Travel

The Orang Asli (aborigines) are indigenous inhabitants of Malaysia. They commonly live alongside rivers in forested areas as the rivers and forests provide them with their basic needs like food, water, shelter, and means of transportation. Endau-Rompin is home to the Orang Asli of the Jakun tribe. The shy and reserved Orang Asli from the Jakun tribe have settled here for the past 17 years in various settlements within the park.

The Orang Asli have a thorough knowledge of the jungle and know how to fully make use of the plants found here. They utilize these jungle products as medicine for ailments as varied as broken bones to mental illnesses. A number of these plants and herbs have been scientifically proven to be effective, while studies are still being carried out on others to ascertain their medicinal properties and value. Shy, yet friendly and hospitable, these Orang Asli continue to maintain their traditional lifestyle, while supplementing their income by acting as guides for visitors. Their unwritten knowledge of the jungle is worth its weight in gold. Chatting with the Jakuns can be both fun and entertaining when they unfold the mysteries and mythologies that govern their lives.

One of the best ways to discover the beauty of Endau-Rompin is to take a journey through the jungle by foot under the shady canopy of the trees. The jungle floor is covered with toadstools and multicolored fungi, and rainbow hued butterflies flutter past as you gaze up at the dense canopy above you. There are some 26km of jungle trails within the park, the most well trodden path being the grueling 16km trail from the base camp at Kuala Jasin to Batu Hampar, and Buaya Sangkut with numerous crossings of fast flowing rivers. The Buaya Sangkut waterfalls cascading down through five levels present a spectacular visual delight. If you are the energetic type, the more physically demanding mountain hikes will provide you with a greater insight into the mysteries that remain hidden in the quiet forest. Your Orang Asli guide will be able to point out some interesting sights and entertain you with exciting stories along the way. More on Jungle Trekking