This Fun Jungle School In KL Takes You Trekking, Teaches Orang Asli Survival Skills & More
Escape the city and reconnect with nature!
By Tamara Jayne — 21 Nov 2024, 11:35 AM
If you've been stuck in the city for too long and are looking for an adventure that's uniquely Malaysian, Jungle School Gombak is the perfect escape
Just a short drive from KL city centre, this one-of-a-kind experience lets you leave behind the hustle and bustle to learn survival skills straight from the Orang Asli.
It's fun, eye-opening, and a great way to reconnect with nature and immerse yourself in Malaysia's rich heritage.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Norzalifa Zainal Abidin and Major (Rtd) Kalam Pie, Jungle School Gombak began as a small CSR project in 2014 to empower the Orang Asli community
But what started as a simple idea quickly grew into a meaningful movement. By 2018, with a little encouragement from UNESCO experts, the Jungle School became formalised.
Today, the school acts as a bridge between city folks and the indigenous tribes, teaching experiential skills that go far beyond Google or TikTok tutorials.
During a BFM interview, Kalam shared a cool nugget: Back in the 1950s, during the Malayan Emergency, the Orang Asli played a critical role as jungle trackers for the British army.
Their knowledge of the rainforest was unmatched — they could smell the difference between humans and animals, and figure out how recently footprints were made.
These incredible skills made them the ultimate jungle experts, guiding military troops through dense rainforests to locate enemies.
Today, Jungle School Gombak keeps this legacy alive, sharing the Orang Asli's incredible knowledge with Malaysians and visitors from around the globe.
Guided by Orang Asli facilitators, here are some of the activities you'll get to try:
- Start a fire from scratch like a pro.
- Weave like a master, using sustainable materials straight from the jungle.
- Cook Temuan-style food over an open fire.
- Try blowpiping, an ancient hunting technique that's harder than it looks!
- Catch fish in a river, Orang Asli-style.
- Learn jungle survival hacks — from identifying edible plants to spotting wildlife.
Gombak is home to 10 Orang Asli tribes, including the Temuan, Jakun, Semai, and Semelai. These tribes live in harmony with the rainforest, only stepping into modern spaces when absolutely necessary, such as for hospital visits.
What makes Jungle School Gombak even more special is that it's primarily run by the Orang Asli community
This means you're learning directly from the people who've lived and breathed the jungle their entire lives. Plus, everything they do is eco-friendly — using bamboo tools instead of plastic and ensuring minimal impact on the environment.
The school helps create sustainable livelihoods for the Orang Asli tribes, making it not just an adventure for you, but also a meaningful way to give back to the community.
Whether you're planning a day trip or an overnight stay, Jungle School Gombak promises a truly Malaysian adventure
Content creator @hungry_potatoo recently shared her experience.
Watch her video below:
If you'd like to find out more about Jungle School Gombak or book an adventure with them, reach out to Major Kalam at +6019-3822591.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
