Volunteering and Jungle Living

1. 1–2

   Days 1–2

   Depart UK, fly overnight and arrive in Sandakan on day 2

   Meal included: dinner

   Fly from the UK to Sandakan where we meet our local STC Expedition Leader and transfer to our accommodation in Sepilok. We spend our first night in Borneo here; already immersed in the incredible wildlife and environment the island has to offer. After freshening up and a welcome briefing, we visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre for an evening walk before tucking into our first traditional meal.

2. 3

   Day 3

   Sepilok Orangutan and Sun Bear Sanctuaries

   All meals included

   Today we rise early to visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the famous Orangutan Sanctuary where a video presentation introduces us to the centre, after which we can walk down to the viewing platforms to watch the orangutans enjoy their dinner and gain an understanding of the work Sepilok does and the plight of these amazing creatures. After a full day of marveling and learning about these majestic and endangered species, we go to the Rainforest Discovery Centre for a nighttime walk where we will discover all sorts of different jungle creatures.

3. 4–6

   Days 4–6

   Kinabatangan Project

   All meals included

   Today we transfer 1hr to Bilit Kinabatangan, our home for the next 3 days. Here we will complete a sustainable and ethical community project and go on wildlife cruises along the river. Previous projects have involved constructing prawn and fish traps, helping with planting seedlings to reforest areas of local land and assisting with maintenance. We might also spend some time at the village school to allow the local students a chance to practice their English and to play sports together. During the project we will stay with a local family in a traditional homestay, where we will learn to cook traditional cuisine. This is an opportunity to get a true understanding of what day to day life is like in rural communities in Borneo. It will be basic but you will have a warm welcome.

4. 7

   Day 7

   Gomantong Cave and Transfer to KK

   All meals included

   This morning we bid goodbye to the Bilit community and begin our journey to the capital of Borneo, Kota Kinabalu. We stop for lunch en-route and visit Gomantong Cave. We follow the boardwalk through dense jungle to the mouth of the cave and begin exploring. We continue along a wooden walkway, feeling the humid air and hearing bats overhead. We arrive in Kota Kinabalu around 6pm and have dinner. We have the rest of the evening to relax and get an early night before a busy day tomorrow.

5. 8

   Day 8

   Tuaran Bike Ride & Beach Clean

   All meals included

   Following breakfast at our hotel, we take a a 45-minute transfer out of Kota Kinabalu to the start of the day’s biking adventure! Our ride takes us through the heartland of the Dusun people as we cycle through small villages and jungle plantations. We stop for lunch at Tuaran town, close to the Chinese Pagoda. We pass through beautiful villages on hanging bridges, single track trails, rubber and pineapple plantations and are greeted by friendly locals. It is a great way to see more of everyday life in Borneo.

   On arrival back in Kota Kinabalu, we get stuck in with our ‘Environment Clean Up’ project and help to collect waste from the shoreline. This is a huge problem in Borneo where hundreds of miles of coastline is polluted with waste from passing ships, littering and washed in from the South China Sea.

6. 9

   Day 9

   White water rafting & Ziplining

   All meals included

   We swap our bikes for rafts today. After a safety briefing, we raft through the jungle for about 9.5km! The Kiulu River runs through the stunning Kiulu Valley and is gentle, safe and fun. For 2.5hrs we paddle down the river until reaching the end. We finish the day with another adrenaline activity as we zipline through the forest!

7. 10

   Day 10

   MERC visit

   All meals included

   Today we turn our attention to the sea and coral reefs of Kota Kinabalu and visit the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) off the coast. We are met on arrival by MERC staff for a briefing and full tour of the rehabilitation centre for marine life. Here we learn about the importance of their work for the local ecology. Activities can include helping with MERC’s Seagrass Transplanting Project, cleaning the coral nursery (brushing algae and collecting snails!) and learning about the importance of phytoplankton as a live food source for many young sea animals.

8. 11–12

   Days 11–12

   Depart Kota Kinabalu, arrive UK

   Meal included: breakfast

   On our final day in Borneo, we make our way to the airport for our return flight back to the UK. Depending on flight schedules, we may have time to buy some last minute souvenirs.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.