Sekayu Recreational Forest, Terengganu

You must heard about Sekayu Recreational Forest long time ago. It is located 16km from Kuala Berang and 55km from Kuala Terengganu. It is within the forest reserve area managed by the Forestry Department of Malaysia. According to Guide Book on Recreational Forest in Peninsular Malaysia published by the Forestry Department in 2009, Sekayu Recreational Forest is one of the 14 recreational forests in Terengganu. The others are Air Mundong, Bukit Kesing, Bumbung Raja, Lata Belatan, Lata Payong, Jambu Bongkok, Rasau-Kerteh, Seri Amar, Chemerong, Tanjung Gadong, Lata Tembakah, Besul and Bukit Bauk.

The gate 

With the size of 405 hectares, Sekayu has strong pull factors : its 3 layer waterfalls and its forest which is rich in  bio-diversity. The moment you enter this area, you will hear the sound of water that rushes along its course. As you continue to walk up the jungle trail, you can hear more of the sound of waterfalls. 

To certain people, it is pleasing to their ears and it is a form of therapy. While walking, be careful as the trail can be slippery at times and if you are not careful, you may fall down and spoilt your day. Another warning, when you bathe in the pool at the waterfall, be careful with the sudden gush of upstream water (due to heavy rain) as it may drown you. Anyway if there is heavy rain in the upper stream or catchment (which you may not realise), the management will make alarm through siren. So be alert on the siren.

Camping site which can accommodate easily a hundred people at a time.

The waterfalls

The downstream, where you can dip yourself and enjoy the coolness of the water.

The chalets

The suspension bridge allow you to view the stream.

A special tree with red seeds?

The area has several facilities: exhibition room, nature trails, suspension bridges, toilets, camping site, lotus and fish pond, 13 chalets and a few rest areas. Admission is free for all but you must register your name at the entrance. It is open from 8.00am till 6.00pm. For overnight stay or day stay, the chalets are available for rent. The management charge RM60.00 per chalet (one room chalet) per night, and the camping site is RM2.00 per person per day. For booking contact 609-6882510.

As of 2009, there were 192,000 visitors to this area, 1000 of them were foreigners (mostly Singaporeans), an average of 16,000 a month. Looking at statistic, it seems this place is very popular as a recreational area for locals and other Malaysians. Daily picnic is popular and camping activity is on the rise. Its aim as recreational area is achieved. 

If you wish to visit this place, drive to Kuala Berang. When you reach Sekayu junction, follow the sign board. Happy travelling.