Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Help to rehabilitate the largest number of rescued orangutans in the world by volunteering at this orangutan sanctuary!

In the midst of Borneo’s tropical rainforest lies the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary. Founded by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) in 1999, this orangutan rehabilitation centre has become home to over 280 orangutans, the largest number of rescued orangutans in the world – and The Great Projects are proud to host the centre’s only volunteer programme.

The primary aim is to rehabilitate orphaned and displaced orangutans, including those who have fallen victim to habitat loss and the pet trade, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild.

Mass deforestation has swept across Borneo to make way for agricultural development. Consequently, Borneo’s great apes have no choice but to wander far and wide in search of food and shelter – all too often straying into unsafe areas such as palm oil plantations, where they are killed or captured by humans. The incredible team at Nyaru Menteng have taken in these orangutans in hopes of providing them with a better future – but with so many orangutans to care for, they need your help.

By assisting with activities such as enrichment, you will help stimulate the minds of the orangutans and enable them to learn and retain the necessary skills they need to survive in the wild for years to come. You will also work with a number of the sanctuary's orangutans that, unfortunately, can never be released due to habituation or illness. Since 2012, the BOSF team has released over 500 orangutans back into the wild, and your efforts will help even more find their way home!

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Lauren Mackinnon

Activities

Enrichment at Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Enrichment Enrichment forms the backbone of this project, and as a volunteer, you'll help create and distribute a wide range of enrichment items, such as hammocks, sacks, ice lollies, coconut husks and bamboo treats. You'll also collect leaves and branches for the orangutans to make their nests for the night! Enrichment encourages natural behaviours, relieves stress, and maintains forest school skills essential for the orangutan's release. This activity is vitally important and extremely rewarding, especially when you watch the orangutans enjoy your creations!
Orangutan Observation at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Orangutan Observation Your journey begins with a river cruise around the orangutan islands, where roughly 70 apes in the final stages of rehabilitation test their forest skills before being released back into the wild. As you navigate the stunning waterways, you'll spot orangutans, learn about the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation's (BOSF) rehabilitation efforts, and discover the apes' unique personalities. Later in your itinerary, you'll return for a closer encounter, heading deeper into the jungle, to observe their behaviour with the orangutan technicians!
Baby Playground - Nyaru Menteng
Observe Orangutans at Baby Playground If you’re a fan of the popular TV series Orangutan Jungle School, you’ll be in for a treat when you spend a few quiet moments watching the baby orangutans as they return from forest school. From a safe distance, you’ll observe the young orangutans wind down after a day of learning and play on their playground (which you may have had the opportunity to work on). This is a heart-warming opportunity to witness the early stages of rehabilitation and the incredible bonds between the young orangutans and their surrogate mothers.
Construction at Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Construction and Maintenance Volunteers are often involved with construction and repair, two ongoing tasks at the sanctuary. Construction and maintenance usually include building platforms and play items for the orangutan playground! With the creation of a whole new island underway for unreleasable orangutans, future construction plans involve building feeding and observational platforms. Whatever you’re helping to build or maintain, the work you are involved with will improve the lives of the orangutans for many years to come.
Volunteers Trek Bukit Tangkiling - Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Reforestation & Tree Care Habitat loss from human development is the primary reason orangutans require the care provided by BOSF. For this reason, volunteers will engage in reforestation and tree care activities. Whether revitalising a degraded patch of forest or planting trees on new orangutan islands, you will play a vital role in restoring areas where native trees are most needed - with the hope that one day, an orangutan might nest in a tree you planted! You will also help nurture young saplings by watering, mulching, and removing invasive weeds, ensuring their healthy growth.
Veterinary Clinic Tour at Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Veterinary Clinic Tour An insightful tour of the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary veterinary clinic with the renowned Dr. Arga (as featured on the TV show Orangutan Jungle School) offers an incredible learning experience for volunteers. Dr. Arga will provide deep insights into BOSF operations, the common diseases affecting orangutans, and the critical threats they face, along with the care and rehabilitation efforts underway. If you have a favourite orangutan, you'll have the unique chance to explore their medical file with the very expert responsible for their care.
Hilltop Trek at Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Hilltop Trek Volunteers take a trip to Bukit Tangkiling for a taste of local culture and a chance to enjoy a scenic hilltop hike. As you ascend the steep hillside, you'll encounter a variety of traditional Dayak buildings and sacred shrines and finish with a stunning view overlooking a horizon full of primary rainforest. Along the way, you'll delve into the legend of Bukit Tankiling and visit a small Hindu temple to soak up the culture, hopefully along with some sunshine.
Night Market Trip - Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Night Market One evening, you'll visit a traditional local night market, an ideal setting to truly immerse yourself in everyday local life. With few tourists around, you'll have the unique opportunity to engage with locals, browse vibrant stalls, and savour distinctive regional dishes. This bustling market is where most residents shop for their daily essentials and groceries, offering a genuine glimpse into the heart of Indonesian culture and lifestyle.
Coconut Cafe Visit - Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary
Coconut Café During your time on the project, you’ll visit Kedai Itah, affectionately nicknamed the coconut café, and its on-site permaculture & sustainable farm. While there to pick up coconut husks to make enrichment items for the orangutans, you’ll have the chance to tour the farm, meet Mooana the cow, and sample stingless bee honey, coconut brownies and butterfly pea flower tea! Plus, the café is a hip spot for live music, so you can sit back with your sustainable snacks and enjoy a local show!

Itinerary

Below is an example of a typical two-week itinerary. Please note however, some activities may be subject to change during the time of your stay, as they are dependent on weather conditions and the requirements of the project at the time.

Day 1 - The Adventure Begins: Upon arrival at Palangkaraya Airport, a project representative will meet you and transfer you to the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary. Once there, you will settle into your accommodation and meet your fellow volunteers. In the evening, you'll enjoy dinner before receiving a full orientation by the volunteer coordinator.
Day 2 - Orangutan Islands: After breakfast, your morning will begin with an incredible river cruise around the orangutan islands. Here, you will have the chance to see the orangutans that are in the final stage of rehabilitation before their eventual release. After lunch, you will take part in your first enrichment activity for the orangutans!
Day 3 - Orangutan Enrichment: This morning, you’ll take part in an enrichment activity which might include making ice lollies or drilling coconut husks and filling the holes with pumpkin mix. You’ll also stop by recently planted saplings to care for them, watering and weeding as you go. After lunch, you'll head out to collect materials for the orangutans to build their nests with!
Day 4 - Bukit Tangkiling: In the morning, you will work on food preparation or enrichment for the orangutans before heading to Bukit Tangkiling after lunch. Here you will embark on a hilltop trek to take in the scenery and learn a little about the local history and culture.
Day 5 - Supply Trip to Town: Today, you'll head into Palangkaraya to purchase supply items for both the volunteers and the orangutans. You'll sit down for a social lunch in town before visiting a nearby tourist market. Today is the perfect day to pick up anything you need and perhaps donate items from the wish list for the orangutans. Once finished, you'll make your way back to the volunteer house to relax before enjoying dinner with your group.
Day 6 - Enrichment & Coconut Café Visit: Back to the orangutans! This morning will see you cutting down bamboo and smearing the hollow insides with pumpkin mix. You’ll also head out to collect nesting materials as orangutans make a new nest every night! This afternoon, you’ll head over to the Coconut Café to pick up coconut husks and tour the on-site permaculture & sustainable farm. Enjoy snacks, drinks and some live music!
Day 7 - Enrichment & Visit the Night Market: This morning, you’ll meet some of the unreleasable orangutans due to injury or illness and focus your attention on making a mix of bamboo, coconut, and ice block enrichment for the orangutans who need it most. You’ll finish up early today to rest before you head out to the local night market, which is a great opportunity to sample some local cuisine.
Day 8 - Day Off: Today is your day off, where you can relax and spend the day as you wish! The volunteer coordinator may suggest a local river swimming spot or heading to a nearby hotel to enjoy some time to wind down after a busy week.
Day 9 - Construction: This morning, you may get stuck in with a construction and maintenance task - this might be helping to fix the orangutan’s baby playground or even creating a new climbing frame to add to it! After a restful lunch break, you’ll either get stuck into creating enrichment or heading out to collect nesting materials.
Day 10 - Reforestation & Preparation: You’ll take part in vital reforestation work this morning, helping to reforest areas that need it most! You'll also help care for the previously planted saplings by watering, mulching and weeding them. The group will have a longer break today, and after lunch, you may help collect nesting materials or prepare the supplies for some unique enrichment activities taking place in the next few days.
Day 11 - Vet Clinic Tour & Babies at Play: This morning, you’ll participate in water enrichment, a favourite activity among the other volunteers! Later, you'll enjoy a special tour of the vet clinic with the renowned Dr Arga - this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your favourite orangutans and their future. Finally, followed by an unforgettable afternoon watching the young orangutans return from jungle school to play in the baby playground!
Day 12 - Grass Enrichment & Orangutan Observation: Today, you will create "fishing" enrichment by spreading pumpkin mix onto pieces of AstroTurf. You'll then watch the clever apes use sticks to scoop up the mix, showcasing their impressive problem-solving skills. Afterwards, embark on a boat journey around the orangutan islands, where you'll have the opportunity to get closer and observe the orangutans at the feeding platforms. It’s the perfect way to round off your experience and see the impact of all your hard work.
Day 13 - Final Day: Sadly, your final day at the project has arrived. Enjoy a lie-in this morning before packing your things and bidding farewell to the project staff, your new-found friends and of course, the orangutans! You will then transfer back to the airport for your flight home, or to commence your onward travel plans.

Durations & Prices

To secure a place on this project, a deposit of $245 is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 60 days before your start date.

Flexible Payment Options: If you select a start date more than 3 months in advance, we offer convenient payment plans, allowing you to pay off your balance in instalments.

Select a duration below to see the available start dates and book your place today!

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Accommodation

Accommodation

You will stay in either an authentic longhouse or one of two houses situated opposite in the jungle surroundings of the sanctuary's grounds. Rooms are based on a twin-share, same-sex basis with 1 double room available for couples at request. Each room comes complete with bed linen, a fan, and mosquito nets. All rooms have their own en-suite bathrooms, complete with a western toilet, shower, sink and mirror. There is a kitchen and communal area in the longhouse, which is free for all volunteers to use, and has free Wi-Fi available, but please bear in mind that the signal can be intermittent. There is a free, regular cleaning service if you wish for your room to be cleaned and there are also laundry services available, though this come at a small fee.

Meals & Beverages

Volunteers enjoy three meals per day at the project, with all meals and drinking water included in the project fee. Your lunches and dinners will be prepared for you and will consist of typical Indonesian food, such as rice, noodles, and fried vegetables. Breakfast, however, is prepared by volunteers, but the food, such as cereal, yoghurt, bread and eggs is supplied. Vegetarians can be catered for but please let us know in advance so the appropriate food can be purchased. (If you have any severe nut allergies, please contact us prior to booking.)

Alcohol is permitted and beer can be purchased at the sanctuary but may only be consumed at the volunteer accommodation. Snacks are not currently available onsite, but they can be purchased from a small local store which is a 15 minutes walk from the accommodation.


Project Details

When Is The Best Time To Volunteer?

This project is based at a rehabilitation sanctuary, and there are orangutans here year-round, meaning there is no real preferred time to volunteer regarding the animals.

The weather is also quite constant throughout, and whilst it can rain at any time of the year due to the rainforest climate, you can expect mostly dry weather with temperatures averaging 32°C (90°F) in the daytime and 23°C (73°F) at night.

Average Monthly Weather in Palangkaraya, Indonesia

Getting There

You will need to fly into Palangkaraya Airport on your project start date, arriving between 8am-5pm, with most international flight routes going via Jakarta International Airport (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport). Upon arrival into Palangkaraya Airport, you will be met by a project representative in the arrivals hall who will then transfer you to the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary. This transfer takes approximately 40 minutes.

If you arrive a day early and stay in a hotel close to Palangkaraya Airport, we will be able to arrange your transfer to Nyaru Menteng from there.

Visa Requirements

To join this project, you will need a Volunteer Visa (C6B), which you must obtain prior to arrival in Indonesia. This visa permits a stay of up to 60 days and can be applied for with ‘My Visa Indonesia’. We will provide all the necessary documentation you require and the cost of this visa is approximately $250.

Please note, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your date of entry into Indonesia.

Fitness & Skills

There is a moderate level of fitness required to take part in this project. There may be small construction tasks that will take place in humid conditions, as well as short walks which involve walking uphill. The other tasks are not too physically strenuous, but for the reasons mentioned above, we advise that you ensure you can cope with the few physically demanding tasks involved. There are no specific skill sets or experience that are required to join this project, but volunteers must always be willing to work as part of a team.

Vaccinations & Medical Requirements

To volunteer on this project, you must provide negative test results to show you do not have HIV or Hepatitis B or C prior to arrival. A chest x-ray or QuantiFERON blood test to show you do not have Tuberculosis is also required. These are ESSENTIAL, as without them, you will be unable to join the project.

Due to Covid-19, additional safety measures have also been introduced to ensure the safety of all volunteers, staff members and the orangutans. These can be viewed by clicking here and may change at any time.

No Contact Policy

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 always will be no, and this is for good reason.

Orangutans are highly susceptible to human diseases, many of which are far more dangerous to an orangutan than they are to us. Also, an environment of constant change, with new volunteers going to the project every two or four weeks and being in contact with the orangutans would be very detrimental to the orangutans' well-being. With no consistency in their lives, behavioural problems arise. They also have a tendency to begin to trust humans which is damaging should they be released back into the wild, as they will become easy targets for poachers. Finally, an orangutan is around 7 times stronger than an adult male human so a no-contact policy is just as crucial for your safety as theirs.

That is not to say that you will have no interaction with the orangutans, it simply means that you will have no direct contact with them. You will still observe them on a daily basis and see how your contribution to their husbandry and enrichment makes a real difference to the lives of these apes. For more information, please view our article on hands-on contact with orangutans.


Videos

Nyaru Menteng Project Video 2024
Discover the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Join us in the heart of the Bornean rainforest with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, where you can help rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and displaced orangutans, all while experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Indonesia.

Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary - Volunteer Reviews 2024
Volunteers share their experiences at Nyaru Menteng
Volunteers Rob, Ryan, Camille, and Lasse share their moments whilst taking part at Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary.
Orangutan Rehabilitation: Preparation For Life In The Wild
Orangutan Rehabilitation: Preparation For Life In The Wild

Arga, a dedicated Orangutan Veterinarian from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, explains the journey of a young orangutan going through the rehabilitation process and the meticulous care required to prepare them for a life of independence.



News & Stories

2

Greta's Attempt to Escape Nyaru Menteng Forest School!

UPDATE | Aug 2024

This morning at Nyaru Menteng Forest School, young orangutan Greta made an attempt to escape! She spotted an enrichment item in a nearby socialisation complex for adult male orangutans and quickly darted through the entrance gate. However, Greta's adventure was short-lived as Ibu Sri, one of the dedicated surrogate mothers, shortly found her and brought her back.

6

Volunteer Achievements in June

UPDATE | Jun 2024

This month volunteers have planted 100 trees on the new island, cleaned, renovated, and repainted the jungle gym, and have consistently achieved enrichment targets!

7

The First Volunteers of 2024 Arrive!

UPDATE | Apr 2024

The first volunteer groups of 2024 arrived at Nyaru Menteng this month, and they have been getting stuck into a whole range of different activities. These have included planting trees on one of the orangutan islands, creating various forms of enrichment, hammock making, boat cruises to observe those orangutans in their final stage of the rehabilitation process, and a unique opportunity to attend a traditional Dayak wedding.


Reviews

Daniela Bischoff, 2024
         

It was an adventure and a challenge, we are proud and happy that we did it. The accommodations are simple, but you have everything you need. We had to go beyond our comfort zone, especially because of the humidity, but you can manage it well for 2 weeks. Time flew by because variety of different activities, enough breaks, e.g. after lunch, before we continued. But do not be afraid, the effort you spend is up to you and your condition, no one is forced to go beyond borders. The other activities such as a boat tour, night market, trip to Palangkaraya, rainforest tour with guide and hilltop trek were interesting and fun. The two volunteer coordinators Cess and Melda were great, warm-hearted and they had an eagle eye on our safety. They had a lot of information about the orangutans. We were a great group and grew together after two weeks. We will never forget the encounters with the wonderful orangutans. We had many opportunities to get closer to them (without touching). And we are so impressed by the team of BOS Foundation at Nyaru Menteng, they are doing such a great job. The whole organisation with The Great Projects... It was an adventure and a challenge, we are proud and happy that we did it. The accommodations are simple, but you have everything you need. We had to go beyond our comfort zone, especially because of the humidity, but you can manage it well for 2 weeks. Time flew by because variety of different activities, enough breaks, e.g. after lunch, before we continued. But do not be afraid, the effort you spend is up to you and your condition, no one is forced to go beyond borders. The other activities such as a boat tour, night market, trip to Palangkaraya, rainforest tour with guide and hilltop trek were interesting and fun. The two volunteer coordinators Cess and Melda were great, warm-hearted and they had an eagle eye on our safety. They had a lot of information about the orangutans. We were a great group and grew together after two weeks. We will never forget the encounters with the wonderful orangutans. We had many opportunities to get closer to them (without touching). And we are so impressed by the team of BOS Foundation at Nyaru Menteng, they are doing such a great job. The whole organisation with The Great Projects went smooth. (Show More)


Hortencia Martinez-Rueda, 2024
         

What an experience! Volunteer coordinators Cecily Kingston and Melda Monica were always very helpful, friendly and happy to share their knowledge. I am forever thankful to both of them. My fellow volunteers were all fantastic people (a mix from England, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico) and we got alone perfectly. I enjoyed the orangutan-related activities (preparing pumpkin pure, fruity ice lollies, coconut treats, bamboo treats, planting trees, collecting nesting materials, etc.) as well as the leisure activities (going to the top of Bukit Tangkiling, visiting the tourist market, eating at the Kampung Lauk restaurant and visiting an organic farm-cafe). Of course, the best part was to see the orangutans in the flesh. We learned about the orangutans’ background, health, personalities, likes and dislikes, and the possibilities of living in the wild in the near future. Watching the infants returning from the orangutan school was fantastic. They spent some time at the orangutan gym playing and eating a few treats before going to bed. They were full of energy, really cute and mischievous at the same time. The surrogate mothers do a great job looking after these orangutans and teaching them the skills to be independent. While on the river cruses,... What an experience! Volunteer coordinators Cecily Kingston and Melda Monica were always very helpful, friendly and happy to share their knowledge. I am forever thankful to both of them. My fellow volunteers were all fantastic people (a mix from England, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico) and we got alone perfectly. I enjoyed the orangutan-related activities (preparing pumpkin pure, fruity ice lollies, coconut treats, bamboo treats, planting trees, collecting nesting materials, etc.) as well as the leisure activities (going to the top of Bukit Tangkiling, visiting the tourist market, eating at the Kampung Lauk restaurant and visiting an organic farm-cafe). Of course, the best part was to see the orangutans in the flesh. We learned about the orangutans’ background, health, personalities, likes and dislikes, and the possibilities of living in the wild in the near future. Watching the infants returning from the orangutan school was fantastic. They spent some time at the orangutan gym playing and eating a few treats before going to bed. They were full of energy, really cute and mischievous at the same time. The surrogate mothers do a great job looking after these orangutans and teaching them the skills to be independent. While on the river cruses, we spotted several orangutans and even a few new born babies living on the pre-release islands, it was amazing! My favourite part was to see the whole family enjoying a few snacks on a feeding platform, in the company of long-tail grey macaques. (Show More)


Eve Broydo, 2024
         

This was an incredible journey, life-changing especially if you adore orangutans. Seeing the orangutans and caring for them is an experience that will stay with you forever. Watching the young ones come back from Jungle School was absolutely amazing. All thanks to our guide Cecily, she was very kind, present, and informative throughout the whole trip. Another thanks to Melda who helped us a lot within and outside of the sanctuary.



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What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Three meals per day
  • Airport transfers
  • River cruise
  • Hilltop trek
  • A visit to the night market
  • Conservation donation

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks