Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve

The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is Peninsular Malaysia’s largest mangrove forest. It was designated as a Permanent Forest Reserve in 1906. It consists of the Bakau Minyak and Bakau Kurap species.

Since the 2004 tsunami, there’s been an increase of interest in preserving the mangroves.This mangrove forest, with trees adapted to growing in salty soil and water, protect coastlines from erosion and are a natural barrier to strong coastal storms like hurricanes. They’re also rich breeding grounds for small marine creatures from jellyfish to fiddler crabs, mudskippers and archer fish, rare marine otters and river dolphins.It is also an important site for coastal migratory water birds and migrant forest birds.

Matang Mangrove Reserve is reckoned to be a model of environmental protection and the best managed mangrove forest in the world. Since Matang is the only iconic site that practicing sustainable wood production, it could be an exemplary to other mangrove locations for their improved management.

There are lots of things the visitors can do there.There are extensive boardwalks lead above the black mud through a forest of tall, thin trunks and mangrove ferns built for the comfort of the visitors. They can see creatures like monkeys, wild pigs and swimming snakes at the surrounding areas. There are also cabins if one wish to stay overnight. They can also take the boat cruise for sightseeing or perhaps get a chance to watch dolphins or seeing fireflies at night.

Image by: Pusat Eko Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Kuala Sepetang

Operating Hours

Daily: 8.00 a.m – 5.00 p.m

Admission

Adult: RM 5.00
Children: RM 2.00
Senior citizen: RM 2
Foreigners without MyKad: RM 15.00

Location

Kampung Kuala Sepetang, 34650 Kuala Sepetang, Perak, Malaysia.

View map.

Hear From Others

Besides being a place where you’d gain knowledge on mangrove forests and their usefulness in protecting our inland from erosion, you’d also see people jogging there.

Terra Shield
RACONTEUR-ESQUE SCRIBBLINGS

Inside the forest, it is surprisingly cool despite the hot weather and if you walk slowly and watch closely, you may be able to find mud crabs, mud skippers and other wild life including migratory birds in the wetlands especially nearer to the river.

CALVIN
Calvin-Myjourney

I took a quick stroll in the park with my bike up to the jetty by the river. The mangrove swamp is well preserved. Mangroves play a very important role in the ecology system.

Midgee
MidgeeSimpleLife

Nearby Attractions

Temenggor Lake

Temenggor Lake is a lake in Hulu Perak District, Perak, Malaysia. It is the second largest lake in Peninsula Malaysia. This lake is a man-made lake. It was created after the construction of Temenggor Dam to generate electric power. The lake is located at the heart of the Belum Forest.

Royal Belum State Park

Royal Belum State Park or known as the Crowning Glory of the Peninsula is the largest state park in Peninsular Malaysia. The forest is believed to have existed since 130 million years ago, making it one of oldest rain forests in the world.

Banding Island

Banding Island is a 243-hectare man made island encircled by the Temengor Lake. It is in fact a 130 million year old rain forest before it was turned into an island when its lower area was surrounded by a man-made lake created in the late 1960.