Havarri Riverside Camp Bentong — A Solid Riverside Escape Just Minutes from Town

The Vibe

Havarri Riverside Camp sits right along Sungai Gabong, just off Jalan Chamang in Bentong. It's one of those campsites that doesn't try too hard — no over-the-top theming, no Instagram gimmicks. Just a wide, clean river, decent facilities, and enough space to breathe. The semi-wild feel is real. It hasn't been overdeveloped into a full-blown tourist trap, and you can feel that the moment you arrive.

This place pulls in families mostly — young kids splashing in the shallows, parents setting up camp nearby, the occasional group of friends looking for a low-key weekend. It's accessible enough for beginners and people who want nature without too much roughing it. Don't expect silence though. The campsite is close to the road, and the lights stay on at night — it's well-lit, which some people love and some people don't.

The crowd here is very family-oriented. If you're looking for a hardcore jungle experience where you're miles from civilisation, this isn't it. But if you want a clean riverside camp that's easy to get to, has plug points, a surau, and a river that works for everyone from toddlers to adults — Havarri delivers.

Getting There

The address is Lot 7547, Kampung Sungai Gabong, Jalan Chamang, Bentong. It's literally 3km from Bentong town — about 15 minutes' drive. Coming from KL, take the Karak Highway (E8) and exit at Bentong. Then head towards Jalan Chamang, which is also where Air Terjun Chamang is located — so if you know that waterfall, you're on the right track.

One thing to note: Waze might not drop you at the exact spot. Keep your eyes open for the Havarri signage along the road — they've put up boards so it's findable, just don't blindly follow the blue dot. The road itself is straightforward, no 4WD needed. Normal cars are fine.

What to Expect

The terrain is flat and manageable. Pitching spots come in a few varieties — natural ground, gravel, and cemented base. Good options depending on what gear you have or whether you're bringing elderly family members along. No chalets though, so everyone's under canvas.

The river is the main attraction. It's wide and kept natural. There's a shallow, sandy section for toddlers and small kids, a mid-depth stretch for older kids, and a deeper pool — around 6 feet — for adults who want a proper swim. Reviewers consistently say the river is clean and well-maintained. Safe enough for families, fun enough for adults.

Crowd-wise, expect it to fill up on weekends. The site is popular with families from KL and surrounding areas since it's a convenient getaway. Weekdays will be much quieter. Overall it suits beginners and families well. Hardcore campers might find it a bit tame, but the river genuinely impresses even the more seasoned folks.

Facilities

Toilets

Clean and well-maintained — multiple reviewers confirm this. That said, no proper shower stalls. You bathe using a bucket. At least one reviewer found worms in the bucket, so give it a rinse first. No bidet either.

Water

There's a sink area for washing dishes near the tent area. River water is available but at least one family reported getting sick after their trip — stomach issues and vomiting. Don't drink the river water. Use it for swimming, not cooking or drinking.

Electricity

Power points are available on site. Bring a long extension cable — the plug points may not be right next to your pitch.

Parking

Ample parking available at the site.

Surau

There's a surau with ablution facilities on site. Good to know for Muslim campers.

BBQ Pit

Available for rent. Plan ahead and arrange with the owner when booking.

Mini Mart

There's a small mini mart on site with basic supplies. Nearest proper town is about 15 minutes away if you need to stock up.

Signal

UMobile users — zero signal here. Other telcos seem fine based on reviews, but don't count on great coverage across the board.

What Campers Are Saying

A family who stayed two nights over a weekend said the place felt genuinely refreshing. The river being safe and kid-friendly was the biggest win for them — they weren't worried about the kids being near the water, which is the main thing when you've got young ones running around.

One reviewer who came with a bigger group was really impressed by how accommodating the owner (they call him CO Ben) and the team were. Booking was easy, everything was well-lit and felt secure at night. They also noted that the campsite could work for wheelchair users, though dedicated OKU facilities like wider toilets or ramps aren't there yet — something they hope the management will look into.

For river quality, one solo camper said this might be the best river view he'd camped at so far. Strong words. He liked that the deep section gave adults something to actually swim in while the sandy shallow areas kept the kids busy. His only gripe was that the campsite is very close to the road and the lights are pretty bright at night — not ideal if you're a light sleeper.

Not all reviews were glowing. One family had a rough time — they found the campsite pricey for what it offers, spotted worms in the bathroom bucket, noticed a lot of flies, and all three of them came down with stomach problems after the trip. Whether that's river water contact or something else, hard to say, but worth being careful. Keep the kids from drinking the river water and wash hands properly before meals.

Another camper — a scenery lover — summed it up simply: wide river, great environment, toilets acceptable. Just wished there were proper showers instead of the bucket system. Fair enough.

TAHAN Tip

Book through the owner directly (016-672 9062) and ask specifically which pitch type you want — natural ground, gravel, or cemented base. If you're bringing older family members or anyone with mobility concerns, request the cemented base spots. They're more comfortable for setting up chairs and tables, and closer to the facilities. And bring a long extension cable — the power points are there but the distance to your pitch might catch you off guard.

About Mike

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

You Might Also Like

• Air Terjun Chamang — It's literally on the same road in Bentong, so if you're in the area, this one's worth adding to the trip.
• Janda Baik Campsite — Another popular Pahang riverside escape that's easy to reach from KL and great for families.