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Date: 17 to 19 May 2008
Location: Sg. Selai, Endau Rompin, Johor
Organiser: Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Photography Group
Cost: RM280.00 (inclusive of transport and food)

It had been close to ten years since the last time I trek in the local jungle and swim in the local river! It was great to ‘be back’, the feeling of ‘déjà vu’ when I arrived at the destination.

We travelled by 4-wheel drive as, due to road condition, it is the only way of getting there.

My friend, Chin and another member were ‘allocated’ to the team of Zowalan, an avid 4-wheel-drive-adventurer and a very familiar face of MNS activities.

Endau Rompin is Malaysia’s second largest national park, after Taman Negara in Pahang.

The National Park straddles between the states of Pahang and Johor and there are three entrances to the park, one in Pahang and another two in Johor side (East side - enter from Kahang and West side (Selai) - enter from Bekok in Segamat). We used the west entrance.

Some facts about the Park in Selai area:

1. There are two campsites by the side of River Selai:

a) Lubuk Merekek campsite – large enough to hold over 30 campers and it is equipped with kitchen, dining hall and toilet facilities.
b) Lubuk Tapah – chalet (hut) style. It is located about 10-minutes walk from Lubuk Merekek. There are 15 chalets and each can accommodate three persons. Facilities are basically similar to item a) above.

2. Three beautiful and popular waterfalls
a) Takah Tinggi – the largest of the three (estimated to be 100 m high)
b) Takah Pandan
c) Takah Beringin

We stayed at the chalets in Lubuk Tapah and trekked up to Takah Tinggi the next day. Overall, it was a good trek and experience.

Where Endau Rompin is located

The trail

The convoy

With Zowalan (right); Chin, my friend (second from right)
and another team member – next to Zowalan’s 4-wheel drive.

Stopped by at the camping site (Lubuk Merekek) to have a look-see.
We stayed at the chalets located a short distance further up.

The camping site – the no. of vehicles
shows that it is a popular place.


Informative notice board

First insect encountered

Our chalet in Lubuk Tapah (the middle unit)

Chin and I shard the unit with another member

Crossing the suspension bridge

After the long journey and a nice shower, time to relax

Is 7:00am – some members were seen
busy preparing breakfast

Morning has broken…


Great minds think alike. How about people with
same interest and enthusiasm? They act (or react) alike!


The novice at work…

…and the professional

The cute and ‘cheeky’ squirrel

All ready for the trek. Leech-socks for protection from…?
What else – leeches of course!

Along the trail

Gigantic-sized mushrooms

Action! – resting, enjoying (the beautiful scenery
and the cool breeze), posing and meditating

One of the guides adjusting the aluminum ladder

Let me have your hand, please

Crossing the slope sideway

‘Mountain’ water – very refreshing and
thirst quenching (above and below)


The waterfall (at Takah Tinggi) – finally




For an experienced cameraman, locating
a good spot for a good shot is easy…

…while for someone without good balancing
sense, walking along a tree trunk
can be like walking on a tightrope.