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Malaysia

Borneo Wildlife Safari & Volunteering Experience

A perfect program for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. It'll be an opportunity for you to get closer to nature, and observe the little things that tourists often tend to miss out.

Highlights

  • Implement habitat restoration efforts in the Lower Kinabatangan floodplains, a region rich in flora and fauna but facing habitat loss
  • Observe and learn about orangutans, pygmy elephants, and other endangered species, exploring their life cycles and the complex roles they play in biodiversity
  • Engage with the local community in conservation initiatives
  • Promote awareness of responsible living and travel among tourists, residents, and students
  • Recognize the threats to habitats and wildlife, and take personal action to foster positive change
  • Meet volunteer travelers from different parts of the world
Safari na Selvatia - Fauna de Bornéu e vida selvagem

Overview

Experience the goodness of living amidst nature and get closer to the wildlife in Borneo!

Volunteering Solutions has curated an amazing & affordable Wildlife Volunteering Program in Borneo, Malaysia, which will enable you to experience the goodness of local living, apart from contributing meaningfully towards the conservation of the flora & fauna.

As a volunteer, you'll get to live amidst the mysterious Borneo Rainforests and work at the region located along the Lower Kinabatangan River. This wildlife sanctuary is home to singing gibbons, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, hornbills and the pygmy elephant as well as a host of other rarely seen wildlife.

The main part of the project will be in Sukau village and you will live among the gentle Orang Sungai or 'People of the River' learning their ways of life and joining them in their homes for meals. You will contribute significantly towards habitat restoration work by planting trees and maintaining planting sites important for orangutans and pygmy elephants.

A perfect program for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, one can have a meaningful learning experience as well. It'll be an opportunity for you to get closer to nature, and observe the little things that tourists often tend to miss out.


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

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 10 - 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)

The project involves wildlife observation 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 forest in the area to encourage healthy orangutan and pygmy elephant populations.

Day 11 - Travel to explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.(B,L)

Day 12 - Check out and transfer to Sandakan Airport. (B)


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

In a span of 12 days, this project will let you have an insight into the lives of the people as well as observe the animals closely. As a part of this program, you'll get to play a significant role in the following areas:

Wildlife Population Observation - This entails cruising along the river to observe the endangered wildlife roaming the forest along the river banks. A lot of time is spent observing wildlife and their habitat. This will be done from a boat cruising along the main river and its tributaries within the wildlife sanctuary.

Habitat Restoration - The most crucial activity in ensuring the survival of wildlife. You will take part in tree-planting, nursery care, and seedling generation, sapling maintenance, mulching, composting, clearing invasive species and tree growth data recording.

Community Development - This involves the development of a continuous project with the community of a local village. You will learn some skills required for their daily livelihood upgradation and maybe assist them as well.

Jungle Trekking - As an introduction to the flora and fauna of the rainforest, you will go for a trek to understand what the rainforest traditionally offers the inhabitants in terms of medication, food & survival.

Cultural & Community Interaction - Contributing back to the community is a big part of this project. Most lunch and dinners will be in the private homes of individual villagers. You may get to hear about their daily lives, chat with the children, learn their family structure and see how the Orang Sungai have been living off the rivers and jungles for centuries.

Note: Not all activities will be included on your itinerary. Changes to the activities will occur subject to weather conditions, school calendar, community and project requirements.


Project Requirement

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. 

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Living

Living

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'll be provided with dorm-style accommodation, where you need to share a room with 2 others, mostly based on the same-gender basis. There are shared warm water showers and toilets. A communal kitchen and basic cooking facilities are available. The washing machine is also available.

At Sukau, you'll be staying at a Village style B&B, in order to get a feel of the local living. You'll be sharing your room with 2-3 other volunteers.

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 head out and explore Borneo’s wilderness and spend some time hiking through the jungles. Over the weekends, you can plan a trek to Kota Kinabalu and feel the eeriness of the rainforests. You’ll also get to spend time exploring the rural areas, converse with the local people and get to know more about their lives amidst nature. It’ll definitely be worth experiencing.


Dates

Dates

June

21

July

21

August

21

Available

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Booked Out


Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
1 Week $1595

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

WHAT ARE YOU 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”
  • 11 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
  • Govt Taxes

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

  • International Airfare
  • Visa Fees
  • Vaccinations
  • Medical & Travel Insurance
  • Any single supplement accommodation charges
  • Meals and accommodation when travelling independently or on off Days
  • Personal expenses

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Malaysia?

Can I volunteer in Malaysia with a friend?

Will I have any scope of direct interaction with the animals?

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?

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Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Malaysia volunteer programs?

Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?

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Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?

Flights and Visa

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Accommodation and Living

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What time zone will I be in?

How much extra money will I need to carry for my volunteering trip to Malaysia?

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Health and Safety

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