Overview
Volunteer on Conservation Projects in Borneo

Assist a local organization in providing sustainable alternative sources of income for indigenous community members, whilst simultaneously protecting the rainforest and its wildlife. The volunteer program is located in Malaysian Borneo, on the Kinabatangan River which boasts some of the best wildlife in South East Asia. Volunteers may see gibbons, orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, otters, Borneon pygmy elephants, langur monkeys, crocodiles and many spectacular bird species. The volunteer work is varied, physical, and depends on the needs of the community at the time. The majority of volunteers will assist with wetland lake restoration and forest habitat restoration which provides critical habitat, food and nesting areas for orang-utans and other wildlife species. Other work may include developing nature interpretation trails, building work at the Eco-Camp and conducting basic wildlife surveys. It is also hoped that volunteers might help teach the local community English or IT skills.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, stories from the field, video diaries and more at the programs media centre

The wildlife viewing in this part of Borneo is phenomenal, the volunteer project is well run and the local communities make you feel right at home, see you next year!

Tabitha Jenkins, GVI Volunteer

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.