Kinta Nature Park In Batu Gajah – Hidden Gem Near Ipoh

Kinta Nature Park (Taman Alam Kinta in Malay) is just out of Ipoh in Batu Gajah. If you have your own car, and are an avid bird watcher or nature enthusiast, you will enjoy this quiet spot.

Plus, you can visit this place for free!

Read more about this place in this post. Including some tips on how to find it and when best to go.

Table of Contents:

• About
• How to drive to Kinta Nature Park
• Entrance fee
• Things to do at Kinta Nature Park
• Facilities
• Suggested Route (Ipoh – Batu Gajah – Tanjung Tualang)

About Kinta Nature Park

Not surprising for this once tin-mine-rich area, this nature bird park owes its landscape layout to previous tin-mining ponds.

The whole area covers close to 900 hectares but only about 400 hectares is gazetted as a nature park by the government. This was done for easier management.

Kinta Nature Park is Perak’s third state-gazetted park after Royal Belum and Pulau Sembilan.

How to drive to Kinta Nature Park

We feel that there is a lack of signage for Kinta Nature Park and the entrance of the park cannot be seen from the main road.

But even so, finding it is not confusing.

Kinta Nature Park Coordinates: 4.4251351,101.0533958

First, head to Batu Gajah if you’re coming from Ipoh. That’s roughly a 50-minute drive from Ipoh to Batu Gajah.

Turn right after crossing the bridge.

There is a signboard directing people to use a dirt road. Not quite a dirt road but it does small potholes that a 4×4 would be better equipped to deal with.

The dirt road runs parallel to the main road (on the left) and Kinta River (on the right). 

Drive slowly. Prepare for a lot of bumps! It’ll take you ~10 minutes to weave around all the potholes!

Along the road into the park, we saw a small mountain of trash on the right. Many birds stood on top to scavenge for food (we guess).

The irony that a landfill should be so near to a nature park is alarming.

The park itself is thankfully, mostly trash free in comparison.

Note: There is another way to enter Kinta Nature Park but from Kampar. The access road from Kampar is not as long, and in better condition than the one from Batu Gajah.

Entrance fee for Kinta Nature Park

Admission is free but you must register with the on-site staff and present your IC.

While the park may sometimes be closed on public holidays and weekends, the opening times are from 8am to 5pm.

Things to do at Kinta Nature Park

1. Fish

Many people appear to come here to fish. The sign only mentions that fishing with nets is not allowed.

Expect a lot of water hyacinths covering the parts of the lake that are closer to the banks.

2. Birdwatch

This natural park is home to about 150 bird species. Pretty unbelievable, right?

The on-site staff told us that there are usually many more people in the early morning (8am). As well as from 5 pm onwards!

These are the best times to spot bird activity! In addition to all the aquatic flora and local fauna (e.g., monitor lizards and even otters!).

We saw about 6 different species of birds (you can probably tell from our descriptions that we’re not bird-watching enthusiasts) with our unpractised eyes:

The storks and herons are the easiest to spot with their long legs and large wingspans.

There are other smaller wader birds too. And bee eaters like the one pictured below.

Of course, there are kingfishers too.

Note: You don’t need a pair of binoculars to enjoy the views at the park. But it does make it easier to see what the birds are doing. I brought along my dad’s ancient pair. It’s still functional even with mold growing inside.

3. Climb the lookout tower

The lookout is four stories high, and you can have unobstructed views of three quarters of the park from here.

If you bring along your own portable stool, you can comfortably watch birds from there!

4. Observe herons at “bird island”

There is an island in the middle of the lake where most of the herons gather. It’s a great place for their nests.  

Facilities

When we were here, we found it well maintained with simple facilities. Like the clear pathway that runs through the park to the waterfront.

There is a seating area at the banks. But much like the lookout tower, there is bird poop all over.

The lookout post was recently painted though parts of the roof could use some attention.

Note: There are toilets at Kinta Nature Park but don’t expect them to be clean or always operational. It is better to empty your bladder before you come here.

Suggested Route (Ipoh – Batu Gajah – Tanjung Tualang)

This map shows how close the 2 places (Batu Gajah and Tanjung Tualang) are to Ipoh:

If you want to make a day out of this:

We recommend starting from Ipoh (after breakfast) before heading to Kinta Nature Bird Park. From there, you can make a visit Kellie’s Castle. The castle grounds are only open from 9:30am anyways.

And afterwards, you can drive to Tanjung Tualang village for some seafood and lunch.

You can go for a tour at the TT5 tin dredge in the afternoon. And check out the maze park on site.

The Lat House Gallery and Silverlakes Village Outlet are other options if you want to spend more time in Batu Gajah before heading back to Ipoh.

Distance from Ipoh to Tanjung Tualang: Approximately 45 km (55 minutes’ drive)

Transport If You Don’t Have Your Own Car

A local private tour service like RayTheTour can help you get to all the places mentioned in this post. Plus, you won’t have to worry about how to find these places.

Or where to eat since you will have a local with personal experience in the area.

Book a day with RayTheTour via their WhatsApp!

Conclusion

Despite this being a very peaceful spot, even locals seldom come to Kinta Nature Bird Park! Because the park is far from the city.

Do not forget a zoom lens or binoculars if you decide to go. And you will need some sunscreen and mosquito repellent too.