Duties

On this tour you will discover more about the positive conservation efforts being made, uncovering some of the existing problems and some of the solutions to sustaining orangutan populations in the safe havens of Malaysia.

With the extinction of orangutans being predicted in 20 years, you can be part of the solution. Your money goes directly into supporting our projects. In particular, you will be helping to support the Iban tribes with ecotourism money. This gives them the means to protect their native jungle where wild orangutans live in peace and harmony, it helps them afford education and healthcare for their children and allows them to live in a traditional manner within their long house communities whilst still meeting their modern aspirations.

Since this a voluntour, you should go with an open mind, appreciating the opportunity to discover new lifestyles and cultures, enjoying yourself, learning more about orangutans and their conservation and interacting with your fellow travellers.

Your actions and attitude towards your host community are paramount to its success. You will be entering a culture and lifestyle very different to that which you are used to. By adopting your responsibilities and being open to everything this tour has to offer, you will not only improve the quality of your experience but, more importantly, improve the quality of life for the host destination.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo (airport code KCH)
Day 2: Orangutan & Animal Wildlife Centre
Day 3: Work at the Orangutan centre - Matang wildlife centre
Day 4-6: Bako National Park
Day 6: Bako National Park and Damai beach

Day 7: Sarawak Cultural Village
Day 8: Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre & Transfer to Batang Ai - Orangutan country!
Days 9 to 12: Batang Ai rainforest
Day 13: Transfer back to Kuching
Day 14: Departure

Please enquire for a full itinerary of one of our most diverse and exciting Voluntours!

What Makes this Project Great

1) Your tour employs local guides, supports local communities wishing to live in harmony with their rainforest home and demonstrates that orangutans and forests are worth more alive than chopped down. This is a virtuous circle, generating interest within the local community and authorities to place value on their natural heritage and virtually guarantees the protection of orangutan populations in this area.

2) You will gain an insight into the world of the orangutan and learn more about conservation. You will experience a meaningful holiday that you will be able to share with others, increasing the awareness of this amazing great ape.
3) Know that you are travelling with a company that is run by environmentalists, not big business. Your values are shared by us and your holiday will be run responsibly and environmentally.

FAQs

Is there an age limit?
Travellers should be aged 18 or over though there are no upper age restrictions. The only provision is that you are fit and healthy.
What level of fitness is needed on this placement?
The work is physical and the temperature high so volunteers should have a decent fitness level. Please note that the terrain in the National Park is hilly and you will be expected to be able to jungle trek in hot and humid environments, if you cannot you will be left behind so it is worth undertaking a fitness regime beforehand.
I don't like bugs, will I see many?
You are entering the Rainforest. You will see a large selection of bugs, insects and reptiles alike. An open mind is all that is needed to maximise enjoyment of this programme. Our guides are there to ensure your safety.

During jungle trekking there will always be a guide leading you, ensuring the pathway is safe and there will be a guide following your group. If you return to your accommodation to find an unwanted visitor go to your guide who will help.
Where will my donation go?
Donations are spent on:
1. Enrichment - food (food parcels and a wide variety of different interesting foods) and physical enrichment (like hammocks and rope swings)
2. Construction - on materials and tools for getting orangutans out of cages and maintaining existing outdoor enclosures (everything from spades, to cement, to wheelbarrows, to nuts and bolts)

3. Reforestation - helping to create more species diverse forest by planting primary rainforest species under the pioneer tree canopy ( such as dipterocarpaceae, fabaceae and malvaceae) in certain areas. Also, we plant up species where we create destruction during the building process, such as recently when a digger dug out the island moats.
Is insurance needed?
Yes, insurance is compulsory and without it you will not be allowed to go jungle trekking. You should specifically mention to your insurance company that you will be jungle trekking and spending time around semi wild animals. We can recommend insurance if needed.
Can I talk to previous volunteers?
Yes, and we encourage you to do so. If you have a Facebook account you can join our The Great Orangutan Project group where many of our previous volunteers post photos and talk about their experiences. You can also find out more in by visiting our reviews section.

How do I go about booking my flights?
Please try to book your flights as far as possible in advance of your departure as flights become more expensive with time. We will provide you with some additional information in the 'Know Before You Go' pack that we send when we have received your deposit. If you have any difficulties feel free to contact our support team.
Do I need a mosquito net?
Volunteers sometimes leave behind their mosquito nets but we cannot guarantee availability so if in any doubt please bring your own.

For more FAQs please see our FAQ section here

Reviews

Mollie Heywood from Melbourne Australia says its great for all the family!
For me this was the most perfect holiday (and family birthday present) that I could have wished for. It was particularly special that all 3 generations were involved from 80 down to 9 and we all coped with any physical demands, there was no dissension but a lot of fun and great enjoyment. For anyone with a love for the animals on this planet and preservation of their habitat, this provides an enlightening experience and I feel very privileged to have been part of it.

Andrea Willis gives this project 8/10
What were the highlights of your trip that you could not wait to tell your friends about?
I really enjoyed spending time with the Iban community when staying in the jungle. I also enjoyed visiting Matang Rehabilitation centre and learning about the orangutans from Leo. I got to feed big George a piece of pumpkin!

Fiona Dewey gives this project 9/10
What were the highlights of your trip that you could not wait to tell your friends about?
Seeing the Orangutans was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip! But, also travelling by longboat into the heart of the jungle was also an amazing experience!

Aimee Mattock gives this project 10/10
What were the highlights of your trip that you could not wait to tell your friends about?
Living in the jungle was fab. I really enjoyed meeting the locals and seeing how they live. Also helping out at Matang and being involved with the animals was a total bonus. Oh and the moonshine!

Michelle Holland gives this project 8/10
What were the highlights of your trip that you could not wait to tell your friends about?
It would have to be the trekking in the jungle and meeting the Iban Longhouse people. The people were amazing and so generous to allow us to join them in their house. I had a fabulous time and feel in love with the people. I also really enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers on my trip and Francis our guide was a dream.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Learning about conservation of animals has changed the way that I veiw things like zoos and nature parks. I still understand that they have a place in society, but I am trying to educate my friends about the bigger role of conservation and how it is not just about realising animals from captivity .There is so much more too it. Leo was amazing - Mr Conservation - there is nothing he does not know.

Sherry Mills gives this project 9/10
What were the highlights of your trip that you could not wait to tell your friends about?
Getting close to the orangutans, and other animals, some I had never seen or heard of before, and helping with the cleaning and feeding at Matang. Spending time with the Iban people and staying at the longhouse Bako was lovely and beautiful and restful, and it was great to see the macaques running around

Important Information

Visas
Provided on arrival at airport.
Vaccinations
We recommend a course of malaria tablets and to consult with your local GP about what other vaccines are required. Contact us if you have any queries following consultation with your doctor.
Insurance
You will require special insurance for this project. Please let your insurance company know the nature of your trip. Do not hesitate to contact us with any queries and we will be able to suggest insurance policies relevant to your travels.

Accommodation
Participating in the ORTT, you will stay in three very different locations; a boutique guesthouse in Kuching, dormitory accommodation in Matang Wildlife Park and in a jungle chalet in Batang Ai.
Kuching: During your time in Kuching, stay in our favourite boutique guesthouse - enjoy all the mod cons such as the internet, television and phones accomodation will be on a shared room basis.
Matang: You will be living on the grounds of the Matang Wildlife Centre that hosts the Great Orangutan Project. It is in an idyllic setting in a remote rainforest area, inside of Kubah National Park, with a small river running through it. You will be able to swim in the river, which is happily devoid of leeches, which is just as well since the weather can be very hot. There will also be short bursts of rain most days so be prepared for that, and the ground can be slippery under foot.
Telephone communications are poor though we ensure that you can phone out for emergencies us

Please read our responsible volunteer policy and orangutan protection policy on responsible volunteering abroad with primates.

What's Included:
• Airport transfers
• Overland transportation
• Single accommodation
• Food (3 meals a day)
• Activities on project site
• Conservation donation.

What's Not Included:
• All flights
• Vaccinations
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic beverages

Videos

Below is the video for The Great Orangutan Project which shows the centre at which volunteers will be staying and working at for part of their trip (The Matang Wildlife Centre).