from 1,458€

Perfect 4.6rating (186)

Orangutan Sanctuary Assistant

location
1 - 3 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Play a direct role in the rehabilitation of orphaned, injured and displaced orangutans
  • Volunteer in a sanctuary, home to the largest number of captive orangutans in the world
  • Get the chance to have close contact with orangutans by for example feeding and observing them
  • Watch and observe orangutans at various stages in the rehabilitation process
  • Watching these intelligent animals is simply unfathomable!

Especially suitable

Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Help to care for stunning endangered apes by volunteering at this sanctuary where you will help to provide enrichment and more for the resident orangutans.

Volunteer at this Orangutan sanctuary in Borneo, where you could play a direct role in the rehabilitation of orphaned, injured and displaced orangutans, as well as providing a life of comfort and refuge for the apes who will never be able to be released into the wild. This orangutan sanctuary is ...

About the program

Volunteer at this Orangutan sanctuary in Borneo, where you could play a direct role in the rehabilitation of orphaned, injured and displaced orangutans, as well as providing a life of comfort and refuge for the apes who will never be able to be released into the wild. This orangutan sanctuary is home to the largest number of captive orangutans in the world and is the spearhead of the most successful orangutan release program there is. Come and join this exclusive orangutan volunteer project to play an unparalleled part in the process!

About The Project

Founded by the Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation, this orangutan sanctuary is home to more than 270 orangutans. All of the animals require the generous helping hands of volunteers to provide them with the best life possible, even helping to give some a shot at independent life in the wild once more.

Orangutans end up in sanctuary care due to the illegal pet trade, and also after becoming orphaned, displaced or injured during their search for food and shelter throughout farmlands – something which occurs as a direct result of mass deforestation in Borneo. The sanctuary’s main aim is to rehabilitate the apes and release them back into protected areas of the rainforest where they belong, but due to trauma and injuries, this is not always possible for some, and so the sanctuary provides a forever safe haven for these great apes. Volunteers play a direct role in this process by completing animal husbandry which helps to ensure the animals are comfortable, preparing food for the animals, and most importantly, creating and distributing enrichment materials to the apes which stimulates natural behaviours and keeps their minds engaged.

You have the opportunity to watch and observe orangutans at various stages in the rehabilitation process. Whether it be juveniles enjoying their playground and learning to climb, or how to use items in the forest as tools after a day in orangutan jungle school, or watching the adults put their wild skills to the test out on the pre-release islands where the apes reside during their final stretch of rehabilitation – watching these intelligent animals is simply unfathomable. So come and see it for yourself!

Prior To Arrival

  • You must ensure your passport is valid for at least 8 months from your project start date in order to gain entry into Indonesia.
  • You will need to obtain a Visit Visa (B211A) before arrival in Indonesia, this permits a visit of up to 60 days and costs approximately US$250. 
  • You will need to organise flights which arrive into Palangkaraya Airport between 9am and 5pm. If this is not possible, you will need to arrive the day before and book an additional night’s stay in a nearby hotel. Most international flights will arrive into Jakarta International Airport, from where you can catch a domestic flight to Palangkaraya.
  • Also, there are medical tests required to join this project. You must be fully vaccinated (at least two doses) against COVID-19. To volunteer here you must also provide evidence that you do not have Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and TB before arrival. 

During Your Stay

We are often asked whether or not volunteers will have the chance to touch or play with the orangutans while on this project. Our answer to this question is, and will always be no, and this is for good reason. 

Orangutans are highly susceptible to human diseases and something as minor as the common cold can prove fatal to these Great Apes. Also an environment of constant change, with new volunteers going to the project every two or four weeks and being in contact with the orangutans would be very detrimental to the orangutans' well-being. With no consistency in their lives behavioural problems arise. They also have a tendency to begin to trust humans which is damaging should they be released back into the wild, as they will become easy targets for poachers. Finally, an orangutan is around 7 times stronger than an adult male human so a no-contact policy is just as crucial for your well-being as orangutan welfare.

That is not to say that as a volunteer you will have no interaction with the orangutans, it simply means that you will have no direct contact with them. You will still observe them on a daily basis and see how your contribution to their husbandry and enrichment makes a real difference in these great apes’ lives.



Typical day

Arrival
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the sanctuary by a project representative. You will then settle in and get to know your fellow volunteers after a brief orientation by the project facilitator.

Project Days
A typical day will involve a morning and an afternoon activity with ...

Typical day

Arrival
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the sanctuary by a project representative. You will then settle in and get to know your fellow volunteers after a brief orientation by the project facilitator.

Project Days
A typical day will involve a morning and an afternoon activity with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Enrichment will be the primary activity that you will complete on this project, but you will also take part in many other exciting activities too! Take a look below to see what you could be getting up to should you volunteer at this orangutan sanctuary.

Enrichment
As already mentioned, enrichment is a major part of life for the resident animals at the sanctuary. It’s a major part of the rehabilitation process, and also helps to keep the minds of permanent animal residents at the sanctuary stimulated. You contribute in many ways, whether it be collecting leaves for the orangutans to build their nests or hiding treats inside bamboo and other materials for the animals to forage through, be prepared to get your hands dirty! Also, don’t be shy – if you come up with a brand-new enrichment activity, put it forward because the team love new ideas! Another truly rewarding aspect of enrichment, is that you will also help to distribute it and watch the orangutans reap all the benefits of your hard work!

Orangutan Observation
You will have ample opportunities to observe the beautiful great apes. You'll, of course, see the orangutans everyday but the best way to see them is on the pre-release islands! You'll board a small boat with the technicians and head out to the feeding platforms and will help to ensure they are happy, healthy and adapting to life in semi-wild conditions. While there is no hands-on contact, you will be in very close proximity to the apes, so much so that not only will you watch them, but they will watch you! 

Animal Husbandry
You will help to clean the enclosures of the orangutans. While this may not be the most glamorous of activities, it is essential for providing the apes with cleanliness and comfort during their time at the sanctuary! You may also be required to help with small construction or maintenance tasks, but this is dependent on the needs of the sanctuary during your stay.

Bukit Tangkiling
It’s not just some stunning wildlife this project has to offer,  jungle life is simply beautiful. You’ll get to take in the authentic sights and sounds of the rainforest, as well as have a taste of ancient Indonesian culture as you take a trek to a hilltop known as Bukit Tangkiling. Along the way, you’ll pass relics of old religious buildings, and your expert guide will impart knowledge to you about the surrounding rainforest and how the locals live.

Traditional Night Market
You will be doused with another authentic taste of Indonesian culture with a trip to the traditional night market. With its lack of tourists, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Indonesian life by interacting with locals and also tasting the delicious variety of street foods on offer! 


Free-time activities

Volunteers will have free time during the day every Saturday before heading to the night market in the evening. Use this time to take in your remote jungle surroundings, take a trip to the village shop, or simply sit with a good book. Beer can be purchased at the sanctuary at the expense of ...

Free-time activities

Volunteers will have free time during the day every Saturday before heading to the night market in the evening. Use this time to take in your remote jungle surroundings, take a trip to the village shop, or simply sit with a good book. Beer can be purchased at the sanctuary at the expense of the volunteer during your free time, but it can only be consumed within the volunteer accommodation. We kindly request that volunteers do not pack alcohol from home, particularly with regards to spirits.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 17 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

No specific skills are required to join this project, however, there are some physical activities involved. Therefore we ask volunteers have a moderate level of fitness.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by The Great Projects

What’s Included? 
  • Three meals per day
  • Accommodation
  • Drinking water
  • Airport transfers
  • River cruise
  • Hilltop trek
  • Visit to the night market
  • Conservation donation
What's Not Included?
  • All flights
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Snacks
  • Alcohol and soft drinks

Airport Pickup at Tjilik Riwut Airport

You will need to organise flights which arrive into Palangkaraya Airport between 9am and 5pm. If this is not possible, you will need to arrive the day before and book an additional night’s stay in a nearby hotel. Most international flights will arrive into Jakarta International Airport, from where you can catch a domestic flight to Palangkaraya. Upon arrival, you will be met by a project representative and transferred to the project base. You will also be escorted back to the airport by project staff on the day of your departure.

Accommodation

You will be staying in a traditional style long house based on a twin share same sex basis. Each room is fit with its own western style bathroom, mosquito net, fan and bed linen but please bring your own towel. A communal kitchen and social area is available for the use of all volunteers. One double room for couples is also available but this is on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Food & Beverages

3 meals a day along with drinking water is provided throughout your time on the project. Volunteers will prepare breakfast together which will consist of staples such as toast, cereals, eggs and noodles. Lunch will be prepared for you, consisting of tasty typical Indonesian food, like rice, noodles and fried vegetables. Vegetarians/vegans can be catered for, but please be sure to let us know in advance so we can assure your dietary needs can be accommodated in time for your arrival. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Tjilik Riwut Airport (PKY) in Palangkaraya. We assist you to find cheap flights to Indonesia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Indonesia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Indonesia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Indonesia. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project is extremely popular, with dates getting fully booked up to 6 months in advance. We therefore recommend that you secure your place as early as possible to ensure that you can join on your preferred start date.

This project has set start dates, all of which fall on a Sunday and can be found below.

Start Dates for a 12-Night Duration

In 2024 - March 31st, April 14th, April 28th, May 12th, June 2nd, June 16th, June 30th, July 14th, August 4th, August 18th, September 1st, September 15th


In 2025 - March 30th, April 13th, April 27th, May 11th, June 1st, June 15th, June 29th, July 13th, August 3rd, August 17th, August 31st, September 14th

 

Start Dates for a 26-Night Duration

 

In 2024 - March 31st, April 28th, June 2nd, June 30th, August 4th, September 1st

 

In 2025 - March 30th, April 27th, June 1st, June 29th, August 3rd, August 31st


All start dates are subject to availability. Please contact us to check whether your preferred start date is still available! 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week 6 days (min. stay) 1,458€
3 weeks 1,946€
3 weeks 6 days (max. stay) 2,312€
Average fees 692€/week

Program fees

692€ per week 1 - 3 weeks Age 17 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 3 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with The Great Projects during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

The Great Projects

Perfect 4.6 rating (186 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2003

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Lauren

Spoken languages: English

About the project

The Great Projects work with organisations worldwide to establish high standards in animal welfare and conservation within the responsible tourism sector.

Meet your organization

Looking to volunteer abroad with animals? Here at The Great Projects we believe that there is a better way to holiday. Our award-winning wildlife volunteering abroad with animals projects and signature tours are not only designed to provide truly unique and life-changing experiences for volunteering worldwide, but our donation and conservation pledges ensure that your travel will have a lasting and sustainable impact on some of the planet's most incredible and endangered species and the local communities which live alongside them.

It all began with The Great Orangutan Project in Malaysian Borneo and after a number of years working with local authorities, passionate project facilitators, and hard-working volunteers to create a sustainable, progressive, and effective project - The Great Projects decided to use the experiences and knowledge we had gained to expand our expertise to other projects in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe!

Now with over 35 projects, you can be confident in the fact that you’ll be able to volunteer with some of the world's most incredible wildlife species in completely breath-taking environments. From orangutans in the Bornean rainforest to whale sharks in the Indian Ocean; you’re sure to find something suited to your interests. What’s more, The Great Projects make sure that with us, volunteers are completely immersed into the heart of the matter, at site, delivering an experience like no other as you become familiar with the life of an animal keeper, game ranger, or wildlife conservationist.

Plus, every time someone volunteers with The Great Projects  in addition to their fee which covers accommodation, food, and transfers, we donate up to £350 to the project visited to help the project itself. Therefore, our ecotours and projects are not only designed to be an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life, but you will also join a project knowing that your travel truly does help to save endangered animals and the local communities with which they live alongside.

Here at The Great Projects, we believe that we should practice what we preach. We send volunteers to worldwide destinations on a range of truly unique and thoroughly worthwhile projects that make a real, sustainable difference to their causes. What’s more, The Great Projects provide them with dedicated UK-based staff that ensure volunteers have informative and friendly help throughout all stages of their experience, from initial enquiry to their return.

Through this, we can show volunteers that there is a better way to holiday. Our award-winning wildlife volunteering abroad with animals projects and signature tours are not only designed to provide truly unique and life-changing experiences for volunteering worldwide, but our donation and conservation pledges ensure that your travel will have a lasting and sustainable impact on some of the planet's most incredible and endangered species and the local communities which live alongside them.


Further, The Great Projects does not only aim to provide travel destinations that hold responsibility for animal welfare, but also to the environmental, economic and social impact of our conservation projects as a whole.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Here at The Great Projects, we are completely dedicated to providing our volunteers with the utmost protection with regards to health and safety.

Adventurous travel always involves some degree of risk. Our priority is to keep you safe and protect you as much as possible whilst still giving you an authentic experience of life in your chosen destination.

We conduct extensive risk assessments to make sure we have identified potential hazards and done everything we can to reduce them and we make sure you have the information you need about the destination you are visiting and how to stay safe and healthy while you are out there. We also are partnered with Endsleigh Insurance who are able to offer volunteers comprehensive insurance for all of our projects.

186 reviews · rating4.6

Patrick Bloomfield rating5

2024 at Wildlife Reserve Big Five Conservation

As per the title, what an amazing & rewarding experience! Our day-to-day work included clearing alien plants, removing fencing from an old corral, community involvement such as re-building a jungle gym, revitalising a vegetable garden (& playing with the local kids!). We were also privileged enough ...
Sarah Dunn rating1.6

2024 at Elephant Conservation

To view these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is truly an amazing experience! Interaction with the local community was also incredible. However the staff & Field Centre is not terribly welcoming, not good at sharing important information, and lacking energy. Nothing like it’s ...
Petra Noordanus rating5

2024 at Wildlife Sanctuary Supporter

My experience with The Great Project is very good! I had a great time at Naankusé Wildlife Sanctuary. Everything was well organized and when we had changes to our arrival time at the last minute, this was arranged immediately. I recommend The Great ...
Elisabeth Kroes rating1

2023 at Wildlife Sanctuary Supporter

What a money they make in this volunteer-factory. Paid for 3 weeks, left in 2 days! Poor management, throw you in the deep and lets see if you can swim.... no decent info/instructions but promotion about paying for other ...
SHAYNE PORTER rating3.8

2023 at Turtle Conservation Experience

TURTLE PRGRAMME. Was a great experince and was good to contribute in a meaningful way. The assistance required is ongoing and team make a great differance to the turtle ...
Louise Tessier rating4.2

2023 at Wildlife Sanctuary Supporter

I wanted to go to Naankuse for a long time and the experience was good. There are many volonteers at the farm (close to 70) and it can take a little while to feel comfortable. The activities are interesting and the staff that accompagnies us are very friendly and it’s clear that they care about ...

Location

Asia > South East Asia > Indonesia > Kalimantan Tengah

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