This ecotour is crafted to raise awareness of the conservation efforts made in Sarawak, Borneo, to bring harmony  between  people and orangutans. Take an unforgettable orangutan jungle tour on the island of Borneo and a behind the scenes visits to two orangutan centres and three national parks. Experience Warning: This tour contains living with Rainforest Tribes in Batang Ai!

The 14-days / 13-night ecotour is a voyage of discovery, giving you one-day "back stage passes" to see captive orangutans being rehabilitated at Matang Wildlife Centre, the released semi-wild orangutans of Semenggoh Nature Reserve, the seven different habitats of Borneo in the amazing National Park at Bako and a one week trip into the rainforest. Here you will meet the descendents of the legendary headhunters of Borneo - the Iban tribes - now the custodians of the wild orangutans of Batang Ai National Park

on the island of Borneo you visit 2 orangutan centres - the Matang Wildlife Centre and the Semenggoh Nature Reserve; and 3 national parks - Bako National Park, Kubah National Park and Batang Ai National Park

on arrival your first night is spent in a guest house is comfortable and has access to all the mod cons; internet, shower with warm water, phones, television. You will be expected to share a bedroom with a fellow volunteer.  While based here you are surrounded by the wonders of Kuching itself. It has lots of museums and places of interest to visit during your stay. Not to mention the countless souvenir shops on your doorstep!

On the project, the accommodation is based in a jungle lodge which is basic but clean. This is jungle living at its best and you should not expect luxury. The shower runs cold water from the nearby waterfall. Electricity is produced by a generator and is not switched on all the time. There is, however, always the alternative of bathing in the river. A mosquito net is provided - you will need it! The geckos tend to help keep the insect population down for you.

Direct contact with the apes is not allowed because humanization is counter-productive to rehabilitation.  Released orangutans that are used to humans may approach human habitations, risking injury or death, and are more likely to attack humans as they search for food and water. There is also the risk that due to the huge amount of shared genetic material between humans and orangutans diseases are transferred easily.

How the project benefits from volunteers

• Your tour employs local guides, supports local communities wishing to live in harmony with their rainforest home, and demonstrates that orangutans and forests are worth more alive than chopped down. This is a virtuous circle, generating interest within the local community and authorities to place value on their natural heritage and virtually guarantees the protection of orangutan populations in this area.
• You will gain an insight into the world of the orangutan and learn more about conservation. You will experience a meaningful holiday that you will be able to share with others, increasing the awareness of this amazing great ape
• Know that you are travelling with a company that is run by environmentalists, not big business.  Your values are shared by us and your holiday will be run responsibly and environmentally.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo: Check in, settle into guest house and attend a welcome dinner at local restaurant.

Day 2 - Orangutan & Animal Wildlife Centre: In the late afternoon you will transfer to Matang Wildlife Centre. This wildlife centre is in the vicinity of Kubah National Park and you will receive back stage passes to visit the Ape Centre.

You will come face to face to with the world famous Aman. A great male orangutan who on 16th May 2007 had the worlds first eye cataract operation on a primate after being blind for 10 years. You will meet Aman's baby daughters and see first hand the efforts made to rehabilitate them back into the wild and establish new populations in the Sarawak jungle. In the afternoon you will be involved with talks and light orangutan enrichment activities and see other animals that have been rescued from poachers, sun bears, behind the scenes of how the centre works to conserve animals and safeguard the future of orangutan in Sarawak.

Day 3 - Kubah National Park: After breakfast you will leave the centre and trek through Kubah National park where you can visit the parks beautiful waterfalls and swim the waters of a jungle river. After returning for lunch at the wildlife centre you will bid a final farewell to resident orangutans at the centre and enjoy your overnight stay.

Day 4 - Kuching: Following breakfast, you will depart the Wildlife Centre for Kuching. In the afternoon you have time to spend a relaxing in the town and some last minute shopping. This is your last opportunity to purchase those last minute supplies before heading into the jungle!

Day 5 - Semenggoh & Bako: After breakfast you will make a visit to Semenggoh Nature Reserve located a short drive from the centre of Kuching. This tour to Semenggoh Nature Reserve will be arranged to correspond with the feeding time of the orangutans. In the afternoon, you will depart for Bako National Park. From the village, it takes 25 minutes by boat. Bako is one of the foremost places in Sarawak to see exotic wildlife - such as the amazing proboscis monkey - in a natural surrounding. Note: there are spiders and snakes in the rainforest. You will stay overnight in park chalets.

Day 6 - Bako National Park: Activities vary but will undoubtedly include hiking through jungle trails, sunsets, and swimming in the sea by secluded beaches. Be at one with nature. You will stay overnight in park chalets.

Day 7 - Bako National Park to Kuching: You will return to Kuching in the early afternoon (schedule may depend on tide). After being drop off at guest house you are free to do as you please. (inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8 -1 3 - Batang Ai National Park - Orangutan Country: Welcome to orangutan country. Travel to Batang Ai National Park passing through the rubber, cocoa and pepper plantations on the way. Stop en-route to sample some of the local delicacies and see the local wildlife. Visit the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce including edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit. From the large reservoir catch a boat up the valleys past the forest fields and Iban longhouses.

By visiting the longhouse you are contributing directly to a new ecotourism project and supporting the tribes efforts to maintain their way of life. Stay at jungle lodge for next days where you can live life according to nature, waking with the sun and falling asleep as darkness sets. Various activities are available including trekking into the jungle for the chance to see wild orangutans and participating in orangutan nest counting. You will be involved in volunteer activities, tribal cooking and experiencing the Iban way of life. Try your hand at aquaculture and local agriculture and go trekking into the jungle to seek orangutan nests and orangutans. Jungle trekking can be hard work and travellers should be physically able to cope with the treks. Paths can go up and down hills.

Day 13 - Transfer back to Kuching: After breakfast pack up and depart Batang Ai and make the journey back to Kuching. Arrive Kuching in the afternoon and back to beds and a warm shower at the hostel.

Day 14 - Departure: Check out and depart for Kuching Airport.

* Please note itineraries are subject to change