Overview
Three different locations, projects and tribes in one fantastic placement…
On arrival you'll be whisked away to the traditional long house community of Tinangol, northern Sabah, to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the Rungus community. You'ill become involved with basic construction work, help out with their harvesting and take part in their highly competitive village sport.
The second phase will be at the village of Batu Puteh on the mighty Kinabatangan River in Eastern Sabah where you can see up to 8 species of primate including the elusive orangutan swinging by. Here you will live in a jungle camp and work on a forest regeneration project.
The third phase is at a camp on Mantanani Island, a 2-hour boat ride out into the South China Sea. The first week will be spent gaining your PADI Open Water diving qualification, preparing you to explore the reef and lagoon around the islands in search of turtles and dugongs, which swim within view of the beautiful white beaches. Here you will live amongst the Muslim community and assist with land based community building projects.
Your final week will be the BIG physical challenge… trek in the Crocker Range National Park, home to pristine jungle and exotic wildlife. Your guides will tell you tales of their ferocious head hunting forefathers and the spirits which live within!
After all this you will get a couple of days R&R in Kota Kinabalu where modern shops and bars await you!
How you help
Helping Who
The villages of Tinangol, Batu Puteh both in the jungle and the Mantanani community found on a tropical island surrounded by white beaches and blue sea.
Helping How
Tinangol - Community Phase:
Here you'll become totally integrated in the day to day life of this indigenous community while getting stuck into:
• Their harvesting.
• The 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.
• You can teach English, reading, drawing, sports and possibly music and art in the local primary school, the children are aged 7-10 and they love it.
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 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. 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!
Mantanani - Marine Awareness Phase:
The main goal here is to educate and encourage the local community to protect their marine environment.
You'll do this by giving environmental education particularly about rubbish disposal and fishing techniques to the villagers and local school. In addition we are improving the infastructures which will help them implement better lifestyle practises. For example we are building a community clinic and some form of rubbish disposal incinerator. With your open water diving qualification, you will be able to conduct several underwater surveys and litter clean ups on the beaches, in the lagoon and around the reef.
You can also teach English, reading, drawing, sports and possibly music and art in the local primary school, the children are aged 7-10 and very sweet.
Your base
Your Team
Max of 30 volunteers per team, minimum 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. You will also stay with a family on a homestay visit.
Mantanani: A mixture of semi permanent hammocks on a beautiful unspoilt island.
Jungle Trek: Hammocks and tents.
Food
You'll eat locally produced food - mainly rice or noodle dishes with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Meat will usually be chicken or fish. Menus will be local but they do try to temper them to the western palate! 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 11am then, due to the heat, from 2 or 3 to 5 pm.
Those choosing a 6 week placement will fly out with those who have chosen the 10 week option. You will all be met at Kota Kinabalu International airport (BKI) and taken by bus to Tinangol for a 2 day induction and training.
6 week programme: Initial 4 weeks at Tinangol. The final 2 weeks will be spent at Batu Puteh. This will include opportunities to see wildlife at first hand and an organised trip to the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary.
10 week programme: As above then 18 days on Mantanani Island where initially you will gain your PADI Open water diving qualification, which is included in the cost, and getting to know the community. Last 4 days: Transfer through Kota Kinabalu to Crocker Range for 4 days of jungle trekking and other activities.
The jungle trek is an awesome experience - sleeping in a hammock in primary rainforest is a once in a life time experience. You will learn to use a parang and challenge yourself to live amongst the insects and wildlife in their beautiful natural environment.
NB If you decide you don’t wish to do the diving course you will be kept busy but you will not be refunded the cost of the diving course. If you have your open water qualification then you will be offered the advanced diving qualification, if you have both then you will be offered an equivalent amount of dives.
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 (included for those doing 10 weeks)
Exploring rain forests, spotting orangutans, jungle trekking, climbing mountains, kayaking, watersports including paragliding/banana boating/snorkelling, white-water rafting, scuba diving, horseback riding, camping trips, community tours.
Costs/Dates
Dates
2010 for 10 or 6 weeks
January 4th, March 30th, July 5th (6 weeks only), September 2nd
2011 for 10 or 6 weeks
January 4th, March 31st, July 4th (6 weeks only), September 1st
Costs
Up until 31st August 2010 Up until 31st August 2011
6 weeks £1760 6 weeks £1760
10 Weeks £2930 10 weeks £2930
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.
PADI open water scuba-diving course – only for those doing 10 weeks.
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.
