Bird Park and Eco Forest Park

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Kuala Lumpur is a city built in the jungle. For being a capital city, it's fairly small (around 1.5 million) and fairly green. KL has a few really great parks and natural areas where you can see glimpses of the jungle right in the heart of the city. The famous KL Bird Park is one of the best places to see nature in Malaysia's capital.

a wild peacock

The Bird Park is the world's largest free-flight aviary. After buying a ticket, you enter a 20-acre area of jungle, netted off with a net high above the trees. In the park, a trail runs through the jungle, and exotic tropical birds are free to fly and roam around.

exploring the bird park

I didn't really know what to expect, but I certainly wasn't disappointed! As soon as I stepped into the park, I was greeted by a sleepy peacock and a half dozen cranes milling about by the entrance.

a crane

The park really is free-flight. The birds can fly wherever they want. There are some areas where they can go to get away from the people, but mostly they are used to tourists and don't mind hanging out at the feeding stations set up along the path.

some sort of tropical bird

It was really hot that day - it's the hottest part of the year over here in Southeast Asia - but despite the stifling heat out in the city, it was surprisingly comfortable underneath the shade of the jungle trees growing in the Bird Park.

another peacock

The Bird Park is home to 3000 birds of over 200 different species! Most birds are native to Malaysia, but some come from other nearby tropical regions. It's one of the biggest avian research stations in the tropics.

and another crane

The Bird Park is located just across the street from the (free) Orchid Park. Orchids grow really well in Malaysia's warm, humid, tropical climate.

orchids

Eco Forest Park

After leaving the Bird Park, I caught a taxi to the KL Eco Forest Park, a forest reserve that was established right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur back in 1906. Today, it's still a preserved area, complete with hiking trails, a forestry museum, and even a camping area. It's kind of amazing to see this piece of wild jungle right in the middle of a big city!

canopy walk

I visited the park on a weekday, and I had the whole place to myself! I set out on the Canopy Walk, a series of raised platforms and swaying rope bridges suspended high above the jungle floor, and didn't see another soul on the walk.

at the Eco Forest Park

The Canopy Walk was great, but I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like heights. The bridges swayed and bounded as I walked on them, and the ground was very far below. The walk took me over the top of the forest park, giving me a contrasting view of the jungle below and the city all around.

high above the ground

This is something that I really appreciate about Kuala Lumpur; despite being a busy capital city, the city planners seem to understand the importance of maintaining the natural landscape and preserving the local ecology. It leads to places like the Bird Park or the Eco Forest Park, which are welcome escapes from the bustle of the city.

surrounded by nature

The KL Tower, the world's 7th-tallest communications tower and KL's other famous landmark (after the twin towers) is located just next to the exit of the Forest Park. I didn't buy a ticket to go up, but I've heard that the view from the tower's viewing platform is really remarkable. Maybe next time!

KL Tower