A Rafflesia adventure that uplifts a community

SEMAI/Nature Inspired

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

When you book a tour or a stay with the Semai, you contribute to a sustainable income for the community, and empower them to protect the environment that nourishes their way of life.

Local guides like Insan of SEMAI typically speak fluent Bahasa Melayu so if you are comfortable with the language, you can contact them directly. Most visitors however go through specialised eco-tour organisers such as John Chan of Nature Inspired, who works with the community through a profit-sharing partnership, and will organise the itinerary, transport and accommodation.

A percentage of the fee you pay will be channelled towards the Semai community (guide and affiliates such as the chef, guide assistant, etc) to cover food, accommodation and other costs incurred during the homestay.

The percentage is based on a mutually-agreed price between the eco-tour organiser and the local guides, to ensure the community will benefit.

Getting there

Ulu Geroh is about 12km or about half an hour’s drive from the nearest town Gopeng. If you choose to drive yourself, you will need a four-wheel drive as the road is rough in places and goes through a maze of dirt roads through the sprawling oil palm plantations.

From South (Kuala Lumpur): Drive 180km northward on the North South Highway (E1) and take exit 135 into Gopeng. Continue on Route 1 until you reach Gopeng town. Your local guide will meet you here.

From North (Ipoh): Take Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah and go onto Route 1 for about 25 minutes. Gopeng town will be on your left.

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View location on map

The Semai

Your hosts in Ulu Geroh are the Semai, an indigenous community who make up less than 1 per cent of Malaysia’s 31 million inhabitants, and are famed for their knowledge of the forest. Formerly nomadic, they settled along the flanks of the Main Range in Perak and Pahang after World War II.

Among them is Insan, chairman of SEMAI, a community-led organisation that manages eco-tourism in Ulu Geroh. 

If you are comfortably fluent in Bahasa Melayu, you can contact Insan directly at +6016 4547245 to arrange tours and homestays. Alternatively, engage the services of specialised tour organisers like Nature Inspired, who will liaise with local contacts to organise transport and accommodation.

Meet Insan of SEMAI, and John of Nature Inspired

Traveller’s notes

There is no specific bloom season for the Rafflesia. Trips with the sole purpose of seeing the Rafflesia are organised when flowers are expected to bloom, sometimes with only two to three days’ notice. Do keep your schedule flexible if you are set on seeing one

Respect the “Do not litter” sign that is stuck outside each house, with a rubbish bag below. Semai guide Bah Insan came up with the idea to prevent potential problems caused by the influx of tourists. Or better still, take your trash away with you when you leave.

The trail that leads up to the site with the most Rafflesia flowers is called the Leech Trail for a reason. Wear long pants and covered shoes, and put on leech socks if you are particularly squeamish.

Forget your fancy hiking boots; slip into a pair of kampung “Adidas” instead, as these rubber shoes, available at local sundry shops for under RM10, have sticky, knobbly soles that are marvellous for gripping slippery mud and crossing fast-flowing rivers.

The trail is of moderate difficulty. Expect a continuous elevation of 45 degrees, with numerous stretches that involve trekking through rocks, muddy patches and one river crossing.

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