RM 4,180 nett

Country

Malaysia

Location

Kuching & Batang Ai, Sarawak Borneo

Duration

12 days

Summary
of Programme

You will start your programme in the lovely state capital of Sarawak, Kuching, which will be the base for all your travels.  Sarawak is the largest state of Malaysia and is located on the island of Borneo together with the 2nd largest state of Malaysia, Sabah.

You will join other volunteers on a longer programme who would have worked 2 weeks at a Malaysian Zoo in Kuala Lumpur.  On this programme, you will first learn about orang-utans in rehabilitation programmes and the challenges faced by visiting 2 rehabilitation centres in Sarawak. 

After this, you will enter the tropical rainforests of Borneo and live near an Iban tribe where you will learn their culture and traditions or try your hand at their handicrafts.

Your programme will end in Kuching where you will easily find flights to other destinations in Malaysia.

Project Sites

Visit to Project Sites: Matang Wildlife Centre & Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre

Matang Wildlife Centre is about 30km from Kuching.  Situated in the Kubah National Park, it is home to several orang-utans and other endangered Bornean animals, both captive and wild*.  It houses a number of orang-utans some of which are currently undergoing rehabilitation. This Wildlife Centre also houses a number of other endangered Malaysian wildlife.

The resident animal expert and staff members who are out in the field dealing with the orang-utans on a daily basis will be on hand to tell you about orang-utan rehabilitation and how the centre works.

*note: whilst seeing the currently captive orang-utan and other animals is guaranteed, this particular centre does not encourage or facilitate bringing anyone other than essential staff into proximity with their semi-wild animals as they are attempting to retrain them to a fully wild state.

Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre is located 20km south of Kuching and situated within the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.   Established almost 40 years ago many of the orang-utans at Semenggoh are second or even third generation rehabilitants that were born in the surrounding forest and have never seen the inside of a cage.  Several of these orang-utans are habituated to the presence of humans and though contact is strictly prohibited it is possible to observe* them climbing through the trees, making nests or feeding at the platforms established as part of their support network within the protected forest reserve.

*note: whilst highly likely, sightings of the orang-utan are not guaranteed as they have all been released to a free roaming state within the 700 hectare reserve.  During fruiting season orang-utans tend not to come to the feeding platforms as the forest provides enough food for them.

Project Site: Jengin Longhouse, Batang Ai National Park, Sarawak

Batang Ai National Park The Park is located about 250 km from Kuching City. It will take about 4 hours in a coach or mini buses to the dam wall of the Batang Ai Dam.  From there, a 1-hour longboat journey will bring you upstream to the longhouse of the Iban tribe.

Here, you will stay at Jengin Longhouse, with the tribal community.  As you are staying to next to an Iban longhouse, you will have the opportunity to learn about their culture and practice and interact with community activities.

ARRIVAL & WELCOME
You will be met at the Kuching International Airport and transferred to your accommodation.

1900 hours: the Programme Facilitator will meet you at the roof top eatery of the accommodation and take you for the welcome dinner and an introduction to the 2nd half of the programme

For the next 2 days, you will visit to Matang Wildlife Centre and Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre.  You will be brought on a private tour around the centre and briefed about how the centre works and more about orang-utan behaviour and the long and challenging rehabilitation process of orang-utans

You will depart early morning for Batang Ai, first in a coach then in a longboat.  The journey will be long and you will arrive late in the afternoon.

At Batang Ai you will take part in 2 – 4 treks through the rainforest and maybe spot the elusive orang-utan or signs of it such as their nests.  You will live near the Iban tribe and be able to learn some of their traditional lifestyles and handicrafts.

Depart back to Kuching from Batang Ai via longboat and coach.  Check into Kuching accommodation

Transfer from Kuching Guesthouse for your outbound flight

Project Days & Activity Description

PROJECT DAYS are days where participants will interact with the community.  Some of the possible activities are listed below:

Exploring the Rainforest: There will be multiple treks / nature walks into the surrounding virgin rainforest.  As you trek, you will look out for its elusive inhabitants, the orang-utan, and signs of their presence, such as nests, as well as for other wildlife.  As you trek through the rainforest, you may be asked to carry out some light reforestation activities.  By replanting small areas of land damaged by the indigenous communities’ shifting agriculture or fires from lightning strikes with orang-utan fruit bearing trees, we are able to boost the carrying capacity of the forest;

Interacting with the Ibans: The Ibans have survived on the rainforest for centuries and their lifestyles are largely governed by it.  You may have the chance to learn some of traditional handicraft, cooking, survival or fishing techniques from one or more of the various tribes.  You will have opportunities to talk (with translation) with the tribes people to learn of their traditions and lives

You will have a good number of free time in Sarawak.  Picnics, a night out in the open jungle for the more adventurous, kayaking or swimming in jungle rivers and waterfalls are other possible free time activities

Life in the rainforest runs according to cycles and some times of the year might be dedicated to harvesting or festivals or might be monsoonal.  Be prepared to spend time with a few good books or your journal.
As this conservation project is dynamic and developing, new and different activities may be added throughout the year.

Your Role

MATANG WILDLIFE CENTRE & SEMENGGOH REHABILITATION CENTRE

You will be a privileged tourist as you spend 2 days visiting the Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centres.  Private tours will be conducted by our own expert staff who will tell you more about how the centre works, and gain an insight into orang-utan behaviours, the rehabilitation process and the challenges face in rehabilitation programmes. You will also see many other endangered animals being cared for at the centre.  There will be no interaction with the animals as they are undergoing rehabilitation.

BATANG AI LONGHOUSE

You will carry out approximately 2 to 4 treks through the jungle whilst you are there to experience the rainforest and hopefully spot a wild orang-utan or its nest. The trek can be three to four hours long and over some rough terrain.

On the non-trekking days you will have the chance to learn how to weave traditional Iban baskets and mats and try your hand at making your own. You may also learn some traditional Iban cooking. There will be some time to interact with the local community in the evenings too. 

Activities largely depend on the weather and time of year but also with regards to the customs and daily lives of the indigenous tribes e.g. weddings, rituals, periods of mourning or relocations.  Due to their laidback culture and a lifestyle that is governed by the natural cycles of the rainforest, be prepared to spend a few quiet days with your books and updating your journals.

KUCHING
You will spend several days in between sites in Kuching.  Take your time to explore the museums, cultural villages and savour local food.  Your last evening will be in Kuching before your transfer to the airport for your flight out.

Note: It is at the discretion of your programme facilitator to amend and change some of these routines and the times they are carried out. This is a guide, not a definitive programme with exact times.  Life in Malaysia, be it in the zoo or in the longhouse, is not of the same standards as what you are used to at home.