Travel to Penang - Penang National ParkIf you travel to Penang, I urge you not to miss a visit to Penang National Park, in the north-west part of Penang Island (see map) It makes a great, adventurous day out. Much of the park is virgin forest, thousands of years old. There are a number of very well-marked paths. Aside from being inside the peaceful jungle, what's nice is that you'll be walking to a beach, so you'll be able to cool down in the sea after the humid journey.
I walked a 3 kilometer, hour long path (with quite a few steep hills) to Turtle Beach (Pantai Kerachut). I arrived to an almost deserted, beautiful beach, (this was during the week, it's most likely busier at the weekend), just as a storm was brewing, as you can see from the dark skies in the pictures.
Next to Turtle beach is the Meromictic Lake, a unique lake to Malaysia, having a free-flowing, upper layer of water 'sitting on' a calm, current-less bottom layer of water. Another beach to visit is Monkey Beach, but I didn't visit this beach. It's a similar distance from the entrance. There's also a canopy walk in the park, high up in the tree tops!
There are numerous animals to keep an eye out for - the White-Bellied Sea Eagle (that I might have taken a picture of! - does anyone know?) is often seen at the coast. Green turtles and Olive-Ridley Turtles may be spotted at the beaches, particularly Turtle Beach. (nesting months are from April to February).
2 species of dolphin, the Irrawaddy and Bottlenose are sometimes seen. Migratory birds are often seen during migration, between September and April. There's no accommodation at the park - just for school and university groups. There's a simple place to stay at Teluk Bahang, the village near to the entrance of the park. It's called Fisherman Village Guest House and costs just 20 Ringgit per night. Getting ThereIt's simple to find. Just travel along the coast road, past Batu Feringgi (Batu Feringgi is north of Georgetown, and well signposted). Keep to the coast, you'll end up in the large fishing village of Teluk Bahang. Keep going straight and you'll come to the entrance. Use my Penang map to help you (the national park is in the north-west part of the island).Entrance Price: Free Entry, but you must sign the visitor book. Canopy walk: 5 Ringgit per person. (turn right when you meet the sign at the start of the trail (see picture below)
- It's easy to hire your own *car or motorbike (20 to 30 Ringgit per day). The entrance is a pleasant, 30 kilometers trip from Georgetown. Head down Lebuh Chulia in Georgtown (see map) and you'll find transport to rent. Roads are quite windy, and locals often drive quickly on the northern stretch of road, so be careful....You can also rent a bicycle from many places along Lebuh Chulia (about 10 Ringgit per day). Bus numbers 93 and 202 will get you to Teluk Bahang, minutes walk from Penang National Park entrance. Get the buses either from Komtar (see the bottom left hand side of the map) or opposite where Love Lane meets Lebuh Chulia, in front of Day and Night Back Packers (number 32 on the map). Bus cost is about 2 Ringgit. Buses will go fairly regularly throughout the day, perhaps every 20 to 30 minutes. Opening Hours: 8am to 6pm Tel: +60 (0)4 881 3530
Something to consider - The north-west part of Penang, where the National Park lies, is also known as the 'Bay of Glowing Amber', for its spectacular sunsets. The trouble is, you'll be heading back through the jungle at night if you wait for the sunset on Turtle or Monkey Beach (OK with a torch of course...)...and because you'll have signed your name in the visitor book (you have to sign out again), the park authorities may come looking for you! Consider seeing the sunset from the coast back at Teluk Bahang village, where there's a nice beach (but not so clean water..)...or possibly you could hire a long boat to take you to or from Monkey beach (there may be long boats at Monkey Beach that can take you back...)
*(Think twice about booking online for car hire when you travel to Penang. I didn't check the price while in Penang but I doubt you should have to pay over 40 US dollars a day (about 130 Ringgit)....some car hire firms online quoted me 55 US dollars as the cheapest...too much I think....)
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