Lata Kijang in Negri Sembilan

Profile of Waterfall
Water Source	3	River
Waterfall profile	5	Tallest single vertical drop
Accessibility	1	Car reach upper banks
Suitability for a picnic destination
Place for dipping	1	Hardly
Water quality	3	Fair
Picnic area	4	Some place

The main waterfall

How to get there?

It is not that simple when one is not familiar with the more remote parts of Selangor and Negri Sembilan. OK! First find your way to Hulu Langat or the Semenyih Dam. From there a mountain road would link the 2 states. Name of the place is Genting Sempah. Up the hills and pass the states borders. Then down the hills after the border which is at the top of the Pass. The jungle road on the Negri side should be about 40 kilometers. Once the road levels off and straightens at the same time, immediately look for a "T" junction where you should be turning left into Kampong Kongkoi. Enter that road. After a couple of kilometers, see the 1st major bridge. Just before and at the bridge , there should be a turning to the left. Direction -Kampong Esok. It is only a 15 kilometers drive on beautifully paved but extremely narrow road. Upon reaching the Asli settlement, you are 5 kilometers to the Waterfalls.

Some points about this district.

If you get confused with the many different names, do not get alarmed. You get the privilege of seeing old and new names like for the villages there like Kanaboi, Chennah. The last trip in March 2003 - it was called Kampong Paum. I myself have yet to find out where these places are e.g. Kampong Kongkoi. If I do know how to read signboard and according to the signboard, this village is a spot near the bridge. But only a chicken farm exist.The destination is the Waterfall, the so-called Lata Kijang of Negri Sembilan This upbeat name was given in recognition of its potential as a tourist spot. Do not get mixed up with the one in Tapah. That is Lata Kinjang.

My Waterfall collection # 45/84

20 kilometers from Kampong Chennah, which is 25 kilometers from Kuala kelawang, Negri Sembilan State, Malaysia

The place

Prominent signage of the existence of a exotic Waterfall are now posted along the main road to Kuala Kelawang. But once you get closer to the purported whereabouts, the much needed signage are no where to be seen. Some concept I cannot understand - the access road leading to the waterfall was repaved. For two times now I seen it done - But how to get there to this road? Road signs stopped at the main road. Once inside the area of Kampong Chennah, there was no mention of it at all. Forget about these names calling. One thing never change -Kampong Esok. So named, in the old days the road for 15 kilometers was so bad that once you enter, only "esok" you can come out. So! - Look for Kampong Esok - the place is rubber estate with 2 administrative buildings.

From the Asli village to the waterfall, a short stretch of half kilometers was not paved. [For fear that adventurous drivers coming over the river bank may cause damages.] Then, the 3 kilometers track to the waterfall was nicely completed - right up to the waterfall. A year later in 2005, I could not drive my Suzuki Vitara through that same road. It was that bad. But I am sure that where the car cannot reach, it is not difficult to trek in the rest of the way on foot. After all, there were only a couple fairly short slopes.

This Waterfall was a popular weekend destination for the 4X4 clubs. They have even cleared a compound beside the river at the foot of the waterfall. Erected permanent shed for overnight stay. Ever since the government had put in proper road, that challenge to be there exclusively by "heavy artillery" is lost.

For visitors, there is nothing much to do. The downstream areas before the waterfalls has quite a few spots for picnic or dipping. But at the waterfall, nothing but scenic sights. All the trouble, you seen one, you seen it all. Then why was this destination so nostalgic to our group?

In the early days before year 2000, this place is really "Ulu". Road of 15 kilometers paved by river rocks. Then we trekked 3 kilometers through old logging trail along the Janda Baik-Jelebu Track to reach the trail head to the waterfall. Then we climb 40 minutes down a steep staircase in virgin jungle to unveil a beautiful tall white Waterfall in the darkness of a tropical forest. Believe me the feelings of achievements. Today, you look at the pictures on my other page. Trees on the hills and valley entry side to the waterfall is cleared. Yellow clay steep hill slopes and hot sun. Rocky river and no swimming.

What is recommended

I spent too much time describing the route to the waterfall. At the waterfall itself, there were 2 ways of getting down the slope. Oh! you need to climb down a steep slope of couple hundred feet to reach the bottom of the waterfall. Looking at development, only one way is left, the easy way at the open area.

This place is definitely for the hard core adventurers. At one time, the village committee do organize tours for visitors. If that services is still available , city folks could join in the fun to experience the Great Outdoor.

Since this destination is a sort of "dead end" territory, I would strongly recommend that you employ an Orang Asli guide from Kampong Esok. Fees is nominal, but if you are prepared with tins of biscuits and cigarettes, that is most welcome.

The destination is strictly hiking, photography and fellowship. Without the transport reaching the waterfall, you know that it is unwise to bring more than your basic needs.

The vibration brought about by the car going over river rock track for two hours. I was stuck once with the engine of my car going up in flame. I can tell you that getting help or assistance to leave the village for the main road was not easy.