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What to Expect on a 2025 Raleigh Borneo Expedition

Connecting with nature and culture on an extraordinary Expedition in Borneo

We are thrilled to be returning to the tropical paradise of Borneo in 2025.

This location will give Raleigh Venturers a chance to experience vast biodiversity, incredible animal species and breathtaking landscapes, as well as the unique “Raleigh” experience – bringing you into the heart of communities to make an impact.

Leadership development in Borneo

Why Choose Raleigh International in Borneo?

Our Expeditions are challenging and life-changing, and Borneo is the perfect destination to facilitate these incredible experiences. Through taking part in essential Environmental and Community work against a backdrop of vibrant cultural diversity and stunning nature, you will transform as an individual, as a leader and as an active global citizen.

Borneo is home to some of the world’s most precious and unique biodiversity, but climate change and human activity pose a continuous threat. On Expedition, you will develop both an increased appreciation for the world and the diverse people who live on it, as well as an understanding of what is needed to protect our natural environment for future generations.

Here’s what to expect on a Raleigh International Borneo Expedition!

Sustainable travel in Borneo with Raleigh International

Life at Fieldbase

Fieldbase will be a central location during your Borneo Expedition. It is the first site you will visit after arrival and where you will go through your initial 3 to 4-day induction. It is also where you will get to decompress, relax and debrief after each project phase.

In Borneo, you will be staying close to the community of Tinangol, a Rungus native community known for its rich cultural heritage and impressive beading artworks. The Raleigh Fieldbase in Rungus is made up of authentic longhouses, where you will be staying with your fellow Venturers. Traditionally, entire families in Borneo would live in these longhouse structures, which can sometimes reach up to 100 feet in length! On Expedition, you will get a taste of this authentic way of life and connect with the communities you are working with.

The beautiful longhouse accommodations are built using traditional Rungus methods and cool themselves naturally in the hot tropical sun. As you will be helping the local community, you can expect a warm welcome and an opportunity to learn the intricate beading techniques that the Rungus people are famed for.

Learning about new cultures during your Community Phase

On a Raleigh Expedition in Borneo, you can expect to live and engage with members of the Dusun Indigenous community. The Dusun community are Sabah’s largest ethnic group, consisting of over 300,000 people. Many of these people rely on small businesses and local agriculture to sustain themselves, which can unfortunately result in poverty and underdevelopment.

During your Community Phase, you will work on projects that support local people, improve community infrastructure and promote welfare and growth in Indigenous areas.

Have you ever turned your hand to carpentry and construction? Well, you will during this impactful phase! Expect to be working as a team to build infrastructure like community buildings or drainage systems that will drastically benefit the community.

Download a Raleigh Borneo 2025 Guide!

Raleigh Venturers in Borneo

Contributing to vital conservation work in your Environmental Phase

With Raleigh in Borneo, you can expect to take action on important local conservation efforts on one of the most biodiverse islands in the world. Specifically, you will be working on mangrove restoration.

Bornean mangroves are coastal ecosystems found along Borneo’s shorelines, where salt-tolerant trees grow in brackish water. These unique forests are crucial for maintaining biodiversity as they provide important habitats for fish, birds, and endangered species like proboscis monkeys. Mangroves are vital for protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges as their long roots stabilise the soil. On top of this, they absorb a significant amount of carbon, which can help us in the fight against climate change! On a more local level, mangroves help support local fishing which is often vital to Indigenous communities.

More than half of Malaysian mangroves are found in Sabah, but they are now slowly disappearing due to logging and nipa plant farming. On Expedition, you will be supporting essential mangrove planting and rehabilitation projects, alongside other important conservation efforts, making a real difference in this global and local issue.

Here Are 5 Things You May Not Know About Borneo.

Mangrove restoration with Raleigh International in Borneo

Personal growth in your Adventure Phase

During the Adventure Phase of your Raleigh Borneo Expedition, you can expect the unexpected! Each day will be different; one moment you will be camping under the stars, and the next you will be traversing the dense Bornean jungle. This phase could be the most challenging, as you will put your mind, body and determination to the test, but it will also be the most personally rewarding as you strengthen your mental fortitude, physical fitness and leadership skills.

This phase will be a combination of a 7-day Leadership Trek across the Salt Trail in Borneo’s Crocker Range, and a Jungle Adventure where you will spend time in Batu Puteh, a Sungai native community living by the Kinabatangan River.

This phase will be an exciting mix of hiking off the beaten track, passing through rural communities, working on jungle restoration and visiting Orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. You will get the opportunity to lead your group for a day and develop your teamwork skills as well connect with impressive and diverse nature.

Why Choose a Raleigh Expedition Over a Generic Gap Year.

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