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.
Program 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.
Volunteer Testimonials
The project's run by the local people for the local people, which is fantastic. Seeing the wildlife of Borneo was amazing, but what really made my trip was the people. The people in the village are so incredibly friendly and generous, and really made me feel like part of their community. It's wonderful to see them working for themselves to preserve and promote the jungle. Staying with families and really experiencing their lifestyle was brilliant, and I know that I will always have a family in Malaysia too.
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
