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Wildlife Conservation Trip in Borneo

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Trip curated by
James McGeown

On this wildlife conservation trip in Borneo, students have the chance to get up close with the region’s incredible wildlife. At the Sepilok Rehabilitaion Centre, they can witness the elusive orangutan in its natural habitat, and from a river boat cruise try to spot pygmy elephants, the proboscis monkey and estuarine crocodiles. Students will gain an understanding of the pioneering conservation taking place, and the diverse biology of the region’s flora and fauna. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu Park to the Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp, this will be an experience your group will always remember. 

Discover all of our Malaysia school trips and South-East Asia school trips, our volunteering and service trips are customisable for a range of countries.

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Prices from £850 

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

Prices from €1,020 

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

Prices from $1,070 

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

Highlights

Experiencing a boat river cruise

Tree Planting Activity

Exploring the botanical garden

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Borneo

  • Arrive at the airport where our enthusiastic Adventure Leaders will be waiting for you at the arrivals gate, waving our Learning Adventure flag.
  • Board a private coach to transfer to your accomodation. Once aboard, you will be provided with a Trip Briefing. Your adventure leaders will explain details about your travel plans, give advice on how to adapt to the local culture and outline how you will stay safe during your travels.
  • Spend time on your first evening adjusting to Malaysia time and enjoying a welcome dinner.

 

Wildlife conservation in Borneo Wildlife conservation in Borneo Wildlife conservation in Borneo

Day 2: Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre

  • Situated 23 kilometres from Sandakan Town and not too far from the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, the Rainforest Discovery Centre‘s main highlights are its 363m long canopy walkway, exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, environmental education programmes and a small lake with a suspension bridge.
  • The RDC also gives visitors a chance to get intimate with nature through its Nature Experience programme which includes a guided walk to the Plant Discovery Garden, Rainforest Walk and indoor/outdoor activities.
  • Enjoy an evening of leisure time at your lodge.

Day 3: Up close with orangutans

  • Get up close to magnificent orangutans. Witness these beautiful animals in their natural habitat and experience feeding them for yourself. 
  • Your students will delight in getting such a magnificent sight of these elusive primates. Found in most coastal areas of Borneo, they live in groups of 11-32 and almost exclusively in mangrove forests near fresh water and in lowland rainforests. They are mostly arboreal (tree living) but have been known to leave the trees in order to cross open ground or pass through nipah palms. With its characteristic pot belly, huge pendulous nose with strange honking sound, it is one of the most peculiar animals in the world.

Day 4: Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp

  • Check-out and depart overland (approx. 2hrs drive) to MESCOT base for registration and introduction. After lunch, continuing by boat to get to Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp (TREC). 
  • Take a boat river cruise in search of wildlife along the Kinabatangan River such as the Bornean pygmy elephants, orangutans, proboscis monkey, leaf monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers, estuarine crocodiles and many more. There are no guarantees to see them in their natural habitat, however the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is noted as one of the best places in Southeast Asia to find and observe wildlife in Borneo. Return to the camp before sunset.
  • Proceed for a guided night walk in one of the trails in search of nocturnal animals. 

Day 5: Forest walk and tree planting

  • Wake up early in the morning to embark for your forest walk activity which involves looking for seeds, sprouts or just enjoy the chirping of birds. TREC is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Wild fruit trees surround the eco camp and daily attract up to five species of hornbill, orangutan, macaques, and a host of other rainforest birds. Return to Camp. 
  • You will be briefed about the Forest Restoration Project before proceeding to the nursery for seed propagation. All planting material is propagated in the MESCOT Nursery from seed collected by the MESCOT team in the surrounding rainforest. Trees are nurtured in the nursery from 4-6 months before being transported in the forest sites for planting. 
  • Transfer the seedling to the forest restoration site for your tree planting activity. The aim of the tree planting program is to reforest the logged area as well as to create more “eco-corridors” for the migration of animals in the region especially for the Bornean pygmy elephant (the smallest elephant in the world) which has been listed as endangered species.

Day 6: Batik painting

  • Packup and travel overland (approx. 5hrs drive) to Nalapak Ranau for Sabah Tea Resort.
  • Unleash your creative side by trying a local Batik painting activity. Batik is a technique of traditional wax-resist dyeing of clothes. Learn these techniques and creating your own design inspired by the rainforest surroundings.

Day 7: School visit and botanical garden

  • Visit a pre-school & primary school for interaction and teaching English sessions. It is advisable to bring new/used books with photos for pre-school students.
  • Stopover at Kinabalu Park for the botanical garden, the 754 square km Park is the Malaysia’s first “World Heritage” designated by UNESCO in December 2000 for its role as one of the world’s most important biological sites. One of the earth’s last frontiers of wilderness, this is a natural paradise. The park is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna including the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. Stopover at Nabalu Market. Visitors can find a rich variety of local products, like fruits, vegetables, snacks and handicrafts in this small market place and enjoy the spectacular view of the Mount Kinabalu on a clear day. 

Day 8: Farewell

  • Today, it’s time to head back to the airport for your flight home. The Learning Adventure’s mission is to expand minds through transformative travel experiences, so we hope that as you settle into your seat for the journey home, that all you have experienced during your trip will leave you with a feeling of increased confidence, knowledge, understanding and yearning for your next adventure!  

Map

Prices from £850 

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

Prices from €1,020 

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

Prices from $1,070 

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

for 8 days

Prices based on groups of 20 students and 2 free teachers, not including flights.

What's included

  • Adventure Leader for the entire trip
  • All accommodation costs, with option for single rooms for teachers
  • All meals for the entire trip
  • All transportation costs, including airport pick-up and drop-off
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • Customisable Free Teacher Ratio
  • 24-hour emergency contact support during the trip
  • Detailed pre-departure summary & briefing
  • Full financial failure protection
  • Public liability insurance
  • Our trips are fully risk-assessed
  • Fully customisable

Learning Outcomes

Learn more about the rich wildlife of Borneo and world-leading conservation efforts.
Develop personal responsibility and travel ethics through service and volunteer opportunities.
Gain an appreciation for Borneo’s wealth of biodiversity and the conservation efforts to sustain it.

Enquire now for a customised quote

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