Ornithology in Malaysia
In the heart of the Malaysian Jungle!
12
days 11 nights
Natural jewels and kingdom of good humor, Malaysia is not as well known as its neighbors in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Indonesia or the countries of Indochina. Yet it is just as authentic and full of surprises for the Western traveler. Malaysia offers visitors magnificent landscapes where equatorial forest, beaches and mountains meet and mingle! We will visit the main observation sites to maximize our chances of admiring as many birds as possible.
Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur
(Dinner)
Reception at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Transfer to Kuala Lumpur. 1 hour car journey. Check-in at the hotel. At the end of the day, stroll through the gardens at the foot of the Petronas Twin Towers.
Day 2 - Kuala Selangor - Taman Negara
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Early departure for a morning of observation along the canals and mudflats of Kuala Selangor Nature Park. Break for a seafood lunch by the river. Transfer by van to Taman negara national park. Check-in at the park hotel, then stroll through the gardens. Evening meal at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 3 and 4 - Taman Negara
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
On foot and by canoe we explore the paths and rivers of the park in the company of local guides. On the program, short hikes in the jungle, swimming in the river, canopy walk, boat trip on the river. Meals are taken at the hotel’s restaurant
Day 5 - Taman Negara - Fraser Hill
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Last morning sightings along the park trails, then after lunch, transfer to Fraser Hill mountain station. Here we will target around 50 -70 mountain species such as Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush , Malayan Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Mesia, Large Niltava, Streaked Spiderhunter, Blue-winged Minla, Lesser racket-tailed Drongo, Mountain Fulvetta, Gray-chinned Minivet, Golden babbler, Little Pied Flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Flycatcher
Day 6 and 7 - Fraser Hill
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
We take advantage of the coolness of this region to stroll along the paths and small roads of the resort in search of some of the 270 listed species. We will make a night outing to try to observe the trapdoor spider. Meals are taken in the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 8 - Fraser Hill - Kuala Lumpur - Langkawi
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Last morning observations then transfer to Kuala Lumpur airport for our flight to Langkawi.
Day 9 - Langkawi
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Accompanied by a local guide, in the morning we walk the tracks of the tropical forest in search of mynahs, hornbills and other woodpeckers, then a forest of mangroves where we will look in particular for kingfishers and sea eagles. After lunch at the hotel, a short drive takes us to a local village pond frequented by Lesser whistling-ducks, little egrets, herons, moorhens, grebes, swifts and swallows. We then head to Langkawi's highest peak to see the Great Hornbills and Wreathed Hornbills. These amazing birds will be the highlight of the trip. The Great Hornbills, measuring 1.3 meters from tip of beak to tip of tail, are the largest birds in Langkawi. Return to the hotel around 7:30 p.m. for the evening meal.
Day 10 - Langkawi
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Still accompanied by our local guide, in the morning depending on the tide, we could start on the mudflat where we can see Pacific Golden-Plovers, Pacific Swallows, Sandpipers and Warblers. We then continue to the scrubland rainforest in search of Black-hooded Orioles and then to the plantations in the hope of seeing Chestnut-Breasted Malcohas and Blue-winged Pitta. After lunch at the hotel, we head to the rice fields in search of birds associated with this habitat. We may see sandpipers, plovers, lapwings, herons, egrets, bitterns, kingfishers. We will use this day as a last chance to get some target birds we haven't seen yet. Return to the hotel around 7:30 p.m. for the evening meal.
Day 11 - Langkawi
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
After breakfast we head to the marina to catch a boat that will take us south to Langkawi to explore some of the most beautiful seascapes Malaysia has to offer. Our first visit will be to Pulau Dayang Bunting where we can swim in a fresh water lake. Then we'll cruise slowly to Singa Besar Island and spot Brahminy kites and White-bellied Sea-eagles along the way. Depending on the tide, we will go to Teluk Cawi or Beras Basah Island to enjoy the beach. We then return to Pekan Rabu Jetty in Kuah town for lunch. Then return to the hotel for a free afternoon where you can enjoy the beach or explore the island at your leisure.
Day 12 - Langkawi
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
After breakfast we head to Langkawi airport for our flight to Kuala Lumpur. You can also extend the pleasure with an immersion in the jungle or in the urban jungle o Singapour!
Kuala Selangor nature park:
Kuala Selangor Nature Park is made up of mangrove forest which forms a unique ecosystem influenced by the rising and falling of the tides. The park, made up of mangrove forests, secondary forests, mudflats, lakes and canals, is a paradise for more than 160 species of birds. Although birding is possible all year round, the best time to visit the area is during the migration season from September to April. Close to Kuala Selangor are large areas of rice paddies that are good for birding.
Taman Negara national park :
Taman Negara Park, which means "national park" in Malay, is a national nature park located in Peninsular Malaysia. It contains what scientists consider to be one of the oldest tropical forests in the world, existing for more than 130 million years. Extending over an area of 4,343 km², slightly bigger than Rhode island state, it is home to a rich and complex ecosystem that is home to more than 380 species of birds.
Fraser's Hill :
Fraser's Hill can be visited year-round, but expect thick fog and occasional rainfall. Humidity and coolness are the dominant characteristics of the climate in these regions. Ornithologists stroll along the paths and small roads of the station in search of some of the 270 listed species. Among them, the Long-tailed Sibia and the Malayan and Chestnut-Capped Laughingthrush are as common as pigeons in our big cities and promise beautiful photos!
Langkawi island :
Langkawi is home to the best site in Malaysia for Black-hooded Oriole, Brown-winged Kingfisher and Plain-backed Sparrow. And a guaranteed site for Pied Hornbills and Great Hornbills. Wreathed Hornbills are seasonal on this island paradise. Diversity of habitats, wading birds, birds of prey, hornbills, beautiful beach, comfortable hotel are the best way to end our tour.
