Orangutan & Rainforest Tribes

  Malaysia

• Other Cities in Malaysia: 
Kuching

Dates: 3rd to 16th of every month

Description: This ecotour is crafted to raise awareness of the conservation efforts made in Sarawak, Borneo, to bring harmony between people and orangutans. The 14-days/13-night ecotour is a voyage of discovery, giving you one-day "back stage passes" to see captive orangutans being rehabilitated at Matang Wildlife Centre, the released semi-wild orangutans of Semenggoh Nature Reserve, the seven different habitats of Borneo in the amazing National Park at Bako and then one week into the rainforest to meet the descendents of the legendary headhunters of Borneo, the Iban tribes, now the custodians of the wild orangutans of Batang Ai National Park.

You will discover more about the positive conservation efforts being made, uncovering some of the existing problems and some of the solutions, to sustain safe orangutan populations in the safe havens of Malaysia.

With the extinction of orangutans being predicted in 20 years, you can help be part of the solution. Your money goes directly into supporting our projects. In particular, you will be helping to support the Iban tribes with ecotourism money, to give them the means to protect their native jungle where wild orangutans live in peace and harmony, to help them afford education and healthcare for their children, to live in a traditional manner within their longhouse communities whilst still meeting their modern aspirations.

1) Your tour employs local guides, supports local communities wishing to live in harmony with their rainforest home, and demonstrates that orangutans and forests are worth more alive than chopped down. This is a virtuous circle, generating interest within the local community and authorities to place value on their natural heritage and virtually guarantees the protection of orangutan populations in this area.

2) You will gain an insight into the world of the orangutan and learn more about conservation. You will experience a meaningful holiday that you will be able to share with others, increasing the awareness of this amazing great ape.

3) Know that you are travelling with a company that is run by environmentalists, not big business. Your values are shared by us and your holiday we be run responsibly and environmentally.

Please note, this is considered moderately difficult tour. This is because there are a couple of treks that will take you up and down hillsides through the rainforest.

Highlights:
Day 1 : Arrive in Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo: Check in and settle into guest house and attend a welcome dinner at local restaurant.

Day 2 : Orangutan & Animal Wildlife Centre: In the late afternoon transfer to Matang Wildlife Centre. This wildlife centre in the vicinity of Kubah National Park, you will get back stage passes to visit the Ape Centre.

You will come face to face to with the world famous Aman. A great male orangutan who on 16th May 2007 had the world's first eye cataract operation on a primate after being blind for 10 years. Meet Aman's baby daughters and the efforts made to rehabilitate them back into the wild and establish new populations in the Sarawak jungle. Talks and light enrichment activities on orangutan and why they are endangered see other animals that have been rescued from poachers, sun bears, behind the scenes of how the centre works to conserve animals and safeguard the future of orangutan in Sarawak.

Day 3 : Kubah National Park: After breakfast leave the centre and trek through Kubah National park where you can visit the park's beautiful waterfalls and swim the waters of a jungle river. Return for lunch at the wildlife centre. Bid a final farewell to resident orangutans at the centre Enjoy your overnight stay at the centre.

Day 4 : Kuching: Following breakfast, depart the Wildlife Centre for Kuching. In the afternoon you have time to spend a relaxing in the town and some last minute shopping. This is your last opportunity to purchase those last minute supplies before heading into the jungle!

Day 5 : Semenggoh & Bako: After breakfast you will make a visit to Semenggoh Nature Reserve located a short drive from the centre of Kuching. This tour to Semenggoh Nature Reserve will be arranged to correspond with the feeding time of the orangutans. In the afternoon, depart for Bako National Park. From the village, take a 25-minute boat ride to the park. Bako is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural surrounding such as the amazing proboscis monkey. Note: there are spiders and snakes in the rainforest. You will stay overnight in park chalets.

Day 6 : Bako National Park: Activities vary but will undoubtedly include hiking through jungle trails, sunsets, and swimming in the sea by secluded beaches. Be at one with nature. You will stay overnight in park chalets.

Day 7 : Bako National Park to Kuching Return to Kuching in the early afternoon (schedule may depend on tide). Drop off at guesthouse. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 8-13 : Batang Ai National Park - Orangutan Country: Welcome to orangutan country. Travel to Batang Ai National Park passing through the rubber, cocoa and pepper plantations on the way. Stop en-route to sample some of the local delicacies and see the local wildlife. Visit the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce including edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit. From the large reservoir catch a boat up the valleys past the forest fields and Iban longhouses. By visiting the longhouse you are contributing directly to a new ecotourism project and supporting the tribe's efforts to maintain their way of life. Stay at jungle lodge for next days where you can live life according to nature. Waking with the sun and falling asleep as darkness sets. Various activities including trekking into the jungle for the chance to see wild orangutans and participate in orangutan nest counting. You will participate in volunteer activities tribal cooking and experience the Iban way of life, try your hand at aquaculture and local agriculture, and go trekking into the jungle to seek orangutan nests and orangutans note: You may find orangutans in the wild and should not approach them but appreciate them from a close and safe proximity. Jungle trekking can be hard work and it is expected that travelers are physically able to cope with the treks. Paths can go up and down hills.

Day 13 : Transfer back to Kuching: After breakfast pack up and depart Batang Ai and make the journey back to Kuching. Arrive Kuching in the afternoon and back to beds and a warm shower at the hostel!

Day 14 : Departure. Check out and depart for Kuching Airport.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Malaysia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Great Orangutan Project's Mission Statement: Connecting everyday people with endangered wildlife. The project seeks to increase the wild population of orangutans by repopulating the rainforest. We engage the local community, volunteers and the local government in Orangutan conservation.

Year Founded: 2003