Overview
Volunteer with Indigenous Communities on Conservation Projects in Borneo

Volunteer in Borneo with a local organisation that aims to provide sustainable alternative sources of income for the community, whilst simultaneously protecting the diverse rainforest and its wildlife. The volunteer project is based on the Kinabatangan River, home to orang-utans, gibbons, the endemic proboscis monkey, Borneon pygmy elephants, otters, crocodile, langur monkeys, and a host of rare and spectacular bird species that volunteers may see during their stay.

Volunteer work is physical, varied and depends on the needs of the community at the time. Most volunteers will assist with forest habitat restoration and wetland lake restoration which provides critical habitat, food and nesting areas for orang-utans and other wildlife. Other roles may include developing nature interpretation trails, building work at the Eco-Camp and conducting basic wildlife surveys. It is also hoped that volunteers might prove useful with IT skills and teaching the local community English.

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Get involved in this pioneering community and environmental project; it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! Situated in the heart of S.E Asian bio-diversity, volunteers from any background will find their efforts directly benefiting the communities and wildlife that call Borneo home.

Tom Hewitt, Project Volunteer Team 2009

What Difference Does This Project Make?

This initiative aims to provide sustainable alternative sources of income for local indigenous people by increasing ecotourism opportunities. As well as this, volunteers will help to save and restore habitats for rare and threatened wildlife species, such as orang-utans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, elephants and otters, amongst others. Volunteers will help sustain ongoing habitat restoration work, such as forest habitat restoration and wetland lake restoration. These efforts provide critical habitats for food, movement and nesting structures, and link forest and wetland waterways.

Highlights

Working with a pioneering local community dedicated to protecting the rainforest, living with a host family, playing volleyball with the locals, washing in the Kinabatangan River, observing incredible wildlife during your working day. Exploring the local area in your time off and visit places such as; Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, the Gomantong Caves (home to millions of bats and swiftlets) and Sipadan Island (arguably one of the best dive sites in the world).

Location

South and towards the interior region of Borneo, the lower Kinabatangan is a much written about location. Richer than almost anywhere in South East Asia in wildlife, it is a hotspot for rare and endangered species. The river is surrounded by small patches of forest hemmed in by oil palm plantations. The river remains crucial to the survival of many species and its protection is of paramount importance. An evening or dawn boat ride is an experience that should not be missed, not only to catch sight of rare and spectacular primates and birdlife species seen nowhere else but also to experience the sheer breathtaking beauty of the river.

Field Conditions

Participants will either be living with a local family in the village (home stay) or camping in the forest. In the village you will learn to live in a traditional way and spend a lot of time with your host family. In the forest camps, you may have to cook for yourselves with basic facilities. All local food is usually rice-based with fish and chicken as the main protein sources, however the local people do love their food and make wonderful pastries, fried bananas and amazing curries. Vegetarians can be catered for with a good amount of variety with advance warning.