An artificial lake where people can go kayaking and fishing, as well as do some caving and birdwatching in the surrounding area. Sounds like a great place for a holiday, right?
Well, you can find all these at Lake Kenyir, Terengganu, the biggest man-made lake in South-East Asia that measures 209,000ha.
Lake Kenyir is surrounded by lush tropical rainforests, and a haven for freshwater fish and other water creatures. It is famous among eco-tourists and naturalists and visited all-year-long for many reasons.
There are houseboats available for rent at the lake. Visitors usually stay here for an average of two nights to properly experience the place. Night time at the lake is exceptionally wonderful as that’s when the forest comes alive with the various calls of wildlife.
And if you wake up just before the break of dawn, everything stays calm and peaceful.
The lake has 340 islets and there are as many as 14 waterfalls around it, as well as some rapids and carbonate caves. You can visit all of them, but that would take some time to do so.
With the houseboat, you can check out the majestic 152m Lasir Waterfall. There’s a suspension bridge there which allows you to cross the waterfall, and take beautiful pictures.
For adventure seekers, try your hand at abseiling at the Saok Waterfall.
The Kelah Sanctuary nearby is worth a visit too. You can’t fish here, but you may be able to feed the king of river fish, the ikan kelah (Malaysian Golden Mahseer). You can also try to catch the fish with your bare hands!
If you are interested in prehistoric finds, then head to Bewah Cave, which is more than a thousand years old. There are several activities offered here, including night camping.
Other places you can check out with the houseboat (as many places are not accessible via land) include a bird park, a herb garden, an orchid garden, a butterfly park and the Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village. There are several interesting trails for those who prefer to explore on foot, too.
Getting there
Lake Kenyir is located 65km from Kuala Terengganu, so you can use the city as your starting point. From here, you can get a taxi or drive to the lake. You can park your car at either the Gawi Jetty or Kenyir Dam. Some of the accommodation providers will also offer pick up services when you book a stay with them.
Tasik Kenyir
Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu,
Terengganu
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