Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors to your lodge (please name only one species)?
Plain-pouched Hornbill, Rhyticeros subruficollis
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
Earth Lodge at Ulu Muda. Operating since 2011
How best to travel to your lodge?
Find your way to George Town, Penang. We can help arrange for a transfer by road to Lake Muda Jetty – 2 hours. From Lake Muda Jetty, we will provide a boat transfer (included in the package) to Earth Lodge (about 1 hour).
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?
River cruises along the Muda River, guide (extra charges for a dedicated bird guide)
Lesser Fish-eagle
What makes your lodge special?
Located smack in the middle of the rainforest with 9 natural saltlicks within a 3km radius of Earth Lodge. Plus, being disconnected from the rest of the world as there’s absolutely no phone or internet connection.
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?
- Plain-pouched Hornbill
- White-crowned Hornbill
- Chestnut-necklace Partridge
- Cinnamon-rumped Trogon
- Great Argus
- Jerdon’s Baza
- Great Slaty Woodpecker
- Large Green-pigeon
- Malayan Banded Pitta
- Reddish Scops-owl
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
June to September because this is the time when Ulu Muda has all 10 species of Malaysian hornbills with the arrival of the Plain-pouched Hornbill.
Black-naped Monarch
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
We currently fund work on elephants, small non-volant mammals, bats, butterflies, and herpetology. Also, we do advocacy work to get the 164,000ha Greater Ulu Muda Forest Landscape gazetted as a protected area and ensure it is properly managed.
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
We do not provide toiletries and towels, so bring these. Apart from binoculars and camera equipment, we recommend that guests travel light as we use small boats and have limited space for large luggage. Suitcases and large packs can be stored safely in our storeroom at the jetty. Bring rain gear to protect sensitive equipment and to keep clothes dry when it pours.
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
Visits to Saltlicks, walking trails to limestone caves and tualang tree, river cruises, swimming in the river and tubing down river through the rainforest.
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
Best to contact us by email at contact@earthlodgemalaysia.com or by WhatsApp to +60194808926
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?
Earth Lodge takes small numbers of guests at a time (2- 12 pax), so book early. Only welcome guests 13 yo and above. Located in a remote area, do not have hot water or air-con – our rooms are basic but comfortable. Earth Lodge is not for everyone unless you are adventurous and adaptable. Finally, please visit our website at earthlodgemalaysia.com for more information.
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