Malaysia Peninsula

Arrive in Kuala Lumpur, where we gather for a welcome dinner to meet our guides and fellow travellers and discuss the birding adventures ahead.

Night in Kuala Lumpur.

We make an early start for Hulu Langat, where lowland forest and surrounding habitats introduce us to Peninsular Malaysia’s rich birdlife. We look for Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Malayan Brown Barbet, Green Iora and Crimson-winged Woodpecker.

After lunch, we travel to Kuala Selangor to explore paddy fields and secondary forest. Our time in this coastal region also includes the mangroves and coastal forest of Kuala Selangor Nature Park.

Mangrove specialties include Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and Mangrove Whistler. Other possibilities include Lesser Adjutant, Laced Woodpecker, Common and Greater Flamebacks, White-throated and Collared Kingfishers, and Oriental Dollarbird. Herons, egrets, bulbuls and other birds add to the variety, while Silvered Leaf Monkeys and Long-tailed Macaques may also be encountered.

Night at De Palma Hotel or similar, Kuala Selangor.

We spend the morning of Day 3 birding around Kuala Selangor before travelling to Fraser’s Hill in the afternoon. Here we spend three nights exploring the mature mountain forests and enjoying surroundings that are considerably cooler than the lowlands.

Fraser’s Hill is an attractive former colonial hill station, with forest trails and quiet roads offering access to its distinctive montane birdlife.

Mixed feeding flocks move quickly and noisily through the forest. We look for Malayan Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Mesia, Blue Nuthatch and Sultan Tit, along with Gray-throated and Golden Babblers, White-browed and Black-eared Shrike-Babblers, Blue-winged Minla, Mountain Fulvetta and Long-tailed Sibia. Black-and-crimson Oriole and Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo may join the activity.

Other targets include Malaysian Partridge, Malaysian Whistling-Thrush, Fire-tufted Barbet, Red-headed Trogon, Long-tailed and Silver-breasted Broadbills, and Streaked and Marbled Wren-Babblers. Flycatchers are well represented, with possibilities including Verditer, Little Pied and Rufous-browed Flycatchers, as well as Large Niltava. We also watch for Great Hornbill and listen for Bock’s Hawk-Cuckoo.

Depending on conditions, we may explore the Waterfall Trail and the area known as The Gap. An evening outing may offer opportunities to listen for owls. Mammals include a variety of squirrels and leaf monkeys, and we listen for the remarkable calls of Siamangs echoing through the hills.

Nights at Wyndham Garden Shahzan Hotel or similar, Fraser’s Hill.

We spend the morning birding around Fraser’s Hill, giving us another opportunity to search for montane species we have not yet encountered.

In the afternoon, we leave the highlands and travel to Lanchang, where we explore lowland habitats for a different selection of birds. We then continue to Bukit Tinggi for the night.

Night at Colmar Tropicale or similar, Bukit Tinggi.

We spend the morning and afternoon birding around Bukit Tinggi, seeking the elusive Mountain Peacock-Pheasant. Other possibilities include Ferruginous Partridge, Orange-breasted Trogon, Banded Kingfisher, Banded Broadbill and Bushy-crested Hornbill.

The elusive Rail-babbler is another possibility. After our birding, we travel to our accommodation near Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Night near Kuala Lumpur International Airport.