Volunteer and Travel in Borneo

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Volunteering in Borneo

For those who have always dreamed of becoming a volunteer in Borneo, here is your chance to get involved with environmental conservation in this hugely ecologically diverse country. If you're a water baby then you will love our scuba diving marine conservation project on the beautiful Pom Pom island. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land then you can get involved in our environmental conservation and community empowerment project working on the banks of the stunning Kinabatangan River. Based in Malaysian Borneo, you will be volunteering alongside wildlife and nature at its absolute finest. This project is perfect for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike and you will be based in the ecologically diverse and lush region of Sabah, also home to Orangutans in Borneo, the world famous Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.

If you would like to branch out and also volunteer in Asia check out our other projects in India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.

About Borneo
Beautiful, diverse and unexplored Borneo boasts a wealth of indigenous tribes, undiscovered jungles, rare unique and exotic species of flora and fauna in the rainforest in Borneo which is said to be the oldest on the planet. The world’s third largest island, Borneo is divided into 3 countries – Malaysia (the states of Sabah and Sarawak), Indonesia (Kalimantan) and the incredibly wealthy state of Brunei.

Home to the famous orangutan, incredible Mt Kinabalu as well as the world’s largest flower, Borneo also houses critically endangered elephants, leopards and rhinos which, alongside its marine biodiversity make Borneo a top destination for wildlife lovers around the world. Your volunteer project will be based in the state of Sabah which is rich in treasures and will allow chances to revel in the country’s beauty. Trek Mt Kinabalu, dive in the Sindapan Reefs, visit orangutans at the Sepilok Sanctuary, explore the forest of the Sungai Kinabatangan River, discover the remote Maliau Basin – there is so much to see and do that there is sure to be an adventure around every corner.

  • Borneo Travel Highlights

    Mount Kinabalu

    At 4095 metres high, Mount Kinabalu is South East Asia’s highest peak. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding areas are one of the most popular biological sites in the world with over 4500 species of plant, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species identified – including orangutans and many varieties of monkeys. If you choose to climb Kinabalu you’ll spend a night in sleeping in basic rooms on the mountain and then get up at 4am in order to reach the summit at sunrise – a truly spectacular experience!

    Tabin Wildlife Reserve

    The Tabin Wildlife Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia. It was created in 1984 primarily because of the large number of animals that inhabited its forests many of which are highly endangered. Among the species that reside within the reserve are: the Borneon Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau; nine species of primate including orangutans, as well as three species of cats all of which are on the protected wildlife list. The reserve is thought of as one of best areas for wildlife viewing. Another highlight of a visit to Tabin are its active and mineral-rich mud volcanoes, which attract frequent visits from wildlife for their mineral intake and present an ideal platform for wildlife observation and bird-watching.

    Turtle Islands

    This idyllic little cluster of islands straddles the Malaysian and Philippine boundaries lying within the Sulu Seas. Turtle Islands are generally regarded one of the best destinations in Malaysia for their unique marine wildlife and also, most importantly, as the primary breeding ground for Green turtles in all of South East Asia. On most evenings, masses of turtles make their journey to the beach to lay their eggs.

    Jungle Trekking
    If you’re a nature lover, Borneo will be your heaven as there are numerous trekking opportunities throughout the island. In Sabah alone, there is beautiful and pristine jungle where you can set eyes on the biggest flower on earth – the Rafflesia. There are a large number of trails available for hiking enthusiasts within Kinabalu Park and Danum Valley. These treks range from a few hours, to a few days – depending on how adventurous you feel!

    Sepilok Orang-utan Centre
    If you’re interested in seeing orang-utans, where better than one of only a handful of orang-utan sanctuaries in the world – Sepilok. Meaning ‘Jungle Man’ in Malay, orang-utans are an incredible and fascinating species but sadly, they are becoming more and more rare to find in the wild. The world famous Sepilok Orang-utan Centre boasts a well preserved 10,000 hectare tropical lowland rainforest sanctuary where large numbers of the primate roam and mate freely.

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