After all the planning and preparation the wait is finally over! Today we board our flight to Kota Kinabalu to begin our Borneo program. On arrival our team will be waiting and transfer you to your hotel for check in. We have a full safety and trip briefing before we start exploring the cultural highlights of this vibrant city. To gain an appreciation of the ethnic tribes of Malaysia we visit the Mari Mari cultural Heritage village and the city markets. Tonight we will enjoy our first Malaysian meal at a welcome dinner. Overnight hotel

Meals:  D

This morning we rise for lunch and pack our gear for the drive to our nature lodge at Sepilok. The ride should take around 4 1/2 hours and we will make stops for snacks and toilet breaks. Sepilok is a natural paradise and one of the best places in the world to see the Orangutan in its natural habitat. It is home to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Borneo Sunbear Centre and the Borneo Rainforrest Discovery Centre. On arrival, we will have time to check into our rooms and explore the incredible nature surrounds. We then will have a in country briefing and project orientation to go over our program for the next 2 weeks. We will then enjoy a delicious local Sabahan cuisine. Overnight Sepilok nature lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

After a delicious breakfast, we will depart for our Borneo Lowland Rainforest introduction at the Rainforest Discovery Center. We will take part in an extensive learning about the great forest and wildlife surrounding us. We will learn more about the various plant and animal species and navigate through the dense forest to observe nature at its best! After lunch we head out on a jungle walk through the canopy and stop at observations tower. The tree top canopy walk towers 30 m (90 ft) above the ground and stretches for over 350 m (1050 ft). It gives you a wonderful birds eye view of the jungle tree tops and wildlife in the park. This afternoon we join a program to locate and carry a data collection to the species we can observe. As we wrap our day at the rainforest discovery center, we head out to dinner to try some local delicacies! Then it’s off to bed to get a good night sleep for our service work. Overnight Sepilok nature lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

Over the next two days we will spend most of our time at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, the first orangutan sanctuary in the world. This facility is one of only four orangutan sanctuaries worldwide, providing medical care for orphaned and confiscated orangutans as well as dozens of other wildlife species. Over at the center, we will get the opportunity to observe and appreciate the orangutans and understand their life cycles and the intricate biodiversity roles that they have. We will also learn and understand more of the underlying threats to the habitat and wildlife. We assist the center with enrichment and welfare programs to help improve the playground and area area the Orangutans live and play in their daily life. Orangutans need to be able to climb and maintain some physical fitness whilst in a pre-release enclosure. We will help get a chance to aid with nesting material and enclosure enrichment such as tires, barrels, flexible rubber-ropes and other toys can be used to increase activity levels of the orangutans. During the afternoon we return back into our lodge for dinner. Overnight Sepilok nature lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we join the second part of our conservation work and service program. Malayan sun bears are the smallest bears in the world and are only found in Southeast Asia. These bears continue to be threatened by forest degradation, illegal hunting for bear parts and poaching to obtain young cubs for pet trade. The results of these threats has caused young sun bears found to be living in unnatural captive conditions in Sabah, with no access to outdoor areas. There are currently 42 rescued ex-captive sun bears residing at the BSBCC. The facility includes large forest enclosures to provide a natural environment suited to the needs and welfare of the sun bears and facilitate their rehabilitation back into the wild. Our program will include participation in the bears welfare program as well as the nursery for endangered species. Overnight Sepilok nature lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we embark on a trek in the Virgin Jungle Reserve to see this magical area first hand and to learn of its current predicament. Home to tropical highland forests, lowland forests and lowland mangrove swamps this ancient forest is a vitally important area once known as the lungs of South East Asia. Despite being one of the largest and oldest forests in the world much of the lowlands rainforest is being wiped out due to intense deforestation. with much of its carbon rich peatlands being destroyed the effects are threatening to the community, environment and endangered wildlife. We learn about the current state of the forest and the good work that several NGO groups to help protect this wilderness area. Overnight Sepilok nature lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have early breakfast, checkout and make our drive to Sukau to start our cultural immersion program. Borneo is known for their diverse culture, and one of the main ethnic groups comes from a tribe known as the Suku Kaum Sungai, also known as the “People of the River.” We settle into our nature lodge and enjoy a traditional local cuisine from the village. After lunch, we join the local village community of the gentle Orang Sungai (River People). We will join a village and tribe orientation and join a number of cultural activities in the surrounding jungle. The activities may include such programs as the Seni Silat (Indigenous Martial Art), Seni Tari (traditional dance), traditional craft and carvings. The Orang Sungai are known for Bird’s Nest Supply, we will also take part in learning of the process and importance of birds nest. Overnight village lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will have a full day exploration through the magnificent scenery of the Kinabatangan River and mangrove forest. The Kinabatangan is the second longest river in Malaysia and is known for its high biodiversity and excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. We will explore this area collecting data and identifying animal and plant species. We hope to spot the Proboscis Monkey, Pygmy Elephant, Gibbons, Orangutans, Macaques along with hundreds of bird species. We learn of the many conservation efforts afoot in this protected area. Tonight we will venture out on a night safari as we witness the forest coming to life! Overnight village lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

For centuries, the intricate and complex caves at Gomantong have been renowned for their valuable edible swiftlet nests, which are harvested. The caves and surrounding areas are a protected area for wildlife, especially orangutans. The caves themselves are magnificent and we explore the large entrance and surrounds. During our caving experience, we may be able to witness the Prang Sungai harvesting the birds nests inside the cave, a remarkable sight. The locals with licenses climb to the roof of the caves, using only rattan ladders, ropes, and bamboo poles, and collect the nests. Overnight village lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we have breakfast and say goodbye to our lodge hosts as we head out on the short drive to Sandakan. Here we will stop at the local central markets to see goods being traded. We will then join the heritage house walk to understand the various historical and cultural iconic sights in the area. Many of the stops include historical structures built in the 18th century that had survived during the WWII bombing. This afternoon we drive back to Sandakan for your outbound flight

Meals:  B,L,D