How to discover Firefly Valley Leisure Park in Kota Tinggi

Experience the magic of fireflies, a rare sight for city folk, within the verdant confines of the Firefly Valley in Kota Tinggi. Easy to reach from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, Kota Tinggi is home to two such parks famous for the natural firefly phenomenon. The trip to the park over a weekend is a popular activity not to be missed; read on to learn how you can plan a weekend trip to explore Firefly Valley Leisure Park in Kota Tinggi.

Getting To Kota Tinggi

Kota Tinggi located in Johor Malaysia is well known for its natural surroundings. Beautiful Kota Tinggi Waterfall is a top attraction, although the firefly phenomenon has placed Firefly Valley Leisure Park as a top allure. Your best option for exploring the park is to stay at a hotel in nearby Desaru. Located in Johor Bahru, Desaru too is a lovely town to explore. Hotels like Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas are ideal for enjoying popular Desaru attractions such as taking part in the Johor Bahru Old Town foodie tour, enjoying the Belungkor Mangrove safari and exploring the Kampung Linting village.

Reserve an entire day to explore Firefly Valley. The journey from Desaru to Kota Tinggi is less than an hour. You can reach Kota Tinggi via bus, minivan, ferry or taxi. Bus rides are the most economical. From the Kota Tinggi city centre, you can take a taxi or hire a private car to get to Firefly Valley Leisure Park. This drive to the park located within a lush palm tree plantation is only 15 minutes from the city centre.

2. The Entrance To Firefly Valley Leisure Park

At the entrance to the park, you will find a Tze Char restaurant for getting snacks in case you or the kids are hungry. The booth for purchasing your entrance tickets too are located there. Your exploration of the park is via a boat ride through the inky black forest. Once you buy your tickets, wait your turn to board the boat which does several trips per night. While waiting there are plenty of things to keep families travelling with kids busy. There’s a mini zoo, complete with wild boars, rabbits etc. and check out the vintage playground close to which is an equally antiquated bridge connecting the two sides of the farm.

3. Getting On The Boat To Explore Firefly Valley

Once the boat arrives, you can line up to board, about 15 passengers are allowed at a time. Pretty Chinese lanterns light up the jetty, while the rest of the surroundings is cocooned in velvety blackness. Passengers’ are fitted with life jackets and asked to board. A no photography rule applies, as the flash from cameras is said to disrupt the firefly’s natural behaviour, especially in mating season when the bugs use their natural light to attract partners.

4. Your Journey Down The River Of Firefly Valley Park

As your boat pulls away from the jetty, the inky blackness will overwhelm you until you spot your first flicker of a firefly. The boat will glide silently along the river, framed by silhouettes of the swamp mangroves and other bushes. Watch and you will soon spot the tiny insects perched on the vegetation, the only sign they exist is the natural light they project. The phenomenon is quite enchanting, making the bushes look like they are lit by strings of fairy lights.

The boat ride is complemented by an audio commentary, updating passengers about the fireflies. The type at Firefly park is one of close to 2.000 species, and are known as swamp fireflies. The narration will also update you about flora unique to the swamp there, while the boat will stop at one point to illuminate a stone structure; which is part of a British fortress built amidst the mangroves, during WWII in a bid to protect Malaysia from a Japanese invasion.

You will then be treated to soothing Mandarin songs as the boat continues its journey past the magical twinkling of thousands of fireflies. A very memorable experience!