If traipsing through steamy jungles, mangrove forests, and spectacular tropical islands hunting for secretive pheasants and glittering pittas sounds like fun, then Malaysia is a must, as it provides some of the best birding in Southeast Asia. Although most of the sites are forest, the lowland Dipterocarp forest, hill forest, and montane forest are all distinct, each supporting a multitude of different species. Furthermore, the coastal plain supports a long coastline harboring extensive tidal mudflats, mangroves, peat swamp forests, and scrub.

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2 Selangor Mangrove Reserve. This morning we traverse the magical coastline of the Malay Peninsula. The afternoon will be spent exploring the mangroves and coastal thicket at Kuala Selangor, searching for the smart Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Smyrna Kingfisher, and Blue-throated Bee-eater, and the many herons and waders which frequent the wetlands. This evening we'll venture into Selangor town to eat at an authentic Malay restaurant.

Day 3: Kuala Selangor to Fraser’s Hill. Most of the day will be spent exploring the secondary forest, wetlands, and mangroves of Kuala Selangor Nature Reserve. Here we seek the enigmatic Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher, Laced Woodpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Abbott’s Babbler, Ashy and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds, and the remarkably familiar Red Junglefowl, the wild ancestor of the chicken. In the late afternoon we head for the mist-enshrouded central Malay highlands and the wonderfully cool climate of Fraser’s Hill. One of the famous British hill stations, it maintains its colonial charm, and its fame today as one of Malaysia’s hottest birding spots is well founded.

Days 4-6 : Fraser’s Hill and The Gap. Fraser’s Hill is crossed by enchanting forest trails, where some of Asia’s greatest avian treasures hide in brilliant mixed-species flocks. Amongst the highlights are the spectacular Green Magpie, Long-tailed Sibia, Silver-eared Mesia, Blue Nuthatch, the enigmatic Cutia, Fire-tufted Barbet, and Black-and-Crimson Oriole, and there is always the chance of finding pittas and partridges. We shall check each rivulet for the superb Slaty-backed Forktail. The lower altitude forest around the Gap is home to a new range of birds, including the brilliant Silver-breasted Broadbill, the diminutive Black-thighed Falconet, the spectacular Green-billed Malkoha, and two spectacular trogons: Orange-breasted and Red-headed. The Gap Resthouse also provides entertainment, with the gardens attracting a host of birds, including the aqua-blue Verditer Flycatcher. Scanning the forest may reveal the outrageous Great and Rhinoceros Hornbills, as well as spiderhunters, which resemble overgrown sunbirds.

Day 7: Fraser’s Hill to Taman Negara. After breakfast we travel to Taman Negara NP. This huge area of pristine lowland rainforest, covering 3.3% of the country's area, is touted as "the oldest rainforest in the world". The ancient landscape supports over 300 bird species and is undoubtedly the most important birding site in the region. Access to Kuala Tahan, the park HQ, is via a spectacular three-hour boat journey snaking up the forest-fringed, sluggish Tembeling River. On the way we may see the aptly named Stork-billed Kingfisher darting up ahead of us, or a flock of Brown Needletails, large and impressive swifts that hug the tepid tropical rivers, swooping low to drink water.

Days 8-11: Taman Negara. Early morning birding in the resort, which holds some great fruiting trees, should get us off to a flying start. Our targets will be Blue-rumped Parrot, Thick-billed and Little Green Pigeons, the tiny Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, and the flashy Asian Fairy Bluebird. We'll then explore the pristine forest along fantastic trails, searching for Taman Negara’s most sought-after residents, including Garnet and Banded Pittas, the emerald Green Broadbill, Raffle’s Malkoha, and a legion of bulbuls and babblers. Morning walks to some of the hides may reveal Diard’s and Scarlet-rumped Trogons, Whiskered Tree-swift, Black-and-Red and Black-and-Yellow Broadbills, Blue-winged Pitta, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, White-rumped Shama, Crested Fireback, Red-crowned Barbet, the impressive Orange-backed and Great Slaty Woodpeckers, Green and Great Ioras, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, leafbirds, spiderhunters, sunbirds, and flowerpeckers. In the afternoons we return to the main camp to wait for hornbills to fly over the river. Occasionally the Helmeted, Wrinkled, Wreathed, and gigantic Rhinoceros Hornbills are seen here.

Day 12: Taman Negara to Kuala Lumpur. We shall have time for some morning birding before heading back to Kuala Lumpur. At the jetty we shall be transferred to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for homeward-bound flights, or onward flights for those joining our Borneo tour.

Tour info:

CLIMATE: Hot and humid, cooler at Fraser’s Hill.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate, forest walks on trails are required.

ACCOMMODATION: Good, en-suite facilities throughout.