The best camping and glamping sites in Malaysia

Beginner campers, this one’s for you. Only 45 minutes’ drive from the city centre, Hammocks By The River is the great outdoors set to easy mode: you arrive at your campground to find your tent pitched for you (complete with bedding); essentials such as fly sheets and camping chairs set up; and some lovely, homely touches like charging ports and portable fans to make your stay more comfortable.

There are two common kitchens equipped with pots, pans, utensils and more. Barbecue gear is also available on request; don’t forget to pack your meals, cheeses, wines, and munchies. True to its name, yes, there are hammocks by the river.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind stay unlike any bed-and-breakfast or a regular ol’ hotel, consider the caravan, but make it chic. Set at the peak of Golden Hills, Stellar takes glamping to the next level. As sweet as the caravan is — funished with beds (yeah, plural), a kitchenette and a fridge, bathroom, toiletries and the all-important air-conditioning — the setting is at least half the draw here. Outside, watch the sun go down as you while the night away in your picturesque patch, all under twinkle lights. There’s a café on-site, if you’re not in the mood to make your own meals (hey, it’s your getaway) and even barbecue and steamboat can be prepared to your liking.

Spend the night under the stars in The Hooton Retreat’s bubble domes. It’s tempting to stay up all night lounging on the hammock, but after a soak in the jacuzzi outside the dome, you’ll be content stargazing from bed. By day, you can jungle trek, go on a waterfall expedition, or even try your hand at archery and flying fox. If a slow stay is on the agenda, simply kick back with a cuppa and a good book. There’s a cafeteria to prep all your meals and a communal campfire area, ideal for evenings shared with like-minded glampers.

For those who want to enjoy nature with niceties, Tanah Larwina is located in a three-acre orchard only an hour’s drive from the city. Faisol Hussain, the owner and operator of Tanah Larwina, is an experienced civil engineer-slash-weekend farmer who built Tanah Larwina as a “passion project”. To that end, his Tanah Larwina is outfitted with a barbecue pit, campfire area, a kitchen with all the necessities, not one or two but five washrooms, a pool, picnic tables, and even an electric vehicle charger on-site.

It’s perfect for big groups and families as the glasshouse villa sleeps a minimum of eight guests, but add-on arrangements for the Bilik Tigaguna and pods can be made to accommodate up to 16 pax. If you prefer to rough it out instead, camping is possible on-site. With no cell reception or Internet, you might — dare we — actually enjoy going off-grid. Did we mention there are free-roaming farm animals? (We counted a couple of baby goats, bunnies, geeses, and a pony. But there must be more.) When the fruit season arrives, between July and August, you’ll be able to enjoy a free flow of durians, rambutans, mangosteen, cempedak, langsat and more. Don’t go picking them yourselves though; seek out the caretakers for fruit-picking to avoid damage to the trees. Faisol observes a strict halal policy, so no alcohol or pork meals are allowed, please.

Dome sweet dome. Combine the highest mountain in Borneo and Malaysia with Sabahan hospitality — and you have Tullynaw Glamping, a two-dome property located at Pekan Nabalu, only 20 minutes away from Mount Kinabalu. Amenities include bedding, barbecue and grill, basic cooking necessities, and green energy for lights and phone charging. You’ll want to spend all your time outside, embracing the wilds of Mount Kinabalu and in awe of the sights; the sunrise is, in a word, magnificent. If you can tear yourself away from the views, there’s plenty to keep you busy at Pekan Nabalu, the famed pit-stop with fresh produce and souvenir stalls en route to Kundasang.

Filipino-Malaysian husband-and-wife, Allan Casal and Irena Adam, along with their three children “quit the city life” at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to move closer to nature and into a tiny house (only 300 sq ft!) with big dreams. 

From ground up, the couple built La Hilir, an on-site boutique glamping resort with two air-conditioned tents outfitted with beds, linens, and all your little creature comforts — but really, the emphasis is on the outdoors. Not only is there a deck set-up with a common area and comfy chairs, perfect for lounging and dining (where you’ll be treated to lovingly prepared home-cooked meals), plus a projector for your very own outdoor movie night, but also a mini fire pit for roasting marshmallows over long chats, a jacuzzi tub, and two bathrooms. Whoa. You might not even want to return to civilization, whatever that means.

Flanked by fields and shallow streams, this booking in Bentong is guaranteed to be a fun time for the family. It’s made up of a dozen over Japanese-style tents and Mongolian yurts that can accommodate up to eight; inside, you’ll find comfortable bedding, fans, and charging ports. Outside of your tent, on-site activities to be had include badminton, dart, fishing, and even ATV rides for the more adventurous. Plus,  there are several farms — durian farm, green lemon farm, vegetable farm — and a petting zoo. At night, a live band serenades guests as you barbecue under the stars.

Welcome to The Sticks. Check-in for an off-the-grid weekend at this eco glamping retreat in the jungles of Kuala Kubu Baru, where you can stay in a ‘tendok’ (half tent, half pondok). If the weather permits, roll up the canvas walls to get the full jungle experience. Laze around in hammocks or chill by the river, or pick from the selection of activities, which include jungle trekking, paragliding, whitewater rafting and more.

Lot 213 Jalan KKB, Fraser’s Hill, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Peretak. For bookings and enquiries, email bookings@thesticks.my or get in touch through the forms on their website. From RM382 per night.

Glamping at Tadom Hill Resorts is a little less lavish, but you’ll be more in touch with nature. There are two pre-pitched tent sites: one with a lakeside view and the other with a garden view. If you don’t mind sleeping outdoor, try the Hammock Spheres where each hammock is draped with canopy mosquito nets to keep the pesky bugs out. For a comfortable indoor staycation, opt for the Bamboo Hut, Bamboo Chalets, Semantan Chalets, Gendui Chalets or Hakka Village.

Bukit Tadom, Kampung Labohan Dagang, Banting (012 522 5728/012 522 5908/012 522 5883). From RM150 per night inclusive of breakfast and day pass.

Sleeping bags and s’mores aren’t going to cut it. Tioman Island’s JapaMala Resort sits on a stretch of the still-unspoiled southern coast, a luxe resort amid lush rainforest. Think hillside nests with plunge pools; sea cliff sanctuaries overlooking the South China Sea; and wooden treetop houses perched above the canopy – because you want to be close to nature, but you also want to be close to air conditioning, full mini-bars stocked with champagne and wines, and spacious outdoor decks with sun loungers.

Kampung Lanting, 86800 Pulau Tioman, Pahang Darul Makmur 09 419 7777/09 419 7120). From RM1300 per night.