Ecotourism for conservation of Ulu Muda Forest - Earth Lodge

Ecotourism for conservation of Ulu Muda Forest Complex: welcoming all to reconnect with Nature at Ulu Muda while contributing to its conservation.

Earth Lodge 岳樂居

We are a small ecolodge with only 14 basic but comfortable rooms. Being small helps us reduce the lodge’s impact on the fragile environment and ensure the site retains its isolated and tranquil feel. Located smack in the middle of the rainforest, some 14km by boat across Lake Muda and up Muda River by boat, the remoteness provides a nice respite for our guests seeking a getaway from their city lives.

Established by a group of passionate conservationists, led by Hymeir. We aim to make Earth Lodge a globally respected brand that combines sustainable tourism with much needed scientific research, nature conservation and advocacy work. We strive to manage Earth Lodge with as small an environmental footprint as possible. We also aim to ensure our guests are informed of the area’s natural history and why it is an important conservation area. Ultimately, we would like to see the Greater Ulu Muda Forest Landscape better protected and managed.

Ulu Muda, and the Greater Ulu Muda Forest Landscape

Earth Lodge is set in a remote lush tropical rainforest located in the northern Peninsular Malaysia state of Kedah. The 160,000 hectares of Greater Ulu Muda is situated along the state’s eastern interior border with the Thai province of Yala. It is an off-the-beaten-path area and practically unknown to most people including Malaysians!

Among the several forest reserves of Greater Ulu Muda Forest Landscape, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve is by far the largest at 105,000 hectares. Lowland Dipterocarp Forest, Hill Dipterocarp Forest and the Upper Hill Dipterocarp Forest are the forest types found here with an elevation range from about 97m to the highest point of 1256m. The area is particularly known as an important site for Malaysia’s mega fauna. Wildlife usually caught on our camera traps are the Asian elephant, Malaysian tapir, sambar deer, barking deer and wild boar. The other large mammals known to call Ulu Muda home are the gaur, tiger and leopard.

Figs for Life: the forest and karst of Ulu Muda are abundant with strangling figs, keystones of most tropical ecosystems as they fruit regularly and serve as important food source to most animals.

An exciting recent find is the discovery of a limestone hill and associated caves of Bukit Labu. Limestone was previously not known to occur here. The caves at Bukit Labu are small with most requiring some climbing to gain access. The largest cave, Gua Labu 1 is the only cave open to visitors but only with a guide accompanying.

Captivating Cave Complex: be amazed by the limestone formations in Gua Labu, and learn about their history from our knowledgeable guides.

Earth Lodge is strategically located at Kuala Labua, an area right in the heart of Ulu Muda and teeming with wildlife. As in any rainforest, they are hard to see but signs of their presence are difficult to miss. Along this stretch of Muda River are nearly 9 saltlicks! Probably the largest number of saltlicks in an area anywhere. Three saltlicks, Sira Keladi, Sira Bongor and Sira Ayer Hangat are relatively close to Earth Lodge. The latter is the most known as it combines a mineral hot spring and saltlick.

Ulu Muda Field Research Center (UMFRC)

We established UMFRC at Earth Lodge to promote a scientific field study of Ulu Muda. UMFRC prioritizes and supports projects that directly contribute to the protection and the better management of the area. Sustainable Tourism and Community related projects are also encouraged.

Some of our on-going projects:

Camera trapping of mammals at selected salt-licks of Ulu Muda (WWF Malaysia/Earth Lodge)
Hornbill survey with focus on the plain-pouched hornbills (Malaysian Nature Society/Earth Lodge)
Survey and mapping of salt-licks of the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve (Earth Lodge)
Fisheries survey of Muda Lake (WWF Malaysia)
Long term birds, butterfly, and moth Inventory

Explore the jungle with us and help us with our on-going inventory of wildlife, big or small, in Ulu Muda.

Whether you’re here for an adventure or to take a break, we might have just the right program for you – just write in to discuss. Explore jungle trails, rivers, limestone hills, caves, and saltlicks while you enjoy boat rides and observe wildlife during your stay in this magnificent forest. Come stay with us and help contribute to our vision of “ecotourism for conservation of Ulu Muda”.