Evolution of Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary from 2007 until 30 January 2013

I always love coming to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary to be with these gentle creatures. My first trip was with Tourism Malaysia Mega Familiarization group back in 2007. Second was with my family a year later. In 2009, I came twice as part of an Inspection trip with the Raffles Institution Singapore’s teachers. My company brought about 500 Raffles Institution students to do some Corporate Social Responsibility work. They painted murals on the walls of the Baby Elephants’ Nursery – it is still there! I was there again in 2010, 2011 and the most recent one is 30 January 2013. It seems like an annual pilgrimage to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary for me to observe the transformation of this popular tourist attraction among the local and foreign guests.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

Some details of Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary; GPS coordinate: 3˚ 35’34.4”N and 102˚ 08’37.7”E;Address: Kuala Gandah, Lanchang, Pahang, Malaysia and Visiting hours (It is closed on the 1^st day of the Muslim festive ‘Hari Raya Puasa’): Monday – Thursday from 12.00noon to 4.45pm, Friday from 2.45pm to 4.45pm and Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays from 10.00am to 4.45pm.

In 2007 - 2009, the Activity area was situated on the right, pass the Souvenir Shop with a Shed for bathing the Baby elephants and feeding the Adult elephants. The Shed can hold about 4 to 5 elephants at any one time. The Adult elephants came out of the Holding area, just behind the Shed for their bath in the Tetris River with their ‘Mahuot’ or Trainers. You can see that this Holding area is best kept as a natural habitat for the elephants but surrounded by electric fence, to prevent intruders from entering.

The Railing that leads the Adult elephants to the River

Feeding time is always a hive of activity as the guests rush to feed and take close-up photos with the elephants which are securely chained at the knees. Next agenda is anyone and everyone can ride on the bigger and older elephants. The Video presentation was done in a small hall, inside the Office Building, that can only sit about 25 people. You must take off your shoes before entering this hall – don’t see the relevancy but a rule is a rule! Just outside this hall is a relatively smaller Exhibition and Information center. There is no fee for all these activities! 

Ready for Hand feeding of the Adult elephants

Hand feeding the Adult elephant

Hand feeding the Adult elephant

However in 2010, the Activity area was shifted to a bigger area on the left, pass the Office building. It was more organized with Enclosure area for the Baby elephants, Stage for performance and feeding the Adult elephants, a Platform for bathing with the Adult elephants, 2 separate Platforms for riding the Adult and young elephants, a special area to feed, touch and take photos with the Baby elephants and a few wooden Gazebos for the weary guests.

Bathing the Baby elephant by a 'mahout'

Infront of the Baby elephants' Enclosure

 The second last trip was on a Sunday, 22 April 2011. Registration, video presentation and exhibition area are located inside a brand new building at the entrance. The Video presentation is done in an air-conditioned Mini Theatre which can accommodate 120 guests. There are daily shows at 1.00pm, 1.30pm and 3.45pm with an extra show at 2pm on Friday. The Exhibition area explains the characteristic of the elephants (its tail-less, memory, communication, emotion, heavy drinker, big appetite, sturdy legs, rough but yet sensitive skin, trunks and death) and translocation and capture of the wild elephants by the relevant authorities. The parking area is spacious and tarred for the increasing number of private cars, tour vans and coaches.

Each guest is given a sticker. Red A sticker is for feeding and bathing with the baby elephant. Yellow B sticker is for the afternoon session for feeding, riding and bathing with the baby elephant with limit of 150 persons per day. A special Green C sticker is for morning sessions of feeding and bathing with the baby elephants for a group of minimum of 40 persons and above on a pre-arranged basis. Conservation fee of any amount is encouraged for the upkeep and food for the elephants.

At this time, there were a good mix of locals, foreigners and school children. I participated in all the activities except for bathing with the baby elephants. Bathing with the Adult elephants is stopped due to an unfortunate incident with a local guest. Feeding the baby elephants in their enclosures and the adult elephants from a safe distance (all with sugar cane, water melon, cucumbers, papayas and bananas provided by the authority) is a very noisy and squirmy affair for the humans because they are very conscious of the elephant’s big and wet mouth and its wiggly trunk.

Adult elephants from Holding area for Bathing time

'Mahout's bathing their respective Adult elephants

After their Bath, the Adult elephants are led to the Holding area

Nobody seems to mind waiting in long line for the Elephant Ride activity. Only for the local and foreign guest with the Yellow sticker! There are lots of anxious but ecstatic faces among the riders with cheers from their supportive family and friends. The whole episode adds a festive atmosphere to it!

However, on my last trip on Thursday, 30 January 2013, this is the recommended itinerary by the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary authority ….

At 1.00pm and 1.30pm with extra show at 2.00pm on Friday and 12.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

• Watch a video show on the Translocation program of the wild elephants
• Educate yourself with facts of the elephants and the origins of the Sanctuary

At 2.00pm daily including Public Holidays and 2.45pm on Friday only

Proceed to the Activity area for …

• Photo session and feed the Baby elephants during their ‘lunch’ time
• Witness the Adult elephants with their ‘Mahout’ being lead from the Holding area to the river for their daily bath
• Introduction of each Adult elephant and their ‘Mahout’; performance of their sleeping position in the jungle and information of certain traits of the elephants
• Bathing, scrubbing, splashing and photo sessions with the Baby elephants (which limits 4 guests to 1 Baby elephant each time with close supervision by the local in-house guide) This activity is for a maximum 100 persons only per session

Lining up to bath with the Baby elephants

Bathing with the Baby elephants

Bathing with the Baby elephants

Bathing with the Baby elephants

Splashing with the Baby elephants

By 3.30pm, everything is over.  Now, no more Elephant Riding at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary as there was an issue about this place being a Rehabilitation Center for injured, abandoned and orphaned wild elephants before being released back to the wild, a Research Center into elephant relocation and conservation and an Education Center aim at promoting public awareness of the elephants’ plight in Malaysia. Suddenly the new Wildlife Act 2010 which forbids such a family fun activity is being highlighted and carried out. In other words, Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary should stick to its original mission. This once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience is taken away from the visitors to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. No wonder when I post about my 30 January 2013 trip on the Facebook, there was a comment ‘Isn’t the place closed to the public?’ Of course not, it is just an allegation by some tour operators and online travel sites. The place is still open to the public but it has just lost another ‘oomph’ factor (first being the Bathing with the Adult elephant) for a normal tourist.

During this last trip, I highlighted this point to my in-house guide Aman who told me that the management is aware of this fact due to the obvious decreasing number of tourists since the 1^st September 2012 ban. They are in the midst of creating some other activities for the visitors which are fun yet educational. I am glad to hear that and hope to see you next year, I will be bringing my family this time because I don’t want to watch the disheartening faces of my tourists.

However, you may call me (Miss Wan) at 03-2260 3667 / 4667 or email to leisureincentivetours@gmail.com  or surf our http://litourssb.com for the latest update and tour package to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani, so much to do, so little time ... and its Tour packages

Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani is my best ever Homestay experience! Believe me ~ I have been and experienced the hospitality and activities at Homestay Pelegong, Homestay Kg Lonek, Homestay Gemas, Homestay F’Best and Homestay Laman Bangkinang (all in Negeri Sembilan State); Homestay Parit Penghulu, Homestay Seri Tanjung and Homestay Air Limau (all In Melaka State); Homestay Bukit Gantang and Homestay Gopeng (all in Perak State); Homestay Desa Murni, Temerloh, Pahang, Homestay Banghuris, Selangor, Homestay Pulau Tuba, Langkawi, Kedah. Homestay Kg Ujung Bukit Kangar, Perlis, Homestay Renok Baru in Gua Musang, Kelantan, Homestay Annah Rais, Padawan, Sarawak and Misompuru Homestay Kudat, Sabah. Each Homestay offers different lifetime experience for me.

Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani is located in the Sabak Bernam district. Address: Activity Center, Jalan Parit Dua, Sungai Haji Dorani, Sungai Besar, Selangor. 

Paddy fields at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

 The 2007 movie ‘Mukhsin’ by the famous and talented late Yasmin Ahmad and the 2012 video ‘Anak Kampung’ sung by Jimmy Palikat from the group One Nation Emcees was shot at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani during the Planting and Harvesting Paddy season. Actually, this is the best time to come to this rice-bowl area of Sekinchan when it is green ~ soothing to the mind and soul ~ and breezy. Eventually the Paddy stalk will turn golden yellow when it ripens and is ready to be harvested. Hence, keep your calendar free from Mid-March until Mid-May and Mid-September until Mid-November. 

Me and my Indian group with our Scarecrow at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

I went to Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani four times, once to spend two nights with a group of Canadian High School Students and thrice for a Day Trip with a small group of 7 persons from Brunei and India. I did lots of things here like cycling, batik painting, pounding of rice grain using a wooden ‘Lesong Kaki’ or ‘Lesong Tangan’ and separating the husks from the rice grain using a big round sieve made of bamboo, hand fishing or 'menggagau' or 'menggoca', traditional fishing at the Irrigation Canals, kite making and flying, visit a Nata De Coco and Virgin Coconut Oil factory, traditional snack cottage industry and demonstration of 'kuih bahulu' and make Scarecrow. 

Traditional fishing at the Irrigation Canals at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

 During the Canadian High School Students trip, we were invited to a real Malay Wedding as their Guest of Honor. Sometimes, a Mock Wedding is being organized by the Homestay Committee whereby the Bride and Groom are the participants themselves. Otherwise, a ‘lucky’ Bride or Groom is ‘married off’ to a local young man or woman. In this instance, it is always fun to watch the blushing local Bride or Groom when the Host and villagers teased the ‘Newly-wed couple’ of the ‘marriage bliss’. 

Flying kite at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

That night, the students were entertained with 'Kuda Kepang' dance of the Javanese descent. 'Kuda Kepang' is usually made of wicker, which is like a horse with no legs. It is made of woven bamboo or animal skin colored to make it more attractive. I was made the co-Master of Ceremony-cum-Translator by the villagers and students because I had more zest than anyone present include the Dancers. I even got more souvenir and goodie bags from the villagers and students. 

Traditional baking of 'Kuih Bahulu' at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

During the Brunei group, I asked my amiable foster Mother to cook 'Nasi Ambeng', served in a large tray with a single serving which is actually made up of four portions of rice, fried noodles, chicken, serunding, tempe and many more on a tray lined with banana leaves which gives the said dish such a mouth-watering aroma. 

Visit Nata de Coco factory at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

Visit Banana Chips factory at Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

Package price per person

Group Size	Day trip	2D1N	3D2N *
7 – 10 persons	RM 253.00	RM 461.00	RM 662.00
11 – 19 persons	RM 200.00	RM 365.00	RM 523.00
20 – 30 persons	RM 145.00	RM 265.00	RM 378.00
>40 persons	RM 108.00	RM 198.00	RM 286.00

Note * - For the 3D2N program, if the no of persons is less than 40 persons, there will an additional cost of RM 520.00 per performance for the ‘Kuda Kepang’ dance

The above package includes transportation from Kuala Lumpur with driver-cum guide or Malay / English speaking tour guide, meals and activities as per below but excludes the internal transportation within the Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani.

I would recommend the following activities for a typical Day Trip, 1 Night Stay or 2 Nights Stay.

Day trip (from 10.00am to 4.00pm, lunch and tea break) - Visit traditional snack and Nata De Coco factory, activities such as demonstration of ‘kuih bahulu’, Batik canting, pounding and separating rice grain, kite flying and hand fishing

2 Days 1 Night Stay (from 10.00am on 1st day to 11.00am the next day, welcome drink, breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Visit Mango orchards, traditional snack and Nata De Coco factory, activities such as demonstration of ‘kuih bahulu’, Batik canting, pounding and separating rice grain, kite flying, hand fishing and night walk

3 Days 2 Night Stay (from 4.00pm on 1st day to 2.00pm on last day, welcome drink, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner) - Visit Mango orchards, Paddy field, traditional snack, Nata De Coco factory and ‘Kuih Bahulu’ home industries, activities such as Batik canting, pounding and separating rice grain, kite flying, hand fishing, night walk and ‘Kuda Kepang’ dance performance.

Optional Costs

Meal / Activity / Village Stay	Rate	Remarks
Young Coconut drink	RM 5.00 per person	Minimum 4 persons
Tea Break	RM 4.00 per person	Minimum 4 persons
‘Nasi Kawah’ #	RM 12.00 per person	Minimum 10 persons
‘Nasi Ambeng’	RM 55.00 per serving	Minimum 4 persons ( 1 serving)
Fishing / Catching Eel	RM 12.00 per person	None
Finding Cockles / Shellfish	RM 12.00 per person	None
Fisherman for a Day	RM 270.00 per boat per trip	None
Making Scarecrow	RM 52.00 per scarecrow	None
Firefly watching at Sg Bernam	RM 17.00 per person	Minimum 4 persons
Welcome reception	RM 220.00 per activity	None
‘Silat’#	RM 220.00 per activity	None
‘Kuda Kepang’	RM 520.00 per activity	None
Traditional Malay dance	RM 670.00 per activity	None
‘Ghazal Paty’ (Arabic music)	RM 720.00 per activity	None
‘Gamelan’ # / ‘Wayang Kulit’ *#	RM 820.00 per activity	None
Mock Wedding	RM 1,550.00 per activity	None
Homestay room	RM 65.00  - RM 75.00	Per room per night, staying with the Foster family
Chalet	RM 85.00 – RM 130.00	Per unit per night, Facilities – Air-conditioned room, single bed, bathroom, water heater & TV.
Village Home	RM 170.00 – RM 220.00	Per unit per night. Facilities – 3 Bedrooms, air-conditioned, 2 bathroom, spacious living room, kitchen, BBQ set & TV
2D1N Free & Easy	RM 65.00 per person	Accommodation with 3 meals Minimum 4 persons

Note #

1)  ‘Nasi Kawah’ – Rice cooked in a huge pot over a steel stove. Usually, it is done during wedding and festive occasions. Sometimes, meat or chicken or mutton curry is cooked this way.

2) ‘Silat’ – Malay martial art which is usually perform during a wedding reception or part of a Show performance.

3) ‘Gamelan’ – A traditional musical instruments comprising of metallophones, xylophones, 'gendang' or drums and gongs, bamboo flutes and plucked strings.

4)  ‘Wayang Kulit’ – Shadow-puppet play performed by a Puppet Master behind a big cotton screen lighted by a halogen electric light, played all night long accompanied by a ‘gamelan’ orchestra.

A typical 3 Days 2 Night Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

Day 1

At 4.00pm, meet and greet. Welcome drink will be served. Hand-over to foster family, Dinner at the foster family home. After dinner, Night Walk in the Paddy fields to observe and understand the flora and fauna especially crabs and also to enjoy the beauty and calmness of the Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani at night time.

Day 2

After breakfast at foster family home, proceed for activities of Batik canting, pounding and separating rice grain. Lunch at the Activity Center after which the activities kite flying and hand fishing will be carried. After dinner at Foster family home / Activity Center, the Kuda Kepang’ dance will be performed.

Day 3

After breakfast at foster family home, visit Mango orchards, Paddy field, traditional snack, Nata De Coco factory and ‘Kuih Bahulu’ home industries. Lunch at Activity Center before the Homestay program ends at 2.00pm for a trip back home

If you have any query regarding the above packages and any other special request regarding the Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani program in Selangor, please feel free to contact Miss Wan at 03-2260 2667 / 4667 or email leisureincentivetours@gmail.com 

There are more photos in our Company Facebook page - Leisure & Incentive Tours Sdn Bhd and more Tour packages in our website http://litourssb.com