Camp Borneo - 1 Month (29 days)

Gap Year Short Break in Borneo

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It may seem a long way to go for only 1 month but we have a packed itinerary for you. If you are pushed for time because of Uni or looking to add this to your ‘round the world’ trip then a month in Borneo is perfect. Orang-utans, community work and a one-week jungle experience are some key highlights.

• Key involvement in ongoing community projects, including construction, teaching and sports
• Work on environmental project in Lower Kinabatangan region of eastern Sabah
• Visit to Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary
• Opportunities to Scuba Dive, Mountain or jungle trek as well as R&R days
• Eastern and Western Borneo locations including homestay, jungle camping and community camp.

Community Work

Working and living alongside a rural Sabahan community will be one of the highlights of your Borneo experience. Their warmth and generosity despite obvious hardships is incredible. In line with our camps in Africa, our camp has been established in partnership with the local community, providing a connection not only to much needed project work but also into the social heart of the village. The range of activities you can be involved in include teaching in the primary and pre-school as well as teaching English to the village elders themselves, refurbishing the school classrooms, assisting with harvesting and planting, development of their agro-tourism project and indigenous medicine garden. In addition it is hoped to start a programme of bio-gas collection within the community itself. As with all rural communities you can become involved in the nightly games of football, volleyball or badminton or simply watch, chat and make friends with the other bystanders.

Wildlife Project

This phase of your adventure will be conducted on the banks of the mighty Kinabatangan River in eastern Sabah. The river runs from the heart of Borneo and is steeped in history since it used to be the only way of getting into the deep interior jungle. Communities along the banks have developed mini eco tourism projects in order to create alternative streams of income. You will participate in an environmental project, helping to reforest areas where the jungle has become sparse. This is hard work in the heat and humidity of a Borneo jungle but your reward is the opportunity to see wildlife at close quarters from a boat. The banks of the river are teeming with life including crocodiles, wild boar, occasional elephants, assorted birdlife and at least 8 different species of ape and monkeys which of course includes the Borneo orang-utan. Several of these great apes nest near your work site so you may have the chance to get up close and personal with one. If you fail to see one at the work site then your day trip to Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary will certainly guarantee you see a number of them up close. During your stay on the Kinabatangan you will spend several nights jungle camping amongst the Borneo wildlife and insects as well as several nights in a traditional family home. 

Ocean Project

Since Borneo is an island the ocean is never far away. Some of the beaches are amongst the most secluded and under developed you will ever encounter. Your community camp is in the north of the island very near to the northern tip of Borneo which has a stunning beach. On your days off you will have the opportunity to snorkel or relax with a BBQ on the beach. For the more adventurous there is the opportunity to gain your PADI Open Water diving qualification and conduct dives in a variety of locations. These additional Ocean Adventures can be booked and paid for before you travel but can also be added on at any stage of your placement (subject to availability). 

Mountain

As you arrive in Borneo you may be lucky enough to glimpse the huge Mount Kinabalu. At 4096 metres it towers over Sabah although is hidden by cloud most days. If you are feeling adventurous you can sign up to carry out the two day trek to the highest point in South East Asia – if you are into mountains then this is an opportunity not to be missed. The trek takes you from a starting point of 1800 metres to approximately 3300 metres on the first day with a distance of 6 kms. This usually takes between 4 to 6 hours and you reach the lodge to watch the sun set above the clouds. After a fitful nights sleep you will be awoken by your guide at 0230 and you will start your trek by torchlight to the summit. This is a further 2.6 km and takes approx 3 hours, getting you to the summit for a spectacular sunrise. This is an amazing moment – but don’t forget you still have to trek down again. It takes another 6 hours or more to trek back down to the park gate where you will be picked up and whisked back to civilisation and a hot shower.

This additional climb of Mount Kinabalu can be booked and paid for before you travel but can also be added on at any stage of your placement (subject to availability).

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