One of the latest eco-tourism places in Langkawi Island is the Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail, which is now branded as a bio-geosite that will help boost tourism here.
While this area is still being developed as a tourist destination, some people call this the Kubang Badak Mangrove Reserve or just Kubang Badak.
The best way to experience this place is by taking a legit mangrove tour from any reputable naturalist tour company.
Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail
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| The beautiful scenery at Kubang Badak. Photo by https://foreverbreak.com/ |
First of all, how did this place get a name like this? Because Kubang Badak translates as a watering hole for a hippopotamus, they do not exist in this part of the world. More of this after this paragraph.
If you did not know, Langkawi was awarded Unesco Global Geopark status in 2007, the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia.
Langkawi Unesco Global Geopark comprises Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park and Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail.
The entire area covers 490-hectares of mangrove swamps and mudflats, which was once home to Siamese settlers who came here 200 years ago.
For those experiencing the BioGioTrail via boat, there are a total of 12 stops along this boat tour of Kubang Badak.
Kubang Badak Name Myth
According to folklore, Kubang Badak is derived from a creature resembling and mighty rhino that protects the village from harm.
Many think it may well have been a significant confusion a long time ago because a wallowing buffalo was probably supposed to be a rhino, hence the name Badak.
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| View from the main jetty here. |
What is at Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail?
I guess this would be one of the popular questions asked, and just to give you a heads up, the place is a mangrove area and offers several activities and things to see.
Apart from the mangrove swamps and wildlife that thrives here, you also get to explore and see century-old charcoal kiln ruins from the Siamese era, see some ancient fossils, explore a bat cave and watch eagles.
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| Pulau Jemuruk at Kubang Badak. |
Popular Areas at Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail
- Pulau Jemuruk - Ability to spot million-year-old trilobites and fossilized extinct marine arthropods.
- Pulau Dangli - Rich marine and coral life.
- Tanjung Buta - Mangrove mudflaps, White quartz formations and nature trails.
- Pinang Cave - 6,000-year-old cave, home to over 10,000 bats, beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations.
- Siamese Charcoal Kiln Ruins - Century-old historical site.
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| A birdwatcher at Kubang Badak jetty. |
Apparently, the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and Langkawi Research Center spent over a year developing the bio-geo trail northeast of the island, including geographical, biological and cultural elements.
This is, of course, for the benefit of tourism and enhancing the Unesco Global Geopark status, which is the star of the island.
There are also commercial activities available here like kayaking, snorkelling and visiting hot springs. Again, it all depends on what type of experience you are looking for when you come here.
For me, my mission is to explore Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail for bird watching; as I was told, there are quite many shorebirds and mangrove birds to be spotted here.
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| The location of the Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail. |
Where is Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail?
The geosite is located in the northeast section of the island near Kubang Badak or Kampung Kubang Badak in Malay.
It is also en route to places like Tanjung Rhu, Datai Bay, Temurun Waterfalls, Pasir Tengkorak and the Langkawi Craft Complex.
From Pantai Cenang Mall, it will take you roughly around 30-minutes to drive here, while from Kuah Jetty or town, it will take you around 40-minutes to go here.
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| The BioGeoTrail is located by Kampung Kubang Badak in Langkawi. |
How to go to Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail?
To get to the core of Kubang Badak BioGio Trail, you need to drive on Jalan Teluk Yu (Road 113), which you can connect from Jalan Pantai Kok near Telaga Harbour or from Pantai Cenang.
Once you pass Kubang Badak village, look out for signs on the left that point you to the BioGio Trail or Kubang Badak Mangrove Tour and Kayaking. Turn in and head towards the end of the road.
If you are coming from Kuah, you will need to take Road 152 (Jalan Padang Gaong) passing Panorama Langkawi then turn right to Road 112 (Jalan Ulu Melaka).
Drive to the end, where you will reach a roundabout, turn left to Road 113 (Jalan Teluk Yu) and head towards Kampung Kubang Badak and the signs.
There is a free car park lot available at the main jetty area for self-driving here, and you can also use Waze or Google Maps to drive here.
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| Kubang Badak seen from the air. |
What is the Best Way to Experience Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail?
To be very honest, I would strongly recommend you engage a good tour service by one of the reputable tour companies in Langkawi.
This way, they will arrange for everything, including transportation and guide service, to get here and back. With a nature guide, you will learn even much more while doing an ethical tour experience here.
If you try to save on money by self-driving here and engaging a local guide, they will most likely take you on a general tour, including a non-ethical eagle feeding experience.
For those who still prefer self-experience, the Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail starts at Jeti Kubang Badak, with an information booklet provided for visitors to navigate themselves.
Boat tour prices start from RM250 to RM500 per person, depending on what kind of tour. Usually, the tour takes about three to four hours long.
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| The main Kubang Badak jetty area. |
Recommended Place to Stay in Langkawi
As you will already know, Langkawi Island offers many accommodation types ranging from homestays to hotels to resorts; you may wonder which is recommended.
Every time I visit Langkawi, I will make it a point to stay at the Tanjung Rhu Resort as it is located in the Northern since of the island with easy access to nature locations.
If you are the type that needs to be in a busy area, then Pantai Cenang is your place to dwell. I would recommend Casa del Mar Resort as it is located at the end of the main street.
Staying in Kuah town is not recommended as it is located too far from everything unless you have a shopping wish-list you need to achieve.
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| The main arch entrance into Kubang Badak. |
Conclusion
If you are into the whole nature and eco-tourism thing, this is one of the recommended places to explore in Langkawi that is not over-crowded.
Langkawi's Kubang Badak BioGio Trail is also highly recommended for nature lovers and possibly new bird-watching areas.