
Travel to Borneo, and see how you can aid orangutan conservation whilst meeting indigenous tribes-people on this exciting wildlife safari!
Today’s children are becoming increasingly engaged with the world around them. Whilst many of us grew up watching cartoons without much to say, modern films and television shows often possess an important message at their core – and why shouldn’t they? After all, providing our children with an enjoyable way to learn about the environment and global cultures can certainly be valuable – and here at The Great Projects, we believe that your next family holiday could be another exciting way to discover!
By joining a family volunteer project in Borneo, you and your little ones will embark on the educational adventure of a lifetime. You will visit the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain Forest area of Borneo, home to the WWF-protected ‘Corridor of Life’: a region of tremendous importance in sustaining wildlife, from the iconic orangutan to the empathetic pygmy elephant. While these animals are indeed adorable, their homes have sadly been damaged or even lost as a result of deforestation, and without environmental intervention, they may not survive another generation. Under the guidance of a professional facilitator, you and your family will help to reforest these areas of depleted land, which in turn will provide a lifeline to many of Borneo’s most endangered species.
When you’re not out exploring the rainforest, you will have the unique opportunity to learn all about your environment from those who know it best: the Orang Sungai! Also known as the ‘People of the River’, the Orang Sungai will be your hosts for the majority of your time on the project, sharing not only their homes with you but their way of life too. This provides a fantastic opportunity for your children to learn about a culture different from their own and may have a positive impact on shaping their view of the world.
This project aims to provide a meaningful, educational experience for all involved; not only for you and your children but for the people and animals who call the rainforest home. So if you’re looking for a better way to holiday, then look no further than this family volunteer experience in Borneo.
Today’s children are becoming increasingly engaged with the world around them. Whilst many of us grew up watching cartoons without much to say, modern films and television shows often possess an important message at their core – and why shouldn’t they? After all, providing our children with an enjoyable way to learn about the environment and global cultures can certainly be valuable – and here at The Great Projects, we believe that your next family holiday could be another exciting way to discover!
By joining a family volunteer project in Borneo, you and your little ones will embark on the educational adventure of a lifetime. You will visit the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain Forest area of Borneo, home to the WWF-protected ‘Corridor of Life’: a region of tremendous importance in sustaining wildlife, from the iconic orangutan to the empathetic pygmy elephant. While these animals are indeed adorable, their homes have sadly been damaged or even lost as a result of deforestation, and without environmental intervention, they may not survive another generation. Under the guidance of a professional facilitator, you and your family will help to reforest these areas of depleted land, which in turn will provide a lifeline to many of Borneo’s most endangered species.
When you’re not out exploring the rainforest, you will have the unique opportunity to learn all about your environment from those who know it best: the Orang Sungai! Also known as the ‘People of the River’, the Orang Sungai will be your hosts for the majority of your time on the project, sharing not only their homes with you but their way of life too. This provides a fantastic opportunity for your children to learn about a culture different from their own and may have a positive impact on shaping their view of the world.
This project aims to provide a meaningful, educational experience for all involved; not only for you and your children but for the people and animals who call the rainforest home. So if you’re looking for a better way to holiday, then look no further than this family volunteer experience in Borneo.
Please note itineraries are subject to change and what follows is simply a rough guideline.
To secure a place on this project a deposit of $245 per person is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due any time up to 60 days prior to your start date.
Select a duration below to see the available start dates. All dates shown are currently available for you to join this project.
During your time on this project, your family will stay in a range of accommodations across various styles and locations.
Sepilok: For your first night in the rainforest, you will stay in a traditional longhouse. Your room will be dormitory-style, with a number of bunk beds available. Depending on the size of your group, you may share the dorm room with another family. There are showers and western-style toilets available downstairs, which you will also share with the other families on this trip.
Sukau: During the project, you and your family will stay in a comfortable and authentically Bornean B&B located within walking distance of the centre of the village and the jetty - a wonderful opportunity for you to familiarise yourselves with a brand-new culture! Each bedroom can accommodate up to three people and also provides access to an en-suite bathroom. Please note that families of 3 or more may be split into 2 or more rooms depending on room structure and availability.
Sandakan: For your final night, you will stay in a comfortable room in the equivalent of a 3-star hotel in Sandakan town. Each private room can accommodate up to three people and comes with its own en-suite, complete with western toilets and hot-water showers.
All meals and beverages are provided and are included in the price of the project, though breakfast is to be prepared by volunteers. Lunch and dinner are prepared by local villagers in their homes, presenting a great opportunity to hear about their daily lives, chat with the children, and to see how the community has been living for centuries! If you or your children have any dietary requirements, we kindly ask that you let us know in advance so that the correct meals can be prepared for you during your stay.
There is no specific 'best' time to join this project, as wildlife is visible all year round.
The weather is also quite constant throughout, with temperatures averaging 29-33°C (84-91°F) in the daytime and 24°C (75°F) at night. Whilst it can rain all year round due to it being a rainforest climate, the rainy season is typically between November and February, making March to October a popular time to volunteer.
You will need to arrive into Sandakan Airport between 7am and 4pm on the start date of your project. You will be met by a project representative in the arrivals hall and transferred by road to your first night's accommodation. This transfer will take around 45 minutes, and is included in your project fee.
There is no prior visa required for most nationalities to enter Malaysia as a 90-day tourist visa is granted on arrival. However, please check the Malaysian Immigration website for detailed information. Visas are of your own responsibility.
While the work on this project is not necessarily difficult, there is an element of activity involved in reforestation. For this, you will need to kneel down in order to plant the saplings, and you must be able to work in a humid climate. Additionally, your family will embark on a trek which may cover tricky terrain. There are no specific skills required in order to join this project – all we ask is that you come with a willingness to learn and to get involved with conservation efforts!
There are no specific vaccination or medical requirements needed to join this project and as such, the vaccinations you require will depend on your medical history. We, therefore, recommend that you consult your GP/Doctor regarding your own immunisation needs.
We are often asked whether or not volunteers will have the chance to touch or play with the orangutans whilst on this project. Our answer to this question is, and will always be no, and this is for good reason.
Orangutans are highly susceptible to human diseases and something as minor as the common cold can prove fatal to these great apes. An orangutan is also around 7 times stronger than an adult male human so a no-contact policy is just as crucial for your wellbeing as orangutan welfare.
That is not to say that as a volunteer you will have no interaction with the orangutans, it simply means that you will have no direct contact with them. You will still hope to observe them whilst in the Corridor of Life and see them at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. For more information please view our article on hands-on contact with orangutans here.