On a good night, thousands of fireflies come out to play (or rather, mate) at the Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor.
With a sturdy wooden boat and a dependable guide paddling slowly with his oar, imagine yourself traversing through a river in the middle of the night with a group of people, marvelling at the bright flickering of lights coming from ... insects.
This is the kind of wonderful experience you will get at the Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park. This special park is said to accommodate one of the biggest firefly colonies in the world.
You will be able to enjoy a serene boat ride through the length of Sungai Selangor, and along the way, witness the romantic glow of fireflies clustered in bushes around the banks.
Why you should go
Head to the park to witness the magical sight of fireflies glowing harmoniously in pitch black darkness.
And as you go through the river, the stillness of the night lends a calming quality that folks from the big city would appreciate.
Of course, you also get to learn about fireflies and see them in their natural habitat. These 6mm-long creatures reside in the mangrove trees along Sungai Selangor, getting food and nutrients from their surroundings.
What to do
Apart from seeing the fireflies doing their “work” and learning about them, you can also snap some pictures. However, you can only take pictures from the jetty. You are not allowed to take pictures from the boat itself as the flash of light from your camera might cause the fireflies to jolt, and then bolt!
If you want to know more about the fireflies at Kampung Kuantan, just ask your friendly boatman. He will be glad to share his rich experiences with the fireflies.
All the boatmen put the safety of their passengers first so do listen to their instructions. You will also be given a life jacket each.
Tickets are RM50 per person for a 30-minute boat ride. One boat fits up to four people.
Who will like it
Visit the firefly park if you are the type of person who appreciates unique experiences. Go with family and friends – kids will love this!
Getting there
If you have a car, key in the GPS coordinates (3.36324, 101.300612) on Google Maps or Waze, and drive your way right to the firefly park. There are no parking fees at the park.
You can also take a Grab or taxi to the location. The firefly park is a famous spot in Kuala Selangor so it can easily be located.
It is advisable to go when the evening is clear and not raining, so do check the weather report. The boatmen will have the final say on whether or not it is safe to continue with the tour.
The place is usually packed during the weekends. Get there earlier to book a spot.
