Join us for a chance to record all 10 species of Malaysian hornbills with our new and exciting tour. Covering 3 fantastic birding sites to maximize our target to complete the Hornbill list with our expert guides, this expedition will also see us venture into some of Malaysia’s lush tropical rainforests and see the other 200 or more target birds.
Pick up point: Penang International Airport
Target Birds 10 Hornbills + 200 Species
Destinations: Penang – Sedim – Royal Belum – Merapoh (Taman Negara) – Kenyir Lake
Departure: Anytime/On request
Duration : 8 days and 7 nights6
Sites include the world’s oldest rainforest dating 130 million years old, Temengor Lake. This is home to all 10 species of Malaysian Hornbills. We will be primarily using the best resort on the Temengor lake and its fastest and safest boats to track down and observe all of its precious hornbills. For about 3 months in the year (August to October), the globally threatened Plain-pouched Hornbills make an appearance in flocks of thousands in this forest complex from Thailand, a phenomenon occurring nowhere else in the world. The highest count of Plain-pouched is currently over 2,000 birds. The occurrence of interesting wildlife such as Asian Elephants and unique indigenous community makes this site a must-see for birders.
The last stop for this tour is the idyllic Kenyir Lake which is the quieter gateway to Peninsular Malaysia’s National Park. Almost all the different hornbills species (with the exception of the Plain-pouched Hornbill) have been recorded by our guides and other independent birders here. We will be staying at hotels about 45 minutes away and driving and walking along its beautiful bird friendly and quiet lakeside roads.
Day 1: Pick up from Penang International Airport. Travel to The Belum Rainforest Resort, stopping along the way for opportunistic birding at Sungai Sedim. This is home Malaysia’s longest canopy Walkway and a good site to tick off the Rhinoceros hornbill. Travel continues to Belum Rainforest Resort & check into Hotel. Evening drive to spot elephants.
Day 2: Series of boat rides on Temengor Lake. We hunt north into Royal Belum State Park and South to Temengor Forest Reserve and ticking off other targets as go along including woodpeckers and raptors.
Day 3: Final boat ride in the morning before we check out of the hotel and we drive to Taman Negara Merapoh. Check into Merapoh Homestay. Birding around the park’s entrance for more lowland species. Overnight Taman Negara Merapoh.
Day 4: Birding all day. Overnight Merapoh.
Day 5 : Early breakfast and check out we drive to Tasik Kenyir stopping for opportunistic birding along the way. Check into Kenyir resort and late afternoon birding along the quite trails nearby.
Day 6/7: All day birding at Kenyir. Overnight Kenyir
Day 8 : Kenyir Lake – Departing Flight
Minimum 2 persons on twin sharing room
Accommodation: Royal Belum: Belum Rainforest Resort***** , Kuala Terengganu: Sutera Beach Resort***, Merapoh Home Stay*
Package Inclusive of : Accommodation in twin sharing room, breakfast, bird guide, all land transportation.
Not Included in Price: Domestic airfare, Lunch, Dinner, Beverages, Camera fees where applicable, Tips and porter
