Royal Belum - Our Next Survival Series Destination

The Royal Belum State Park was established in the year 2000. In July 2003, the Belum forest was known as “Royal Belum”. Officially gazetted as the Royal Belum State Park on May 3rd 2007. Royal Belum State park has land mass of 117,500 hectares which cover almost 50% of total Belum Temenggor Forest Reserve (300,000 hectares).

Located in Northern Perak district, Malaysia, the area is surrounded by Thailand border on the northern side, East-West highway on the Southern side and state of Kelantan on the Eastern side. The area shares border with Bang Lang National Park, Thailand and Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand.

Southern part is called Temenggor Forest Reserve which is within Belum-Temenggor Valley area. The rainforest has somewhat different in density and has heavy logging activities which is considered red-zone by some naturalist.

Biodiversity and Main Attraction of Royal Belum.

Being 130 million year old, Royal Belum is among the oldest rain forest in the world. It has biodiversity more than any other areas.

Some of the main attraction is Rafflesia flowers (species: Azlanii, Cantleyii and Kerrii), Hornbills (10 species), cooling and refreshing waterfalls (Ruok, Kejar, Mes, Semelian, Ko’oi, Belangan, Tiang, Papan, Gen and etc), Salt Licks (estimated at 60 sites altogether), among the accessible site are Sira / Jenut Papan, Sira Rambai, Sira Selantan etc), wildlife (elephant, tiger, gaur, deer, barking deer, mouse deer, snakes, insects, butterflies, fishes, tapir, wild boar, monkeys, squirrels etc).

A common aboriginal or Orang Asli found within Royal Belum is the Jahai Tribe. Locations of their villages are Sungai Tiang, Sungai Kejar (left, right and upper river) and remote locations inside the rain forest.

Their main activities would hunting, fishing and agriculture. Modern structure in village such Sungai Tiang has been built by the government to uplift their living standard with proper electricity, water and education.

Click here for more read about Biodiversity and its importance.

Entry Permit and Authority.

Royal Belum is maintain and look after by Royal Belum State Park Authority (RBSP) or PTNP which is also responsible in regulating and monitoring all activities. PTNP office is located in Gerik Perak. An entry permit for every visitor into Royal Belum is a must and is only issued by PTNP within advanced time limits. Locals would need 5-7 days for permit approval and foreigners would require 2-3 weeks in advance (with passport copy) for permit application.

Any information about Royal Belum, please contact Royal Belum State Park Authority at +60 5 791 7858.