Famous for its beaches and rainforest, Malaysia is home to more than thirty odd national parks where you can explore nature. National parks in Malaysia are packed with thrilling and enjoyable adventures.

National parks in Malaysia offer you a chance to explore the country’s stunning natural landscapes and unique wildlife. Whether you want to explore the jungle, go for a hiking trail, or a canopy walk, you get to see plenty of views in these protected areas.

It can be hard to choose a perfect itinerary with so many choices. But we have rounded up the top 10 best national parks in Malaysia worth visiting. Prepare to seek adventures in these national parks.

5 Most Beautiful National Parks In Malaysia

1. Taman Negara National Park

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The largest and oldest national park in Malaysia, Taman Negara National Park, has been around for more than 130 million years old. It covers an area of over 4,300 square kilometers and stretches over three states, which include Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu.

Taman Negara is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. It is known for its dense jungle, pristine river, and unique wildlife. If you are bringing your kids along, consider taking the longboat along the Tembeling River or the Lata Berkoh waterfall. It will be an adventurous trip for kids.

The canopy walk is one of the park’s main attractions. You get to see stunning views of the surrounding lowland rainforest. Take along your torchlight if you are going for a night jungle walk or night boat cruise. You may get to spot the Malay civet cat or flying lemurs in the dark.

Taman Negara is also a home to Orang Asli. You get to visit the Batek tribe, where you learn about their traditional way of life and participate in cultural activities, such as hunting using a bamboo blowpipe or making fire using reed skin and roots.

Homestays are available around the area. But if you want to stay within the national park, Mutiara Taman Negara Resort is a great option.

2. Gunung Mulu National Park

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Located at Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park is popular for its iconic cave system. It has amazing scenery and stunning landscapes on show. It is relatively inaccessible, and the only way to reach it is by plane or riverboat.

The park is home to some of the world’s largest and most spectacular cave systems; you can visit the Deer Cave and the Clearwater Cave, which are open to visitors. The Deer Cave is one of the largest cave passages in the world and home to a large colony of bats. The Clearwater Cave is another popular attraction, with crystal-clear water running through it.

Besides its cave system, Gunung Mulu National Park is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. It has over 3,500 species of plants, including rare orchids and pitcher plants. Exploring this national park definitely will be an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

3. Bako National Park

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Bako National Park is considered one of Sarawak’s oldest and smallest national parks. It covers an area of approximately 27 square kilometers. To reach Bako National Park, you need to take a boat across the South China Sea.

Once you step off the boat, you can easily find long-tailed macaques, proboscis monkeys, and Bornean bearded pigs roaming around. The park is also known for its wide range of birdlife, with over 150 species recorded. It is a great place for bird watching.

There are also 16 nature trails for you to explore. Some lead to beaches, while others lead to the waterfall. You get to see stunning views of the coast. Telok Pandan Kecil trail is one of the most popular trails in this national park. It takes you through various landscapes, and you get to see several types of primates, including proboscis monkeys.

Besides, you get to see impressive rock formations at Bako National Park, carved over millions of years by wind and water erosion.

4. Kinabalu National Park

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Kinabalu National Park is a protected area located in Sabak. It covers an area of over 750 square kilometers and is home to Mount Kinabalu. The park is a biodiversity hotspot where you find thousands of flower species.

Learn about fun facts and spot the pitcher plants, orchids, and Rafflesia on the nature trail by booking the daily guided walks. You will definitely learn more about nature. Besides the fauna and flora, you get to discover over 4,500 types of animals, and birds nestle in this park.

If you want to climb Mt Kinabalu, consider trying out Ranau Trail, which is moderately easy. There are flights of stairs for you to climb. For a more challenging path, go for Kota Belud Trail, which has wooden steps and rope climbs. Sabah Parks issue 150 climbing permits each day, and some hikers book their climb six months ahead.

Kinabalu National Park is a relatively undisturbed environment. It will be a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

5. Niah National Park

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A protected area in the Miri Division of Sawarak, Niah National Park covers an area of 3,140 hectares. It has signs of human habitation dating about 40,000 years back, making Niah National Park an important archaeological site in Malaysia. Prehistoric cave paintings and human skeletons at 40,000 years old were discovered inside.

The cave is famous for its prehistoric cave paintings depicting hunting scenes and other aspects of daily life from the Paleolithic era. It testified how humans used it as a place for shelter and protection in the past.

You get to enjoy seeing some wildlife on the way. A diverse range of flora and fauna is waiting for you to discover them. One of the park’s most famous residents is the swiftlet, which it builds its nests in the cave. In Chinese cuisine, birds nest soup is made of their nest after cleaning and cooking.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, a nature lover, or just looking for a break from the city, Malaysia’s national parks are a must-visit destination. Each park has something unique to offer, and exploring them is an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Here are some of the most beautiful national parks in Malaysia. Whether you enjoy the outdoors, are a nature lover, or looking for a break, these national parks in Malaysia are places that you don’t want to miss. Each national park has something unique to offer, and you definitely have an unforgettable experience.