Overview
A great opportunity to travel deep into the jungle to live and learn from two remote and unchanged indigenous tribes.
The first is with the traditional long house community of Tinangol, Northern Sabah, to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the Rungus Community. The second is at the very different village of Batu Puteh on the mighty Kinabatangan River in Eastern Sabah where you can see up to 8 species of primates including the elusive orangutans swinging by!
After all this you will get a couple of days R&R in Kota Kinabalu where you can get stuck into modern shops and bars or if you have time visit one of the stunning remote islands for a laid back beach moment.
How you help
Helping Who
The jungle villages of Tinangol and Batu Puteh.
Helping How
Tinangol - Community Phase:
Here you'll become totally integrated in the day to day life of this indigenous community whilst getting stuck into:
- Construction of Bio Gas Collectors – which pipes the decaying gases off human and animal waste into kitchens for cooking or lighting purposes.
- Construction of a community learning centre – to be used by the kindergarten and local women’s group.
Batu Puteh – Conservation Phase:
The main work here will be centred around forest regeneration, helping degraded areas of the reserve to be replanted with indigenous species of trees. Here you will collect seeds from the jungle, germinate them in the community nursery and then replant in the cleared areas.
You'll also help will the development of trails and animal/bird hides. The local community run an eco-lodge on the edge of an oxbow lake and are always looking to extend their facilities and infrastructure. Work could include planning and mapping new areas, clearing existing or new trails, trail improvements such as bridges, steps or rest areas, signage and information boards.
To access the work sites you will transported up and down the river by boats - your daily safari... on these trips be prepared to spot crocodiles, monkeys/orangutans, lizards, wild boar, bird life and elephants.
You may get the chance to help build an enclosure for the sun bears, adjacent to the orangutan sanctuary - this would be a very worthwhile project - they are adorable!
Your base
Your Team
Max of 30 volunteers per team, minimum of 4, aged 18-27.
Accommodation
Camp Tinangol: Here you will share a traditional long house with twin sharing rooms, including mattress and sheet if necessary. Showers (cold) and flushing squatting loos. The longhouse is in a small camp a short distance from the community of Tinangol. The camp has its own small lake and medicine garden and is a beautiful idyllic spot. The long house is the traditional way of living with small private sleeping quarters off a central corridor and communal area which is where you eat and hangout.
Batu Puteh: A short boat ride from the community takes you to the eco-lodge built by the local cooperative. Here you could be on a different planet with wildlife all around and no sign of human encroachment. You will live in a jungle camp under individual tarpaulins and sleeping in hammocks under your mosquito nets. The river runs close by and is your means of transport in and out of the area.
Food
You will eat locally produced food which will generally be rice or noodle based with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Meat will usually be either chicken or fish. Although menus will be local they will be tempered to western tastes wherever possible. Vegetarians are easily accommodated.
Weather
It is always hot and humid with temperatures constantly in early 30’s with high humidity. It is generally dry in the mornings with heavy rain in the afternoons.
Communication
You will be able to communicate in English, but English is limited amongst certain local communities. The project leaders will help translate on the placements and you’ll be encouraged to learn some useful local phrases.
Wildlife
Elephants, Wild Boar, Orangutan, Proboscis Monkeys, Other monkey species, Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Water Buffalos, Mouse Deer,
Birdlife: Eagles, Kites, Hornbills, Swifts, Kingfishers, Egrets, Darters,
Time In/Out
Time In
Generally activities on the projects will take place 5 days per week for 6 - 8 hours each day with weekends free but please remain flexible! Project hours are normally 7 to 11 then 2 to 5 pm.
You will all be met at Kota Kinabalu International airport (BKI) and taken by bus to Tinangol for a 2 day induction and training.
Initial 4 weeks at Tinangol followed by 2 weeks at Batu Puteh. This will include opportunities to see wildlife at first hand and an organised trip to the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary.
Time Out
Top Trips
The following adventures are in addition to the scheduled programme and are organised by Camp Borneo. These are approximate costs and a full description, itinerary and breakdown of costs can be provided.
- Mt Kinabalu 2 day climb - £175
- PADI open water scuba-diving course, 5-7 days (only available to those doing 6 weeks at the end of your trip, as those doing 10 weeks have this included in the cost) - £250
- PADI advanced scuba-diving course, 3-4 days (available to those doing 6 or 10 weeks) - £250
- Jungle trek, 5 days - £225
Exploring rain forests, spotting orangutans, jungle trekking, climbing mountains, kayaking, watersports including paragliding/banana boating/snorkelling, white-water rafting, jungle tours, scuba diving horseback riding, camping trips, wildlife tours, community tours.
Costs/Dates
Dates
2010 6 weeks 2011 6 weeks
July 5th July 4th
Costs
Up until 31st August 2010 Up until 31st August 2011
6 weeks £1760 6 weeks £1760
Includes:
Donation to the project trust – currently £80 per person
Selection and briefing on all aspects of the scheme
24-hour emergency back-up, management and support by UK team and in-country Placement Manager, with reliable communications and infrastructure.
Safety and induction course on arrival
Airport pick up and transfer to and from the placements. Transport between project phases.
Food and Accommodation throughout.
A day visit to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.
Not included:
International flights, internal flights (not applicable), travel insurance, visas (not required for 90 days), medical expenses (reclaimable through travel insurance), soft drinks/beer etc. Volunteers will be responsible for any independent/weekend travel expenses e.g. food and accommodation whilst away from the placement location and any excursions not listed above. We are happy to arrange flights through STA Travel who are well known for offering good value.
Donation To The Community
Included in the cost of the scheme is a donation set at the level indicated above. A one off volunteer donation of £80 is made to the Camp International Trust and dedicated to community-based conservation throughout Borneo. Company and Trust work towards assisting communities to live in harmony with wildlife and to appreciate and preserve their natural environment. Trust funds are divided amongst the projects you assist ensuring that your contribution benefits everyone where they need it most.
