Orangutan & Pygmy Elephant Safari

  Malaysia

• Other Cities in Malaysia: 
Kota Kinabalu,  Sandakan

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 6th to 19th

Description: On this safari you will experience many different species in the ancient rainforest of the Kinabatangan River as well as work on conservation days. Amongst your duties, you will track and record the movements of orangutans and pygmy elephant, plant trees and spend a day in a local school focusing on conservation education.

This will be done in the relative luxury of the Sukau Rainforest Lodge, a "First Choice Responsible Tourism" UK award-winning ecolodge straddled along the river of Lower Kinabatangan.

On this unique safari holiday come up close to orangutans at the world-famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and help in the conservation of pygmy elephants while exploring Borneo. With less than 1000 pygmy elephants remaining in the Borneo rainforests, you may capture rare moments to see small herds of pygmy elephants in their natural habitat and explore the conflict between animal and villagers. Includes tree-planting activity to turn your holiday carbon neutral and create new green corridors of habitat for wildlife to pass through.

Please note that this is safari with days where you will be participating in conservation activities.

Highlights:
Day 1 (6th of the month) : Arrive Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and transfer to hotel for overnight in comfortable twin bedded accommodation. Welcome dinner.

Day 2 (7th) : Drive approximately 2 ½ hours over the ridges of Crocker Range to reach Malaysia's first World Heritage Site, Kinabalu National Park. Explore the cool and scenic surrounding. Continue for 4 hours drive to the gateway to wildlife paradise of Borneo, Sandakan. Overnight spent in Sepilok B&B. This is comfortable dormitory style accommodation. (Breakfast /Lunch)

Day 3 (8th) : Visit world famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Watch video show on orangutan conservation in Sabah and proceed to the orangutan feeding platform to witness orangutan feeding. Lunch will be in Sandakan before boat transfer to ecolodge along the longest river in Sabah, the Kinabatangan. River safari cruise in the afternoon. Overnight spent in Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 4 (9th) : "Give Something Back" day: A full day Orangutan & Pygmy Elephant conservation activity i.e. search and data collection. Overnight spent in Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 5 (10th) : "Give Something Back" day: A full day Orangutan & Pygmy Elephant search. Overnight spent in Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 6 (11th) : "Give Something Back" day: Participate in tree planting project. To help offset your CO2 emissions in travelling with us to Borneo. Overnight spent at Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 7 (12th) : "Give Something Back" day: A full day of Orangutan & Pygmy Elephant search and data collection. Overnight spent in Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 8 (13th) : "Give Something Back" day: A full day Orangutan & Pygmy Elephant search and data collection. Overnight spent in Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 9 (14th) : Free at your own leisure (This is subject to change). Overnight spent in Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 10 (15th) : "Give Something Back" day: Visit local village primary school. Informal and fun presentation and educate children on Wildlife Habitat. Overnight spent at Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 11 (16th) : "Give Something Back" day: Participate in tree planting project. To help offset your CO2 emissions in travelling with us to Borneo. Overnight spent at Ecolodge. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 12 (17th) : Depart Sukau for Sandakan. Upon arrival, transfer to hostel for check-in. Free and easy in Sandakan.Overnight at Sandakan hostel dormitory style. (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day 13 (18th) : Proceed to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden board walks to witness the feeding of the orangutans at 10am. Following this there is an optional trek further in through lowland rainforest to the mangroves. Enjoy a packed lunch before returning by boat through the mangroves to Sandakan. Overnight in Sandakan hostel - dormitory style (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day 14 (19th) : Check out and transfer to Sandakan airport (Breakfast).

Cost in US$: 1775

* Doesn't include internal or international flights

Experience Required: no

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