Call of the wild

Call of the wild

ENDAU: The Endau-Rompin National Park hopes to get 10,000 visitors by the end of this year, relying on its many attractions including camping, white water rafting, jungle trekking, birdwatching, boat rides and nature photography.

Johor National Parks Corporation (PTNJ) director Abu Bakar Mohamed Salleh hoped to see a 66% increase in visitors from the figure of 6,000 visitors last year.

“So far, there have been about 4,000 visitors.

“We want to promote the national park as a nature and adventure tourism spot,” he said.

He said the entire Endau-Rompin National Park covered a total area of 48,905ha, spread over Segamat and Mersing.

He pointed out that the Mersing half of the park spanning 19,000ha was among the oldest virgin rainforests in the world, at over 240 million years old, making it a prime tourist attraction in Pahang.

He also highlighted that the park offered five family chalets and four standard chalets in Kuala Jasin, an area that overlooked the convergence of Sungai Jasin and Sungai Endau.

The family chalet can accommodate six people while the standard chalet accommodates two persons.

“Among the places of interest within the park are Tasik Air Biru with crystal-clear water,” said Abu Bakar.

He said the lake had an abundance of fish including the Asian Boneytongue or kelisa (scleropages formosus).

Visitors could also check out the strange rock formations at Upeh Guling which was about two hours’ trek from Kuala Jasin, he said.

“The rainforest is home to an abundance of fauna, too, with over 120 elephants and 11 tigers among some of the big mammals roaming the forest.

“Lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of elephants, deer and monkeys.

“We also have 37 species of snakes, 36 species of lizards, 57 species of frogs in addition to the 95 species of mammals here,” he said.

“Apart from the natural attraction, there is a Nature Education and Research Centre (NERC) for researchers to stay at and conduct their studies in the park. The NERC consists of three family chalets, a dormitory that can house 128 people as well as a library, research facilities and Internet link,” he said.

A three days/two nights stay at the park would cost RM280 per person inclusive of transport, food and activities, he added.

For enquiries on the national park, visit www.johorparks.com.my or call 07-788 2812.

-News courtesy of The Star-