Start: 7th March 2024 | End: 17th March 2024 | Meeting location: Kuala Lumpur | Spaces available: 2
Included in the tour:
- Expert herpetologist guides.
- Accommodation.
- Transport.
- Food & drinks.
- National park entry fees.
- Permit fees.
Cinnamon frog (Nyctixalus pictus)
Wagler's pit viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri)
Great angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)
Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus)
Wallace's flying frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus)
Mangrove cat snake (Boiga melanota)
Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus)
Peter's bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus consobrinus)
Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) from riverine mangrove swamp habitat.
Twin-barred flying snake (Chrysopelea pelias).
Hagen's pit viper (Trimeresurus hageni).
Mangrove pit viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus).
Norhayati's flying frog (Rhacophorus norhayatii).
Red-bellied keelback (Rhabdophis conspicillata) juvenile.
The extremely rare Malaysian endemic Schaefer's spine-jawed snake (Xenophidion schaeferi).
Red-bellied keelback (Rhabdophis conspicillata).
Juvenile Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus).
Nights 1-3 - Kuala Lumpur:
This expedition begins with 3 days exploring lowland habitats around Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city. The Klang Valley is home to an absolutely star-studded diversity of species, and we will be targeting the brightest and best, starting in riverine mangrove swamps where the banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) is common, then herping ultra-humid lowland rainforest where an incredible number of species colourful and rare species occur. Pictured above are a selection of lowland-inhabiting herpetofauna we have found at these locations.
The endemic Robinson's mountain dragon (Malayodracon robinsonii).
Mirkwood forest slug snake (Asthenodipsas lasgalenensis).
Cameron Highlands pit viper (Trimeresurus nebularis).
Larut shrub frog (Philautus larutensis).
Black-striped coral snake (Calliophis nigrotaeniatus) venter.
Large-eyed false cobra (Pseudoxenodon macrops).
Red mountain keelback (Hebius sanguineum).
Cameron Highlands sticky frog (Kalophrynus yongi).
Red bamboo ratsnake (Oreocryptophis porphyracea laticinctus).
The beautiful Cameron Highlands endemic Schulz's reed snake (Macrocalamus schulzi).
Long-legged horned frog (Megophrys longipes).
Endemic Titiwangsa horned dragon (Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis).
Black-striped coral snake (Calliophis nigrotaeniatus).
Cameron Highlands pit viper (Trimeresurus nebularis).
Nights 4-6 - Cameron Highlands:
After the lowlands, we drive up to the dramatically contrasting highlands of Peninsular Malaysia’s central mountain range. This cool-weather (often cold) climate is home to a totally unique and fascinating array of highland-restricted species, including several local endemics. The moss-covered montane forest in the Cameron Highlands is a simply magical place to explore, and every single snake encounter is special. Pictured above is a selection of recent sightings our guides have had here.
Dark-headed cat snake (Boiga nigriceps).
Blue-eyed bamboo ratsnake (Gonyosoma coeruleum).
Cat gecko (Aleuroscalabotes felinus).
Red-headed krait (Bungarus flaviceps).
Endemic Titiwangsa horned dragon (Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis).
Sabah pit viper (Trimeresurus sabahi) male.
Blunt-headed slug snake (Aplopeltura boa).
Blue coral snake (Calliophis bivirgata).
Blotched forest skink (Sphenomorphus praesignis) juvenile.
Twin-spotted flying frog (Rhacophorus rhodopus).
Blue bronzeback (Dendrelaphis cyanochloris).
Jasper cat snake (Boiga jaspidea).
Sumatran cobra (Naja sumatrana) black morph.
Mountain pit viper (Ovophis convictus).
The very rare Malaysia bug-eyed frog (Theloderma leprosum).
Sabah pit viper (Trimeresurus sabahi) female.
Nights 7-10 - Bukit Fraser:
Arguably the most celebrated naturalist haven in Peninsula Malaysia, this beautiful highland resort has been an all-time favourite herping destination for our guides for more than 10 years, and was a simply unmissable destination for this expedition. Bukit Fraser’s unique positioning between upper-dipterocarp and submontane forest provides a magnificent diversity of herpetofauna, and the crisp mountain climate makes hiking an enjoyable experience no matter what time of day. The Malaysian blue coral snake (Calliophis bivirgata), red-headed krait (Bungarus flaviceps) and the very rare Malayan mountain pit viper (ovophis convictus) are amongst the many show-stoppers which we have found multiple times at Bukit Fraser in the past. Visible above are a few species we will target at this destination.
Accommodation:
We will stay in comfortable hotels adjacent to or within prime herping habitat at every location on this expedition. There will be WIFI & great phone (4G) service at all accommodations.
Food:
Malaysia is a multicultural country with a broad variety of cuisine. You will have the opportunity to try Malay, Chinese and Indian food, as well as western classics. Each location on the tour has easily accessible shops where snacks can be bought.
Environmental conditions & fitness:
The lowlands of Peninsula Malaysia are steaming hot and humid all year round, with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 30c. However, the climate at the Cameron Highlands and Bukit Fraser will often drop as low as 16c at night, and rarely exceeds 26c during the daytime. Cool weather clothing is essential, as well as hiking clothes suitable for hot temperatures. A rain jacket is also absolutely essential, as we can expect heavy rain at any time in Malaysia.
Travel information:
All participants must arrive in Kuala Lumpur at the designated hotel before 14:00pm on the 7th March 2024. On the 17th March at 12:00pm (midday), we will leave Bukit Fraser and arrive at KL SENTRAL by 15:00pm, where the tour will end.
Kuala Lumpur has a huge international airport, and direct transport links to the city. It is the guests’ responsibility to meet all entry requirements needed to enter Malaysia, including visa procedures. Explore Herpetology can help advise entry requirements. Guests travelling from most countries do not require a visa to visit Malaysia for less than 30 days. Make sure to check the entry requirements for your country before booking.
Guides:
This expedition is led by Steven Wong and Rupert Grassby-Lewis, who share an extensive history of highly successful herping trips together in Malaysia, making several scientific discoveries and finding countless extremely rare species along the way. Their combined expertise will ensure countless fantastic finds as well as a mentally enriching experience for everyone, regardless of experience level.
Steven is a Kuala Lumpur native and professional herping guide boasting an endless catalogue of knowledge on Malaysia’s wildlife, with a specialist focus on reptiles & amphibians. His immense experience bringing groups and individuals herping at our trip locations is invaluable, and his brilliant eye for herpetofauna will make every single night of the expedition productive. Steven, as a local and ‘food enthusiast’ (*not* a foodie), is also perfectly poised to make astute recommendations for local food and drinks - for those who want to experiment and indulge in the local culture.
Rupert is a professional herping guide based in Thailand, but also one of the most accomplished individuals in Malaysian herping. The Cameron Highlands and Bukit Fraser have been his favourite stomping grounds for over 10 years, and he stands above the rest in regards to total species seen in the highlands. As director of Explore Herpetology, Rupert has redefined what is considered a ‘successful herping trip’ through his unwavering commitment to success, laser-focused mindset and multifaceted understanding of the ecology of every snake species we could target.
Steven
