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Family Volunteer Adventure in Malaysia
What can be better than experiencing a volunteer vacation with your family while spending a week amidst the wilderness of the Sabah region in Malaysia? The project is located within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, home to singing gibbons, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, hornbills, and the pygmy elephant as well as a host of other rarely seen wildlife. Here, you will carry out habitat restoration work by planting trees and maintaining planting sites that are vital for orangutans and pygmy elephants. Your stay in the village in the sanctuary and visit the homes of the gentle Orang Sungai or 'People of the River' in Sukau Village. If you manage to get them to warm up to you, you may be lucky enough to witness their ways of life and learn more about their families.
This program places you and your family in Sukau Village, inside the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Borneo. Days are spent cruising the river to observe orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and other wildlife, planting trees and tending seedlings for habitat restoration, joining a rainforest trek, and sharing meals with Orang Sungai families in the village. It suits families traveling together, with children aged and up accompanied by a parent, and a minimum of two participants per booking.
The program runs 7 days, with a fixed start on 11 Jun 2027. You stay in a mix of dorm-style, village bed-and-breakfast and hotel accommodation, sharing rooms as a family, and eat Malaysian-style meals cooked in local homes or small restaurants as listed in the itinerary. It costs $1,224, deposit ($249) included. The program is built specifically so each family member, including children, takes part in the same conservation and cultural activities together.
- Volunteer with your family and do something meaningful, get to work for wildlife conservation, Habitat Restoration, Community Development, and Education
- Work for uniquely designed programs for families so that each member gets to actively participate
- Excellent opportunity to spend a week with your family doing something worthy
- Explore the picturesque destination of Sabah in Borneo and make the most of your weekend
- Learn more about the animals dwelling in the rainforests, their lives and how to conserve their natural habitat
- Gain first-hand international work experience and make a difference through your active contribution
- Savor the tastes of delicious Malaysian cuisine
- Meet some amazing travelers from different parts of the world
Your role on this program
- Observe wildlife from a boat cruising the river and its tributaries, helping note species along the banks
- Plant trees and maintain nursery seedlings and saplings at habitat restoration sites
- Clear invasive species, mulch and compost at planting areas
- Record tree growth data to support restoration monitoring
- Trek through the rainforest to learn how local communities traditionally use its plants for food and medicine
- Share lunches and dinners in villagers' homes and talk with Orang Sungai families about their way of life
- Visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
Volunteers do not handle or provide medical or veterinary care to wildlife; observation, planting and site maintenance are done under the guidance of an English-speaking project coordinator, and boat trips and treks are led by local staff. Parents remain responsible for supervising their own children throughout, particularly during long boat rides, and duties may vary with the placement's needs.
A typical day and week
Day 1 – Arrival at Sandakan Airport and transfer to accommodation. Meet all your fellow volunteers during the Welcome dinner. A short Briefing Session will be held on this day. (Meals -D)
Day 2 to Day 5 – You’ll be traveling to Sukau, which is your Program Location. There will be a short orientation, followed by a health & safety talk. You’ll commence your project work under the guidance of your coordinator. It’ll be an immensely enriching journey, observing the people and the wildlife, and living amidst nature.
The project involves observing Bornean wildlife in order to collect important wildlife population data. Habitat restoration work involves tree-planting and maintenance activities at high priority areas. These are crucial in connecting fragmented forests in the area to encourage healthy orangutan and pygmy elephant populations.
(Meals – B,L,D)
Day 6 – Travel to explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.(Meals – B,L)
Walk through the Rainforest Discovery Centre to reinforce what you have learned about the Borneo rainforest in the last few days. Before lunch, visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre where you’ll learn about the challenges of orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation.
Day 7 – Check out and transfer to Sandakan Airport.(Meals – B)
Things to Consider : Parents must be aware that there are long boat rides lasting between 1 to 3 hours. These boats are long and narrow and moving in the boats will not be possible. Children must be able to sit still and listen to instructions. Several activities will require boat trips to locations that are far from the lodge and it takes time to get to any medical facility. Parents must understand that if their children are ill, it will take between 1 – 3 hours to get to any medical facility depending on the location they are in.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Program itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival at Sandakan Airport and transfer to accommodation. Meet all your fellow volunteers during the Welcome dinner. A short Briefing Session will be held on this day. (Meals -D)
Day 2 to Day 5 - You'll be traveling to Sukau, which is your Program Location. There will be a short orientation, followed by a health & safety talk. You'll commence your project work under the guidance of your coordinator. It'll be an immensely enriching journey, observing the people and the wildlife, and living amidst nature. (Meals - B,L,D)
Day 6 - Travel to explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.(Meals - B,L,D)
Day 7 - Check out and transfer to Sandakan Airport.(Meals -B)
Note: Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age for children, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Minimum of two participants required per booking
- No previous conservation experience needed, but you should be ready for physical, outdoor work
- Good general health and fitness, including tolerance for boat rides lasting up to three hours
- Open, flexible attitude toward basic shared accommodation and local food
- Travel/medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
- Volunteers with special dietary needs must bring their own food, as local kitchens cannot cater to them
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The project operates in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, working from Sukau Village alongside the local Orang Sungai community. Activities are organized around a fixed itinerary, with an English-speaking project coordinator directing wildlife observation, habitat restoration, and community visits, and a health and safety talk given before work begins at the project site.
Because activities take place some distance from medical facilities by boat, parents are asked to judge honestly whether their children can sit still for long rides and follow instructions. Volunteers assist with tasks such as tree planting, nursery care and data recording; they are not conservation scientists or medical staff, and the contribution is one week of practical support to ongoing restoration work already run by the local team, not a stand-alone project.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Animal welfare policyOur rules for wildlife, marine and animal-care projects
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in MalaysiaCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $1,224 |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Pre Departure Information and Support
- Conservation contribution to the project
- All facilities and equipment for conservation work
- English speaking Project Coordinator
- 1 Work T-shirt for each participant
- All activities, tools & materials included in “Project Days”
- 6 nights at designated shared accommodation
- Airport Pickup from Sandakan Airport (SDK) and transfer to accommodation
- Arrival transfer from airport to Sepilok lodging
- Transfer from Sepilok Lodging to project site accommodation
- Departure transfer to Sandakan Airport (SDK)
- Project introduction and orientation in village project site
- Boat and river transfers on “Project Days”
- Entrance fees to Rehabilitation & Conservation Centers
- Welcome dinner on arrival day in Sepilok
- Selected meals as per the Itinerary
- Government Taxes
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
- International Airfare
- Visa Fees
- Vaccinations
- Medical & Travel Insurance
- Any single supplement accommodation charges
- meals and accommodation when traveling independently or on off Days
- Personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
A representative from the local team will be there at the Sandakan Airport to pick you up and transfer you to the accommodation.
The nearest airport to the Sabah Region is Sandakan Airport (SDK), which is a domestic airport. Hence, you’ll have to book your flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA/KLIA2) or Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and then take another flight to Sandakan Airport.
Accurate flight details (flight number, airline, departure city, time of departure and arrival) are crucial to ensure pick up at the correct time.
Make sure that your flight arrives before 4:00 PM on the arrival date, and on the departure date, book a flight that departs after 11:00 AM from Sandakan Airport. Departure transfer will also be provided by us.
Orientation
There will be a detailed Program Orientation, that’ll enable you to know more about the conservation center and what kind of work is carried out there. You’ll also be guided and instructed on the ways in which you need to act and how you can provide your best services while being a part of this project. Our coordinators will be available 24/7, to offer any sort of assistance that you may require.
Accommodation
You and your family will be provided a combination of dorm-style accommodation, shared accommodation in Village Style B & B and hotel.
For the first night, you’ll be provided with dorm-style accommodation, where you need to share a room with other participants on the same project. There are shared warm water showers and toilets.
At Sukau, you’ll be staying at a Village style B&B, in order to get a feel of the local living. It will be a shared room with 2-4 persons to a room with ensuite showers and toilets.
At Sandakan, hotel accommodation shall be provided with 2-4 persons to a room. Ensuite showers and toilets will be there.
Note: Families of 3 or more members may be split into 2 or more rooms depending on the availability of rooms. Please let us know beforehand in case you have any room preferences. Also, this is a volunteering endeavour and we request you not to expect extremely luxurious accommodation. We’ll ensure that you get to have a comfortable, ‘home away from home’ experience while living with us.
Meals
Meals are Malaysian-style village food cooked in local homes or small restaurants. Food that are easily available in your home country will not be available and it will not be possible to cater to special diets and medical needs. Individuals who require special meals will have to bring their food.
During your Free Time
During your free time, you can sit at the cafe by the river and watch the world go by. Bring your binoculars and watch for wildlife! You’ll also get to spend time conversing with the local people and get to know more about their lives amidst nature. It’ll definitely be worth experiencing.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Malaysia
Airport pickup
A local representative meets you at Sandakan Airport (SDK) and transfers you to your accommodation; book your arrival flight to land before 4pm.
First night
You stay in dorm-style accommodation in Sepilok and join a welcome dinner with other volunteers, followed by a short briefing session.
Travel and orientation
You travel to Sukau, your program location, for a short orientation and a health and safety talk before project work begins.
First project days
Work starts under the guidance of your project coordinator, alternating boat-based wildlife observation with habitat restoration tasks such as tree planting and nursery maintenance.
Ongoing support
Coordinators are available 24/7 for any assistance needed during your stay.
From volunteers in Malaysia
Frequently asked questions
What will my family actually do each day?
Most project days combine boat-based wildlife observation, tree planting and nursery work, a rainforest trek, and meals or conversation with Orang Sungai families in Sukau Village, though the exact mix can shift with weather or site needs.
Who is this program suitable for?
It is designed for families traveling together, with children from accompanied by a parent, and a minimum of two participants per booking; no previous conservation experience is required.
How long does the program run and when can we start?
The program runs 7 days on a fixed date, with the next start on 11 Jun 2027.
What does the price include?
The fee of $1,224, deposit ($249) included, covers accommodation, listed meals, airport transfers, boat and river transfers on project days, entrance fees to the rehabilitation and conservation centers, a project coordinator, and materials for conservation work; flights, visas, vaccinations and insurance are not included.
Where will we stay and what will we eat?
Accommodation is a mix of dorm-style rooms, a village-style bed-and-breakfast in Sukau, and hotel rooms in Sandakan, shared by family members; meals are Malaysian-style village food listed in the itinerary, cooked in local homes or small restaurants.
Will someone meet us at the airport?
Yes, a local representative meets you at Sandakan Airport (SDK); plan your arrival flight before 4pm and your departure flight after 11am.
What support is available during the program?
You have an English-speaking project coordinator, a welcome briefing and health and safety talk, and 24/7 coordinator support; note that the nearest medical facility can be one to three hours away by boat from some project sites.
Do we need travel insurance or vaccinations?
Travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one arranged through Volunteering Solutions; vaccination and visa guidance is sent before departure since these are not included in the program fee.
Will we get close to the orangutans and sun bears?
You visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about their rehabilitation, but volunteers do not handle the animals directly.
What if my child gets sick or needs medical attention?
Because several project locations are one to three hours from any medical facility by boat, parents should be prepared for this and confirm their child can manage the journey and sit still through long boat rides.
Can special diets be accommodated?
No, local kitchens cannot cater to special diets or medical dietary needs, so anyone with these requirements should bring their own food.
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