Unique Ecotourism Activities & Destinations in Malaysia (Part 1)

Looking for an affordable trip? A small holiday without the need for passports and check-ins? Thinking of just packing up the car and getting away from it all?

Yes, you can and also be able to do it responsibly. The responsible traveller gives back to the well-being of the environment by supporting sustainable development for the benefit of future generations. He/she reaps the rewards of satisfaction from this meaningful experience.

“Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of (the) local people." It unites conservation, communities and sustainable travel.

It is a win-win situation for all. You get to enjoy undisturbed habitats in low-visitor ratio environs, experience, close-up, the natural heritage and witness, first hand, the eco-social aspects. The income thus generated is fed back to the hosting communities, their conservation efforts and educational programmes. At the end of it all, we all benefit.

60% virgin forests, untouched landscapes millions of years old, one of the world’s most diverse range of fauna and flora, over 50 environmentally-protected havens – all make Malaysia quite a gem for eco-tourism.

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Whether you are the beginner or the intrepid eco-traveller, check these 3 unique locations just from the peninsular side:

Malaysia’s largest goat and sheep farm – Kluang UK Farm, Johor.

From a small farm 10 years ago, it is now home to 4000 sheep, a milk producing plant and a passion fruit plantation with its own manufacturing station. An Ostrich Park, a tribal Jakun Village, Herb Sanctuary and Mushroom Farm further complement the settings.

Learn about the intricate journey of goats’ milk from animal to supermarket, then try out some goats’ milk lotion. Feed the goats, cuddle the sheep, enjoy making lanterns and kites or bake muffins with goats’ milk. Check out the differences between the Lingzhi and the Oyster mushrooms as you taste their Aloe Vera Juice and Mushroom Biscuits. Do not miss the Sheep Challenge – see if you have what it takes to catch sheep in 3 minutes!

There are enough leisure activities here to warrant for a night’s stay on-site in their chalets or dormitories. Off-site, Trivago.com says: “Never pay full price for Hotels in Kluang… Save up to 74% Now!”

For you city-folks who used to get goats' milk delivered by the man on a motorbike, which you had to strain and boil to sterilise before drinking, this is the place to get it faster, fresher and better!

Malaysia’s first and only organic rice farm – Kahang Organic Rice Eco-Farm, Johor.

Right on the edge of the Malaysian rainforest reserves, life ambles on self-sufficiently over 260 acres of paddy fields, centred by a grand lake upon which floats a hub of charming wooden houses. This is where you sample biodiversity and simple kampung life.

Witness the love relationship between man and environment as you hear the waters flowing down Gunung Belumut to feed the fields, learn about integrated farming by rotation between rice and fish, and be served fresh home-cooked meals with food sourced from the same tenderly-cared-for land.

Sample a carefree kampung life where paddling a bamboo raft is a mode of transport, swinging high and zipping down a flying fox over the waters of a lake is a past-time. Traverse a water obstacle course made from recycled materials, catch fish hands-on with a big net, then round off the day with exploring the fields after-dark. The abundant activities alone will make you want to stay the night. Your choice of colourful accommodation ranges from luxurious or rustic floating chalets to the camping ground.

Parents, this is where you get to make your darlings appreciate the rice you put on their plates. Give them the (back-breaking) experience of transplanting rice-seedlings in knee-deep muddy fields!

Malaysia’s natural treasure trove – Royal Belum State Park, Perak

Touted as the country’s best-kept eco-tourism secret, this 1175 sq km of protected rainforest is virgin, 130 million years old (older than the Amazon and Congo rainforests), houses 14 of the world's most threatened mammals (the Malaysian Tiger, white-handed Gibbon, Asiatic Elephant, Malaysian Sunbear, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Tapir...) and also, home for the Rafflesia.

Just 4 hours from Kuala Lumpur, access to the Park is on a one-hour boat trip from the nearby Pulau Banding. Park entry permits must be secured a week in advance. Once inside, cut-off from the ‘outside’ world, simply abandon yourself to the majestic power of the primeval setting, breathe in the oxygen-laden air, embrace that still intensity and contemplate on your good fortune to be able to unite with nature in such raw wilderness. “Best place to escape from concrete jungle”, a must for “digital detox and nature lover”, “Untouchable” – record some travellers in Tripadvisor.

Take a guided day’s excursion to trek the rainforest, (perhaps) see some endangered species, find the Rafflesia flowers, bathe in the waterfalls or visit an aboriginal village. Take another day to fish, bird-watch for all 10 species of the hornbill, visit the salt licks (mineral-rich deposits – nature’s way to help the animals keep themselves healthy) and guess what animal had left its (poo-ey) territorial marks there. Do not skip the rich flora and fauna hiding amongst centuries-old gnarled tree roots and hand-sized crickets.

There is a variety of accommodation at Belum – inns, hostels, resorts and, even, a boat-house, all within easy-distance for excursions to the Park. Agoda offers 30% off rates at Belum Rainforest Resort. Also check this Belum website for more indepth information into this location.

Best pack those bottles of insect repellents.

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What with people becoming more aware of the environmental issues and Malaysia being that gem for eco-tourism, the list of such exotic locations remains inexhaustive – which is fantastic news for the do-good holiday agenda! To help you save more during your trip, drop by our travel page for exclusive codes sure to make you happy.

Read on here for more about eco-tourism in the Borneo-side of Malaysia.

Image credits: http://okgo.ws/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/partner0292.jpg http://kahangorganic.com/static/images/lake.jpg https://belumoutdoor.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dsc_0086.jpg