BORNEO WILD HABITAT – VOLUNTEER OUTLINE

Live the mystery of the Bornean rainforest when you participate in this project located along the Lower Kinabatangan River. This wildlife sanctuary is home to singing gibbons, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, hornbills, the pygmy elephant, and a host of other rarely seen wildlife. The main part of the project will be in Sukau village, and you will live among the gentle Orang Sungai or 'People of the River' learning their ways of life and joining them in their homes for meals. You will contribute significantly towards habitat restoration work by planting trees and maintaining planting sites important for orangutans and pygmy elephants. 

START AND END DATES 

11 June- 17 June

11 July - 17 July

11 August - 17 August
11 September - 17 September

1. Wildlife Population Observation: This entails cruising on the river to observe the endangered wildlife roaming the forest along the river banks. A lot of time is spent observing wildlife and their habitat. This will be done from a boat cruising along the main river and its tributaries within the wildlife sanctuary.
    
2. Habitat Restoration: The most crucial activity ensuring the survival of wildlife. You will take part in tree-planting, nursery care and seedling generation, sapling maintenance, mulching, composting, and tree growth data recording.
    
3. Jungle Trekking: As an introduction to the flora and fauna of the rainforest, you will go for a trek to understand what the rainforest traditionally offers the inhabitants in terms of medication, food & survival.
    
4. Cultural & Community Interaction: Contributing back to the community is a big part of this project. Most lunch and dinners will be in the private homes of individual villagers. You may get to hear about their daily lives, chat with the children, learn their family structure and see how the Orang Sungai have been living off the rivers and jungles for centuries.
    

*Pick-up from Sandakan Airport (SDK) - best before 16:00
*Transfer to Hotel
*Welcome dinner and briefing

MEALS: Dinner

 Wildlife Observation:
This entails cruising on the river to observe the endangered wildlife roaming the forest along the riverbanks.  A lot of time is spent observing wildlife and their habitat.  This will be done from a boat cruising along the main river and its tributaries within the wildlife sanctuary;

Habitat Restoration:
This is the most crucial activity on this project, ensuring the survival of wildlife.  You will take part in tree-planting, nursery care, and seedling generation, sapling maintenance, mulching & composting, clearing invasive species, and also tree growth data recording.  The planting of trees will be in sections identified as high priority and will build towards the creation of corridors for wildlife to move from one section of a sanctuary to another.

We will be working in the rainforest where unidentified plants, wildlife, and insects will surround us;

Jungle Trek:
The mysterious tropical rainforest of Borneo has a lot to offer beyond a jungle trek.  As an introduction to the flora and fauna of the rainforest, you will go for a trek to understand what the rainforest traditionally offers the inhabitants in terms of medication, food, and survival.  We will be in the rainforest where unidentified plants, wildlife, and insects will surround us.  Terrain can be muddy and difficult to walk in some places;

Cultural and Community Interaction:
Living and contributing back to the community is a big part of this project.  Some lunches and dinners will be in the private homes of individual villagers.  Give them time to warm up to you and you will get to hear about their daily lives, chat with the children, learn about their family structure, and how the Orang Sungai have been living off the rivers and jungles for centuries.  Meals are cooked based on locally used common food and ingredients.

Note:
- Not all of the above activities would be included on your itinerary.  Changes to the activities will occur subject to weather conditions, school calendar, community, and project requirements.  Activities not listed above may also be included.
- Your involvement in each activity is dependent on the facility, village, and project priorities, so be prepared for changes that will happen from time to time.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Whole day visit to three world renowned wildlife attractions:

1. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

2. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

3. Rainforest Discovery Centre

MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch

Time to say goodbye! Transfer back to Sandakan Airport - best after 11:00 am

MEALS: Breakfast