Magical Malaysia

Malaysia is listed as one of the world’s 'megadiverse' countries, and it’s not hard to see why.

Malaysia has something for everyone - get up close and personal with orangutans in the rainforests, trek through dense jungle, visit the waterfalls of Langkawi, dive the coral reefs, sail around the islands, kick back on the pristine beaches of Tioman Island or visit the world’s tallest building in Kuala Lumpur.

With thirteen states in total, the South China Sea splits the country into two regions. The Peninsular Malaysia is bordered by Thailand in the mountainous, jungle covered North, with sandy beaches and a magnificent coastal plain in the south. Malaysian Borneo has a large system of rivers and dense rainforests home to indigenous tribes and endangered wildlife.

It’s the perfect destination for responsible travellers who care about authentic travel - meeting the locals, immersing yourself in the culture, exploring the natural wonders and discovering endangered wildlife in a way that is better for the the local communities and environment. It is also the only country in the Southeast Asia region making a major government level commitment to responsible travel and sustainable tourism.

Tempted?! Read on and find out about our top Malaysian holiday experiences... Elephants, tigers, crocodiles, giant flowers, and the world’s tallest trees…the wildlife of Malaysia is simply out of this world.

There are over 8000 species of flowering plants in Peninsular Malaysia, including the world’s tallest tropical tree species, the tualang, whilst Malaysian Borneo is home to the world’s largest flower, the rafflesia, measuring up to 1m across, and the world’s biggest cockroach. The famous Taman Negara national park is also the home to some rare mammals, such as the Indochinese Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Asian Elephant. However the most famous inhabitants must be the orang-utans. Sarawak in Borneo is home to the last natural population of orang-utans on the planet.

See it all for yourself on one of these trips and you’ll be supporting the local communities and conservation projects and minimising your environmental impact:

This family trip to Borneo is an ideal holiday to meet not only orang-utans, but also turtles and Iban tribes people. Situated in Sabah and Sarawak, the two largest states in Borneo, the itinerary takes you from the historic Chinese temples of Kuching, to the wilds of the Sarawak jungles looking for wild boar, monitor lizards and proboscis monkeys whilst staying in tree houses. The kids are also taught about the lives of the orang-utans at a rehabilitation centre.

Sabah and Sarawak is the perfect destination for thrill seekers. This adventure involves a high altitude trek up Mount Kinabalu, which has the highest peak in Malaysia. Situated in Kinabalu National Park, it has UNESCO World Heritage status and hundreds of species of birds, mammals and flora can be found there. To recover from the climb you can also take a dip in the Poring Hot Springs, watch the turtles laying eggs at night, and relax on the pristine beaches.

The Red Ape trail trek is ideal if you like trekking and love orang-utans but aren’t so keen on mountainous ascents and the threat of altitude sickness! This holiday can be tailor made to suit your interests and budget, so you can do as much or as little as you please. Taking place in Sarawak, the easily accessible jungles harbour huge varieties of flora and fauna amidst spectacular landscapes. Best of all, you’ll get the chance to go on the Red Ape trail trek. In cooperation with the Orang-utan Foundation, this remote trekking route was established to journey through one of the few remaining orang-utan habitats left in Borneo, offering a fantastic insight into the lifestyle and all important conservation efforts surrounding these wonderful animals.

For a more ‘cultural’ wildlife experience, this trip begins on the island of Penang, known as the Pearl of the Orient. Here there are extensive mangrove forests along the coastline, with all sorts of animals hiding amongst them like sea eagles and pythons. Venturing through Sarawak and its national parks you will meet the Iban tribes people and see much wildlife including the amazing sight of millions of bats leaving the Deer Cave at dusk, before heading to the elephant sanctuary in Kuala Gandah. One of our most popular beach resorts with rave reviews is this little gem on Tioman Island. Small and friendly, you’ll stay at one of the five beach fronted chalets on one of the world’s most beautiful islands just off on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The beaches are on the edge of the densely forested island with coral reefs waiting to be explored in the crystal clear waters. Simply enjoy paradise by lazing on the sandy beaches or drinking cocktails in the bar `between sea and land’. There are diving PADI courses and many other activities available should you wish to be a bit more energetic.

For a mix of jungle fever and luxurious beaches book this Malay Peninsula holiday. To earn seven glorious days staying at Pangkor Laut, a privately owned island and perfect hideaway for escapism, tranquillity, and pristine beaches, you first climb the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia and take a boat ride to Lata Berkoh for some swimming and fishing.

For a bit of everything, this Sarawak and Brunei holiday begins with a short stay on one of the stunning beaches near Kota Kinabalu. From here you travel through the rainforest in Brunei and Sarawak. Take a boat out to spot crocodiles, macaques, langurs and birdlife, stay in an Iban longhouse, and visit the caves in Mulu National Park.
The marine conservation expedition to Tioman Island comes up trumps. Set in a stunning location, you’ll get the chance to learn and enjoy spectacular diving whilst contributing to the pioneering environmental conservation project. During the 3-6 week holiday, volunteers focus on the collection of meaningful data which is used to develop sustainable local environmental management plans for the unique reef systems. The aim is to maintain the biological diversity and productivity of the reefs as well as improving the quality of life of the local communities who depend on these marine resources. You won’t need diving experience as there is training on site for a PADI certification level (Advanced Open Water or higher) and marine research conservation training is given. The diving around the coral reefs in the crystal clear waters is fantastic and this expedition has rightfully been highly commended in our Responsible Tourism Awards.

Turtle volunteering on the Perhentian Islands provides another enchanting dive orientated location whilst protecting and managing a turtle nesting beach. The picture perfect islands have golden sands, turquoise waters and a very relaxed atmosphere. PADI Scuba diving courses and three environmental training dives are available as an extra option to the turtle program, where you will learn how to protect the reef whilst diving and how to identify different fish and substrate types. Although diving is often the highlight of the trip and intrinsic to protecting the marine habitat, which is vital for turtles to survive, there is a rewarding opportunity to educate both tourists and local school children, and impart some of the wisdom you will have achieved. If a great adventure with an even bigger eco drive behind it is what you are after then look no further. This tailor-made trip exploring the rainforest and cultures found in Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo. Like many of the holidays on offer this trip encompasses all that is fantastic about Malaysia. Several international film makers have chosen Kuching as their filming location, due to its heritage and natural abundance of flora and fauna which is also the starting place for this tour. There is also trekking through the rainforest, an exploration of Asia’s longest cave, and a couple of days at Damai Beach - relaxing on the shores and pulsating to the rhythms of enthralling cultural shows at night. It is a formidable combination of activities and scenery, and allows you to plan your timescale individually.

This coast to coast tour takes you across the Malay Peninsular, where you will explore the tropical jungle, exotic wildlife and spectacular scenery. In Belum Forest you’ll have the chance to visit the village of the indigenous, forest-dwelling Orang Asli tribe and see first hand their unique traditions and way of life. This is contrasted by time spent in the bustling Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, the old hill station of Cameron Highlands and the historic port of Georgetown, where you will witness the vibrant mix of many cultures and religions.

If you like to get active on holiday, this cycling and trekking holiday in Borneo is perfect. It begins in Sabah, known as “the land below the winds” because of its location just south of the typhoon-prone region around the Philippines. Cycling through ancient jungle to breathtaking coastlines there are lots of classic dirt and coastal biking. Take a break from the saddle and you can trek up Mount Kinabalu on foot, sleep in a longhouse with the Rungus tribe and paddle through mangrove swamps in native canoes.

Finally, this excellent value, action-packed small group adventure gives you the modern bustle of Kuala Lumpur, the stunning tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, the 130 million year old Taman Negara Rainforest, and the unspoilt perfection of lush tropical rainforest and palm-fringed white-sand beaches on Langkawi island. For a truly mesmerising honeymoon, packed full with glorious sights, adventure and spectacular diving opportunities, surely there’s no destination like Borneo. Choose your own adventurous itinerary - climb Mount Kinabalu, walk in national parks and nature reserves, visit Poring hot springs and go on a canopy walk. Then before you return home spend three nights Lankayan Island, a tropical resort island in the Sulu Sea of Malaysia. It is fantastic for diving, with diverse marine life, coral and sunken wrecks, and also popular for its whale shark sightings. Of course the sandy beaches are perfect for some post wedding relaxation time.

Already mentioned earlier above, Tioman Island deserves yet another shout, perfect for the responsible traveller looking for romance, tropical climates and sheer beauty. With turquoise waters teeming with diverse marine life and coral reefs, rainforests and a carefully protected
nature reserve, the island supports tourists whilst preserving its beauty and integrity. If that isn’t romantic enough, according to legend Tioman Island is the resting place of a beautiful Chinese dragon princess.

Another tour perfect for honeymooners is the Sarawak Highlights. Stay at pristine untouched beaches, splash through mountain steams, stay in a rustic jungle lodge built on stilts, swim by the Enseluai Waterfall, fish Iban-style, see orang-utans at the Semengoh Wildlife Centre, see the caves and bat exodus at Mulu National Park, or visit a Penan settlement and watch craft making by the semi-nomadic tribes people. This trip can be tailor-made to suit you. Be it doing nothing or everything, it will be a thoroughly gratifying and unforgettable experience. Rainforest conservation volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to help protect the world's irreplaceable species and habitats, and Borneo is a prime target. Host to some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, changes to this rich biodiversity have far reaching implications. To record biodiversity you will trek deep into the heart of the tropical rainforest to identify and collect plant and animal specimens essential and work alongside expert scientists as part of a team with people from all corners of the world, all working towards conserving this magnificent region.

If community work is where your heart lies, requires volunteers to work with orphans in Kuala Lumpur. Providing valuable assistance to children in marginalised communities who have been abandoned and orphaned can benefit them greatly and give you a real sense of purpose. You can also help build social and educational skills by being a positive role model, and by giving them the care and attention they may not otherwise receive. A really inspirational trip which enables you to give a bit back to the local community along the way.

Teaching English in Sabah is another great way to help the local community. English is taught in the rural primary and secondary schools where placements are available, but as little English is spoken outside the classroom the pass rates are often lower than could be achieved. On a placement, not only would you teach English in class, but you would improve their understanding, pronunciation and speech by exposing them to English in everyday life. This is a fantastic way to become immersed in a different culture. As Malaysian culture is so unique, and
the Saban region so exotic and colourful, you will have the experience of a lifetime and a truly rewarding time.

Finally there has to be a mention for those famous primates that drive much of the tourism in Malaysia. This orang-utan volunteering holiday is an amazing journey through the world of the orang-utan in Borneo. Volunteering in a Zoo’s Ape Centre, visiting two orang-utan rehabilitation centres, and then heading into the Bornean rainforest to live and work with a tribal community (descendants of head-hunters!) based around the wild orang-utan populations, provides a powerful insight into these special primates and will leave you enthralled.

By Lucy Henton

Take a look at all our Malaysia holidays

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