Help the indigenous Orang Sungai community protect their rainforest habitat
 view from the Kinabata_0.jpg "View of Village")
_0.jpg "Out on the River")
 view from the Kinabata.jpg "View of Village")
.jpg "Out on the River")
Program Overview
Join us on the banks of the lower Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Borneo and experience one of the richest wildlife areas in the whole of South East Asia. Orangutans, pygmy elephants, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, otters and crocodiles are just some of the many species you may get to see.
Assist our local partners with their work to provide alternative and sustainable sources of income for the community whilst simultaneously protecting the rainforest and its wildlife.
You will live and work with the local community who will welcome you into their village and teach you about their wonderful culture.
Life on the Program
You will be involved in supporting community based ecotourism activities and/or conservation work. Most of the conservation work, such as forest and wetland restoration is very labour intensive but extremely important as it helps provide critical habitat, food and nesting areas for orang-utans and other wildlife.
To immerse you deep into the culture and the community you will live with local ‘Orang Sungai’ families in the village and they will share their homes and lives with you – from the traditional food to their favourite modern pastimes volleyball and karaoke.
Project Details
Join us on the banks of the lower Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Borneo and experience one of the richest wildlife areas in the whole of South East Asia. Orangutans, pygmy elephants, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, otters and crocodiles are just some of the many species you may get to see.
Assist our local partners with their work to provide alternative and sustainable sources of income for the community whilst simultaneously protecting the rainforest and its wildlife.
You will live and work with the local community who will welcome you into their village and teach you about their wonderful culture.
How this project makes a difference:
The indigenous Orang Sungai people of the Lower Kinabatangan have been living off the rainforest for food, medicine, household commodities and products of trade for hundreds of years. Recent deforestation has depleted these resources and many locals were forced to poach timber to survive.
GVI assists our partners create alternative income generation for the people of the area whilst also protecting the rainforest and traditional indigenous culture.
Volunteer Testimonials
I wanted to be in a position to observe wildlife and to make a contribution for animals. The best part of the experience was making friends in the village and having the people treat me as though I were one of them. Seeing the way the eco camp developed from the time I arrived and started working on it to when I left and it was ready for tourists was inspiring. The most emotional experience I had was the night before I left when the entire village, 200 people, had a good-bye celebration for me, I cried!
All the local people were so hospitable, kind and caring, that it felt like home immediately. The local manager was awesome - he was so passionate about the project. I also did some trips on my own; I went to Sandakan, Sepilok (the Orang Utan sanctuary) and Semporna, where I snorkelled with turtles. All experiences that I will never forget! I think it's amazing to experience the culture and habits of a country from the inside. When you stay with a host family on a project, you will feel like one of the locals and a part of the family.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
