Malaysia is not only modern megacities, architectural monuments and original culture . The country can also boast of its exotic nature and the diversity of flora and fauna. On the territory of Malaysia is concentrated a large number of national parks, each of which is a kind of microworld. That is why tourists who want to get to know this wonderful country better should include visiting their local reserves in their trip.
List of National Parks of Malaysia
Almost three quarters of the area of this state falls on forests, with most of them - virgin jungles. Thanks to this, Malaysia is among those countries that make a feasible contribution to the protection of the environment of the whole Earth. Several hundred species of mammal animals, tens of thousands of flowering plants, thousands of fish species and a huge number of invertebrates and microorganisms have been registered in the local nature protection zones.
To date, the following parks in Malaysia have national status:
- Taman-Negara;
- Bako;
- Mulu;
- Nyah;
- Batang-Ay;
- Similiao;
- Miri-Sibouti;
- Bukit-Lambir;
- Logan-Bunut;
- Maloudam;
- Pulang-Tau;
- Kinabalu;
- Sipadan;
- Cuba;
- Kuching Wetlands;
- Taman-Negara Pulau;
- Tunku Abdul Rahman;
- Tanjung Pgyi;
- Taman Pulay Pen.
On the territory of nature conservation zones, tourists observe the life of monkey-noses, Malay tigers, Sumatran rhinoceroses or orangutans. In the national parks of Malaysia, you can also engage in diving , rafting, rock climbing, hiking and other outdoor activities .
The most interesting national parks of Malaysia
The area of all the local reserves is significantly different, but the size here is far from the main thing. The tourist popularity of each reserve is determined by its importance, recreational facilities and transport accessibility. So, before you are those of them that fell in love with the guests of the country most:
- Taman Negara. It is the most famous national park in Malaysia. On an area of more than 434,000 hectares, tropical trees grow, the height of which can reach 40-70 m. The park is also known for the highest cableway in the world Kanopi-Walkway, located at an altitude of 40 m above sea level.
- Bako . One of Malaysia's most beautiful national parks is buried in tropical and dipterocarp forests. Even in such a small national park of Malaysia, as Bako, there are 57 species of mammals, 22 species of birds, 24 species of reptiles and amphibians. Large animals are represented by orangutans, gibbons and rhino birds.
- Maloudam. Unlike other reserves of Sarawak, the park consists of a low-lying peat bog forest. They cover 10% of its area and are used mainly for agriculture and logging.
- The national parks of Mulu and Niah in Malaysia are famous for caves and a huge number of karst formations, surrounded by dense tropical forests. The most visited of them is the grotto of Sarawak, located in the cave of Lubang Nasib Bagus. In the park of Niakh there is a deer cave , the area of which is equal to the area of 13 football fields.
- The Kubach Reserve in Kuching . Distinguished by no less unique wildlife, it is the habitat of bearded pigs, deer, many species of amphibians and reptiles. However, its main advantages include waterfalls and natural pools with crystal clear water.
- Pulau Penang is better to choose for exploring the jungles and beaches of Malaysia. There are two walking paths here, following which you can visit the Monkey Beach, the Muka Lighthouse or the Turtle Sanctuary.
Features of marine national parks in Malaysia
Malaysia is surrounded on almost all sides by the waters of the Indian Ocean, so it is not surprising that there are many marine reserves here:
- Park Tunka Abdul Rahman is the largest of them. It is washed by the waters of the Sulawesi and South China seas. Its area is almost 5000 hectares, and the depth in some areas reaches 1000 m.
- Sipadan . Located in the sea of Sulawesi, it is considered to be no less famous marine national park of Malaysia. This is a great place for diving. Here you can see the coral reefs, as well as watch the sea turtles, fishes and sharks. By the way, you can see turtles in the Taman Pulau Penu National Park.
- Coral reef park Miri-Sibouti. To go deep in submersion, tourists come here. The reserve is located at the very edge of the sea at a depth of 7-50 m, and due to the transparency of water the visibility in it is 10-30 m.
- Logan-Bunut is another marine national park in Malaysia, located next to Miri-Sibouti. It is known for its unique water system and rich biodiversity.
- Mangrove reserves Kuching Wetlands and Tanjung Piai. The first is more a river than a sea one. It consists of a saline mangrove system formed from tidal streams and sea bays. In the same forests, another national reserve, Tanjung-Piai, is buried. Bridges and platforms are laid across its territory, from which it is possible to observe the life of macaques, wild birds and amphibian fish-maskskipers.
All of the above parks of Malaysia have a national status. In addition to them, there are many other reserves, which are "national" only de facto, but not legally. Each of the reserves is managed by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Malaysia.