Langkawi Island

Islands ~ Langkawi Island (Read More)

Langkawi Island is one of Malaysia's most popular tourist and holiday destinations. Its main allure is the duty-free shopping, which brings in mass numbers of locals from the mainland who come to feast on alcohol, cigarettes and confectionery to their hearts' delight. However, aside from the commercialism, Langkawi, is still a wonderful place to see nature and wildlife. Recently, the island was awarded Geopark status from UNESCO.

The rainforests here are similar to the dry coastal types found in Southern Thailand. The jungle canopy is not as thick as rainforests on the mainland and neither the trees as tall and towering. The vegetation is not very dense and it can get very hot even at night. Dry seasons can be quite harsh on the environment, slowing down natural waterfalls to a trickle and hiding wildlife in the deep recesses of their burrows, tree holes and pits. However, the biodiversity is still great, as Langkawi has a large variety of flora and fauna, some endemic to the island.

A different story begins once the rains come as the landscape transforms; soaked in rain, the wildlife begins to teem with life and waterfalls flow with a mighty fury, a sight not seen for months. The forests, mountains and streams teem with the movement and calls of wildlife. Jungle trekking during the night becomes a pleasant affair as the air does not feel hot and heavy like the day.

Langkawi Island is rich with lizards. Gliding lizards are common and you see them everywhere in the rainforest while large geckos can often be found basking themselves on the road and walls during the night. The Tokay is a large gecko, identified by its blue colouration and numerous orange dots on the body, with an umistakable call that rings through the forest canopy.

Kraits, which are highly venomous snakes, are very common on the island. They can easily be identified by their bold white or yellow with black bandings across the body. These venomous snakes pack a powerful neurotoxic venom. Vipers are another common feature of the island while cobras can be spotted from time to time.

A tourist map, readily available from the jetty or airport, will point you in the right direction to go in Langkawi. Visitors generally head to the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls for nature exploration or ride up to the peak of Mat Cincang Mountain by cable car. Sungai Kilim offers a fantastic journey through mangroves and limestone rock formations through a river cruise. Travelling to the nearby islands such as Pulau Dayang Bunting or Pulau Payar will lead to even more nature discoveries. Although much development has transformed the landscape, Langkawi Island is still an excellent place to explore in terms of both nature and wildlife. With the Geopark status, the island will remain preserved for visitors and tourists around the world to enjoy.