Hi All, let me leave this info here – just in case it would be useful for someone travelling to Malaysia.
In July-August 2024 I went with my family to South-East Asia and spent several weeks in Peninsular Malaysia. While this was more of a family vacation trip, I wanted to take the opportunity and do a bit of birding on my way.
My intention was to mostly bird on my own, relying primarily on ebird and available birding trip reports. However I did want to have a couple of walks with a local experienced person - both to refresh my knowledge of SEA birds, but also because you will inevitably see more with a local guide.
With that in mind I started reaching out to prospective guides in Malaysia. This turned out to be much more difficult than I had expected originally. Most people I contacted did not even respond. Those who did respond then stopped responding after they learned that (a) I was only one person (and not a group of birders) and (b) I was only looking for a couple of birding walks, or perhaps a couple of days of birding – and not an extensive multi-day birding trip across the whole Peninsular Malaysia.
So I was basically scratching my head about what to do next when I stumbled upon an article about Birding at Fraser’s Hill on Birdwatching Asia website – written by Ashraf Anuar Zaini. I emailed Ashraf, and he turned out to be a very open-minded and friendly person who generously shares the solid knowledge he possesses (he is in the top20 on Malaysia ebird).
I eventually asked Ashraf whether he could bird together with me, and he agreed – and this worked out really awesome. We went together to a couple of places around Kuala Lumpur, then to Fraser Hill, and then, after a bit of a break, Ashraf also joined me for a trip up north to Ulu Muda area in search of Plain-pouched Hornbills.
Ashraf is not only knowledgeable in birds, but he also is a humble person who treats your interests (and not your money) as the top priority. All in all - I would highly recommend him.
Ashraf can be reached via whatsapp +60-12-290-7565 and email ashzaini418[at]gmail.com
Have fun in Malaysia!
In July-August 2024 I went with my family to South-East Asia and spent several weeks in Peninsular Malaysia. While this was more of a family vacation trip, I wanted to take the opportunity and do a bit of birding on my way.
My intention was to mostly bird on my own, relying primarily on ebird and available birding trip reports. However I did want to have a couple of walks with a local experienced person - both to refresh my knowledge of SEA birds, but also because you will inevitably see more with a local guide.
With that in mind I started reaching out to prospective guides in Malaysia. This turned out to be much more difficult than I had expected originally. Most people I contacted did not even respond. Those who did respond then stopped responding after they learned that (a) I was only one person (and not a group of birders) and (b) I was only looking for a couple of birding walks, or perhaps a couple of days of birding – and not an extensive multi-day birding trip across the whole Peninsular Malaysia.
So I was basically scratching my head about what to do next when I stumbled upon an article about Birding at Fraser’s Hill on Birdwatching Asia website – written by Ashraf Anuar Zaini. I emailed Ashraf, and he turned out to be a very open-minded and friendly person who generously shares the solid knowledge he possesses (he is in the top20 on Malaysia ebird).
I eventually asked Ashraf whether he could bird together with me, and he agreed – and this worked out really awesome. We went together to a couple of places around Kuala Lumpur, then to Fraser Hill, and then, after a bit of a break, Ashraf also joined me for a trip up north to Ulu Muda area in search of Plain-pouched Hornbills.
Ashraf is not only knowledgeable in birds, but he also is a humble person who treats your interests (and not your money) as the top priority. All in all - I would highly recommend him.
Ashraf can be reached via whatsapp +60-12-290-7565 and email ashzaini418[at]gmail.com
Have fun in Malaysia!
