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Orangutan, Ecology and Coral Reef Adv.
Fri 10th June 2011 - Fri 24th June 2011
Fri 5th August 2011 - Fri 19th August 2011
Fri 2nd Sept 2011 - Fri 16th Sept 2011
From GB£1395
Email us for up to 25% discount for groups.
The expedition begins in Sandakan, Malaysia
and ends in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Includes:
All in-country transport, accomodation and
food. Some essential camping equipment
is supplied.
Excludes:
International flights, travel insurance,
personal medical kit, personal spending
money.
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| REVIEWS |
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Any Biology based University or A-level student would find this expedition incredibly beneficial, and potentially excellent for your CV."
Rob Appleby, Project Management Graduate, UK
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" The expedition was well worth every penny I paid, I gained a far greater understanding of Borneo as a country and of its people. My awareness of conservation measures and pressures has increased alongside my knowledge of the wildlife and plantlife. I also learnt many new jungle survival type skills, and made many new friends.."
Josh Pendergast, Law Graduate, UK
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Orang-utan, Ecology and Coral Reef Adventure Learning Expedition
This expedition is in conjunction with the Cardiff University field research centre, the Danau Girang Field Centre and is split into 3 main phases:
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Phase 1. The Tropical Ecology Field Course
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This an intensive and varied 3-day course held at the Danau Girang Field Centre in Sabah, Borneo. Situated within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, this area has an amazing variety of animals and plants, including ten species of primate (including the orangutan, proboscis monkey and Bornean gibbon), Bornean elephant, clouded leopard, other cat and civet species, sun bear, binturong, salt water crocodile, monitor lizard, reticulated python, king cobra and over 300 species of bird
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The amiable head scientist and director of Danau Girang Field Centre, Dr Benoit Goossens, orchestrates the exciting teaching and learning activities including; interpretive boat trips, interpretive walks, lectures and seminars from fellow scientists working at the Centre.
The course will take you through an ecological and biogeographical comparison of the tropical ‘wet’ forest regions of the world to give you a more holistic understanding of the earth’s rainforests. With interpretive boat rides, walks and animal observations to complement the teaching inside, by the second day the course gradually focuses on the ecology, conservation measures and issues of the rainforests of Borneo. During the final day, the teaching is more specifically on the knowledge base and conservation issues surrounding the Kinabatangan floodplain, a widely recognised biodiversity hotspot.
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Phase 2. Trekking in the Cooler Climate of the Central Highlands of Borneo
This is a 3 to 4 day remote jungle trek through one of the most important conservation areas in the world, and with your new and enhanced knowledge and understanding of the rainforest you will be all the more able to truly appreciate this incredible experience.
Our treks begin from the small yet almost totally self-sufficient highland community of Ba Kelalan, on the edge of one of the largest remaining blocks of contiguous primary rainforest in Southeast Asia – adjacent to both the Pulong Tau National Park in Sarawak and the huge Kayan-Mentarang National Park of Kalimantan, Indonesia. This is one of the last remaining great areas of wilderness in the world which historically has been difficult to enter until recently. English speaking guides in this area is also a problem which is another reason why few foreigners venture deep inside – our British and Australian Expedition Leaders can speak Malay and Indonesian.
This trek is extremely rewarding, sleeping in hammocks under mosquito net and raincover, yet challenging. You will be passing through completely untouched rainforest where a suspected new species of carnivore was caught on camera in 2003, looking a cross between a cat and a fox. Generally participants carry their own backpack, but you can hire a local porter to take much of your weight.
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Phase 3. Diving or Snorkeling in Warm Coral Reef Seas
| Relax a little... dive or snorkel in some of the most pristine coral reef in Southeast Asia. Coral reefs just off the coast of Indonesia and the Philippines, including the island of Borneo, possess the world’s most diverse coral and marine species. Almost everyone who visits the area of East Sabah come solely to dive or snorkel as the islands off the south east coast are regarded as some of the best diving spots in the world, particularly that of Sipadan island, which is in the list of the world’s top ten dive and snorkeling sites. |
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| The dive sites that surround Sipadan island are filled with spectacular natural formations, such as a 600m reef wall and a labyrinth of underwater limestone caves that contain many skeletal remains of turtles that have become lost and drown before finding the surface. Often divers are witness to sites such as; schools of green and hawksbill turtles nesting and mating, schools of barracuda and big-eye trevally in tornado-like formations, pelagic species such as manta rays, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks. If you've never been diving or snorkeling in the tropics the likelihood is you'll always remember this day as the first day you opened your eyes to a whole new weird and wonderful world! |
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Itinerary
Itineraries may vary but a typical 15 day Orang-utan, Ecology and Coral Reef Adventuremay be as follows:
Day 1: You will meet in the morning in Sandakan, Sabah's attractive second largest city. Ideally you will make your way to Sandakan prior to the start of the expedition, with assistance for these arrangements given by the in-country team.
After your welcome to Malaysia you will receive essential briefings and introductions as to how the expedition is run, including: the team budget system, health and safety in the developing world, dynamic risk assessments and the local culture, as well as working with your team to finalise the details of your adventure.
Within hours your expedition will kick off with a short transfer to the world's largest orangutan sanctuary, where rescued and orphaned individuals are prepared for re-release into the wild. You may also get the opportunity to explore the walkways of the rainforest canopy, nearly 30m above ground, in search of local wildlife.
Day 2: After another chance to return to the orangutan sanctuary to witness the feeding of the semi-wild individuals, you will make the short flight to Tawau, and from there travel by road to Semporna, where you will be staying in well-equipped accommodation, sharing a room in a floating hotel on the edge of the small town.
Coral Reef phase
Day 3: Semporna is a charming fishing town on the east coast of Sabah where you will have a chance to relax on the beaches of the surrounding tiny tropical islands and soak up the views of this exquisite Bornean coastline. Coral reefs just off the coast of Indonesia and the Philippines, including the island of Borneo, possess the world's most diverse coral and marine species. For a small extra cost, the coral reef waters offer an ideal opportunity for snorkeling or diving. Almost everyone who visits this area comes solely to dive or snorkel as the islands off the southeast coast are regarded as some of the best diving spots in the world, particularly that of Sipadan island, which is in the list of the world's top ten dive and snorkeling sites. If you've never been snorkeling or diving in the tropics the likelihood is that you'll always remember this day as the first day you opened your eyes to a whole new weird and wonderful world!
Tropical Ecology Field Course phase
Days 4-6: You will have an early start to travel to the newly refurbished Danau Girang Field Centre, about a 40 minute boat ride into the heart of the rainforest from the drop off point at the edge of the Kinabatangan River. Danau Girang is where you will take part in a 3 day tropical ecology field course; exciting and varied with lectures, seminars (when visiting scientists are available), interpretive day and night walks and boat rides through the dense Malaysian jungle.
The course will take you through an ecological and biogeographical comparison of the tropical 'wet' forest regions of the world to give you a more holistic understanding of the planet's rainforests. With interpretive boat rides, walks and animal observations to complement the lectures, the course discusses the ecology, conservation measures and issues of the rainforests of Borneo. By the third day the teaching is more specifically on the knowledge base and conservation issues surrounding the Kinabatangan floodplain, a widely recognised biodiversity hotspot. The field centre, being in the middle of the rainforest, is often visited by a huge range of wildlife from orangutans, elephants and long tail macaques to wild boar and monitor lizards, birds of prey and bats, so on occasions teaching has to come to an abrupt halt!
Day 7: You will make your way to Kota Kinabalu, a 6 hour bus ride. Although a long trip, it is a very good way of crossing the state of Sabah, seeing the characteristic 'kampungs' or villages on stilts, and passing through Mount Kinabalu National Park with incredible views of the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. The rest of the day you will have free to either relax or wander through this culturally diverse city, with its varied cuisine and famous night markets.
Jungle Trekking phase
Days 8-9: Make the 4 hour journey over the interstate border into Sarawak, staying the night in Lawas for the morning flight to Bakelalan in the central highlands of Borneo, with some of the most stunning views you could ever imagine. Here you will meet your homestay hosts and have the opportunity to sample some of the delicious local produce.
Bakelalan is on the edge of one of the largest remaining blocks of contiguous primary rainforest in Southeast Asia, adjacent to both Pulong Tau National Park in Sarawak and the huge Kayan-Mentarang National Park of Kalimantan, Indonesia. This is one of the last remaining great areas of wilderness in the world and has only recently become accessible to visitors.
*Days 10-13: Using your newly acquired jungle survival and camp craft skills you will trek into the heart of Borneo's mountainous, pristine rainforest, sleeping in your hammocks at three jungle camps along the way. You and your team will have a choice of different trekking routes varying in difficulty. However, whichever route you choose, the vastness and natural beauty of the area are inescapable. You will be invited to take up various roles of responsibility within the group, with experienced jungle guides and your expedition leader always on hand to back you up. The treks are designed to complement the theories of tropical rainforest ecology and conservation you have studied whilst at the field centre, maximising your learning experience.
Relaxation phase
Days 14-15: Say goodbye to your hosts in Bakelalan and make the journey back to Kota Kinabalu, where your expedition reaches its conclusion. On your last day in Borneo there is a fantastic choice of activities to take part in, such as whitewater rafting, visiting Mount Kinabalu National Park and island hopping in the stunning Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park just offshore. These activities do come at an additional cost and the in-country team will be happy to help you organise those which you would like to enjoy.
*Please note that the 4 day trek is challenging in parts and requires a reasonable to good level of fitness. If you are unable to go through with the full 3 night, 4 day jungle trek, there are alternative options to consider. For example, it can be pre-arranged for you to have a porter to carry your backpack for the duration (the cost of this is not included and would be in the region of £20/day). It is also possible to remain in Bakelalan with our extremely friendly homestay family and experience life in one of the most rural, self-sustaining villages in Malaysia.
All accommodation is single-sex and shared, and consists of hostels, guesthouses and homestays. You will not be sharing with non-group members. A homestay is where a small number of you sleep, eat and socialise in the home of a host family. It is a wonderful way of mixing more intimately with local people, although for some it can be a bit of a culture shock and you should be prepared to use very basic washing and toilet facilities. You will be provided with a water purification iodine tincture, a 2 in 1 sleeping system which includes a hammock and a mosquito net and to accompany this, and there will also be a raincover or ‘basher’. All group kit is to be returned at the end of the expedition.
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