Discover Borneo & Orang Utan Conservation Volunteer Holiday / Voluntourism Vacation

  Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: April or Aug 2008; Other times available for bespoke group requests

Description: Borneo is the third largest island in the world, famous for its jungles and wildlife, in particular the Orang Utan. Visit this fascinating island and take this once in a lifetime opportunity to get close to these amazing creatures, working alongside the park rangers to help ensure their continued survival.

Your base for the first few days is Borneo's most important city, Kota Kinabalu. Each day we include a fascinating excursion. Get your first glimpse of the rainforest trekking through Kota Kinabalu Park, witnessing life in the treetops as you walk along the 100ft high canopy walkway above the forest. Follow this exhilarating day relaxing, swimming and snorkelling in the South China Sea, in the turquoise waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Leaving the city behind, we then fly to the north of the island and travel to Sukau, the Orang Utan research centre where you'll spend the next few days working alongside research assistants helping with the reforestation programme. Volunteer activities will range from monitoring wild Orang Utans nesting patterns and behaviour to collecting wild seedlings that form part of their diet. The findings will be used to enable reforestation to facilitate and encourage the settlement of Orang Utans and other native species.

A final highlight of your trip will be a visit to Sepilok Orang Utan rehabilitation centre, an initiative of the Sabah Wildlife Department to rehabilitate young Orang Utans enabling them to survive once released back into the wild. Once back in Kota Kinabalu, enjoy a day exploring at your leisure.

Highlights:
    * Do something different - visit this fascinating island and Kota Kinabalu city
    * Make a difference to Borneo's reforestation and Orang Utan conservation
    * Once-in-a-lifetime experience helping Orang Utan rehabilitation
    * Enjoy jungle treks, a rainforest canopy walk and swim & snorkel in the South China Sea
    * Great conservation voluntourism trip for a career break or ethical travel holiday
    * Family voluntourism holiday during the school summer break

Qualifications: No requirements, specific skills, education or certifications are necessary to book - just a desire to do something different and make a difference.

Volunteers meet with Research Officers in the field, joining their activities to understand and observe the behaviour of the wild red apes and learning about the conservation initiatives underway to protect and conserve the species and their habitat.

Cost in US$: from 2500

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Anyone can be eligible although we are not targeted at the student "gap year" long-term placement market. This is a great voluntourism trip for a family. Children and minors are welcome under the supervision of parents. Our volunteer holidays/vacations are for anyone who wants to use their vacation time to have a great time and do something positive, altruistic and with a purpose.

Age Range: children - 80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Malaysia Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Different Travel's Mission Statement: We are a volunteer and adventure travel and tourism group specialist, set up in the wake of the Asian Tsunami on 26th December 2004, offering bespoke group challenges and volunteer opportunities to work alongside local people on international development projects abroad combined with responsible travel and great accommodation. We make sure we work to meet the needs of the communities who welcome us into their world - and at the same time offer our travellers amazing experiences which will stay with them a lifetime.

Year Founded: 2004