If you want to experience Christmas in Malaysia, you must join our daily Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour.
Facts of Fireflies that every tourist should know
v Fireflies aren’t flies but are in fact tiny 6mm long beetles, which belong to the Lampyridae species. And they don't produce fire but a cool green glow in the lower abdomen. Due to this effect, it is known as Kelip-Kelip in Bahasa Malaysia which means “to twinkle” The local also calls them Kunang-Kunang.
v Million of fireflies group together on the Berembang tree along the riverbank of the mangrove swamp.
v These fireflies will flash in synchrony creating a-Christmas-tree-effect which cannot be capture on any ordinary camera. Occasionally one firefly will fly towards you and you may catch it, don’t kill it or bring it home. Leave nature at its best.
v The best time to witness this spectacular view is a night with no moon. The effect is not too great on rainy evening or full moon.
v These fireflies will start flashing about one hour after sunset. Hence it is better to be there between 8.00 and 9.30pm.
v A really bright flash will lasts for about two to three hours, continuing lower levels until dawn.
v The actual fact is you are witnessing the nightly courting of these creatures. Male firefly works hard to attract the female firefly. The males flash within 1/30th of a second of each other whilst the females do not flash as frequently or as flamboyantly as the males. After 11.00pm, these flashing would stop as these fireflies have found mates or mated. So you think Mr and Mrs Firefly lives happily ever after, you are misled! The next day, the male firefly is dead and the female firefly lives to bear their children to continue their lifecycle. It is a one night stand for this black widow and life goes on for the Firefly Colony
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| A giant replica of Firefly All tours (ex-KL) are based on minimum 2 adults. Child is between 4 – 11 years. |
Tours | Commences | Duration | Price (2 – 3 paxs) | Price (4 – 8 paxs) |
Fireflies “The Natural Wonder” | 5.00 pm | Approx 6 hrs (Include seafood dinner & boat ride) | RM 190.00 adult RM 125.00 child | RM 170.00 adult RM 100.00 child |
A typical Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour is such –
Proceed to the coastal town of Kuala Selangor, first visit to the Melawati Hill, formerly known as Fort Altingsburg, home of a mighty fortress built by Sultan Ibrahim of Selangor towards the end of the 17th century to guard and protect the state from the Dutch forces which just conquered Malacca. The fort offers panoramic view of the estuary of the Selangor River, the coastline and the Nature Park, a popular bird watching sanctuary and an ideal place to watch migratory birds.
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| A view of the Straits of Malacca |
Within the vicinity of Melawati Hill is a poisoned well, an ancient Chinese cemetery along the side of the hill, a Traditional Arts and Games Museum which portrays the various village crafts, games and sports in Malaysia, a Historical Museum which highlights the history of Kuala Selangor and a Royal Tomb of the three Sultans of Selangor of ancient history. The Altingsburg lighthouse, built in 1907 to replace the original lighthouse built by the Dutch two centuries ago, is still functional until today to guide ships along Kuala Selangor coast.
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| Historical Museum of Kuala Selangor |
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| The Altingsburg Lighthouse |
The main attractions are the silvered-leaf monkeys with its silver grey fur and a tiff above its head. Baby monkey with its bright orange fur are so adorable clinging to it overly protective mother. These monkeys are gentle primates, patiently waiting for food from you, allow you to stroke and play with them as well as perch on your shoulder nonchalantly but they are aggressive and display territorial behavior towards their own kind. You will see the devilish long tailed macaques high up on the Rain trees. Their large canopies provide shade for the resting visitors on the beaches underneath these commanding statures Rain trees. On weekends, there are tram services which ferries visitor up along the long and winding road to the peak of the Melawati Hill. Cars are only allowed on weekdays.
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| Silvered-leaf monkeys at Melawati Hill |
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| Feeding the Mama & Baby monkey at Melawati Hill |
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| My friend Geoff (on the right) and his monkey friend |
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| Smile Jeff you are on candid camera !! |
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| Don't be scare, Wan!! They are gentle creatures. |
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| The long tailed macaques waiting patiently on the Raintrees |
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| A popular Seafood Restaurant at Pasir Penambang |
Embark to Kampung Belimbing or Kampung Kuantan for the boat ride downriver and witness thousand of fireflies lighting trees along the riverbanks just like “Christmas trees”
Fact of the boat ride that every tourist should know
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| Heading to the boat !!! |
v Modern fiberglass boat at Bukit Belimbing in Kuala Selangor is electrically powered ensuring absolute no noise and air pollution. Occasionally you will hear a cracking sound and a bright flash from a distance in the dark, be assured that it is not the “firework” of the Fireflies but the boatman’s electric flytrap to ward away the mosquitoes.
v Wooden rowboat sampan at Kampung Kuantan is operated manually by a skilled local boat man. Please don’t think you are torturing the poor guy. Actually you are doing him a couple of favors. He is earning an extra income during his spare time and the rowing is the cheapest form of exercise in this modern world.
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| The motorized boat at Bukit Belimbing |
Note
- Wear flat or low heeled shoes.
- Dress casually and bring along rain gear on wet days as well as insect repellent or stop-itch ointment.
- Departure maybe cancelled if heavy rain at the coastal.
After this awesome experience of “the Eight Wonder of the World”, every time you see twinkles of North Star Constellation in the night sky reminds you of the Fireflies at Kuala Selangor Malaysia.
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| "Selamat Tinggal, Kelip-Kelip" translated as Bye-bye, Fireflies |
For Incentive or Student Tour, Leisure & Incentive Tours can organize the Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour together with a tour of Tropical Fruit Farm, Bird Nest factory and day trip or an overnight stay at Kampung Dorani or Kampung Sireh Homestay. Please forward your reservation, enquiry or quotation to us at 603-2260 2667 / 3667 / 4667, fax 603-2260 5667 or email
