I used to study in the school next to FRIM for 7 years. I am pleased that FRIM still maintains its quality since I left the school more than 10 years ago. I have been to FRIM for uncountable times for all sort of activities like picnic, tennis, squash, jungle trekking, jogging, cycling and s0 on.

FRIM is an ideal place for those who love jogging. It’s very shady to keep you away from the scorching sun in Malaysia. Due to the vast amount of plants and lush green in FRIM, it’s actually quite cool inside FRIM, where you don’t usually find it in other places in Malaysia, except highlands.

Entrance fees to FRIM are RM1 for walk-in and RM5 for drive-in. We usually park our car at the open car park  right in front of the guard house and walk into the FRIM. It is a pleasant walk under the shades so I would suggest the visitors to take a walk rather than paying RM5 to drive in. The downside of the parking place is that there are very limited parking lots. So if you couldn’t get the parking space, you can take the left turn into the housing area and park next to the food stalls.

Stumbled upon iguana in FRIM

Walking along the road from the entrance, you will see the first junction at your left. It is an alternate route to lead you to the tennis court and the squash court at the center of FRIM. You can skip the left junction and walk straight to the center of FRIM. I prefer using the main road as there are more to see along the way.

My company outing in FRIM. We were marveled at Arapaimas or the monster fish, as it is called, is nearly two meters long!

By following the main straight road, you will come to the museum that displays all sorts of different insects and bugs. Entering the museum is free of charge! We liked to hang around inside the museum to enjoy air conditioner after a whole day walking under the sun.

Museum for insect lovers

After visiting the museum, you may continue your journey to the center of FRIM. Here you can find the information center at your right where the food court is located. I would recommend you to bring your own food if you plan to stay there for long. There is nothing much to eat in the food court except some simple Malay cuisine. Next to the food court is the information counter with very little information provided (this is Malaysia, we can’t expect much. By the way, I’m Malaysian). A squash court is located inside the building with reasonable hourly rate. A basketball court is just right next to the information center and a tennis court is opposite the information center.

Basic setup food court in FRIM

Jungle trekking with my former colleagues

Tour guide was showing us the treasures in the forest

Before the Information center and the tennis court, there is a junction at the left. By taking the left turn, you will reach the first left exit from the entrance that I mentioned just now. The road will also lead you to the Malay tea house where you can enjoy the tea and some local delicacies in the tea house. I would suggest you to visit the tea house at the end of the journey.

Keep your eyes on the ground, you might have different surprises

I imagined the mushrooms taste like marshmallow

By going straight from the information center and passing the tennis court, you will come to a very huge football field at your left. There is ‘rumah panjang’ (Malaysia traditional long house) at your right where some local residents stay there. Continue your journey until you reach the waterfall at your right. This used to be our hot spot after school. The waterfall here is usually packed with local visitors.

We stopped by waterfall for a short rest

From here, you might want to experience canopy walk as well. With RM10 (which is quite expensive to me), you can trek up to the hill and enjoy the scenic view at the canopy walk. As a foreigner, you may even engage the FRIM guide to provide you the tour around the forest. The local guides there are experienced to provide you the knowledge and the information of flora and fauna in FRIM.

We were waiting to get the ticket for the canopy walk

Suspended 30m above ground, the 200m walk across the bridge is not only an exciting walk but an awesome sight as well. Experience a panoramic view of the forest and find out how this walkway system functions as a platform for scientific study of canopy flora and fauna.

The trail to the canopy walkway which is about at 30-45 minute trek is an uphill climb, which is steep and physically demanding.

You’ll be amazed of the stunning view from the canopy walkway

Always look up the sky when you hike in the forest. We saw this amazing “Crown Shyness” Phenomenon. The leaf tips appear to shy away from their own kind which lead to the “Crown Shyness” phenomenon. This has been attributed to mechanical abrasion and to changes in the rate and direction of branch elongation in response to neighbours. Many animals use this as ‘highways’ to cross from one crown to the next. Amazing huh?

Forest Research Institute
Malaysia
52109 Kepong,
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel:603-6279 7000
Fax:603-6273 1314
Website: www.frim.gov.my