swimming pools, one salt water lap pool, outdoor jacuzzis, an anti-oxidant sauna, Frangipani spa, watersports kiosk and etc. Pamper yourself with warm Malaysian hospitality, as you lose yourself in the beauty of Langkawi, The Jewel Of Kedah.

Address: 138, Jalan Teluk Baru, Pantai Tengah, Mukim Kedawang, 07000, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia.
Website: http://www.frangipanilangkawi.com/
Phone: +604 – 291 3141

Terra’s Tree House

Terra’s Tree House is an indigenous-themed budget hotel hidden deep in the rainforest surroundings of Brinchang, near the farmland area of Sungai Mensun.

Getting to Terra’s Tree House requires a 4 wheel drive off-road journey for 4 km. The journey may take up to half an hour drive passing through numbers of farms and orchards, via a very narrow and bumpy trail. Guests will need to hike on a 100-meter wood-tiled track through the forest before reaching the actual site.

Accommodation is provided in thatched huts of authentic Orang Asli (Aborigine) architecture, composed of bamboo, rattan and palm leaves. Each tree house is perched on stilts for a view of the jungle canopy, but come with lighting and attached bathroom. Finally, organic food is provided from the hotel’s farm for guests to cook themselves breakfast and dinner.

That’s why guests appreciate Terra’s Tree House even more! Not only do they practice biodynamic farming, the people who run it are actively involved in the conservation of Cameron Highlands. We learned that the owner, Ng spent a year to conceptualise the design of the place. Actual construction took another 1.5 years without the use of any heavy machinery, not even for leveling! They wanted to preserve this wonderful Mother Nature!

What you see at Terra’s Tree House is what the Orang Asli (indigenous people) built with their own hands. The kitchen is well equipped with ingredients from Terra’s bio-dynamic farm and homegrown vegetables from just 200m away.

All meals provided are vegetarian. You could bring your own food but make sure that it’s halal and preferably sans meat. Being in the jungle means that anything with meat attracts wild animals at night. Not fun. For additional food (e.g. yam or corn for BBQ), bring your own or make an early special request to the staff.

Address: Jalan Sungai Mansion, Brinchang, Pahang, 39010, Malaysia.
Website: http://www.terrafarm.com.my/
Phone: +6012-661 3299

Tabin Wildlife Resort

For a minimalistic and eco-friendly hotel in Borneo, check out Tabin Wildlife Resort located inside Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The reserve, Malaysia’s largest by area, on the eastern tip of Sabah near Lahad Datu.

The Tabin Wildlife Resort has 20 units of lodges. 10 units of river lodges and 10 units of hill lodges. Each lodge comes with a twin-bedded, double-bedded or triple bedded room with en-suite bathroom hot-water shower, air conditioner, ceiling fan and private balcony overlooking hillside forest or Lipad river.

Constructed from timber on the River Lipad’s banks, guests have the chance to stay in the middle of the rainforest. Tabin Resort offers a range of activities including tracking orangutans and hiking. One of the highlights of Tabin being the active and mineral-rich mud volcanoes, attracting frequent visits by wildlife for their mineral intake and present an ideal platform for wildlife observation and bird watching.

Created in the year 1984, Tabin has been declared a Wildlife Reserve primarily on account of the large number of animals inhabiting its forests, some of which are highly endangered. The three largest mammals of Sabah, namely Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau are all found within the reserve; nine species of primate are present, as well as three species of cats all of which are on the protected wildlife list. Of bird species, 4 families representing more than 300 species have been recorded.

Since the opening of the award-winning Tabin Wildlife Resort in 2004, Tabin Wildlife reserve has gained popularity to be one of the best places in Sabah to observe the rich bio-diversity of nature and to part-take in nature-based activities. Amongst the popular things-to-do in Tabin are jungle-trekking, night safari, night walk, wildlife-spotting, birdwatching and rainforest education.

To practice sustainable responsible tourism initiatives such as to observe wildlife and nature in their natural habitats and to reduce impact by human on wildlife, it is restricted to maximum 5 pax per guide.

Address: Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Website: http://www.tabinwildlife.com.my/
Phone: +608- 826 7266

Aiman Batang Ai Resort and Retreat

Set on the edge of the world’s most ancient rainforest on the mystical island of Borneo, Aiman Batang Ai Resort Retreat provides the ideal getaway for those seeking a one-of-a-kind escapade that is adventurous yet fully relaxing and pleasantly satisfying at the same time.

Housing 100 fully furnished Standard Rooms and Duplex Suites, the resort’s setting is inspired by Sarawak’s traditional Iban longhouse design with spectacular view of the Batang Ai lake. It offers pristine surroundings not only inhabited by the local community but also wildlife who have made Batang Ai their home.

An outdoor swimming pool next to the jungle is a highlight as well as the cocktail bar overlooking the lake. But the environment isn’t the only way Aiman Batang Ai offers an eco-friendly retreat. Motion-sensitive light bulbs reduce their energy consumption in common areas. Resort activities range from visiting tribes and longhouses to fishing, trekking and canopy walks.

Address: Empangan Batang Ai Lubok Antu, Sarawak, 95900, Malaysia
Website: https://www.aimanbatangai.com/
Phone: +6019 – 336 8033

We braved the tropical jungle, creepy crawlies, and the wilds to bring you our top picks for a fantastic “safari” in Malaysia. While a few of our choices will lead you deep into rainforest territory, some are located in urban centers, and all are perfect for the entire family. So the next time you plan on visiting Malaysia, why not make it an educational one and get to know some of our “wilder” residents here!

Elephants at the Doorstep

Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah (tabinwildlife.com.my)

Deep in rainforest territory, some seven hours’ drive or an hour’s flight from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, is Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Roaming the 300,000 acres of lowland dipterocarp forest are three of the largest mammals of Sabah, namely the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau. Though there is no guarantee that you will see them, there have been sightings of elephants very near the reserve’s on-site resort! Also calling this place home are the 300 species of birds, orangutans, civet cats, frogs and a multitude of insects!

Exploring the area is easy and one mustn’t miss the chance to visit the Lipad Waterfalls for a nice, cold dip, or the Lipad mud volcanoes (known as an RR for wildlife seeking their mineral intake). In the evening, take a dusk drive to look out for more nocturnal wildlife and birds coming out to look for food during this time of the day. After dinner, go for a night walk along the trail nearby the resort in search of sleeping birds, frogs, and nocturnal wildlife. Cozy jungle lodges are available to make your stay more comfortable, and we do recommend at least a three-night stay to really explore all that this amazing reserve has to offer.

elephants in the mud

Wings of Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park (klbirdpark.com)

Nestled in lush green surroundings on top of a small hill lies the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park. So well does this man-made bird park blend with nature, that one easily forgets that it is located right in the heart of a bustling city. Convenience aside, this park really shines as the perfect place to spend a weekend morning with the children.

The bird park covers an area of more than 20 acres, with a landscape reminiscent of a tropical rainforest. It lays claim as the biggest bird park in Malaysia with the largest walk-in free-flight aviary in the world. At last count, there were some 3,000 birds of more than 200 species calling the park home. Among them are brahminy kites, rhinoceros hornbill (the largest hornbill species in the world), southern cassowary, channel-billed toucan, the rare Pesquet’s parrot (found only in Papua New Guinea) and the Moluccan cockatoo.

Here, birds are free to fly, glide or parade (as in the case of the peacock beauties) as they please. One of the amazing things to witness is the morning feeding session where birds of all colours and sizes suddenly swoop down from all sides in their rush to be the first at the feeding station.

Lucky visitors will get to witness the courtship display of the Indian Blue Peacock with its magnificent, colourful, five-foot train, or the yellow-billed stork build nests from fallen twigs. Also, don’t forget to say hello to the cheeky Indian Ring-necked parakeet, crowned pigeon (the largest of its species with a body the size of a turkey), the huge pelican, and the egrets, ibises, and flamingoes in the neighborhood!

Dancing with Butterflies

Entopia, Penang (entopia.com)

Have a fear of insects? Perhaps you can overcome it with close encounters of some of the world’s beautiful insects at Entopia. Situated at Teluk Bahang, Penang, it is a facility to learn all about insects and especially butterflies in a safe and fun environment.

Various species of butterflies “dance” freely in the so-called “The Natureland” outdoor ecological park. Those interested in entomology can walk among flying birdwing, autumn leaf, blue glassy tiger, and orange tip butterflies, among others. Certainly, one of the stars at Entopia is the beautiful Rajah Brooke Birdwing butterfly, one of the biggest diurnal butterflies in the world.

Apart from butterflies, other insects, invertebrates and small reptiles are also available at the park for study. These include the rhinoceros beetles, dragonhead cricket, dragonfly, firefly, leaf cutter ants, nephila spider, Malaysian giant scorpions, centipede, great angle head lizard, water monitor lizard, cat gecko, and many more. You can even see amphibians like tree frogs and poison dart frogs here. Learn more about them by signing up for the bug exploration sessions.

An Urban Farm

Farm in the City, Selangor (fitc.com.my)

Spread across an expansive 7 acres, Farm in the City is an animal-petting park where visitors wander around a Malaysian-style kampong or village while learning about more than 100 species of farm and unique animals from around the world.

Imagine strolling around the farm and encountering a rooster passing by, a tortoise grazing on a piece of vegetable, or an alpaca being led away! Well, that’s exactly what it’s like at this farm where many of the animals roam free.

Visitors can pet, stroke and feed animals such as fish, birds, hamsters, giant tortoise, rabbits and raccoons at selected times and under staff supervision. There is a popular section called “Longkang Fishing” where the young ones seem to have a whale of a time catching (and releasing) small fish in the ditch.

Besides the close interaction with animals, there are “briefing” sessions conducted by trained staff where you can learn more about each animal species, too. Get to know better the blue-tongued lizards, giant tortoises, star turtles, Javan deer, cute alpacas, rare white crows, Himalayan striped squirrels, meerkats, the Feenex fox, and more.

This outdoor park is dotted with various fruit trees and even has a spice and herb garden to explore. Nature guides are available and information signboard are full of information for young learners to know more about these animals and plants.

Hanging Out with Orangutans

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Sarawak (www.facebook.com/Semenggoh/)

Looking for friends to “hang out” within Sarawak? Take a 40-minute drive out from Kuching to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, an award-winning rehabilitation center for orangutans in Malaysia. Here’s a chance to meet semi-wild orangutans, ranging from tiny infants and boisterous adolescents to dignified mature adults, all of whom are enjoying life in a secure natural habitat.

The orangutans here have been rescued from captivity and rehabilitated so that they are able to survive in the wild on their own again. So successful is the programme that today, the surrounding forest thrives with a healthy population of orangutans who are now even breeding in the wild.

They spend most of their time roaming the forest but frequently come back to the center for a free meal. If it is the fruiting season in the forest, some or even all of them may not come to feed at the center. This in itself is a good sign and another step on the way to full rehabilitation.

We recommend that you visit during the morning or afternoon feeding sessions – this is when these gentle creatures emerge from the surrounding forest to take their meals.

But, if in the event the orangutans shy away, Semenggoh is still a great place for birdwatching. Species like Yellow-rumped flowerpecker, Bornean black-magpie, long-billed partridge, red-bearded bee-eater and much more are there for you to find.