Are you longing to reconnect with nature after the initial post-lockdown hype of beaches, parties, and urban scapes? Bring the family along for a back-to-basics holiday at these local farm stays! Offering more than just a pretty view, it’s the perfect downtime for the whole family.
Whether you’re looking to pet goats and rabbits that roam freely on the land, harvest some crops for an honest day’s work, eat your fill of seasonal fruits, or kick back and immerse yourself into the charms of a farm stay, we’ve got you covered.
Kampung Bongsu Farmstay, Pahang
If you’d rather that you (or your little ones) chase ducks instead of having another vacay of Netflix on the iPad by the pool, then Kampung Bongsu Farmstay is one that will nourish your soul. The 15-acre farm stay is private and quiet, with guests encouraged to bask in the view of lakes, plantations, jungles, and mountains.
That’s not to say that there’s nothing to do in the area. Say hello to elephants at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, see shy deer at Deerland Park Bukit Rengit, or pay a visit to the Krau Wildlife Reserve, the largest wildlife reserve in Peninsular Malaysia.
For those who prefer to stay on the farm, feel free to go fishing at the lake, where you can identify local fish and admire water lilies. Try your hand at milking the cows or feeding the farm animals and wind down by the campfire with kampung delicacies delivered from nearby establishments. Not sure where to start? Just ask the friendly caretaker who manages the daily chores!
Address: LOT PT.5939, Kampung Bongsu, Lanchang, 28500 Karak, Pahang
Contact: +6017 891 2224
Titi Eco Farm, Negeri Sembilan
Equipped with an in-house factory that produces and supplies organic food to eateries around the country, the 35-acre Titi Eco Farm is your best bet for a thoroughly organic food experience.
For those looking to embrace sustainable agricultural life, this eco farm in Negeri Sembilan enthusiastically provides a looking glass with guided tours ranging from farm visits to a stint of hands-on vegetable harvesting and feeding rabbits and goats at the small petting zoo. There’s even the flying fox and hanging bridge for an adrenaline boost!
Skip the semi-D chalets and stay at the Wood Lodge, which was built based on the concept of traditional Malay buildings with all-wood flooring and walls. Rooms come with basic but comfortable amenities like a standing fan and a window that opens out to the farm.
Address: Lot 1706, 71650 Titi, Negeri Sembilan
Contact: +6019 220 7868
Lake View Farm, Negeri Sembilan
Near Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, on the southwest coast of Malaysia, Lake View Farm has self-catering chalet accommodation surrounded by five acres of land and its own private lake. Those looking for a gentle introduction to rural farming life will not be disappointed with friendly goats, hens and ducks, and vast fertile lands that grow various fruits and vegetables. Wander around the farm as much as you like, or get in touch with Mother Nature further with the canoes and rowing boats for trips out on the lake.
Beaches of Port Dickson are just 5km from the farm stay, and there are plenty of great beaches all along the nearby coast, from Tanjung Gemuk to Tanjung Tuan and beyond, if sightseeing is part of your itinerary. Some historical sights include the Temple of Wan Loong and the hilltop Kota Lukut fortress.
Address: No 7, Lorong Pelangi Satu, Taman Pelangi, 71000 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Contact: +6012 977 0241
Bao Sheng Durian Farm, Penang
As one of Penang’s oldest and most established durian farms, Bao Sheng Durian Farm is most popular during the durian season. The 6.7-acre land houses a staycation for those craving a durian feast. Pick the deluxe villa with a twin-sharing room with a queen-sized bed, LED TV, and a fridge to keep leftovers from the inevitable durian parties.
Snap up the 2D1N package and begin your tasting at check-in with an introduction to the different textures and flavours between the durian varieties. The second tasting is at sunset, focusing on the more complex flavours only durians from 40-year-old trees provide. Your final feast comes the following day, where you’ll taste a ‘numbing’ durian flavour that disappears in one or two hours after the durian has dropped.
Too much durian? There’s also a yoga room, a café library, and a 33-foot swimming pool beside the villa. Or hike out to seek nature’s own swimming pool with the nearby waterfall.
Address: 150 Mukim 2, Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, Penang
Contact: +6012 411 0600
Karuna Hill, Penang
Looking for another feast as you go retreat? Venture out to Penang’s quieter side of Balik Pulau and retreat to the less touristy Karuna Hill in a former durian orchard. Owned by a former Wall Street Journal staffer and his durian-loving wife, Lilian, Karuna Hill has preserved and nurtured 20 types of durians that are served to guests throughout their stay.
The chalets are well spaced across the grounds, offering vacationers plenty of privacy with surroundings that promise even the most avid Instagrammers an array of vacay envy photos. A short drive will lead you to the Saanen Dairy Goat Farm, where you can play with the free-roaming kids and feed the goats in the barn.
Address: 849, BHRN 125, Bukit Kechil Mukim 2, 11010 Balik Pulau, Penang
Contact: +604 866 2078
Sembilan Villas Langkawi, Kedah
While not technically a farm stay, Sembilan Villas earns a mention purely based on its (you guessed it!) nine nature-rich themed villas that make up a slice of heaven over at Langkawi. From bird watching to jungle trekking, as well as flora and fauna discovery, Sembilan is just a stone’s throw away from the beauty of the natural world.
Whether you’re looking to cycle around the scenic Gunung Raya with the little ones, which is just minutes away, indulge in the incredible acoustics that nature has to offer with a special set-up by a campfire, or sleep under the stars with the comforts of your villa nearby — the friendly staff over at Sembilan will make it happen. Their ethos? Intimately tailored experiences to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Address: 119, Kampung Nyior Chabang Atas, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Contact: +6019 491 7158
