In early 2021,  I found some time to do bird watching at Kepong Botanical Gardens or Taman Botani Kepong, just near FRIM in Kepong, but unfortunately, the park was closed for Covid 19.

Because the botanic garden is just next to a housing area, I walked the park fence’s perimeter, where many locals are seen exercising. I also revisited this botanical garden later in the year when it opened up to the public.

Bird Watching at Kepong Botanical Gardens

I have heard from a few people that the Kepong Botanical Gardens is quite decent for birdwatching, so I had to come here to document this place as one of the KL birdwatching locations. This place is also known as Kepong Botanic Gardens.

Overall, the last count I saw on the eBird website was around 60 species of birds spotted here, and on my second visit, I probably saw about 25 species around the gardens. This includes the most common birds, too.

Before you plan your visit, I must inform you about the botanic gardens. The Kepong Botanic Gardens is actually managed and owned by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, or FRIM.

Apparently, this botanic garden was developed to be the centre for living plant collections, mainly of Malaysian plants, and to provide opportunities in botany, landscape, horticulture, and related fields.

The botanic garden provides a beautiful and well-manicured landscaped space for the locals for jogging, walking, nature observation, and bird watching. In Malay, this area is also known as Taman Botani Kepong.

What Birds Are Spotted at Kepong Botanical Gardens?

There is quite a decent selection of birds to be spotted here, and it also depends on luck and the timing. One of the many birds is because the park sits just by the Bukit Lagong Recreational Forest Reserve.

Among the last count of 60 species of birds spotted here, I will list down some of the species for your general interest in what birds you will encounter;

1. Asian Brown Flycatcher
2. Asian Fairy-bluebird
3. Asian Glossy Starling
4. Ashy Minivet
5. Banded Woodpecker
6. Buff-rumped Woodpecker
7. Black-naped Oriole
8. Black-thighed Falconet
9. Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike
10. Black and Red Broadbill
11. Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot
12. Blue-tailed Bee-eater
13. Blue-throated Bee-eater
14. Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle
15. Brahminy Kite
16. Brown Shrike
17. Common Flameback Woodpecker
18. Common Iora
19. Common Hill Myna
20. Common Tailorbird
21. Crested Serpent-Eagle
22. Daurian Starlings (Purple-backed Starlings)
23. Drongo Cuckoo
24. Eurasian Tree Sparrow
25. Fiery Minivet
26. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
27. Green-billed Malkoha
28. Grey-capped Woodpecker
29. Javan Myans
30. Large Woodshrike
31. Little Bronze-Cuckoo
32. Olive-backed Sunbird
33. Olive-winged Bulbul
34. Oriental Magpie Robin
35. Paddyfield Pipit
36. Peaceful Dove
37. Pied Fantail
38. Pin-striped Tit-Babbler
39. Plain-throated Sunbird
40. Plaintive Cuckoo
41. Pond Herons
42. Raffles’s Malkoha
43. Red-Bearded Bee-eater
44. Ruby-throated Sunbird
45. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker
46. Spectacled Spiderhunter
47. Spotted Dove
48. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
49. White-breasted Waterhen
50. Yellow-eared Spiderhunter
51. Yellow-vented Bulbul
52. Zebra Dove

Where is Kepong Botanical Gardens?

It is located just outside Kuala Lumpur’s main city area and from KLCC or KL Sentral. Driving here will take about 30 minutes, based on regular traffic; if the traffic is in peak hours, it can take around 45 minutes.

Kepong is on the outskirts of the city and is more suburban, with a lot of greenery surrounding various areas. There is also FRIM, a trendy nature location, and the Kepong Metropolitan Park Lake.

For those first-timers driving here, note that the main entrance to this park is entirely hidden and located behind a housing area. One of the landmarks is a Muslim cemetery located next to the park.

If you drive here through Taman Eshan, you will encounter a roundabout, and from there, you should be able to see a signboard showing where the Kepong Botanic Garden is located. Use Waze or Google Maps for detailed directions, too.

How to go to Kepong Botanical Gardens?

For local birders, the best way is to self-drive here, and if you are a visitor, you can always rent a car or take a ride-hailing service here. Your other alternative is to hire a local bird guide who may pick you up and bring you here.

There is no public transportation to this botanic garden, and there are no trains or buses that ply this route; therefore, the best way is still a taxi, ride-hailing, or car rental.

Kepong Botanic Gardens Address
Address: Jalan E 4/15,
Taman Ehsan 52100
Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 6.00 AM to 7.00 PM
Tel: 03 7963 0046
Website: Kepong Botanic Gardens

Parking Fees: RM5.00 per car
Camera Fees: RM5.00 per camere

Conclusion

My last trip to do bird watching at Kepong Botanical Gardens was at the end of March 2021, and sadly, the botanic park was closed for Covid 19. This article is part of my birdwatching locations around Kuala Lumpur, too.

Asking around, some people informed me that they would most likely open to the public in early April 2021, and I guess I need to make another trip back here when they open again.