About Taman Negara - An Overview

Taman Negara originated from a Pahang State Legislation in the year of 1925. More than 1,300 sq km of tropical jungle in its natural state was designated as "The Gunung Tahan Game Reserve".

In 1938/39, it was declared a National Park through enactments of the States of Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu, with the name of King George V National Park. The name was then changed to Taman Negara after Independence in 1957. It has been preserved almost entirely intact to this day.

It is Peninsular Malaysia's greatest national park, which the total area covers 4,343 square kilometres (434,340 hectares).

Over half of this area is in the state of Pahang. It is here the Park Headquarters has been established, at Kuala Tahan.

Situated between 4degree and 5degree north of the equator, Taman Negara receives rain throughout the year - around 2,200 mm annually in the lowlands rising to more than 3,800mm in the mountain.

At the Kuala Tahan area, the driest month is February (average 71mm) and the wettest month is October (275mm).

Within the lowland forest, temperature varies little throughout the year, being about 26淸 in the middle of the day and 22淸 at night, with humidity constantly above 90%.

Topography of Taman Negara is generally hilly. The lowland area covers only about ten percent of the Park, and this is where most of the Taman Negara visitors' facilities are developed. The central of the Park is mountainous, lies on sedimentary rock, whereas the remainder is granite and scattered limestone outcrops. The highest point is Gunung Tahan, 2,187 metres above sea level; and the lowest point is Kuala Atok, which is about 75 metres above sea level.