Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia

5Peter vanderlans 5:00 PM Aug 22, 2016

Worth every minute but ...
I have been here about a dozen times and it's a wonderful place but .... I would advice to forget the boat trip with the officials. These people have very little knowledge of mangrove, all they can really tell you is how many trees can be cut and many meters around the trees need to stay free. Here's what we (with our teambuilding classes) usually do: Morning 2 hours, visit a charcoal factory. This alone is worth the visit. There's much to learn and you will see the charcoal industry IS possible with keeping the mangrove alive. That said, the sustainability ONLY counts for the trees. Wildlife is still more or less free to be hunted. After lunch in one of the restaurants (there are some with a view to the riverarm and fishing boats) visit the docks to see what the fishermen catch (see the photos). You can visit the mangrove forest and walk on a leveled path to the mangrove office where you can hire this (not recommended) boat. After walking the forest, try to get a local fisherman to get you on their boat to sail you around. If you have to organize it on the spot it might be difficult. The best thing is to go a week in advance to Matang and talk to some of the fishermen. Many don;t speak English so bring a Chinese with you (most of the fishermen, if not all here are Chinese). We've done this many times. Renting a boat for the whole day should cost about RM 500 and a boat can contain about 15-20 people. The skipper will bring you deep into the swamps where you can see the real deal of mangrove forest. To me this is always the highlight. We also went once with a couple of Malays early in the day to see the mangrove lumberjacking very deep in the mangrove. We had to wait until the tide came in to be able to go into the swamps. If you want an experience as that, you need to organize that in advance.

4LWYoon 5:00 PM Sep 15, 2014

Kuala Sepetang ... Fireflies & more
Looking for a laid-back experience where one can get up close with nature & unfurl the stress of city life off ones shoulder? Why not visit Kuala Sepetang, a rustic but busy fishing village which is around 85 km from Ipoh (the capital of Perak)? Formally known as Port Weld, Kuala Sepetang is a charming village full of vigor and rich in species of trees, feathered friends and aquatic life. I decided to give this place a go by joining a trip organized by Gopeng Rainforest Resort (GRR). The journey by van from Ipoh to Kuala Sepetang was fascinating. Along the highway, one can see mist shrouding the evergreen forest, lending it mystic. Undulating hills with breathtaking formations of limestone (except for a few heavily quarried ones) dots the journey. On reaching the district of Matang, we were not only greeted by mangrove forest, oil palm plantations, charcoal factories but swiftlet ‘hotels’ too. Birds’ nest farming must be the latest industry in this area. The places we visited were: MATANG MANGROVE ECO EDUCATION CENTRE : Admission is free. The mangrove trees in this area generally consist of Rhizophora and Brugeira species. Elevated boardwalks which zigzag through this forest are erected for one to enjoy the rich diversity of nature. While on the boardwalk, do close your eyes and listen to the rustling of leaves, the chattering of monkeys, the chirping of birds and the snapping sound of mangrove seedlings falling onto the mudflats. Feel the warm sun-rays and cool fresh air caressing your face. At times, do cover your nose as this forest tends to stink when the tide is in. Do not forget to observe the mudflats beneath the boardwalk as a large crustaceans and mollusks community thrives there. Feast your eyes on birds with vibrant plumages high above the canopy of the mangroves & on the coastal bunds too. Egrets, herons, kingfisher and the White-bellied sea-eagle are common sightings. CHARCOAL FACTORIES : There are a few charcoal factories which employs the traditional method in converting mangrove logs into charcoal in this area. Seek permission from the management before roaming around. Domed kilns constructed with bricks, measuring 7m in height & diameter are used to bake the debarked logs. If you have the time, do wait for the barges to come in with their load of logs. RIVER CRUISE : Signage offering river cruise are posted around the jetty but it would be a smother journey if prearrangement is made. A medium size boat with shelter was already waiting for us when we arrived. Try not to opt for the small boats as one will be ‘baptized’ with tea-colored river water and end up soaking wet when it starts chugging down the brackish river. Mangrove trees, nipa palms and beremban trees (sonneratia caseolaris) line the shoreline. This forest by the river bank supports abundant wildlife including water-birds, monkeys, monitor lizards and mangrove snakes. Feel like putting your hands into the brackish water for fun? Think twice as crocodiles are known to infest this river too! Kuala Sepetang fishing village was soon within sight. Wooden houses built on stilts line both side of the river banks. The water-way was bustling with trawlers transporting fishes, cockles and mangrove logs. A clump of trees bearing a few large cherry red fruits were seen a short distance from this village. We were told that these were ‘fruit of prosperity’ as one will strike rich when it’s offered to the Jade Emperor (Tian Kong). DOLPHINS : At the estuary of Sepetang River is a small island where a thriving fishing village, Kuala Sangga stands. This Chinese fishing community specializes in fish breeding in cages and the whole village is connected by long wooden bridges. A floating chalet is built right in the middle of the estuary for those who are keen in fishing and sighting dolphins. We were lucky to spot a pair of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin! SEAFOOD : It was back to Kuala Sepetang fishing village where we broke our journey for dinner. There are a few restaurants offering not only fresh seafood but a panoramic view of the river too. Do ask for the price of items before hand or you will end up with a dent in your pocket. With the sun setting, Mother Nature painted a canvas of colors across the sky. Surreal! FIREFLIES : One would not have completed the tour of Kuala Sepetang until one witness the splendor of flickering lights on beremban trees along river in Kampung Dew. The best time to observe this celestial wonder is between 8 pm – 9 pm. The pilot of our boat was highly skilled as he navigated the boat in the dark. There was something special about the nocturnal stillness! Thousands of fireflies of the Pteroptyx tener species were flickering in perfect synchrony. Indeed, visiting Kuala Sepetang is a passage thru time where one can unfurl the stress of city life and embrace the sojourn of Mother Nature. Note: Get a good & knowledgeable guide. My first trip with another group was a disaster. The above happens to be my second trip which was inspiring. For further information, visit http://www.gopengrainforest.com