The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is the largest mangrove forest reserve in Malaysia. Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve with 40,000 hectare was gazette as a Permanent Forest Reserve in 1906. Today, it is recognized as the best managed sustainable mangrove ecosystem in the world. This mangrove reserve contains rich and diverse wildlife that offers nature lovers to visit and explore its wetlands and resources. Mangrove tree species such as the bakau minyak and bakau kurap thrive here and are commonly used to make charcoal. Among the activities that visitors can enjoy and explore here are the river cruise, dolphin sighting, observing eagles and fireflies watching.

How to Get There

By Plane

You can board flight to Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, about 72 km from Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve. Once you reach airport you can take taxi to get to Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve.

By Bus

You can board Konsortium Bus Express at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) or Hentian Duta Bus Terminal Kuala Lumpur to Taiping. From Taiping town you can take taxi to get to Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve.

By Car

The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is located in the Larut Matang District, in Perak. To get there, exit the North-South Expressway at Exit 146 Changkat Jering for those coming from Kuala Lumpur, and Exit 148 Kamunting/Taiping for those coming from Penang. Continue your journey by taking the road towards Kuala Sepetang (Port Weld). The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is about 2 km from the pekan of Kuala Sepetang.

By Train

The Electric Train Service (ETS) is a great way to reach Taiping. You can take the ETS train from Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station to Taiping Railway Station. From the station you need to grab a taxi to get to Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve.

Tourist Attractions

Charcoal Factory Kuala Sepetang

Charcoal Factory Kuala Sepetang is a must visit destinations when you are at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve. The factory does not look like a modern, high technology factory but it has a row of charcoal kilns, beehive shaped clay structures. The factory offers a tour of the factory coupled with explanations of how charcoal is made.

Port Weld Kuala Sepetang

If you are a seafood lover, Port Weld Kuala Sepetang is an ideal place to visit. Port Weld is a coastal town, about 20 minutes from Taiping. The town was originally named after a former Governor, Frederick Weld. Port Weld is a well-known fishing village and many people love visiting here to feast on fresh seafood.

Taiping Lake Gardens

Taiping Lake Gardens is one of popular tourist attraction in Taiping. Located near Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill), Taiping’s Lake Gardens was originally a mining ground. The Taiping Lake Gardens, which encompasses a lake, a recreational park and a Japanese garden, offer well-preserved lush greeneries and variety of flowers, birds and insects waiting to be discovered.

Taiping Zoo & Night Safari

Taiping Zoo and Night Safari are located next to Taiping Lake Gardens. The 34-acre zoo is the oldest zoo in the country and is home to more than 1,300 animals including many species of birds, mammals and reptiles protected in their natural habitats. The zoo is open to the public every day including on public holidays from 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. while the night safari, which features a variety of nocturnal animals, is open from 8.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Hotels

The Happy 8 Retreat @ Kuala Sepetang

The Happy 8 Retreat @ Kuala Sepetang is a wise choice when you are visiting Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve. This 3-star hotel has a very good location which is nearby tourist attractions such as Port Weld within 0.6km and Charcoal Factory Kuala Sepetang within 1.1 km. With its good location, makes The Happy 8 Retreat @ Kuala Sepetang is the right place to stay.

Potato Hotel

Potato Hotel is a 3-star hotel is ideally situated in Taiping. The distance is only 7.5 km from Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve. This hotel provides easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. Staying at Potato Hotel will surely satisfy you with its great hospitality.