Lose yourself in the rich natural treasures of Borneo, from the mighty Mt Kinabalu to the brilliant Sipadan reef teeming with colourful marine life. Explore jungle, beach and mountains whilst living alongside a rural Penan community - one of the true highlights of the Borneo UniBreak experience. Equally as fascinating is Borneo’s ethnic heritage, its distinctive tribes and people known for their warmth and love of music.
In recent years the Malaysian government has received widespread criticism from the international community, and resistance from the indigenous Penan communities regarding its logging policies, as well as its reluctance to give the Penan secure rights to their traditional lands. Due to logging companies, plantation developments, and the construction of dams, the indigenous Penan of Borneo have suffered decades of widespread destruction of their forests and an erosion of their traditional culture.
PROJECT WORK
Become part of the rural community through a variety of community and environmental work.
- Reforestation work in
- Teaching at village primary school
- Low-level construction work
ACCOMMODATION
You will be living with local Penan families within the village, with at least one other Antipodeans Abroad volunteer. Penan are traditional hunters and gatherers and live off the land. They are still predominantly dependent on the forest for their food supplies and for raw materials such as handicrafts and other products.
The wooden houses are safe, clean, comfortable and basic. The Penan are happy, friendly, generous and hospitable people who value community. The village does not get many Western visitors, so they will welcome you, and will be curious to hear about where you have come from. All meals will be provided on your placement.
FREE TIME SUGGESTIONS
On weekends free you will have the chance to rest and relax in the village, maybe do some fishing or cooking, go for short treks around the area visiting caves and waterfalls. There will be a day at the end of your placement where you can relax, and debrief on your adventure with the rest of your group at a local beach near Miri.
You may also decide to take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kinabalu, although this will need to be done before or after your placement. You can also visit one of the two orang-utan rehabilitation centres near Kuching in Sarawak or Sepilok in Sabah. The best opportunities for seeing Borneo’s famous wildlife in the wild is to take a river safari along the mighty Kinabatangan in Sabah.
What’s included?
Pre-departure training
Meet and greet on arrival
Transfers to and from airport and placement
Food and accommodation
Orientation
Volunteer project work
24-hour back up and emergency support
What’s not included?
Airfares
Visas
Vaccinations
Travel Insurance
Borneo Photos
UniBreak Dates and Prices