Orangutan Volunteer Conservation in Borneo & Malaysia
Work with orangutans in the National Zoo & wild orangutan in Borneo by preparing enrichment programmes and through reforestation projects.
Orangutan Volunteer Conservation in Borneo & Malaysia
Orangutan volunteer project in Borneo and Malaysia. If you love orangutans and always wanted to work with them, this is the project for you! This orangutan conservation programme is a combination of interacting with orangutan in captivity as well as with the wild orangutans. Volunteers will spend two weeks in Malaysia’s National Zoo as a volunteer zoo keeper where by volunteers will provide to the orangutan daily needs such as food and prepare enrichments for them.
The next two weeks will be spent in Borneo along the Kinabatangan river conducting observation and forest rehabilitation. Wild orangutans are present along the river thus connecting the fragmented forest patches through forest rehabilitation programme will help their population survive better.
This orangutan volunteering programme is very unique as it combines working with orangutan in captivity as well as in the wild. By the end of the trip, volunteers will visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre as a tourist to enjoy their few last days of the trip.
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Cost
MYR6350 for 4 weeks
MYR – Malaysian RinggitCompulsory for all volunteers
Ecoteer Responsible Travel lifetime membership: GBP 55 (approximately MYR270)Includes:
Meet and greet Kuala Lumpur International Airport & Sandakan Airport, Malaysia
Welcome dinner;
All transfers as per itinerary;
Programme introduction in Kuala Lumpur & Sabah and orientation in the village and the zoo;
Visit to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre;
Entrance fees to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre;
Entrance fees to Rainforest Discovery Centre;
English-speaking programme facilitator;
Accommodation during the volunteering programme;
Meals as indicated in itinerary;
All activities, materials, tools and equipment included in “Project Days”;
Boat and river transfers on “Project Days”
Conservation contribution to the project.Not included: International and internal airfare, camera fees, visa application/fees, private transfers, meals and accommodation when travelling independently or on Off Days, insurance, personal incidentals and any item not stated in the list above
Download brochure here
Booking
Please allow a minimum of 3 weeks for us to process your application and payment.
Download the application form here
To make a booking, please complete the application form and email to explore@ecoteer.com. We will then email you back confirming availability and how to make the deposit payment. If the deposit is not received within 2 weeks from the date your reservation is placed, your reservation will be cancelled automatically. Full payment is required no later than 1 month before departure. You may pay online by credit card or a direct transfer to our account. Once a deposit has been paid we will email you our Know Before You Go guide, which will give you useful information to help you prepare to volunteer.
Cancellation Policy
a. Cancellation of reservation must be made in writing to avoid any misunderstanding. If the company receives notice to cancel 30 days or more before the date of departure, a minimum administrative fee of RM100.00 or 10% of the tour deposit (whichever is lower) per person will be levied.
b. If notice of the cancellation is received 29 days or less before the date of departure the following charges will apply:
c. 15 – 29 working days before the date of departure = 50% of deposit
8 – 14 working days before the date of departure = 20% of FULL COST
3 – 7 working days before the date of departure = 40% of FULL COST
2 working days or less before the date of departure = 100% of FULL COST -
Improve conditions of various animals in captivity through creating environment and food enrichment;
Work alongside zookeepers to raise the quality of current enrichment and protocol standards in Malaysian zoos;
Carry out habitat restoration at the Lower Kinabatangan floodplains
Observe and appreciate the orang-utans, pygmy elephants and other endangered species, understand their life cycles and the intricate biodiversity roles;
Work with the local community and students in conservation and raise awareness on responsible living and travelling among tourists, local community and students;
Understand the threats to habitat and wildlife and to make a personal impact, bringing positive change.
Note: Programmes are subject to change depending on community and/or zoo calendar. -
Day 1
(D)
ARRIVAL & WELCOME
Arrive Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and transfer to dormitory-style accommodation.1800 hours, meet at lobby for welcome dinner & introduction to the programme.Day 2
Day 3 – 14 or Day 3 – 16
Day 15 or Day 17
Day 16 or Day 18
Day 17 – 24 or Day 19 – 26
Day 25 or Day 27
Day 26 or Day 28
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Arrival night in Kuala Lumpur: Dormitory-style room in a city centre guesthouse, shared toilets. Set right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, there are as many quaint little shops and eateries as there are humongous shopping malls and fancy restaurants. If you arrive early, go out there and explore. Welcome dinner is usually at 6pm but please check with the registration counter for latest updates on timing;
At Zoo Negara: Comfortable and basic volunteer house, shared rooms with other participants, shared toilets. This is a 3-bedroom house set within the grounds of the zoo, accommodating seven people in total. Facilities include 2 bathrooms with cold showers, a kitchen with a fridge and cooking hobs, a dining cum living room. There are shops selling food and sundries within walking distance from the house and plenty of food stalls and a few restaurants nearby.
Introduction night in Sepilok: Dormitory-style room in a traditional style longhouse. Hot water showers and toilets are shared. Set on high grounds overlooking the greens of Malaysia, you will find this a peaceful and relaxing place to start your trip, specially to recuperate from a tough stint at the zoo. If you arrive early, and wish to explore, Sandakan is about 35 minutes away and all along the way, there are mini townships where you will find little shops, eateries and banks. However, public transport does not ply the roads frequently. The airport is almost halfway between Sandakan and the dormitory. Welcome dinner and introduction usually starts at 1800 hours at the “lobby” of the dormitory. Please confirm timing when you check in.
At Sukau: Comfortable and basic village-run B&B, set in the middle of the village, within walking distance to the centre of the village and the village jetty. Rooms are shared with other participants and the attached toilet comes with western toilets and cold water showers. Breakfast is taken at the common area overlooking the river.
At Sandakan (last night): Comfortable and basic hotel room in Sandakan town, shared rooms with other participants with attached toilets & showers. It is within walking distance to the Promenade, and many quaint little shops and eateries. The town has internet cafes, supermarket, restaurants and food stalls serving local and western foods. There is also a beautiful rooftop restaurant and bar nearby where you can have a drink and watch your final sunset in Borneo.
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28 days: January – December, starts 5th of each month, ends 28 days later
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1. What are the requirements to join this volunteering project?
Volunteers will need to be able to speak English to be able to communicate with the facilitator. Minimum age requirement is 18 years old. Volunteers should also have a positive attitude and willing to participate in all task given to them.2. How many hours do volunteer work per day?
7 to 8 hours a day with lunch break.3. How do I go to the project site?
From your country of origin (except Malaysia), take a plane to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). From KLIA, take a plane to Sandakan airport where volunteers will be picked up by the staff.4. Do I need to apply for visa to join?
Tourist from the following countries will receive a 90 day free tourist visa upon arrival:Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kirgystan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Lienchestien, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherland, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Romania, St Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Yemen.
5. What vaccinations do I need for this volunteering project?
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria & malaria.6. Is this program suitable for families with children?
No, this programme is not suitable for family with young children.
Testimonials
Loved the work, cleaning, food preparation, enrichment was obviously a real high point throughout and I loved trying to create new enrichment activities.
Leigh Bates, 26
I absolutely loved the experience, one word to describe the time I had is “AMAZING”. I feel so lucky to of had the opportunity to spend so much time with the animals and learn so much about them.
Georgina Proberk, 18
You will fall in love with the amazing creatures that you are given the rare and precious chance to work with.
Amity Menard
My favourite programme activities were all of the enrichment activities that we carried out with the apes, because it really made a difference. The best moment was watching all of the apes open their X’mas presents, being groomed by the chimps, being passed presents through the cage from Punky, plaiting chokey’s hair, being spat on by Sulong…..The list goes on.
Keely Adams
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