This is a review of the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort in Taman Negara National Park personally after visiting this amazing place in Pahang.
The first thing you should know is that there is no other resort in the national park but this one. All other hotels or guest houses are located opposite the park at Kuala Tahan.
To get to Taman Negara National Park, everyone will have to access it through Kuala Tahan, a small river town by the Tembeling River.
Once you reach Kuala Tahan, you head to the jetty area and take a river taxi to Taman Negara National Park. The price is RM1.00 one way per person.
Once you reach Kuala Tahan, you head to the jetty area and take a river taxi to Taman Negara National Park. The price is RM1.00 one way per person.
The entrance to the national park is also the main entrance of the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort, which is where the park headquarters is located.
All park activities start here; therefore, I hope this provides valuable information.
All park activities start here; therefore, I hope this provides valuable information.
Review of Mutiara Taman Negara Resort
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| The main lobby area of the resort |
The third night, I spent in Kuala Tahan at one of the local guest houses, which was quite decent.
The Mutiara Resort has been around for more than two decades, named the most luxurious resort in the national park.
Prices are premium, where you can expect to pay around RM200.00 to RM500.00 per night, depending on the type of room, chalet, bungalow or villa.
Prices are premium, where you can expect to pay around RM200.00 to RM500.00 per night, depending on the type of room, chalet, bungalow or villa.
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| One of the chalets at the Taman Negara Resort |
Most of the photos are enhanced with HDR or photoshopped by professional photographers. In this article, my photos are all taken and edited very little to show you the real deal.
For those who plan to stay longer than two days, the resort offers various room promotions with minor discounts. This would work well if you travel as a couple or family wanting to have a lovely nature experience.
There is also an air-conditioned dorm available for single travellers, and for larger families, there are bungalows with multiple rooms.
And if you are a company looking for a retreat or team-building trip, Mutiara Taman Negara Resort is one of the recommended places away from the city.
And if you are a company looking for a retreat or team-building trip, Mutiara Taman Negara Resort is one of the recommended places away from the city.
The resort also offers meeting and banquet rooms that can accommodate 250 people. In total, there are three function rooms within the park grounds, and for that additional surprise, an outdoor barbecue can also be arranged.
Chalet Room at Taman Negara
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| Deluxe chalet units at the resort |
I checked into a chalet suit, a single storey semi-detached unit that came with a king-sized bed. There is a living room with access to your own private balcony and a mini kitchen area.
The unit is done in a rustic wood ambience that blends in with the rainforest surrounding and is perfect for any nature lover.
The unit is done in a rustic wood ambience that blends in with the rainforest surrounding and is perfect for any nature lover.
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| The bedroom at the suite |
The suit chalet also comes with two air conditions, and the attached bathroom is pretty modern, which I believe was recently upgraded.
Overall, rusting and Eco-friendly and has a modern contemporary bathroom, which is a perfect mix.
Overall, rusting and Eco-friendly and has a modern contemporary bathroom, which is a perfect mix.
The chalet units are lined along the main walkway, about a five-minute walk from the main reception area.
If you have problems walking, I recommend you book a room nearer to the reception area and restaurant.
There is only one restaurant called Seri Mutiara for meals, which serves buffet or ala-carte meals that are Halal and cater to all walks of life. Choices include Asian cuisine and also Continental cuisine.
The menu is quite diverse as pizzas, pasta and burgers are also offered. For non-Muslims, beer is offered by the can or wine is served by the glass or bottle.
If you have problems walking, I recommend you book a room nearer to the reception area and restaurant.
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| The common area or living hall in the suite |
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| Bathrooms are modern contemporary. |
The menu is quite diverse as pizzas, pasta and burgers are also offered. For non-Muslims, beer is offered by the can or wine is served by the glass or bottle.
If you are spending a much longer time staying here, take the boat taxi across to Kuala Tahan and try some of the local restaurants there.
Some of the eateries are pretty interesting, serving Malaysian style local and western food.
Some of the eateries are pretty interesting, serving Malaysian style local and western food.
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| Seri Mutiara Restaurant at Taman Negara |
Mutiara Taman Negara Facilities
There is a souvenir and mini-mart combined in the main reception area and park headquarters office that sells snacks, ice cream, drinks, and even daily necessities. You can also get your insect repellents here.
I pretty much self trekked around the very safe resort trails in my free time. Recommended doing this in the mornings.
One of the trails lead all the way to the canopy walk too, so if you are not up to sitting on a boat and heading there, you can trek there.
One of the trails lead all the way to the canopy walk too, so if you are not up to sitting on a boat and heading there, you can trek there.
You should know that one weekend, the park entrance can get a little crowded, or even extremely crowded. This is usually because many companies tend to have their retreats here, or even schools having their day trips.
If you dislike crowds, I highly recommend you book your stay for a weekday, as it will almost guarantee a peaceful time with you and nature.
I have read and heard so many complaints about the noisy kids and crowds in the main entrance area.
I have read and heard so many complaints about the noisy kids and crowds in the main entrance area.
As mentioned, the reason for this is that anyone entering Taman Negara National Park will have to go through here to get to the park headquarters. This is for the parking permit and other park activities.
Activities at Mutiara Taman Negara Resort
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| The Mutiara Taman Negara Resort Jetty |
When you stay here, there are quite many outdoor, nature and adventure activities for guests to choose from. This is suitable for both couples and families, including kids.
While I was here, I did the most common things: walking the longest canopy walk in the world, rapid shooting up the Tembeling River, visiting the local ethnic village, a night walk, and, of course, bird watching.
However, you can choose what you like for visitors here, and the resort can arrange it for you. Alternatively, you can go to the park headquarters and book your own activities.
Below is the list of activities being offered at Taman Negara;
While I was here, I did the most common things: walking the longest canopy walk in the world, rapid shooting up the Tembeling River, visiting the local ethnic village, a night walk, and, of course, bird watching.
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| Some of the deer I spotted while doing the nocturnal walk at Taman Negara National Park. |
Below is the list of activities being offered at Taman Negara;
- Night Jungle Walk
- Jungle Trekking at Bukit Teresek and Canopy Walkway
- Boat Cruise to Lata Berkoh
- Cave Exploration
- Shooting the Rapids
- Fishing
- Orang Asli Settlements
- Wildlife observation hide (Jungle hide)
- Mountain climbing
- Four Steps Waterfall
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| One of the chalets at night |
Location: Inside Taman Negara National Park, Kuala Tahan
Phone: +609-266 2200
Website: http://www.mutiaratamannegara.com/
Tel: +60109008699 Whatsapp/Line/WeChat
Overall, Taman Negara National Park can be visited on a day trip. Still, I strongly suggest you spend at least two to three nights to fully experience Malaysia's oldest national park.
Many companies sell tour packages for Taman Negara, but I recommend one of the reputable tour agents, Ivy Holidays, based in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur.
They have been selling packages for a while and operate daily shuttle services to and from Taman Negara.
They have been selling packages for a while and operate daily shuttle services to and from Taman Negara.
The Taman Negara daily shuttle service is catered to those who only need the transport to get to Taman Negara.
Most of these guests have already booked a stay at the resort, hotel or guesthouse around here, and there is no actual bus service to the national park.
Ivy Holidays also provides Taman Negara packages very attractively at reasonable prices that suit the visitor'sbudgets.
So if you are on a tight budget, they can arrange for a cheaper alternative, while if you want a proper stay at Taman Negara, they can give you the best deal.
Most of these guests have already booked a stay at the resort, hotel or guesthouse around here, and there is no actual bus service to the national park.
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| River cruising on the Tembeling River to Jerantut |
So if you are on a tight budget, they can arrange for a cheaper alternative, while if you want a proper stay at Taman Negara, they can give you the best deal.
Conclusion
Birders are also one of many people who come here, especially on weekdays, as bird watching in Taman Negara is one of the top places in Malaysia with over 200 species of birds to be spotted.
Overall, my conclusion is that for anyone wanting to have a proper experience here, you should consider staying at the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort. Though it is old and may look a little run down, it is the only resort or hotel located in the national park.