Volunteer in Malaysia with Volunteering Solutions, which offers the most affordable & meaningful volunteer abroad opportunities. Volunteer work in Malaysia will be a perfect option for nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts, as you'll get to choose between Borneo Wildlife Safari & Volunteering Experience and the Sun Bear Conservation. Volunteer programs in Malaysia are located in Borneo and available all year round.
Volunteering Solutions is one of the best volunteer organizations in Malaysia as:
- Trusted by more than 18,000 past volunteers
- Offers amazing volunteering opportunities all year round
- Provides low-cost volunteer projects including meals and accommodation
- Provides 24/7 on-ground staff support and 100% financial protection
- Arranges incredible weekend add-on tours to explore the city and indulge in other adventure activities
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- Start Dates : All Year Round
- Duration : 2-2 Weeks
- Program Location : Borneo
- Minimum Age : 16 years+
- Certificate - Offered after Program completion
Malaysia - Quick Facts

Program: Family Volunteer Adventure
We absolutely loved the program. The commitment and knowledge of the local community was remarkable and uniquely inspiring for my family. We thoroughly enjoyed helping connect the broken fragments of Borneo rain forest desperately needed by the orangutan, sun bear, clouded leopard as well as other important animal and plant species by planting flowering mega-trees which the support the regeneration of this ancient rain forest. The Family Volunteer Adventure in Borneo provided the perfect opportunity to indulge in our human responsibility to this wonderful planet that we inhabit ... just like those crazy cute orangutans!
Projects available 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...
As a volunteer for this program, you will need to take care of the smallest bears in the world, working to clean their dens and creating...
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...
While volunteering in Malaysia, you'll mostly be in Malacca or Borneo Region. Hence, the best idea would be to explore the nearby areas than traveling far off to Kuala Lumpur or other areas. In Malacca, you can visit A’Famosa Fort, St. Paul's Church, Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary, Melaka Sultanate Palace etc. You can also explore Kota Kinabalu in the northern part of the island of Borneo. Make your travel bucket list and let us help you in the planning!
Kinabatangan River Cruise - During the Weekend, You Can Opt for a Day Trip and Go for the Kinabatangan River Cruise. This river has a length of 560 kilometers and stretches through half of Eastern Sabah. Alongside the riverbanks, there is an abundance of wildlife. During a river cruise, you will have a chance to spot the rare orangutan, the pygmy elephant, proboscis monkeys, and saltwater crocodiles.
Explore the Malacca city - Well, there are several colonial buildings and churches that you can explore in Malacca City. Visit the Christ Church, old Dutch Stadthuys, St. Paul's Cathedral etc., and soak in the city vibes.
Hike up the Kinabalu - When you're there in Borneo, how can you miss climbing Mt.Kinabalu? For those who don't wish to summit but would like to experience the natural beauty of Mt Kinabalu, can go till the base camp and gaze at nature's beauty at it keeps unfolding at every step.
Gaya Street Sunday Market - If you are in a mood to shop find traditional Malaysian artifacts or try the authentic local street food, then what can be a better option than exploring the Sunday market?
If you have anything else in your bucket list or planning to go & explore any of the above-mentioned places, you can simply get in touch with our Travel Experts, who can guide you better in planning your weekend tours. Drop us a mail at traveldesk@volunteeringsolutions.com mentioning your choice of weekend adventures, and we shall cater your needs.
Volunteer in Malaysia - Faq's
Malaysia FAQs
FAQ's Application and Program Details
As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee of $250. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated. You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
- The minimum age requirement for the programs in Malaysia is 18 years.
- No previous experience is required, but one must have the zeal to work hard in the outdoors.
- Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. They should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
- The participant must be in good health.
- There will be a Skype interview, and only after selection your application will be confirmed. In case you are not selected to be a part of the concerned program, a full refund will be provided.
We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.
In our experience of more than 12+ years, we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
You can surely join the program with your friends and family. We would love to host you and your friend(s) at our program locations in Malaysia.
Yes, it would be great if you choose to be a volunteer for more than one program in Malaysia. Since all the programs are related to nature and wildlife, you'll be able to gain a more meaningful insight about the entire work and be able to contribute more effectively if you are staying for longer.
If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.
For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next VolSol program.
Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
As a part of the organization's safety policy, volunteers are not allowed to have direct contact with the animals, however, you'll have ample scope to see the animals in the wild and observe them closely. Know that the animals' behavior cannot be predicted, and thus, we avoid and warm you to get physically closer to them.
Flights and Visa
All travelers need to acquire a visa from a Malaysian Diplomatic Mission in their respective countries unless they are nationals of the visa exempt countries. Nationals of a few countries are eligible to apply for e-Visa. A Malaysian e-Visa is valid for up to 3 months and an e-Visa holder is entitled to stay up to a maximum of 15 or 30 days for each visit in Malaysia.
Health and Safety
We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Malaysia. However, we recommend you take general vaccinations such as:
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis.
- Tetanus.
Note: Copy of doctor's letter / vaccination record required prior to start of project. Original to be sighted on 1st day of project.
Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
Like all of Southeast Asia, Malaysia is also very safe and forward-thinking country with travelers from around the world paying a visit throughout the year. The volunteers are, however, advised to travel in groups, not venture alone at nights and take the basic safety precautions. All volunteers must consult the coordinators (available 24/7) before planning a night out.
Accommodation and Living
Your coordinator will meet you at the airport and will take you to your accommodation and introduce you to our team and other volunteers. You will then be provided with a detailed Program Orientation. We shall provide you with all the guidance to reach the program location.
Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT +8).
The country experiences a tropical climate, hence you should be prepared for the rains in Malaysia. With an annual rainfall in excess of 2500mm in many areas, getting wet is inevitable. The wet season (monsoon) lasts from November to March, with November being the wettest month of all. May to September are the summer months and the best time to volunteer. However, you can plan your trip at any time of the year, and experience the beauty of nature!
You will need to carry extra money for personal expenses, add-on tours, eating out while traveling in Malaysia. For basic personal expenses, a budget of 25-35 USD per week is more than sufficient barring the extra costs of add-on activities. If you’re planning on using credit/debit card in Malaysia, it is advised to let your bank know about your travels beforehand so that they don’t suspicious of your account activity. We also advise all our participants to keep an emergency fund of 200 USD only to be used in case of any emergencies, if one arises.
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