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Borneo Wildlife Safari – 1 Week
Join the 7-day Borneo Wildlife Safari along the Lower Kinabatangan River, home to gibbons, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants. Stay in Sukau village, experience local culture, and help with habitat restoration by planting trees for wildlife. This trip is perfect for nature enthusiasts seeking a short and impactful adventure.
You spend this week along the Lower Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Borneo, based mainly in Sukau village, observing wildlife such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants from a river boat, and taking part in habitat restoration through tree planting, nursery care, and clearing invasive species. Jungle treks and shared meals in Orang Sungai village homes are also part of the week. This program suits nature enthusiasts with no experience needed, as long as you are fit and healthy.
The trip runs 7 days on fixed dates, with the next departure on 21 Oct 2026. You stay in dorm-style accommodation in Sepilok on your first night, then move to a village-style B&B in Sukau shared with two or three other volunteers, before a final hotel night in Sandakan; most breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided as listed in the itinerary. The program costs $1,295, deposit included, and covers a day trip to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre alongside your river-based project work.
Your role on this program
- Cruise the river to observe wildlife such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants
- Assist with tree planting, nursery care, and seedling generation at habitat restoration sites
- Maintain saplings through mulching, composting, and clearing invasive species
- Record tree growth data to support ongoing habitat restoration work
- Join jungle treks to learn about the rainforest's plants and their traditional uses
- Share lunches and dinners in Orang Sungai village homes and take part in community life
- Visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
Wildlife is observed from the river boat or on treks; you do not touch, ride, bathe, or pose for photos with the animals. Habitat restoration tasks such as planting, nursery care, and clearing invasive species are carried out under the guidance of your project coordinator, and the exact activities depend on weather, the community, and the project's needs at the time.
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.(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. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Travel to explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.(B,L)
Day 7 – Check out and transfer to Sandakan Airport. (B)
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.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 18
- Fit and healthy at the time of joining the program
- No previous experience or qualifications needed
- Open mind and flexible attitude toward living and working in a village setting
- Travel and medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
- Accurate flight details supplied in advance so pickup can be arranged at Sandakan Airport
The placement, its limits and your part in it
Your week is organized around a wildlife sanctuary along the Lower Kinabatangan River and the Orang Sungai village of Sukau, where you stay and share meals with local families. An English-speaking project coordinator runs the orientation, health and safety talk, and daily project work, and travel between Sepilok, Sukau, and Sandakan is arranged for you.
Wildlife is observed rather than handled, in line with the animal welfare policy, and any conservation-center visits follow the centers' own rules. Habitat restoration tasks are practical and change with the season and the project's needs, so your contribution is one week of planting, maintenance, and observation support within an ongoing local effort, not a role in decisions about the animals or the land.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- 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 | $1,295 |
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
- Welcome dinner on arrival day in Sepilok
- Project introduction and orientation in village project site
- Transfer from Sepilok Lodging to project site accommodation
- Departure transfer to Sandakan Airport (SDK)
- Boat and river transfers on “Project Days”
- Entrance fees to Rehabilitation & Conservation Centers
- Selected meals as per the Itinerary
- Govt Taxes
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 Transfers
The nearest airport to the Borneo Rainforest 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.
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 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 2-3 persons to a room with ensuite showers and toilets.
At Sandakan, hotel accommodation shall be provided with 2 persons to a room. Ensuite showers and toilets will be there.
Note: Single Room subject to availability – please let us know beforehand, in case you want a private room for yourself.
Meals
Selected meals as indicated in the itinerary shall be provided.
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.
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Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Malaysia
Airport pickup
You are met at Sandakan Airport (SDK) and transferred to your accommodation; arrive before 4pm on your start date and book a departure after 11am on your last day.
First night in Sepilok
You stay in dorm-style accommodation and join a welcome dinner with the other volunteers, followed by a short briefing session.
Travel to Sukau and orientation
You travel to the project location in Sukau, where a short orientation and a health and safety talk take place before project work begins.
Project days and daily support
You start river-based wildlife observation and habitat restoration work under your coordinator's guidance, with coordinators available 24/7 for any assistance you need.
From volunteers in Malaysia
Frequently asked questions
What do volunteers actually do on this program?
You observe wildlife from a river boat, take part in habitat restoration such as tree planting and clearing invasive species, go on a jungle trek, and spend time in Orang Sungai village homes; the exact mix depends on weather and project needs.
Do I need experience to join?
No experience is needed; you just need to be fit and healthy and bring a flexible, open-minded attitude to living in a village setting.
What is a typical day like?
Days combine river cruises to observe wildlife, hands-on habitat restoration work such as planting and nursery care, and time in the village, with one day set aside to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
How long is the program and when does it start?
The program runs 7 days on fixed dates, with the next departure on 21 Oct 2026.
What does the price include?
The program costs $1,295, deposit included, and covers accommodation, most meals as listed in the itinerary, airport pickup and transfers, an English-speaking coordinator, project equipment, entrance fees to the conservation centers, and a program t-shirt; flights, visas, vaccinations, and insurance are not included.
Where will I stay and what will I eat?
You stay in dorm-style accommodation for one night in Sepilok, a shared village-style B&B in Sukau with two or three people per room, and a shared hotel room in Sandakan; most breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided as listed in the itinerary.
How does airport pickup work?
You are picked up at Sandakan Airport (SDK) and transferred to your accommodation, so you need to arrive before 4pm on your start date and book your departure flight after 11am.
What support is available during the program?
An English-speaking project coordinator runs your orientation and daily work, and coordinators are available 24/7 for any assistance you need during the week.
Do I need a visa, vaccinations, or insurance?
Visa requirements, vaccinations, and insurance are not included in the program fee; specific guidance is sent before departure, and travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges.
Will I get close to or handle the animals?
No, wildlife is observed from a boat or on treks rather than handled, following the animal welfare policy; there is no riding, bathing, or posing with the animals on this program.
Who is this program best suited for?
It suits nature and wildlife enthusiasts who want a short, structured week combining river-based wildlife observation, hands-on habitat restoration, and village life, and who are fit, healthy, and comfortable with basic shared accommodation.
Can I change my dates or destination later?
Yes, you can change your program, dates, or destination free of charge up to 45 days before the start date.
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