Malaysia Guide

Always ensure you enter the rainforest, in your search for wildlife, with a prepared mind and the
right equipment.

Leech bites are to be expected... in the hundreds.

Eventually, if you go at the right time and right place, sights such as these are bound to reward you after the hard work, effort and time put into herping.

Visiting Malaysia for the experience of discovering and exploring its rich ecosystem is an exciting prospect, but it requires a moderate level of fitness and an open state of mind. One thing's for certain; it will indeed be experience of a lifetime when you witness the rich diversity of flora and fauna in their natural environment. That being said, you also need to be respectful of the rainforest to ensure the safety and well-being of your party.

Once you're here and ready to hit the woods, the first essential thing to do is to wear light clothing and bring along a bottle of water. You may be swamped with flying insects in the jungle and leeches are common on muddy trails. Alternatively, you spray a local insecticide called 'Baygon' on your shoes or pants which will warded off blood-sucking creatures. No other bug spray is as effective as this brand. On the other hand, jungle trails in the highlands have much less creepy-crawlies for you to worry about.

For hard-core trails with lots of wet and steep climbs, boots are recommended, due to their waterproof nature, followed by shoes at a close second. Boots also have an added function of protecting your feet from obscure dangers such as sharp rocks and thorny shrubs. For simple and well-marked trails, slippers will do. During the rainy season, be prepared to get caught in heavy rain while trekking. Long pants are essential to avoid getting scratched by surrounding vegetation and thorny vines. It also provides some insulation from the cold of montane forest.

Torchlights and head lamps go without saying, with those having powerful light beams being an obvious choice. Avoid head lamps and torches that use white light as they tend to attract tiny winged insects that will swarm around your head or hand. Bringing large DSLR cameras can be a cumbersome and risky affair, as you risk damaging it if you fall and the high humidity or rain can be detrimental. A rugged waterproof camera is highly recommended for taking in-situ shots, but if you want to bring along your DSLR, use a bag to hold it and coat it with transparent plastic wrap, the type used in the kitchen.

The best time to begin your forest exploration starts from the late evening. After midnight, the chances of spotting certain wildlife may decrease drastically. During rainfall, the forest bursts with life, indicating a prime opportunity to spot a wide range of wildlife. Still, the dry seasons can yield surprising results, but you need to know where to look if order to find wildlife. However, the rainy seasons remain the best periods to see wildlife in all their element, especially herpefauna.

Most of Malaysia's snake species are non-venomous, but it helps to have a guide book with you to identify what is venomous and not unless you know most of the species by heart. See the wildlife section for a guide on what's venomous and not. Never try to handle a snake if you don't know what species it is, or even if you just have a guess. Wolf snakes (Lycodon species) are harmless but at the juvenile stage when it has bold black and white bands, it is easy to confuse them with kraits, which have the same patterning.

Snakes, when still, blend in very well with their surroundings. You need a sharp eye to spot the difference between a vine and a snake. Often, if you have a general idea on what most of the Malaysian species looks like, you should be able to start spotting like a professional. Also listen for sound – snakes moving have that unmistakable slow slurry slither through the bush, rather than a rustle which is what most lizards will do when darting from danger. Keep an eye out on the trees and ground, among every leaf and branch that comes your way.

Frogs can be traced by their calls, but if you shine your torch near their location, the sounds will cease. Turn it off and wait it out, moving closer to the spot once the calls resume. Repeat the whole process until you reach the target then look very closely. For lizards, they're quite easy to spot as most species can be found perched on branches and shoots rather distinctively.

It also helps to make little noise when moving on trails so as not to scare away reptiles beforehand. Alternatively, there are some isolated roads meandering through outer forests around some small towns. Cruising slowly along these roads at night can reveal snake specimens crossing the road. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book for experienced herpers. Immediately park your car on the side of the road, turn on your hazards lights and dash to the spot before the snake disappears for good.

If you're up to the challenge of tackling Malaysia's vast rainforest, try our Cameron Highlands discovery tours, which will take you on a journey to explore a rich ecological site situated in the highlands of Peninsular Malaysia. We promise, it'll be the experience of a lifetime!