Bukit Nanas Reserve

Kuala Lumpur is a big, bustling metropolis whose landscape is dotted with gleaming skyscrapers and many imposing, modern structures. However, amongst all this glass, concrete and steel are a few, lush, patches of green, which serve to provide a welcome escape from the unrelenting, blistering tropical heat.

The Lake Garden Complex, the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, the KLCC gardens are some of the city’s prominent verdant sanctuaries, which definitely warrant a visit. The Bukit Nanas Nature Reserve situated at the foot of the popular, KL landmark, Menara KL (KL Tower )is another green lung which needs to be added to this must-visit green heaven list. Dating back nearly a hundred years, the Bukit Nanas Nature Reserve is a true-blue tropical, rainforest enclave located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

The reserve, which is persevered as a heritage attraction, extends over 10.5 lush hectares and hosts an abundance of native flora and fauna. Squirrels, monitor lizards, snakes, two species of primates, namely the Silvered Langur and the Long-tailed Macaque and several species of birds and insects call the Bukit Nanas Reserve home. Typical Jungle sounds reverberate in the reserve’s dense green cover made up of creepers, climbers, tall bamboo grasses and native tropical trees like Chengal, Pulai, Keruing and Meranti.

In the midst of this lush wilderness, are clearly marked jogging and walking trails and even a fun, outdoor obstacle course for an added challenge. The reserve offers free public access daily from 7 am until 7pm. Guides employed at the reserve are on hand to lead nature rambles for visitors four times a day; details of these walks are available at the visitor’s center at the park. The reserve also offers camping facilities for those visitors who wish to enjoy its rainforest ambience for a bit longer. In fact, a tour of the Bukit Nanas Reserve is perhaps an ideal substitute for those visitors who wish to sample the rainforest experience but don’t have the time to visit Malaysia’s more renowned rainforest terrains like Taman Negara.