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Located on the Johor-Pahang
border, this 2½-century-old extensive lowland forest is home to several
rare and endangered species. This park is popular with conservationists
and nature lovers who enjoy the wildlife and virgin environment.
Endau-Rompin National
Park is made up of a lush, pristine tropical rainforest. Covering an area
of 48,905 hectares (800 sq. km), it is the second largest national park
in the Peninsula after Taman Negara. With rock formations dating back
some 248 million years, Endau-Rompin is mostly hilly with some prominent
sandstone plateau. It also happens to be the watershed of several rivers
such as Endau River, Selai River, and Jasin River.
As the forest had
only recently been established, access to it is quite difficult and entry
to the park requires a special permit from the National Park (Johor) Corporation,
which only entertains requests for research and fishing limited to designated
areas only. However, it would be well worth the effort in attaining a
permit to this park as it is the home and sanctuary of the largest population
of the rare Sumatran rhinoceros. The spectacular Livistona Endauensis
fan palms can also be found here.
There are two entry
points to the park, Kampung Peta and Nitar. The former is located 56km
from Pahang The visitor would have to traverse through rubber and oil
palm plantations, as well as dense jungle along dirt tracks to the base
camp. From Nitar, a Felda Plantation scheme, the park can be reached after
an 8 hour boat ride along the Endau River. Kampung Peta is also the most
remote Orang Asli (aboriginal) settlement in Johor.
Part of Endau-Rompin's
attraction is that the park is intrinsically tied up with numerous legends
and myths handed down through the years. One such legend is that of Upih
Guling, which is located midway to the Buaya Sangkut waterfalls.
It is best to contact your
travel agent for guided tours of Endau-Rompin, as the area is largely
underdeveloped and infrastructure is minimal. Entry permits are a must
and visitors will have to provide two passport sized photographs and a
photocopy of their identity card or passport. Endau-Rompin is accessible
by road from KL and Singapore but it is advisable to use 4WD. It takes
5 hours from KL. Your travel agent will be able to provide further details
as to the itinerary of your tour. The tour will typically include all
meals, accommodation, and transport to and from Endau-Rompin, as well
as transport within the park.
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