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Kuala Selangor: A Sanctuary of Wetland Wonders
Two hours away from the bustle of Kuala Lumpur, REZA AZMI takes in the wild sights and seafood delights of a breezy, coastal town perfect for weekend excursions.
Written by Reza Azmi on 29 Apr 2002
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Kuala Selangor, some 65 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur, is a small fishing village close to the estuary of the Selangor river. To many locals, Kuala Selangor is synonymous with delicious seafood; often at the weekend, parties of friends and families head out to Kuala Selangor for unrestrained feasts! The region is also home to one of the most important wetland sanctuaries and also the unique phenomenon of synchronous flashings of fireflies. Over the last few years, Kuala Selangor has become a regular pilgrimage for many budding naturalists and is becoming familiar to both Malaysians and other visitors.
Kuala Selangor Nature Park
Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP), about 300 ha, lies at the base of Bukit Melawati on the outskirts of Kuala Selangor town. The Malaysian Nature Society and the State Government manage the park and owing to the parks rich wetland habitat is an important centre for nature education and research. The park protects vital stands of mangrove forests that are an important lifeline for a wide variety of wildlife. Despite the fascination of Malaysians for seafood, the link between the mangroves and the marine resources are often overlooked. This is where the park centre plays an important role in educating Malaysians.
The park is also home to over 170 bird species that use the park regularly or during their seasonal migration. For birdwatchers, KSNP offers good opportunities for observing some of the characteristic wetland birds of our region and also its visitors from mainland Asia. Some of the more special birds here are the Lesser Adjutant and the Milky Stork, which are both becoming exceeding rare in Malaysia. There are efforts though by local conservationists to naturalise captive Milky Storks into the area to boost the local breeding populations.
There are a number of trails that can be explored covering coastal scrub vegetation, open swamps and mangroves. There are several hides located along the edges of the open swamps and elevated hides that offer shade and camouflage for longer periods of bird watching (this is especially useful when trying to identify the seemingly indistinctive waders that populate these swamps!). The best season for migratory birds are between mid-September and late-April when the birds of cooler climates escape their respective winters. Two important events that are worth looking out for are the bi-annual bird census at the park organised by the Malaysian Nature Society. This provides a good opportunity not only to volunteer your "eyes" but also to work with experienced birders (for more details, contact the Malaysian Nature Society, see the Travel Directory).
KSNP is best explored in the late afternoon or the early morning. The hottest part of the day is best spent in the shade of a restaurant or coffee shop! There is basic accommodation and cooking facilities available at the park if you wish to spend the night, but it is advisable to book well in advance (see the Travel Directory).
Night lights of fireflies
The other attraction worth checking out is the natural light show provided by millions of tiny fireflies at night. The Selangor River is apparently one of only a few places in the world that have millions of resident fireflies flashing synchronously (by the way, this is misleading, as they are actually beetles not flies!). This is a beautiful spectacle that can be viewed within a few kilometres from the Kg. Kuantan jetty. A local village cooperative provides a regular boat service and visitors are slowly rowed up river for about 1 km before returning. The best times are between dusk and midnight; it is advisable to avoid full moon nights. After an evening meal, this is a heavenly way to end the day!
Getting there
KSNP and Kuala Selangor can be reached overland on the Kepong-Sg Buloh-Kuala Selangor trunk road (trunk road 54). Look out for signs to the park just before the town. Alternatively, a more scenic route is via Batang Berjuntai (road B33), which takes you right pass Kg. Kuantan's "firefly" jetty. The outing makes an excellent day trip; ideally one should aim to wander around the park in the late afternoon and take the "firefly" boat sometime after dinner. There are overnight facilities at the park though if you'd like to stay the night (this can be booked up, so do inquire in advance with the Malaysian Nature Society). Outside the park there are a couple of budget hotels at Kuala Selangor and also a new resort ingeniously named "Firefly Park Resort". Although a number of tour operators provide organised tours here, this destination is easily explored on your own. If you are a visitor, hiring a car for the weekend is recommended.
Wild Asia and the Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network are joining hands in partnership to promote, engage and mobilize our youths to create a strong demand for a bold and just climate change policy. Read more
Our very first course will be organized in quarter one of 2010. Key topics include: (a) Biodiversity in Context; (b) Biodiversity and the Law; (c) Biodiversity in Management Systems; and (d) Practical Steps in Biodiversity Management.
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Our very first course will be organized in quarter one of 2010. Key topics include: (a) Biodiversity in Context; (b) Biodiversity and the Law; (c) Biodiversity in Management Systems; and (d) Practical Steps in Biodiversity Management.
+ To be updated or to join our mailing list, contact us.
Reza Azmi
Reza is the founder and Executive Director of Wild Asia. He is a certified ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) Lead Auditor and has developed his audit experience in both forestry and oil palm certification assessments using FSC (forestry), MTCC (forestry), and RSPO (oil palm).
He has over 14 y... more inside »
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Written by Reza Azmi on 29 Apr 2002
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