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South Africa Big 5 Wildlife and Community
Malaysia Orang-Utan Experience
£1,749 Land Only (trip code: MYRE) 28 days
£1,749, 28 days, Malaysia
Trip Highlights
- Two weeks in the Malaysian National Zoo – proper work with these amazing animals.
- Help local tribes make orangutans an integral part of the local economy.
- Two weeks travelling through the tropical rainforest of Borneo to a wildlife sanctuary and a visit to an orang-utan rehab centre where the orang-utans go through rehabilitation before being released back into protected rainforests.
Trip Summary
See full itineraryWhat's included?
- All accommodation
- Food
- Meet and greet on start date
- Orientation and welcome meal
- Project Transfers
- Local guides and specialists
- Evaluation with supervisor
- Access permits
What's not included?
- Flights
- Local flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals on Travelling (transfer) Days
- Visa
A brilliant opportunity to encounter and work with an increasingly rare and threatened great ape – there are probably no more than 20,000 left in the wild in Asia.
A trip through the jungle – through its inaccessibility, a natural orangutan sanctuary in Borneo.
When do I want to go?
Showing all departures (22)
| Dates of Departures | Duration | Price (Land Only) | Trip Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 5 Mar 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Thu, 5 Apr 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Sat, 5 May 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Tue, 5 Jun 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Thu, 5 Jul 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Sun, 5 Aug 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Wed, 5 Sep 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Fri, 5 Oct 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Mon, 5 Nov 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Wed, 5 Dec 2012 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Sat, 5 Jan 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Tue, 5 Feb 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Tue, 5 Mar 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Fri, 5 Apr 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Sun, 5 May 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Wed, 5 Jun 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Fri, 5 Jul 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Mon, 5 Aug 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Thu, 5 Sep 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Sat, 5 Oct 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Tue, 5 Nov 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
| Thu, 5 Dec 2013 | 28 days | £1,749 | Available | Book now | |
What will I be doing?
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Weeks 1 and 2 (2 week)
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Weeks 3 to 4 (2 weeks)
Weeks 1 and 2: 2 week
Next LegDestination info
Malaysia is a country of amazing contrasts. Kuala Lumpur is a rapidly expanding, modern and hi-tech city, whilst on the eastern island, where you’ll be going, the world’s oldest rainforests offer a natural sanctuary to the orangutans of Borneo.
- Location: Zoo Negara
Weeks 3 to 4: 2 weeks
Destination info
Malaysia is a country of amazing contrasts. Kuala Lumpur is a rapidly expanding, modern and hi-tech city, whilst on the eastern island, where you’ll be going, the world’s oldest rainforests offer a natural sanctuary to the orangutans of Borneo.
While you’re working, please make sure that you wear t-shirts that cover your shoulders (no singlets, or sleeveless shirts), long trousers and shoes that cover your feet - trainers or trekking shoes are ideal.
- Location: Sukau, Lower Kinabatangan in Borneo
Weeks 3 and 4
For the next 2 weeks, you will live within a wildlife sanctuary among the local tribe: the gentle ‘Orang Sungai’ where you will help with the restoration work that is greatly needed to help the habitat of orantg-utans, elephants and other wildlife move between fragmented sections of forest in the area. During this time you will also be helping to collect information on the number of animals in the area which will help future conservation volunteers know what changes are needed.
While the majority of the project is helping with the habitat restoration, there is a small community aspect to the project on which you will be helping to develop conservation based programmes at the local schools. This is hugely important as the children at the schools will in the long term be the guardians of the rainforest!
On day 27 you will head to Sepilok where you will go walk through the Rainforest Discovery Centre, which will reinforce what you have learned about the rainforest during your time on the project. After lunch you will get to visit the world-famous Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre before continuing to Sandakan to check into your accommodation and explore the area.
Trip Notes Download
Trip Notes include a full itinerary, country guides and travel advice on visas, money, insurance and the local weather. By filling in your details you'll also be kept updated on all the latest news, offers and stories on this particular trip. Happy reading!
Additional Information & FAQs
Minimum age
Minimum 18 years, maximum will be decided depending on potential participants health.
Accommodation
During your time in Malaysia, you will be staying in varying styles of accommodation from a shared volunteer house during your placement at as Zoo, to a hostel/B&B, to a basic traditional longhouse.
Meals
The meals are prepared in the lodge and may feature fresh jungle vegetables and other local delicacies. Food will contain chilli, fresh jungle produce and will be rice-based. There are no alternatives, no restaurants out in the jungle - volunteers must eat what they are given. Vegetarian food can be provided though prior warning must be given. Many vegetarians take to fish or meat during their stay to avoid health deterioration, especially given the physical nature of the experience. Be warned! (All meals – except on travel days).
Advice & Safety
Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.
You will be assigned a personal travel advisor who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.
In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
FAQ
1. Will I be able to touch the Orang-utans?
There is no contact with the Orang-utans or any animals. If, under very special circumstances, you are allowed to touch the animals, it will be under the strict supervision of the zoo keeper. Remember, they are wild animals and can be unpredictable.
2. Will I work with other animals whilst at the zoo?
Your main focus will be the orang-utans and the other residents of the ape centre. There will be a rotation system to work with some other animals around the zoo, especially other endangered Malaysian animals.
3. Do I need previous experience with animals?
No, as long as you are enthusiastic and willing to get invovled you are welcome! We do recommend that you do visit a zoo before you start the programme.
4. Will I be with others on the programme?
Yes you will be working with other volunteers, the maximum group size is 10.
5. What will the jungle section be like?
The jungle is amazing, you will meet the locals and experience life wtih the basics. Top tip: when travelling along the river to the jungle accomodation, make sure you take a bin liner with you to protect your clothes from the water!
What will I see in Malaysia?
16 photos
What other travellers thought
I've done this trip
Write reviewSophie Mccathie, 4th Jul 2010 - 31st Jul 2010
Definitely spending time with both the Iban tribe who were amazingly hospitable and generous and the orangutans and chimps at zoo negara! Being the jungle.. doing all the treks, weaving with the Iban ladies, night camping in the jungle.
Forget about makeup, hairdryers, straighteners, looking nice Throw yourself into the jungle experience and do as many treks, night safaris as possible Definitely spend a night sleeping in the jungle. It was the highlight of my trip.
amazing guides, amazing orangutans, lovely tribe, unforgettable, 100% recommend
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Alexandra North, 4th Jul 2010 - 31st Jul 2010
the rainforest!!! amazing, loved meeting the tribe, trekking and just generally being in the rainforest environment also meeting and getting to know the Orangutans!
get completely involved, make the most of everything have fun and ENJOY!
brilliant, met some great people, incredible experience that i wont forget, given me confidence to do more travel, just AMAZING!
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Jennifer Robbins, 4th Jul 2010 - 31st Jul 2010
Living in the rainforest, meeting the Iban tribe. Getting to know the Orangs and interacting with them at the Zoo. Getting to wash the elephants at the Zoo was also incredible!
Make sure none of your products contain citronellol when you are in the jungle as they attract killer bees! Just make the most of everything and enjoy the experience!
Meet amazing people, unforgettable, incredible experience! Best month of my life!
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Danielle Blackwell, 4th Apr 2010 - 1st May 2010
The highlight for me was seeing the semi-wild orangutans, they looked so beautiful and at ease moving throught the trees, it was utterly breath taking and an image I will carry with me forever! This was closely followed by living alongside the Iban people. They were very friendly and welcoming. It was wonderful to see how people live in an environment that was completly alien to me. Seeing how happy these people were definately put into perspective the important this in life, material possesions are very superficial and living alongside these wonderful people proved that! I will also never forget the night I spent camping in the rain forest, in a small open makeshift tent. It was defiately an experience that I would love to repeat over and over! Even the giant ants were bareable by the end of the night!
1. Experience as many things as you can (especially camping out in the middle of the rainforest in a makeshift tent) 2. Talk to people - its the best way to find out about the best places to visit 3. Try and absorb every second - the magical moments pass by very quickly but the memories will be amazing
Life changing experience, made friends forever, I'm going again!
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