"LEO... large enough to care about the big issues... small enough to care about the individual"Orangutan encounters – Malaysia
An adventure leading you from the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur to the ancient rainforests of Borneo. Experience two weeks as a zoo assistant helping the local keepers with feeding, cleaning, environment and food enrichment, small construction work and guiding visitors.
Fly into the wild and exciting rainforests of Borneo for the remainder of the project where you will visit the Orang-utan rehabilitation centre, live amongst local tribes, help with reforestation, community development, learn the local crafts, trek through the jungle and collect important wildlife population data from the river. An incredible activity packed adventure not to miss.
Project overview
Project days:2nd half of the project: Daily rainforest adventure!
Project start dates:28 day project starts every 5th of the month.
Project activities:- Feeding the animals, including the orang-utans
- Learning about the animals and their behaviours
- Working alongside the zoo vet (if circumstances allow)
- Preparing animal food in the zoo kitchen
- Helping with enrichment projects
- Cleaning habitats to maintain a high level of hygiene
- Constructing improvements to animal habitats
- Working as a guide to school children and tourists
- And maybe learn some Malay whilst helping the local zoo keepers with their English
Activities could change depending on the weather, season, festivities, zoo and project requirements. Activities not listed above may also be included
2nd project half: Go to the Borneo and
- Live near or amongst a local tribe in the rainforest
- Collect wildlife population data from a boat on the river
- Trek through the ancient rainforests of Borneo
- Help with reforestation of sites important for wildlife
- Partake in various community development projects
- Learn all about the tribes, their culture & traditions
- Visit the famous orangutan rehabilitation centre
Note that for the 2nd half of the project there are differences depending on when you go and for how long.
For full details please see the long project description below.
Life in the rainforest runs according to cycles and some times of the year might be dedicated to harvesting or festivals or might be monsoonal. Be prepared to spend time with a few good books or your journal.
Project fee:£1550 for 28 days
Project location:2nd project half in the Borneo rainforest
Accommodation:2nd project half stay at a real longhouse in the Borneo rainforest.
What is includedAccommodation:2nd project half, depending on the time of year and project duration you will stay at a guesthouse before moving to a longhouse or stay at a longhouse before moving to basic village-run B&B in a tribal village.
Food:2nd project half: whilst in the Borneo rainforest 3 meals a day will be prepared for you.
Airport Pickup:You will be taken to a guest house in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur and dinner will be served (dormitory style rooms for the first night)
Transfer from Zoo to airport for your flight out to Borneo. In Borneo you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Orientation:Support:Internet:Airport drop off:
Not included
Orang-utan encounters in Malaysia
From the zoo to the jungle, an adventure of 26 or 28 days in amazing Malaysia.
The first half of your time you will be able to help the local keepers in their daily work at the zoo in Kuala Lumpur.
You can help feeding the animals, cleaning their cages, implementing enrichment projects, improving habitats, guiding the public and more. For more information read all about the Malaysian zoo assistant project here.
The second half of your time will be in the Borneo rainforest. The project activities in Borneo differ on the time of year and the project duration.
Activities for the 2nd half of your project:
Click here (and scroll down) for activities and itinerary of the 26 day project starting
22 July, 22 August, 22 October, 22 December
Click here (and scroll down) for activities and itinerary of the 28 day project starting
5 August and 5 September
Click here (and scroll down) for activities and itinerary of the 28 day project starting
5 July, 5 October, 5 November and 5 December
–› 26 day project starting 22 July, 22 August, 22 October, 22 December (
Don’t forget to trek through and learn about the mysterious rainforest of Sabah, Borneo which will help you understand the threats to habitat and wildlife
More information
For more information about Accommodation, flights, host family, local transport, project dates, project locations, sim cards, the first couple of days, the team behind LEO, the former war, travel & socializing, travel insurance, vaccinations, visa, volunteering in general and why you would pay to volunteer please visit our FAQ.
