Wildlife Conservation and Sustainability in Borneo
Explore one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Discover local villages, jungles, mountains and rivers, as you learn about conservation and sustainability in action. A jam-packed schedule of wildlife river cruises, orangutan and sun bear conservation, jungle treks, and aiding local farming efforts. You will come away from this expedition with a host of amazing new memories, experiences and skills - a trip not to be missed!
Learn about orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) conservation, local culture and farming methods, and the key species that live in Borneo. Wildlife river cruises, cooking lessons and jungle survival workshops await you on this unforgettable expedition. Plus, you’ll further your knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals that align with this project, as well as gain a deeper understanding of your own social and environmental impact.
“It’s been on our list for so long! Finally we can give you...Borneo ”
On this epic 13-day adventure, you’ll experience the very best of Borneo and see a whole array of incredible jungle wildlife.
This trip is about discovering the conservation and sustainability work going on in Borneo right now. It will provide insight into how content from the classroom is being applied to the real world to safeguard the future of our planet, and how the smallest of actions can contribute towards the biggest of changes.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrive in Kota Kinabalu
Days 2-3: Kota Kinabalu
Day 4: Transfer to Kinabatangan
Days 5-6: Kinabatangan River
Day 7: Transfer to Sepilok
Day 8: Orangutan and Sun Bear conservation
Day 9: Transfer to Kudat
Day 10: Kudat
Day 11: Transfer to Kota Kinabalu
Day 12: Kota Kinabalu
Day 13: Depart
About your adventure
Starting in Kota Kinabalu, you will be introduced to the cultural side of Borneo with a stroll around a night market and dinner at a local restaurant before learning all about how local people farm in the foothills of the mountainous forests. Experiencing the awesome flora and fauna Borneo has to offer, you will take part in guided nature and canopy walks, wildlife river cruises, tours of the Mountain Garden and jungle treks.
Learn about the incredible biodiversity of the area (15,000 species of plants, 221 species of terrestrial mammals, 420 species of birds!) as you look out for orangutans, gibbons, tarsiers, lizards, amphibians, lemurs, dolphins, crocodiles and much more. The rainforest is an ecosystem like no other, and you will have the chance to be part of it!
Alongside exploring the wealth of habitats in Borneo, you will spend a day in Sepilok learning about orangutan and sun bear conservation. The work done here helps orphaned, confiscated and injured animals to be rehabilitated so they can return to the wild.
You will also have the chance to take part in a jungle survival course, providing skills to take with you into your future.
During your time in Borneo, you will stay in eco-lodges, local home-stays, jungle lodges and a hotel at the end of the project as a reward for all your hard work! With time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings within this jam-packed itinerary, this will be the experience of a lifetime.
Our trips are designed to help you develop a wide range of life skills and a deeper understanding of how you can help us work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Learn more ⟶
Wildlife Conservation itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu
After arriving in Kota Kinabalu, you will meet your guide who will introduce you to Borneo, beginning with a stroll around the night market. A well-needed dinner at a local restaurant will provide you with your first taste of what is to come over the next 13 days.
Meals: D
Accommodation: Hotel
Days 2-3
Kota Kinabula
The next two days are centred around learning about the people and culture of Borneo. Try your hand at rice processing, planting and rubber tapping at Kiulu's paddy fields. Explore the local villages, each offering scenic views of the forests, mountains and valleys.
You will also journey to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu to explore the Mountain Garden and Education Centre, as well as experience a guided nature and canopy walk.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 4
Transfer to Kinabatangan
Day 4 will see you journey from the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu across Sabah to the Kinabatangan River District, famous for its rich biodiversity and culture.
You'll start your exploration of this area with a stunning sunset river cruise, providing the opportunity to spot some of the incredible wildlife that calls Kinabatangan home. During your time in Kinabatangan, you will stay in a local village, eating local food and immersing yourself in local culture.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Homestay
Days 5-6
Kinabatangan River
Enjoy a sunrise river cruise, looking out for proboscis monkeys, orangutans, tarsiers, Irrawaddy dolphins and many more amazing species!
After breakfast, you will take part in cooking lessons with your host family and have time to explore the village. You will also stay in an Eco Camp in the forest. Go jungle trekking in the nearby forest and take part in the Forest Conservation Programme by supporting tree planting efforts. Another wildlife cruise as the sunsets will provide a magical experience before dinner at the campsite.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Eco Camp
Day 7
Transfer to Sepilok
After your final river cruise, you will head out for a guided nature walk to explore Kinabatangan for the last time before heading to Sepilok.
In Sepilok you will check out the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Here, keep an eye out for small mammals such as flying lemurs, and a variety of lizards. You may even spot an orangutan nesting in the rainforest canopy above! You’ll be staying in a jungle lodge, surrounding yourself with rainforest flora and fauna.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 8
Orangutan and Sun Bear Conservation
Today is all about wildlife rehabilitation. Head to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and learn how the young apes are rehabilitated and released into a semi-wild environment. Observe feeding time, the nursery and witness how orphaned, confiscated and injured orangutans are cared for and given the best chance to be returned to a natural habitat.
After the orangutans, you will visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and see the incredible work they are doing to rescue and rehabilitate the world's smallest bear. Today will give you a close-up view of conservation work in action and provide you with some awesome memories.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 9
Transfer to Kudat
This day provides a chance to see the island as you journey from the north of Sabah to the eastern point of Borneo as you make your way to a lodge in the jungle. During the drive, you will see the ruthless impact of deforestation up close. Miles of palm oil plantations have replaced native forests to provide this commodity - destroying the natural habitat of many native species.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Traditional Longhouse
Day 10
Kudat
Take part in a jungle survival course designed to teach you skills useful not only in survival situations but also in everyday life. Immerse yourself fully in the jungle world and learn skills you may never have experienced before. Learn about plant ID, jungle craft and navigation. It may push you out of your comfort zone but it will provide you with some incredible knowledge in an amazing environment.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Traditional Longhouse
Day 11
Transfer to Kota Kinabalu
After a hard day in the jungle, you’ll transfer back to Kota Kinabalu where you can settle and relax ahead of your last day, reflecting on the eye-opening experience you’ve had and the knowledge you’ve gained on your travels around the island.
Meals: B,
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12
Kota Kinabalu
The penultimate day of the expedition is for you to relax by the pool, explore the local area or take in the last views of the stunning scenery. You may wish to check out the local markets, enjoy a last taste of local cuisine and walk around Kota Kinabalu.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13
Depart
After breakfast, you will head to the airport for your journey home after a jam-packed adventure!
Meals: B
What’s included
NOTE:
Visas, vaccinations, personal expenditure, tips for leaders, guides and drivers and any other services not listed above are not included. Please note that the itinerary may change due to a number of circumstances such as, weather, ferry and transfer times.
Important notes
Once you’ve confirmed your spot, you’ll be sent a kit list and receive further information about the daily activities as well as your pre-departure conservation and sustainability workshops. If you have any questions about the trip please get in touch. If you have any questions about Flooglebinder’s educational adventures please take a look at our FAQs page.
VACCINATIONS
Please check the FCO site for Borneo for the latest COVID restrictions, vaccination policy and entry requirements.
Please check with your local GP to find out which vaccinations you require for any adventure that you decide to book. These are a guide; a full consultation is necessary to establish individual risk and suitability of vaccines. There may be instances where more than one appointment is required to assess whether a vaccine can be offered.
Recommended vaccinations:
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Hepatitis A
Typhoid Fever
Vaccinations to be considered:
Polio
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Cholera
Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
Tuberculosis (TB)
Malaria infected country.
INSURANCE
Please check if your school provides insurance and if not we will require your policy number and details 8 weeks before departure.
Flooglebinder has public liability cover of £5million but participants must arrange their own travel insurance for all other levels of cover (e.g. cancellation, curtailment, loss of personal belongings etc.). Please feel free to contact us for any advice or recommendations.
Your safety is our number one priority on all of our educational adventures. All of your finances are protected through our Financial Failure Insurance and each programme adheres to British Standards (BS8848). If you have any questions about our safety and security measures, please do get in touch.
VISAS
Please check the FCO site for Borneo for the latest entry requirements.
See what life is like on tour
