Rainforest Park Genting Sempah: Semi Glamping Amidst Hilltop Campsite
- sherlycheah06
- Jul 13
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 19
Just one hour’s drive away from the hustle and bustle of KL and PJ lies a hidden camping gem named Rainforest Park.
Nestled on the foothills of Genting Sempah, the constant wind, cool weather, and hilly terrain make it a dream getaway beyond the blistering Petaling Jaya heat.
Surrounded by lush greenery, encounters with beetles, friendly frogs, and a sporadic leech, it is a testament to living harmoniously with nature.
Although it lacks the premium facilities of Canopy Villa Glamping Park at Bentong, this semi-glamping campsite attracts campers like bees to honey.
Sounds too good to be true? Read on to discover why Rainforest Park is the perfect campsite to lull your long weekend away.
Getting to Rainforest Park, Genting Sempah
To get to Rainforest Park, use the Jalan Gombak route or be guided by Waze.
This Bentong campsite is located not far from the entrance of the ascend to Genting Highlands.
As you approach the roundabout, turn on your right signal and make a U-turn heading back to Kuala Lumpur.
A 3-minute drive down the road, you’ll find 2 clear signage on your left stating Tent Tent Café and Rainforest Park, which is your queue to drive into the campsite.
About Rainforest Park Genting Sempah
Owned and managed by a friendly father and son duo, this camping ground is perched 755m above ground and at the midpoint ascends to Genting Highlands.
Its cooling and tranquil environment, clean decks, and a restaurant that doubles as a cafeteria to “lazy” campers are some of its appeal.
(Left to right: We woke up to a frog taking shelter under the flysheet pole; hydrangea flowers & morning glories sprout effortlessly along the gravelled road)
This pet-friendly campsite in Malaysia is home to up to 15 stray dogs that are looked after by the staff. There's also a resident tortoise-shell cat, a slew of insects, birds, and mother nature’s treasures.
The dogs are allowed to roam periodically, so be sure to tie up your garbage before you sleep as they are natural scavengers.
As for the friendly yet elusive cat, yes, she prowls the camps at night when everyone is fast asleep. But my daughter caught sight of her sniffing for food remnants at our tent. If you’re lucky, you may also stumble upon 2 ducks!
Facilities
Unlike the other campsites at Janda Baik, Rainforest Park does not have a river.
However, it does have merits other camping grounds do not offer.
First, the Tent Tent BBQ & Café is an open dining restaurant located 500 meters away from the campsite. This restaurant offers local cuisine, Mookata, and steamboat.
Operating from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays with extended hours on weekends, this restaurant offers a culinary refuge for campers who don’t feel like cooking.
(from left to right: Mee Jawa, steam boat & airy interiors of Tent tent BBQ & Cafe)
The food is decent but slightly pricier than average. With ample seating space on the ground floor and higher floor, its airy atmosphere lends a comfortable ambiance with a view of the mountains ahead.
The shower rooms, however, can be improved.
(from left to right: Kudos for availing a wheel-chair friendly shower; Only the first two shower cubicles closest to the wall have hot water due to low water pressure; you can fallback on using the bidet to shower)
With 4 stalls equipped with a water heater and toilet area for gents and ladies respectively, the weak water pressure and lack of hot water exacerbate the bathing experience.
The piping seems to favor the gent's toilet, with the boys able to bathe in warm water albeit with low water pressure.
As for the ladies, the cubicle closest to the gent’s has heated water. As for the other stalls, water trickles to a stop during peak shower periods, and your best bet to bathe is to use the bidet.
According to the Camp Operator (CO), the water supply originates from the nearest Genting River. After going through a self-proclaimed filtration system, it still appears brown with sediment.
I had an eye infection in both eyes post-camping. Note to self: Where the water supply is less pristine, always use tap water bottled from home to wash just the face.
Campsite Options
There are 2 types of campsites; ground campsites and platform campsites.
The ground campsites are on flat land, with each plot lined with a netted green canvas to reduce dirt and debris from entering the tent. The views are less sweeping but decent for those on the right side.
These campsites are favored by camping tents on the top of vehicles, also known as rooftop tents.
Platform camping layouts at Genting Sempah. We like 11 - 17 as they are shaded. 3 and 2 has direct sunlight in the afternoon, but you wont have to walk down a flight of stairs.
Rainforest Park Genting Sempah Weather
As it is surrounded by verdant trees, the weather at the campsite tends to be hotter during the morning until 2 pm. Thereafter, the sky turns cloudy with intermittent pelting rain that does not drop in a linear line. Hence, you’ll need a flysheet big enough to cover your tent, and sturdy tying to secure them.
Wind conditions are strong and it can be challenging when you’re trying to set up a fly sheet. Ideally, try to set up by mid-day or you’ll have to rush through your setup to beat the rain, which predictably happened every afternoon on both days we were there.
Come nightfall, the temperature drops further, making fans redundant. Be sure to pack warm clothes and, a sleeping bag, and ideally use a stretcher or inflatable bed to keep your back warm. The temperature drops further in the wee hours of the morning.
Campsite Distance To Parking Area
The parking space lining the platform camp area is narrow, permitting only a one-way flow of traffic. So you may not be able to park right at your spot, as parking is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Further up on the flat land, campers can park right in front of their campsite, making unloading a breeze.
Phone Coverage
Unlike the water pressure, phone coverage is uninterrupted across all major networks. Hence there is no need to bring along a mobile dongle to secure internet connectivity.
Price
Rainforest Park at Genting Sempah practices dynamic pricing whereby rates are higher on weekends, lower on weekdays, and priced according to the low-high season.
As we camped during an extended weekend (Friday being a public holiday), we paid RM150 per night per platform campsite.
The same platform costs RM200 net for 6D5N on weekdays, or RM66 net for 6D5N on the ground camping area.
It’s not surprising to see senior citizens campaign too given that they enjoy special all-time low rates of RM50 per pax from Sunday to Thursday. There is also one toilet cubicle with a wider entrance to meet their needs.
Conclusion
Waking up to a medley of melodic birds amidst fresh air, thick mist and a magnificent view of Mother Nature, the Rainforest Park campsite makes our grouses a tiny speck in a grand scheme of calmness.
The constant breeze makes it the perfect escapade away from the blistering PJ heat. Upon reaching home, the intense heat wave is a rude awakening of the comforts we just left (minus the toilet issues).
The proximity between platforms is a double-edged sword. While it facilitates close mingling and camaraderie among campers, guest who are loud and chat into the wee hours of the night need to be mindful of their neighbors.
Some campers lament the screeching sounds of vehicles from the main road, but its roar blurs into the background, lulling me to peaceful sleep.
Then again, just to experience the weather and scenic atmosphere, Rainforest Park at Genting Sempah is one campsite I will visit again.
Address: Lot 9048, Genting Sempah, 28750 Bentong, Pahang
Contact: 016 – 921 1328
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