Herbwalk is not talking about herbal cures or giving out that special herbal drinks we concoct ourselves to show we can. No. It is about imparting knowledge. It is about interacting and exchanging ideas. It is about relaxing and feeling at home with nature and trying to understand the language of the plants. It is about health advises and health understanding.

Herbwalk is a term used to describe a tour whereby the tourist is taken for a walk in an area with a running commentary on the various medicinal plants on display in a garden or seen in the forest.

| Who the Guides are | Herbwalk in My Garden | Herbwalk in the Rainforest | Ethnobotanical Tour of the Mangrove Area |

The garden walk will take you through the garden of Dr. Ghani where he has a collection of more than 500 different species of plants with known medicinal values. This two hour walk, which definitely is not enough, will take you into the realms of Traditional Malay Medicine, how the practice evolved, and some of the techniques used in the preparations of the medicine. He will take time to demonstrate some of the techniques to you.

The walk-talk session can be customized to your needs or to a special topic you want him to discuss on. You will need to inform him of your needs when you make your appointment for the walk. Otherwise the walk will be a general one showing you the interesting features of some of the plants in his collection.

At the end of the session you will be led to his little Balai for tea and a taste of some local fares perpared by his petite wife Dayang. Food will be served on the Balai in the traditional Malay style. An experience you will cherish for a long time, we hope.

Days Available for the walk

Rates (RM)

Fridays & Saturdays

not available

The rainforest is a dynamic system and indeed very much alive teeming with the creations of the Creator. As you walk into our rainforest  you will notice that it is not quiet but on the contrary you will hear a constant overture created by the musicians of the rainforest.

Our walk will take you through a track exclusively cut to ensure you will experience the many features of the rainforest. Along the way we will show you the various medicinal plants that we use  to treat various ailments.

The three hour walk will break for half an hour for you to rest your feet and enjoy the sandwiches Dayang has packed in  our specially made rainforest tote bag.

The walk will end at Dr. Ghani's house where lunch is ready for you on the Balai. Lunch will be in traditional Malay style with rice and the usual dishes of curry, ulam (Malay Salad), cooked vegetables and some other surprises. This will be finished with coffee/tea and a chat.

Days Available for the walk

Rates (RM)

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays

not available

The mangrove swamp used to be the last place anyone wants to be. The stench puts people off and the dirty, sticky muds shuns most from getting near it.

Today there is much renewed interest in the mangrove swamp as people begin to realise why the Almighty created it. The importance of this buffer zone is now realised and in itself has become an attraction.

The three hour cruise along the Ayer Hangat River will take you deep into the mangrove at times we will not hesitate to insist that you get your feet wet . And why not? The more interesting things lies deeper within the mangrove swamp. Unlike the others we take you on our wooden perahu and cruise you along at a leisurely pace so you can enjoy the serenity of the place.

Like the rainforest it is also a dynamic system renewing itself constantly. Harvesting some of the timber within will allow the younger trees to mature faster. However, we abhored at the destruction of the swamp to give way to the artificial aquaculture industry.

The cruise will end at Dr. Ghani's house where lunch is ready for you on the Balai. Lunch will be in traditional Malay style with rice and the usual dishes of curry, ulam (Malay Salad), cooked vegetables and some other surprises. This will be finished with coffee/tea and a chat.

Days Available for the walk

Rates (RM)

The Guide Team:

Dr. Abdul Ghani Hussain (aka Dr. Ghani) - He is a reknown figure in Langkawi after practicing Medicine in Langkawi for 23 years. He now set aside his practice to concentrate on the study of Traditional Malay Medicine and Islamic Medicine. He has been actively collecting medicinal plants since 2000 and his collection today amounts to more than 500 different species and it is growing steadily.

Mohd. Shah Zakaria (aka Pak Long Bashah) - Another well known figure in Langkawi amongst the locals. Pak Long Bashah knows every inch of the islands like the back of his hands. His knowledge of the  flora of the rainforest far exceeds even the dons at the universities, he is a source of information to them. And why shouldn't he? At a ripe age of 72 he has made the rainforest his playground since childhood and made sure he knows every single tree and their uses. For he uses them daily in his work.

Mohd. Nor Aripin (aka Bang Non) - Bang Non is a seasoned nature guide. Eventhough he is unlettered, his knowledge of the fauna of the rainforest is astounding. He can practically smell a mousedeer or the python if any is within close range. He will not fail to amuse you with is acute sense of smell and sight. However, when talking to him be sure to increase your volume a little as he is hard on hearing.

 Together we will make your walk in the rainforest and cruise in the mangrove swamp a memorable one