Some call it responsible tourism, others call it eco-friendly hospitality – but it’s what we have always done here. The Dusun still hires from nearby villages, but we now receive applicants from other villages through our grapevine. Although we do have staff from further away, we prioritise Orang Asli applicants when we have a choice.
Our guided jungle trek and traditional massages are designed to raise awareness of Malaysia’s beautiful natural and cultural heritage and support local traditions and communities.
We don’t need pesticides as the fruit trees are quite resilient, and our vegetable patches are mainly organic. Chicken shit is a favourite for fertiliser, and our guests produce huge amounts of compost. All wastewater goes back into the ground and trees, so we buy eco-friendly cleaning products from the Malaysian non-profit Truly Loving Company (TLC). Our plastic-free soap and shampoo are handmade and customised by the talented people at Kinder Soaps in Kuala Lumpur.
The contractors always found it amusing that we’d bellyache about cutting even one tree to make way for a house. We also cut very little into the hill; instead, we designed houses to fit into the landscape.
Life on the Dusun may be surprising to some, but it is designed for those who enjoy fresh air, lush greenery, jungle views, lingering private meals, peaceful strolls and tranquil swims. All accompanied by the wonderfully uncoordinated orchestra of birds, crickets and frogs.