THIS ONE DAY JOURNEY will not only take visitors to the best birding spots, one will also get a hands-on experience of mangrove fishermen’s way of life, eat the freshest seafood and see how fire-fly colonies give mundane riverine village a glittering nightlife.
Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is South East Asia’s largest stopover for birds from Siberia and inner Asia continent during Northern Hemisphere winter to escape the cold.
The sanctuary is established 1970s by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) and the state government of Perak with the main objective of creating the sanctuary is to protect migratory and resident bird species, which have been using the wetland area for thousands of years. And yet, the place rarely sees visitors due to its far flung location.
The latest survey by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks indicated a total of 166 species of birds, including migrant birds, were recorded. This undoubtedly made Kuala Gula a prominent must see for those with passion for birds.
The mangrove everglades of Kuala Gula are one of the last places in Peninsular Malaysia to see Milky Storks (Mycteria cinerea) and Lesser Adjutants (Leptoptilos javanicus). The migratory birds utilise the large mudflat area for feeding and resting during their migratory route from the northern to the southern hemisphere.
Migratory birds such as Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata), Common redshank (Tringa totanus), Common greenshank (Tringa nebularia), Mongolian plovers (Charadrius mongolus), Pacific goldenplover (Pluvialis fulva), Common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), Little egret (Egretta garzetta), Gret egret (Casmerodius albus), Black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), Black-naped tern (Sterna sumatrana) come from as far as Siberia, Japan and China during the migratory season starting from September until April each year.
These birds come in large flocks numbering from several hundred to several thousand individuals. Thanks to Malaysia all year summer-like weather and large mudflat ecology, it offers a perfect natural feeding and nesting ground for these birds before they head back during spring.
Beside birds, several species of mammals such as mangrove otters, Silver-leaf Monkey, Long-tailed Macaques, Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Ridge-backed Dolphin, Leopard Cat and civets were also observed in these areas. Reptiles such as Water Monitor Lizard and Clouded Monitor Lizard are a common sight.
Kuala Gula is also a “functional” national reserve that works hand-in-hand with countryside socio-economy. The Kuala Gula fishing village has been established since the late 19th century. Regulated by the Wildlife Dept, fishermen built non-intrusive water villages in Kuala Gula sanctuary that's a perfect cover from sea storm.
Apart from smallholder activities like cockle farming, floating aquaculture farms also dot the swamp fringe. Farmers rear sea bass, groupers, and crabs in cages to save them the effort from going to sea. This practice has also vastly benefited marine-life in open sea as damaging dragnets are no longer used to harvest seafood.
Tour Itinerary
* 1 pm – Pick up in Ipoh and head for Kuala Gula. Trip briefings and safety procedures.
* 2.00pm - Depart Kuala Gula jetty and learn how to rig a traditional fish trap on board. Depending on swamp and tide conditions, the boatmen will locate the perfect spots to lay the traps. Whatever caught in the traps will be dinner.
* 3.00pm – 7.00pm - Boat safari to view a plethora of bird species, semi-aquatic wildlife and aqua-farms. Before heading back to the jetty, the boat will make a short stop to retrieve all traps laid earlier. What to expect – crabs, fishes and prawns.
* 7.00pm – Take a short hike into the mangrove forest to view a hidden colony of fire-fly. This is one of the few places in Malaysia where a fire-fly colony hideout can be accessed by land (most firefly colonies are found in river fringes and only reachable by boat).
* 8.30pm – Dinner.
* 10.00pm – Transfer back to Ipoh.
This superb educational field trip is suitable for the young and old. Needs for safety and steadfast guidance are kept firmly in mind. Couples, families and friends traveling together will have a good balance between activity and relaxation.
Dinner will be enjoyed in a small holder seafood restaurant that’s hygienic and dish out seafood that only uses locally sourced ingredients.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
* Airfare is not included in tour price.
* Visitors are advised to bring binoculars.
Price Includes:
- One dinner during excursion.
- Private English-speaking outdoor savvy guide.
- Private transport and boat to all destinations & activities.
- All entrance and permit fees.
Please note that all trips are private-type and require a minimum of 2 people to operate; surcharge applicable for 1 person trip. Discounts are available for self-drive, groups, retirees, students, families and nature clubs.
All packages are ex-Ipoh, a town 200km north capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) and 150km south Penang.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Malaysia
Birdwatching
Multi-activity
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