Nakawan Basecamp, Perlis — Camping in Malaysia's Smallest State

The Vibe

Perlis isn't the first state that comes to mind when people talk about camping in Malaysia. Most folks drive through on the way to Thailand and don't stop. But Nakawan Basecamp, tucked inside Taman Eko-Rimba Bukit Ayer just outside Kangar, is quietly doing its thing — and the people who've been here seem genuinely glad they came.

This is a managed forestry campsite under Jabatan Perhutanan, which means it's properly set up but still feels wild enough. There's a small stream running alongside the site, a campfire pit, nature trails with labelled trees, and a glamping area next door if your friends are softer than you. The vibe here is calm, green, and unhurried — very much the pace of Perlis itself.

The crowd that comes here tends to be school groups, community camping trips, and families from the northern states. It's the kind of place where you pitch a tent, gather around a campfire, and actually sleep early because there's nothing else pulling you away.

Getting There

The address is Taman Eko-Rimba Bukit Ayer, Jalan Anak Chelong, R119, 01000 Kangar, Perlis. That puts you just a short drive from Kangar town — Perlis being the smallest state in Malaysia, nothing here is really far from anything else.

Plug the Google Maps CID into your Waze or Google Maps and it should bring you there directly. The road into the eco-rimba area is a kampung-style road — paved but narrow. Regular cars should be fine. No 4WD needed.

If you're coming from the north (Padang Besar or the Thai border), it's roughly 20 to 25 minutes to Kangar. From Alor Setar in Kedah, expect about an hour's drive. Coming from KL? Yeah, that's a long haul — budget 6 to 7 hours. Perlis is literally the top-left corner of Malaysia.

What to Expect

Flat, open campsite with decent shade. Spacious enough for big groups — think gotong royong-style perkhemahan, school camps, or a large extended family outing. The site borders a small stream, and that gentle sound of flowing water carries through the night. It's actually one of the nicest things about this place.

Daytime activity is mostly forest walks and nature spotting. The eco-rimba setup means there are labelled trees around the campsite — good if you've got kids who need something to do. There's a campfire pit if you want to do it old school.

One thing to be prepared for: monkeys. There are wild monkeys in the area and they are bold. Food left out will disappear. Keep your stuff packed and secured when you're not around. Don't feed them — it only makes them worse.

This campsite suits beginners and families well. The facilities are managed, the terrain is flat, and you don't need any trekking experience to enjoy it. Hardcore campers looking for remote wilderness might find it a bit tame, but for a proper nature night under the stars in Perlis, it does the job. If you're camping as a big group and want a convenient setup, the TAHAN Pavillion Shelter Tent works great here — full-height canopy for daytime shade, fully enclosed at night, and sets up in about 15 minutes on flat ground like this.

Facilities

Toilets

4 stalls in total — 2 for each gender. Basic but functional. During bigger events like the Perkhemahan Sunnah, the glamping site toilets nearby are also accessible, so you're not stuck queuing.

Water

Multiple water taps beside the toilet block — enough for washing dishes and general use. No complaints from reviewers here.

Electricity

Power source is included in the RM30 fee according to one reviewer. Confirm this with Jabatan Perhutanan when you book, but good news if you need to charge devices.

Lighting

There are lamp posts around the campsite, so the site doesn't go pitch black at night. That said, bring your own lantern for inside the tent. The TAHAN Luminate Multifunction Lantern is a good one — rechargeable, doubles as a powerbank, and doubles up nicely when the campsite lights don't quite reach your tent corner.

Campfire Pit

Yes, there's one — with a sink nearby. So you can do the whole campfire cooking or just the roasting marshmallows thing properly.

Fees

RM30 per camping spot covers the camping pitch, toilet access, and power source. Reasonably priced for what you get.

What Campers Are Saying

One group that camped here during a Perkhemahan Sunnah event mentioned the site is genuinely spacious — good for big groups. They had access to the glamping site's toilets too, which helped when things got busy. Overall they felt the facilities were well-managed and would come back.

A solo or small-group camper noted that the place gets very quiet at night — just insects and the sound of the stream. It's the kind of quiet that actually takes some getting used to if you're from the city. He suggested going with friends if you're not great with dark, isolated spaces at night.

Another reviewer said it simply: "Best! Nature! Complete toilet and sink facilities. Just a lot of monkeys." That about covers it, honestly. Beautiful natural setting, decent amenities, and yes — monkeys. Keep your food locked down.

TAHAN Tip

If you're planning a group camp here, contact Jabatan Perhutanan Perlis in advance — this site is managed by them and booking ahead is the right move, especially if you're bringing a big group or coming during school holidays or festive weekends. Walk-ins might work on quiet weekdays but don't risk it for a big trip. Also, set up camp away from the treeline at the edges of the clearing — that's where the monkeys tend to come from. Less drama that way.

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

• Taman Eko-Rimba Bukit Ayer — the same forest park, reviewed separately with more trail-focused details.
• Ulu Legong Campsite — another northern Malaysia forest campsite worth considering if you're already making the drive up.