How a kayaking trip along Sungai Berang changed my perception of outdoor adventures

IT is a universal truth that not everyone enjoys outdoor sports or activities. Southeast Asians, in general, are among those who avoid spending too much time outdoors simply because of our scorching heat and unpredictable weather. However, the outdoors can often pleasantly surprise many.

A seven-kilometre kayaking trip along Sungai Berang in Terengganu did just that for this writer. Organised as one of the Wildlife Discovery Tours by JENOBA Outdoor, the experience completely changed my perception of kayaking.

Though I have experienced kayaking a few times in my life, I always remembered the activity as exhausting and energy-consuming. But going on this trip completely changed my perspective and gave me a newfound appreciation for the sport.

Our morning began at JENOBA Outdoor's campsite in Kuala Berang, where participants gathered before embarking on the adventure. Before anyone even stepped into a kayak, safety took centre stage.

JENOBA Outdoor's campsite in Kuala Berang.

The guides conducted a thorough briefing, explaining everything from basic paddling techniques to what we could expect throughout the journey. We were then asked to perform a series of stretching exercises to loosen our muscles — something that immediately gave the impression that this was a professionally organised activity rather than simply handing out kayaks and sending participants downriver.

Then came what was perhaps the most memorable safety exercise of the morning.

Instead of heading straight into our kayaks, we were instructed to walk into the river while fully suited up in our life jackets. Once everyone was waist-deep in the water, the guides asked us to lie back and float.

It may have looked amusing from the riverbank, but the exercise served an important purpose. It allowed everyone to experience firsthand how the life jackets would keep us afloat should we unexpectedly end up in the water during the journey.

Only after completing the exercise did we collect our paddles and prepare for the next stage.

Rather than launching directly from the campsite, everyone climbed onto the back of a waiting truck that would transport us upstream to the starting point.

It turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly enjoyable moments of the day.

With everyone sitting shoulder to shoulder in the open truck while driving through village roads and forest tracks, it almost felt like one of those scenes from adventure documentaries—or perhaps, jokingly, like refugees being transported across a remote border in the middle of nowhere. It certainly added a touch of humour before the real adventure began.

Upon arriving at the starting point, participants were assigned their kayaks.

Upon arriving at the starting point, participants were assigned their kayaks.

Although single kayaks were available, beginners were encouraged to paddle in pairs, which made perfect sense. Sharing the paddling duties not only made the experience less tiring but also allowed for plenty of conversation while drifting down the river.

Then came the biggest surprise of the day.

The route covers approximately seven kilometres, a distance that initially sounded rather intimidating.

Yet once we pushed away from the riverbank, those concerns quickly disappeared.

The current of Sungai Berang flows at a gentle but consistent pace, naturally carrying the kayak downstream. Even if we stopped paddling for a while, the kayak continued gliding effortlessly along the river.

Instead of battling strong currents, we found ourselves paddling leisurely while admiring the scenery.

In fact, I barely realised we had completed seven kilometres until the journey came to an end.

The experience felt less like exercise and more like floating through one of Malaysia's most beautiful natural landscapes.

Locals fondly refer to this stretch of Sungai Berang as the "Amazon of Terengganu" and it isn't difficult to understand why.

The current of Sungai Berang flows at a gentle but consistent pace, naturally carrying the kayak downstream.

Towering rainforest trees line both sides of the river, creating an almost untouched wilderness that feels worlds away from busy city life.

One particularly picturesque section is known as "The Gate", where enormous trees arch gracefully over the river, forming what resembles a grand natural entrance.

Further downstream, another highlight awaits at "The Canopy", where intertwining branches create a leafy ceiling above the water, shielding kayakers from the afternoon sun while producing one of the most breathtaking stretches of the journey.

The calm pace of the river also provides plenty of opportunities to appreciate the wildlife.

Throughout the trip, we spotted monkeys moving among the trees while birds occasionally flew overhead. Our guides also pointed out areas where otters are often seen and reminded us to keep an eye out for one of Sungai Berang's most unusual residents—an albino buffalo that has become something of a local celebrity due to its striking bright coloured coat.

Although we weren't fortunate enough to see it up close that day (as I saw it only from afar), simply knowing such an animal roamed nearby added another layer of excitement to the experience.

What struck me even more was seeing local children enjoying the river as naturally as if it were their own playground.

Some swam happily near the riverbanks while others took turns swinging from a thick rope tied high on a tree before plunging into the cool water below.

Watching them, one couldn't help but wonder whether it was truly safe.

Our Neram Rangers smiled reassuringly, explaining that they had grown up around the river and knew these waters intimately. The sections where the children played were shallow (like most parts of the river) and had been enjoyed by generations of villagers long before kayaking tours ever existed.

In fact the rangers told us, if one were to stand in the river, the depth of the water throughout the journey does not exceed an average person’s chest in general. So the chances of drowning is unlikely.

The river itself remains remarkably clean, a reflection of the community's close relationship with the surrounding environment.

That relationship is also at the heart of the tour itself.

The Wildlife Discovery Tour is closely linked to the Neram Ranger Training Programme, an initiative implemented by JENOBA Outdoor with support from the Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund (HSEF) under Yayasan Hasanah and Malaysia's Finance Ministry.

The programme trains local youths in conservation, river safety and eco-tourism guiding while educating visitors about the ecological importance of the Keruing Neram tree, a native species that helps prevent riverbank erosion and supports freshwater biodiversity, including the prized Kelah fish.

Rather than conservation existing separately from tourism, the two now work hand in hand, creating meaningful employment for local communities while encouraging visitors to better appreciate Malaysia's natural heritage.

The experience even concluded with a delicious meal prepared by members of the local community, making the tour feel even more authentic.

Looking back, what I expected to be a physically demanding outdoor activity turned out to be one of the most relaxing experiences I've had in recent years.

More importantly, I left Sungai Berang with a renewed appreciation for kayaking and for the people working tirelessly to preserve this beautiful ecosystem.

I am certainly glad I said yes when my colleague invited me to join the trip.

Even more rewarding is knowing that every participant who signs up is not only enjoying one of Terengganu's most beautiful river adventures but is also helping generate sustainable income for the local community while supporting conservation efforts that will hopefully protect Sungai Berang for generations to come.