The Ultimate Guide to Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Kota Tinggi Firefly Park—one of the few places in Malaysia that will make you feel like you’re witnessing something magical up close and personal. It’s here where you’ll be greeted by thousands of these glowing bugs, creating a sight straight out of a movie scene!
Join us as we show you how you can make the perfect visit to Kota Tinggi Firefly Park. From when to visit to where to stay, eat and more, we’re detailing everything you need to know in this guide, so read on!
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park would be after sunset to make sure that the fireflies are at full visibility. This specific time of the day will create a magical atmosphere in the river tour that will leave you in awe upon seeing the glowing bugs.
Weather-wise, we’d discourage visiting during Kota Tinggi’s wet season, from April to January. This way, you can make sure that your river cruise won’t be spoiled by bad weather!
As far as avoiding crowds is concerned, visiting on weekdays is always a safe bet.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ktfireflypark/
Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Phone details: +60 17-460 7775
Opening hours: 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Entrance fee:
- Adults: RM20
- Children: RM12
How to Get There
Buses: Riding the bus is the cheapest way to get to Kota Tinggi Firefly Park but it’s also the longest. If you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur, you have to ride a bus going to Johor Larkin Terminal and from there, you need to hop on to another bus going to Terminal Kota Tinggi.
The overall trip will take approximately 5 hours and 41 minutes.
Taxis: If you don’t want to switch from one mode of transport to another, you can simply hail a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Tinggi Firefly Park. The trip will take around 3 hours and 40 minutes, with the cost being anywhere from RM550 to RM720.
Car rental: We recommend renting a car to get to the Firefly Park if you want to provide yourself and your family with comfort and privacy. Doing this will also give you the chance to stop by other attractions and points of interest before or after visiting the Firefly Park itself.
Where to Stay
Savanna Hill Resort
Address: 1516, Jalan Nasiman, Batu 18, Kampung Sungai Tiram, 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 19-330 6176
Pricing: $$
Savanna Hill Resort is one of the best glamping sites in Malaysia, as it features premium rooms and world-class facilities. Each of these aforementioned rooms is fitted with all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay like hot water, plush beds, toiletries and more.
The facilities here are impressive as well like the outdoor swimming pool, where you can get drenched while basking in the cool hill breeze. Also, you can feast on delicious dishes and replenish your energy in the resort’s in-house restaurant after a day full of activities.
KSL Hot Spring Resort
Address: 31, Jalan Kangkar Tebrau, Taman Daya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-288 2999
Pricing: $$
If you want your stay to feel like a vacation during your trip to Kota Tinggi Firefly Park, KSL Hot Spring Resort should be right up your alley. This place not only features high-quality rooms, but premium facilities as well!
Among all these facilities, the biggest highlight is the selection of hot springs, which is perfect for the brisk weather in the area. These pools are great for winding down and relaxing after spending an entire day going to different attractions in the city.
If you’re not into hot springs, don’t worry! They also have a cafe where you can simply pass the time while sipping on some coffee and a golf simulator room, which is pretty self-explanatory.
1 Million Hotel @ Austin Heights
Address: 2, Jalan Austin Heights 8/6, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-350 8111
Pricing: $$
You can’t go wrong with staying at 1 Million Hotel, especially if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly. This establishment is more like your typical hotel as opposed to the resort-like accommodations mentioned previously, which is great for city lovers.
Speaking of the city, this hotel also features a great location as it’s located within the heart of Mount Austin. This means that you can easily get to other restaurants and shops as soon as you step out of the hotel’s doors.
Where to Eat
Tadpole Cafe
— From: c.k.lim_820
Address: 146, 148 & 150, Jalan Mempelam, Taman Kota Jaya, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-883 0655
Pricing: $
If you can’t decide on which cuisine to eat during your trip, we recommend stopping by Tadpole Cafe. This humble restaurant features a wide variety of dishes ranging from Malay to Western, Chinese and even Korean cuisines–talk about versatility!
The place itself is also a highlight, as it features a nice cosy ambience that’s perfect for chill mornings and afternoons.
Plus, it’s also worth noting that the prices are reasonable so you’ll get the best value for your money!
Hassan Mohammad Ong Seafood Restaurant
— From: radhiahayoub
Address: 3L, Jalan Tun Habab, Bandar Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-883 5890
Pricing: $-$$
If all the travelling in the firefly lake left you craving seafood, you should check out Hassan Mohammad Ong Seafood Restaurant. This restaurant serves a wide variety of fresh seafood that has been prepared in various Chinese cooking styles.
Among all their dishes, one stands out as per user reviews and that is the salted egg crab and squid. Quite frankly, all these reviews are correct, as this dish features some of the sweetest crab meat that you’ll ever taste in the area.
Kafe RS Bola Bola
Address: 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 19-366 6224
Pricing: $
Kafe RS Bola Bola is a great brunch spot that serves a wide selection of local and international quick bites and meals. Some of their best-sellers are their Western offerings like fries, burgers, steaks and fried chicken.
However, you can also find a handful of local dishes like nasi lemak, which is Malaysia’s national dish! Furthermore, since this is a cafe, you can also treat yourself to a variety of coffee and non-coffee drinks to pair with your food.
What to Do in Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Witness thousands of beautiful fireflies
— From: juzpingme
In this activity, you and your loved ones will get on a boat and experience a scenic ride along the Johor River. Once you reach the final spot, you’ll begin to be surrounded by hundreds upon thousands of these glowing bugs.
They’ll typically clump up in groups around ferns and other lush greeneries by the river, making them look like Christmas ornaments–pretty cool!
Also, just a quick reminder to wear thick clothes, especially if you’re visiting late at night, as the temperature can drop really quickly!
Light a lantern and make a wish!
— From: somethingboutrenes
After you witness something so magical, you can keep the same energy and make a wish by the end of the river cruise. To do this, you have to light a lantern, make a wish and let it fly to the sky.
It’s such a sight to behold, especially if there are plenty of visitors making wishes simultaneously, as it makes the sky glow with various lanterns. If you’ve seen the movie Tangled, you’ll know what we’re talking about!
Apps to Download for a Trip to Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app