Day 1 – Arrive in Ula Muda Forest Reserve
Ulu Muda Forest Reserve is in the very north of Malaysia, right on the border with Thailand. Hardly anyone knows about this off-the-beaten-path region, yet it covers an incredible 160,000 hectares of pristine rainforest. It’s home to gibbons, elephants, tapirs, wild boar and deer, as well as an elusive population of tigers.
Your journey into the wild begins at Lake Muda jetty where, after a light lunch, you’ll board a small boat for a 90-minute ride across the lake to Earth Lodge. You’ll stay in an ensuite room with mattresses on a raised platform and a mosquito net. There’s no AC and no hot water, no Wi-Fi and no power after 10pm. It’s simple, but comfortable.
Your local nature guide will give a short briefing before you settle into your new surroundings. In the late afternoon you’ll board a small boat for a lake cruise. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the shoreline as dusk falls. Dinner will be waiting when you return.
Day 2 – Discover the forest, limestone caves & salt licks
Wake up to the sounds of the forest before setting off on a guided three-hour hike to Bukit Labu. Explore limestone caves, then stop for a riverside picnic. In the afternoon, you’ll venture deeper into the reserve, visiting hot springs and the mineral-rich salt licks that draw elephants, tapirs, deer and wild boar – often followed by their predators. At dusk, head out on another lake cruise, before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Day 3 – Departure from Ulu Muda
After breakfast, you’ll have a little time to soak up the last of the jungle atmosphere before returning by boat across the lake. You’ll reach the jetty around midday, ready for your onward journey. If you’re looking for some beach time, it’s a 2 hour drive to Kuala Kedah where you can take the boat to the beautiful island of Langkawi. Or head to the atmospheric island city of Penang for some seriously tasty street food.
Accommodation
