Malaysia

Borneo Orangutan Adventure

About

About Borneo, Malaysia

On Better World Adventures’ Borneo Orangutan Adventure, you will travel to Sarawak in Malaysia where you will visit two of the world’s key orangutan rehabilitation centres. You will be allowed ‘behind the scenes’ with their expert staff and will gain an understanding of the issues involved with the conservation of major ecosystems, and the wildlife and people within them. You will learn why the work to conserve these areas is so important to the future of our planet.

You’ll then tour three spectacular national parks where you will participate in a night-time jungle trek, and a snorkelling tour of the habitat of the endangered Green Sea Turtle. Travel by boat deep into the rainforest of Batang Ai National Park, the only area of Sarawak that retains a population of wild orangutan. Spend time off-the-grid with Borneo’s indigenous people who will take you trekking through the dense jungle to catch sight of the iconic and gentle ginger giants in their natural habitat – a rare and precious experience! Finally, you’ll witness semi-wild orangutans that have been released back into their natural habitat, the ultimate goal in any wildlife rehabilitation effort! Learn about tribal life in the rainforest, get the chance to see orangutans in their natural environment, and help to protect these awe-inspiring animals on this amazing voyage of discovery.

Malaysia

Highlights

Visit 2 orangutan rehabilitation centres and 3 national parks in Sarawak, East Malaysia
Volunteer behind the scenes at an orangutan rehabilitation centre
Track the endangered proboscis monkey in the beautiful Bako National Park
Snorkel in search of green turtles at Tanjung Datu National Park (season depending)
Experience Dayak tribal life searching for wild orangutans in Batang Ai National Park
Learn how deforestation and palm oil farming is threatening the orangutan with extinction
Join Hindu worshippers at the unique and huge Batu Caves temple complex
Visit Kuala Lumpur’s popular Petaling Street night market

Dates

Departure Dates

Departure dates available March-October
Send us a request for a date that suits you

Every school group tour is created bespoke, according to the time of year, available duration, proposed budget and number of group members. Better World Adventures has done the due diligence for you in partnering with extremely high quality and sustainable volunteering projects and memorable activities that perfectly showcase each country’s uniqueness.
Use this website to gain an introduction to a selection of the most popular volunteering projects and cultural activities that Better World Adventures are able to combine into your perfect itinerary. Then contact us to discuss your objectives and requirements related to current study themes, group capability, and your travel objectives. We are absolutely confident that you will end up with an itinerary that delivers above and beyond your expectations, with exceptional attention to detail, and at a price that is significantly lower per head than other providers.

Inclusions

What’s included?

Fully escorted tour with two tour leaders (male and female)
Tour leaders available to students 24/7
Comprehensive travel insurance
Economy class international air travel to Malaysia ex Auckland
All airport transfers
All accommodation (single gender, twin or multi-share)
3 meals per day (2 meals per day on weekends)
Malaysian entry (for New Zealand passport holders)
Professional local guides
Tour tipping (drivers, guides, group waiters)
Malaysian SIM card with data (for unlocked devices)
Volunteering at Matang Wildlife Centre, Kubah National Park
Visit to Bako National Park, including night rainforest walk
Visit to Telok Serabang Green Turtle Conservation project

Traditional longhouse accommodation with Bidayuh Community
Traditional longhouse accommodation with Iban community, Batang Ai
Jungle trekking in Batang Ai National Park
Entry into Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Kuching
1 day escorted tour of Kuala Lumpur, visiting major attractions including Merdeka Square, Petronas Towers, Royal Selangor Pewter Centre, Malaysian Batik Centre, Batu Caves
Visit Petaling Street Chinatown night market
Extensive pre-departure orientation
Foreigner entrance fees to all scheduled activities
Souvenir T-shirts

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 – 2: ARRIVAL IN KUCHING

“Selamat Datang” Welcome to East Malaysia. We fly from New Zealand to Kuching in the East Malaysian province of Sarawak, via Kuala Lumpur. Arriving into Kuching we transfer to our guesthouse and meet our guides.

Lunch/Dinner
Basaga Guesthouse, Kuching

DAY 3 – 4: MATANG WILDLIFE CENTRE

After breakfast, you will travel to Matang Wildlife Centre in Kubah National Park which is home to 30 orangutans. Our group will receive an exclusive behind the scenes tour from the team who run the busy rehabilitation centre. Over the next two and a half days you will work alongside the staff assisting with animal husbandry, feeding, cleaning the wildlife cages and enclosures, and preparing animal enrichment items that help to promote natural behaviours prior to being released back into the wild.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Longhouse

DAY 5-6: BAKO NATIONAL PARK

In the afternoon we head to Bako National Park by boat, before having an incredible jungle night walk where there are opportunities to see some of Borneo’s fascinating nocturnal species. Bako National Park is Sarawak’s longest established and with its beautiful rainforest, abundant wildlife, streams and waterfalls, the park offers an excellent introduction to the rainforests of coastal Borneo. You will spend the second-morning trekking in the rainforest in search of the famous proboscis monkey. In the evening you will transfer to the Malay coastal community of Telok Serabang.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Basic cabins

DAY 7-8: TURTLE CONSERVATION

(Weather permitting) You will spend two days at Telok Serabang. You will have opportunities to snorkel with green turtles in their natural habitat and ensure their natural habitat is safe by assisting with beach clean-ups. Part of each day you will be volunteering in the local community school.

You will also participate in night-time turtle patrols, get sweaty on jungle treks to see gibbons and flying lemurs, and will learn to make traditional jewellery with artisans in the Malay community.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Traditional Longhouse

DAY 9: BIDAYUH TRIBE

Our group is invited to spend time with a Bidayuh community, one of the indigenous Dayak groups from Sarawak. Your accommodation will be in a traditional bamboo longhouse, with shared bedrooms and amenities. You’ll get to learn about the traditional culture of this tribe, utilising bamboo in more ways than you knew were possible. You may even see human skulls in their longhouse, kept from their long-past head-hunting days. Don’t be surprised if you are encouraged to take part in cultural dancing during the evening!

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Bamboo Longhouse

DAY 10-13: BATANG AI

We head off-the-grid deep in the rainforests of the Batang Ai National Park, completely cut off from the trappings of technology and Western consumerism. Electricity is provided by generator just 3 hours per day. There is no other power, no telephone signal, no internet, and no hot showers. It’s just you and the jungle. As well as searching for wild orangutans high up in the trees, there are lots of different activities to get involved in including interacting with the local Iban tribespeople, learning traditional handicrafts, cooking, fishing, and swimming in jungle rivers. The financial benefits from eco-tourism provide the indigenous Iban people with an income and make them less dependent on illegal agriculture and logging, so your visit an essential part of the ongoing conservation of wild orangutan in jungle areas.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Iban Longhouse

DAY 14: SEMENGGOH

Today we return to the city of Kuching, spending time at the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre which was established in 1975 to care for wild animals that have been found injured in the forest, orphaned, or were previously kept as illegal pets. During its decades of operation, Semenggoh’s role has changed and it is now a haven for dozens of semi-wild, rehabilitated orangutans who you can see as they come to the platforms to eat.

Brunch/Dinner
Basaga Guesthouse

DAY 15-17: KUALA LUMPUR

We fly to the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur. “K.L.” is one of Asia’s supercities, and we will spend a day exploring it before returning to New Zealand. Highlights will include visiting the Petronas Towers in the central city, exploring the fascinating Hindu shrines deep inside the Batu Caves, and shopping for souvenirs at the famous Petaling Street Chinatown night market.

Brunch/Dinner
The Bed Capsule Hotel or similar

DAY 1 - 2: ARRIVAL IN KUCHING

“Selamat Datang” Welcome to East Malaysia. We fly from New Zealand to Kuching in the East Malaysian province of Sarawak, via Kuala Lumpur. Arriving into Kuching we transfer to our guesthouse and meet our guides.

Includes – Lunch/ Dinner
Stay -Basaga Guesthouse, Kuching

Click Here

DAY 3 - 4: MATANG WILDLIFE CENTRE

After breakfast you will travel to Matang Wildlife Centre in Kubah National Park which is home to 30 orangutans. Our group will receive an exclusive behind the scenes tour from the team who run the busy rehabilitation centre. Over the next two and a half days you will work alongside the staff assisting with animal husbandry, feeding, cleaning the wildlife cages and enclosures, and preparing animal enrichment items that help to promote natural behaviours prior to being released back into the wild.

Includes – Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Stay – Longhouse

DAY 5-6: BAKO NATIONAL PARK

In the afternoon we head to Bako National Park by boat, before having an incredible jungle night walk where there are opportunities to see some of Borneo’s fascinating nocturnal species. Bako National Park is Sarawak’s longest established and with its beautiful rainforest, abundant wildlife, streams and waterfalls, the park offers an excellent introduction to the rainforests of coastal Borneo. You will spend the second-morning trekking in the rainforest in search of the famous proboscis monkey. In the evening you will transfer to the Malay coastal community of Telok Serabang.

Includes – Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Stay – Basic cabins

DAY 7-8: TURTLE CONSERVATION

(Weather permitting) You will spend two days at Telok Serabang. You will have opportunities to snorkel with green turtles in their natural habitat and ensure their natural habitat is safe by assisting with beach clean-ups. Part of each day you will be volunteering in the local community school.

You will also participate in night-time turtle patrols, get sweaty on jungle treks to see gibbons and flying lemurs, and will learn to make traditional jewellery with artisans in the Malay community.

Includes – Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Stay -Traditional Longhouse

DAY 9: BIDAYUH TRIBE

Our group is invited to spend time with a Bidayuh community, one of the indigenous Dayak groups from Sarawak. Your accommodation will be in a traditional bamboo longhouse, with shared bedrooms and amenities. You’ll get to learn about the traditional culture of this tribe, utilising bamboo in more ways than you knew were possible. You may even see human skulls in their longhouse, kept from their long-past head-hunting days. Don’t be surprised if you are encouraged to take part in cultural dancing during the evening!

Includes – Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner
Stay – Bamboo Longhouse

DAY 10-13: BATANG AI

We head off-the-grid deep in the rainforests of the Batang Ai National Park, completely cut off from the trappings of technology and Western consumerism. Electricity is provided by generator just 3 hours per day. There is no other power, no telephone signal, no internet, and no hot showers. It’s just you and the jungle. As well as searching for wild orangutans high up in the trees, there are lots of different activities to get involved in including interacting with the local Iban tribespeople, learning traditional handicrafts, cooking, fishing, and swimming in jungle rivers. The financial benefits from eco-tourism provide the indigenous Iban people with an income and make them less dependent on illegal agriculture and logging, so your visit an essential part of the ongoing conservation of wild orangutan in jungle areas.

Includes – Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Stay – Iban Longhouse

DAY 14: SEMENGGOH

Today we return to the city of Kuching, spending time at the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre which was established in 1975 to care for wild animals that have been found injured in the forest, orphaned, or were previously kept as illegal pets. During its decades of operation, Semenggoh’s role has changed and it is now a haven for dozens of semi-wild, rehabilitated orangutans who you can see as they come to the platforms to eat.

Includes – Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Stay – Basaga Guesthouse

DAY 15-17: KUALA LUMPUR

We fly to the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur. “K.L.” is one of Asia’s supercities, and we will spend a day exploring it before returning to New Zealand. Highlights will include visiting the Petronas Towers in the central city, exploring the fascinating Hindu shrines deep inside the Batu Caves, and shopping for souvenirs at the famous Petaling Street Chinatown night market.

Includes – Brunch/ Dinner
Stay – The Bed Capsule Hotel or similar

Download The Complete Itinerary

KUCHING

MATANG WILDLIFE CENTRE

BAKO NATIONAL PARK

Telok Serabang

Batang Ai National Park

SEMENGGOH

KUALA LUMPUR

Download The Map In Image format

Accommodation

Basaga Guesthouse, Kuching

In Kuching, you will be staying in a boutique guesthouse. All rooms are well equipped with en-suite bathrooms. Located about a 20-minute drive from the Kuching International Airport and a 7-minute drive away from the City centre, it is within walking distance of one of Kuching’s largest shopping malls.

Longhouse, Matang Wildlife Centre

Whilst at Matang Wildlife Centre, you will be staying in a traditional wooden longhouse in the grounds of the centre, an idyllic setting in a remote rainforest area, inside of Kubah National Park. The longhouses are basic, well-used jungle cabins. Bathroom facilities include western toilets and overhead showers.

Cabins, Bako National Park

Accommodation at Bako is in very basic shared cabins. Bathroom facilities include western toilets and overhead showers. Make sure you shut your door to keep monkeys from going through the contents of your backpack!

Traditional longhouse, Telok Serabang

This is an opportunity to spend time with a Malay Sea Dayak community on one of Sarawak’s secluded beaches. Your accommodation will again be in a basic traditional wooden longhouse, with shared bedrooms and amenities. Bathroom facilities include western toilets and overhead showers.

Bamboo longhouse, Bidayuh Community, Padawan

You will be staying with a Bidayuh tribal community, one of the indigenous Dayak groups of Sarawak. Your accommodation will be in a traditional bamboo longhouse, with shared bedrooms and amenities. Bathroom facilities include western toilets and overhead showers.

Iban Community longhouse, Batang Ai National Park

You will be living in a traditional longhouse across the river from a small Iban community that has resided in this area of the rainforest for many generations. Bathroom facilities include western toilets and overhead showers. Expect facilities to be very basic as the community is a two hour upriver boat ride into the rainforest. Electricity is provided by the generator and runs for 3-4 hours per day. Other than that, there is no power, no telephone signal and no internet.

The Bed Capsule Hostel, Kuala Lumpur (or similar)

The bed is a very modern and clean capsule hostel in the popular KLCC area of central Kuala Lumpur. Expect your accommodation to be “small but perfectly formed” with clean shared bathrooms, basic breakfast, WIFI, and lockable security.

Meals

Three meals a day and drinks are provided throughout the tour. Meals will typically consist of noodles, rice, vegetables and meat, however, vegetarian options are always available.

Fitness

To participate on this project, a good level of fitness is required. This tour does not involve a lot in the way of physical labour, but it will involve trekking in the rainforest on the tour. The terrain can be difficult and the heat and humidity add an extra challenge. Especially if you come from a temperate climate you may find that your body takes a few days to adjust to the relentless humidity. You need to always be mindful that you keep your fluids up and take breaks when you need to. You should have high enough levels of fitness to be able to partake in regular treks on slippery mud trails.

Volunteering

Volunteering Projects

Matang Wildlife Centre

You will spend two days at the esteemed Matang Wildlife Centre being toured around the park, meeting the conservationists working in the field, and trekking through the jungle. There will be limited volunteering at Matang, and it will main involve helping out with small manual labour tasks and maintenance, and creating enrichment food items to stimulate the wildlife and primates kept at the centre.

Batang Ai National Park

This is a unique opportunity to work towards conservation efforts of endangered flora and fauna within Batang Ai National Park. Your work here will range from checking camera traps to maintenance of trails and infrastructure. There will also be work assisting local communities that live adjacent to the park, developing sustainable eco-tourism initiatives with them to provide alternate revenue streams and securing their future on their land. There will also be opportunities for treks to simply try to spot the wildlife that lives there – it is the only spot in Sarawak that there is a chance to see wild orangutan!

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