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Birdwatching in Malaysia
Malaysia has two distinct parts which is separated from each other by South China Sea. This country is located in the humid tropics and this provides a favorable climate to support diverse life forms, from microscopic organisms to macroscopic species such as fishes, birds and mammals. The terrestrial ecosystems in Malaysia include various types of forest and agriculture land ranging from coast to highland.
"Rice field"
Birding experience is superb here as Malaysia is regarded one of the safest and comfortable places to bird in the tropics with good facilities and accessibilities. There are varieties of birding spots within easy reach from the capital city of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur.
There are over 700 species recorded throughout the country. Our published itineraries on this page cover the traditional birding spots for conventional tour groups as well as local patches. The tours require birders to walk and wait on well marked trails. Sometimes the walks will be slowly paced to observe more birds and to catch bird waves.
"Trip map"
Electronic map of Malaysia
2010 Tours
Year round birdwatching tours in Malaysia
Fixed date Malaysia birdwatching trips with Birdingpal.
If you are interested in finding like-minded people to share the cost etc, why not join one of our fixed date birdwatching tours?
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Tour I
7 days of birding in Peninsular Malaysia
Itinerary
LODGING AND MEALS
We will be staying in simple and comfortable accommodations adjacent to or within birding spots to keep the driving hours to the minimum while maximizing birding time. These accommodations include chalet and hotel. Each day, we will either start off with simple breakfast in the hotel or a short morning birding session depending on locations. Together, we will have lunch and
dinner, savoring Malaysian food from common Malay, Chinese and Indian restaurants along the journey. However, please advise us
on any allergies or food and accommodation preference upon booking tours with us.
ITINERARIES
Duration: 7 days 6 nights
Number of species expected: 150 – 200
Starting/Ending Point: Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Habitats covered: mangrove, lowland forest, sub-montane forest and paddy field
Transportation: Car
Day 1
Meet up at arrival hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Transfer to Kuala Selangor and check-in to accommodation. Proceed to paddy field for a leisure birding inside the vehicle while targeting the white-breasted woodswallow, white-rumped munia, scaly-breasted munia, dollarbird, black-shouldered kite, and oriental pied hornbill. Tonight, we will have seafood with rice for dinner. After dinner, transfer to hotel for a good rest and to prepare for tomorrow session.
Dinner and overnight included.
"Inside the forest"
Day 2
Transfer to Kuala Selangor Nature Park for an early morning walk. Our target here includes mangrove whistler, sunda pygmy woodpecker, laced woodpecker, greater flameback, crested serpent eagle, brahminy kite, great tit, ashy tailorbird, and mangrove flycatcher. Around noon, we will break for lunch at a nearby cafe and return to hotel for check-out. Transfer to Fraser's Hill. While waiting for the odd hours upward traffic, we explore the areas between the new and old gates. Our target here is black-crested bulbul, black laughingthrush, white-hooded babbler, maroon woodpecker, and bamboo woodpecker. Reaching the hill station, immediately we check-in to the hotel. After a brief rest in the hotel, we explore the surrounding area on foot. At
night after dinner, we will explore Fraser's Hill on a night drive looking for brown wood owl.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.
Day 3 and 4
We will start the birding session early again today to catch the morning bird wave which usually comprises of streaked spiderhunter, black-throated sunbird, blue-winged minla, blue nuthatch, little pied flycatcher, silver-eared mesia, chestnut-capped laughingthrush, and others. After a short break, we continue to explore Fraser's Hill looking for red-headed trogon, green magpie, malaysian cuckooshrike, speckled piculet, greater yellownape, chestnut-crowned laughingthrush, little cuckoo dove, black-and-crimson oriole, fire-tufted barbet, long-tailed broadbill, mountain bulbul, slaty-backed forktail, grey-chinned minivet and others.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.
"Yellow-nape Woodpecker"
Day 5
Today, we will explore Fraser's Hill for the last time before leaving the hill station. By late afternoon, we depart to Bukit Tinggi / Bentong for an overnight stay.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.
Day 6
We will leave early in the morning to Bukit Rengit lowland forest for black-thighed falconet, long-tailed parakeet, scarlet-rumped trogon, black-and-red broadbill, dusky broadbill, gre-and-buff woodpecker, olive-backed woodpecker, raffles' malkoha, black-naped monarch and others. By evening, we depart to Kuala Lumpur.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.
"Blue Nuthatch"
Day 7
Today, we explore the Ampang-Hulu Langat forest where we will look for the blue-banded kingfisher, gold-whiskered barbet, chestnut-capped forktail, bar-winged flycatcher-shrike, black-winged flycatcher-shrike, grey-headed canary flycatcher, buff-necked woodpecker, buff-rumped woodpecker, scarlet minivet, firey minivet, glossy swiftlet, silver-rumped spinetail, and others. In the evening, we will depart to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. End of trip.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
7 Day tour price is: 2 pax RM 4,500.00 per person. 4 pax RM 4,250.00 per person.
For single traveling birder, please send us an email to enquire for single supplement rate.
Due to currency fluctuations and fuel cost we reserve the right to adjust any pricing prior to departure.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
EXTENSION (OPTIONAL)
The following extension of birding areas are optional depending on the amount of time that you will be spending in Malaysia. A fully revised itinerary will be prepared for you upon selecting the destination(s).
North Region
In this region, our targets include javan sparrow, savannah nightjar, blue-eared kingfisher, black-and-red broadbill, blue rock thrush, blue whistling thrush, chestnut-headed bee-eater, orange-backed woodpecker, spotted wood-owl, barn owl, lineated barbet, and many more. The habitats that we are exploring here are mining pools, lowland forest, urban park, limestone cave, montane forest and mangrove.
"Silver-eared Mesia"
South Region
Primary target in the south is lesser adjutant stork, rufous-backed kingfisher, banded kingfisher, lesser whistling duck, red-rumped swallow, steppe eagle, brown hawk owl, red-naped trogon, and others. Traveling south from Kuala Lumpur, the birding spots are mudflat, agriculture land, and lowland forest.
"Blue-tailed Bee-eater"
East Region
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There is only 1 birding spot that we will be visiting in this region which is Taman Negara. Touted to be one of the oldest rainforest in the world, this forest will show us the jewels such as rufous-backed kingfisher, crested fireback, banded pitta, green broadbill, and many more. However, due to the rainy season at the end of the year and early of the year, we would not be operating in this area during this period of time. Kindly contact us to enquire for the latest weather pattern.
Borneo (Sabah)
For the time being, we are recommending 3 days 2 nights trip to Kinabatangan. This trip is inclusive of 2 nights accommodation (twin-sharing), 6 meals, 3 river cruises, and unscheduled return transfer pick-up from Sandakan airport. The rate starts from RM 1,890.00. Surcharge applies for additional nights. Please take note that connecting flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Sandakan or in opposite direction is NOT included.
What you could see here are 8 species of hornbills, raptors such as White-fronted Falconet, Lesser Fish Eagle, Green Pigeon and many other species. Possible sighting are Stork's Stork and Lesser Adjutant Stork.
Included:
Lodging, food and beverage (breakfast, lunch, tea break & dinner), transportation, birdingpal-cum-driver.
Excluded:
Notes.
The above birding itineraries are based on what are essentially popular routes for birders. It can be shortened or extended.
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
Availability: January to July
For booking allow minimum six(6) weeks prior to departure.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Fitness:
Moderate. Birders are required to walk along forest trails.
Weather:
Tropical climate with warm weather all year round and occasional rainfalls. Temperature ranges from 13C to 32C depending on the birding sites. Annual rainfall varies from 2000mm to 2500mm. Nights can be chilly while in Fraser’s Hill.
Clothing:
Casual and light wear. Bring along long sleeves shirt and long pants. Since it can be hot at times while in the field, you can wear shorts and t-shirts. Light/medium weight sweater is recommended for chilly nights. Ensure that you bring sufficient change of clothing for 2 weeks.
Equipment:
Bring along your most important tool for bird watching which includes binocular, spotting scope and tripod, as well as notebook. Field guides are provided for reference during the tour.
You can also request us to arrange for equipment.
Medicine:
Though, clinics and hospitals are located throughout the country, it is best to bring along your supply of personal medicine.
Food:
You will be enjoying local delicacies of Malay, Chinese and Indian food. If you have allergy or strictly on vegetarian diet, please inform us.
Customization:
This tour can be customized to cater for bird photographers and digiscopers.
Should you only need a guide for a day or two please contact us for details.
Cheong Weng Chun, your local Birdingpal guide
BSc. Forestry, majoring in Parks and Recreation Management (UPM).
Weng Chun has traveled to almost every corner of Peninsular Malaysia visiting the jungles, waterfalls, islands, and wetlands.
He started birdwatching in the 90’s with a resident bird guide in Fraser’s Hill after an introduction by a wildlife lecturer. He is also keen in nature photography and birds being his favorite photography subject, the traveling have indeed benefited his passion for nature photography and bird watching. He is currently affiliated to Malaysian Nature Society’s Selangor Bird Group and Oriental Bird Images. He is also a co-moderator for a Malaysian bird watching/photography forum.
Weng Chun is a nature guide licensed under Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, and have been managing one of the wetland parks in the country. He also contributes articles and photos of birds to local magazines.
Fauzi Hussin, your local Birdingpal guide
Fauzi is a licensed nature guide certified by Ministry of Tourism - Malaysia and have been conducting birding
tours actively for the past 1 year in several birding hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia. Apart from guiding birders, his other experiences include botanical expeditions to Gunung Stong State Park, Taman Negara and other natural sites. He also served as guide to recreationists and TV crews who seek adventures. Each month, Fauzi conducts preliminary wildlife survey in natural
sites for submission to Department of Wildlife in Malaysia.
Testimonial.
Dear Cheong,
Thank you for an outstanding 5 days of bird/butterfly watching and nature photography. Your knowledge of birds was excellent,
and I greatly appreciate your attention to the smallest details of the trip. I also appreciate your enthusiasm around natural history in general. My favorite was the Sunda Colugo (flying lemur) - I never knew such an animal existed, and this supposedly noctural creature was delightfully active for us.
Feel free to pass on my name and e-mail address as a reference. I can recommend you highly to anyone interested in birdwatching and general natural history.
Kind regards,
Roger Rittmaster, M.D. North Carolina, USA hutchins.rittmaster(AT)verizon.net
Cheong is a great guy. Very friendly and knowledgeable in birds and jungle environment. To me - coming from cold Scandinavia - it
was great to be shown so many birds and have such an entertaining day. Cheong is also witty and funny which did make the day
even more fun. Highly recommended - will contact again next time I am in Asia.
Thomas Hagstrom thomas.hagstrom(AT)comdatsec.com
Just a quick note of thanks for arranging the tour to Frasers Hill. I enjoyed it very much. There were 8 lifers in that for me. Hope to bird with you again later this year. Richard Carden (Japan)
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful time that I had in Kuala Selangor and Fraser's Hill. I was impressed by your focus on customer service. It appeared that customer service comes naturally to you. Your attention for details was amazing. Within that short span of time, I could watch and photograph a number of species of birds and monkeys. Before coming to Malaysia, I had never photographed sunbirds. With you on my side, I felt that photographing such a fast species became easier. Thanks for all your help. Sabyasachi Patra (India)
Weng Chun provided a wonderful service. I have a slipped disc, so I could not lift anything. Without his excellent help and consideration, this trip would be impossible. He handled my luggage, showed me the birds, and even took photos for me. He is fun to be with. Dr. Robert Dix (USA), rdix2002(AT)yahoo.com
Some facts about Malaysia.
Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South-east Asia. It's buoyant and wealthy, and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs. Aside from the gleaming glass towers of the 21st Century, though, Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia.
Malaysia is a federation of thirteen states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of 329,847 km2.
The capital city is Kuala Lumpur while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The country is separated into 2 regions –
the Malay peninsular and Borneo – by the South China Sea. Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. Located near the equator, the weather is characterized by tropical climate. Malaysia is headed by a king and politically led by a Prime Minister. The government is closely modeled after the Westminster (parliamentary system).
The population of Malaysia is estimated at approximately 27 million. The Malay language is the official language although
English is widely spoken.
More facts about Malaysia.
Guide books and CD’s recommended:
A Field Guide to the Birds of South-east Asia by Craig Robson.
Find lowest prices here
Bird Recordings
Birds of Tropical Asia, Sounds and Sights v3.0 by Jelle Scharringa
www.wildsounds.com
Note: To ascertain tour availability and best pricing, select a week for departure date. e.g. Sep 01 - 07
Need more information please email us.
