Home to ancient rainforests and orangutans – volunteer in Borneo to help combat mass deforestation and support underdeveloped communities.
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Why volunteer in Borneo?
Malaysian Borneo’s ancient rainforest is the largest example of jungle in Southeast Asia. Whilst it’s home to a huge 6% of the world’s biodiversity, it also has one of the highest deforestation rates globally. Over the years rapid infrastructure development in Borneo has lead to mass deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
By volunteering in Borneo with Raleigh, you’ll support environmental restoration as well as working with local rural communities on to improve important infrastructure, helping to improve livelihoods and living conditions for those affected by poverty.
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“It was the most amazing experience of my life.”
Amy | Raleigh Alumni
Where will I be in volunteering Borneo?
You’ll fly into Kota Kinabalu International airport and transfer to our Fieldbase ‘Camp Tinangol’. It is situated close to a rural Rungus community and very similar in feel, giving you an authentic experience by immersing you in the local culture.
This will be your home for induction, changeover and relaxation time. The longhouses have a corridor running the length of the structure. On one side there is communal space for chilling out and socialising, on the other are sleeping rooms.
It’s situated in the Kudat District, also known as the tip of Borneo, north of Kota Kinabalu. The other areas you’ll visit will depend on which projects you get allocated.
Apply nowBorneo fact file
Volunteer projects in Borneo
You can get involved in up to 3 phases: Community, Environmental and the Adventure Challenge.
Community Phase
In Borneo you’ll volunteer on projects with the aim of increasing access to the facilities most needed to support welfare and growth in indigenous areas.
For example: Many Dusun communities are remote and rely on small businesses, subsistence farming or farmers markets, resulting in many of these communities experiencing poverty and underdevelopment. Through your project you will get involved in planning and construction work to support community initiatives. This may include working on building toilets, community halls, supporting the development of drainage systems, and other smaller projects to benefit the community.
Adventure Challenge
You’ll have two different adventurous experiences – the Leadership Trek and the Jungle Adventure. You’ll also visit an Orangutan Sanctuary.
The Leadership Trek – takes place over 7 days, where you’ll explore the Salt Trail in Borneo’s Crocker Range. The routes are off the beaten track so something tourists don’t normally experience.
The Jungle Adventure – you’ll spend time in Batu Puteh, a Sungai native community living by the Kinabatangan River, working on eco-tourism and jungle restoration projects. You’ll get to see wildlife on a river safari, and go on short night treks and also visit Borneo’s famous Orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.
Environmental project
Over 50% of Malaysian mangroves are found in Sabah, however each year thousands of hectares are disappearing. Industrial level logging and local farming of the nipa plant have resulted in mangrove degradation, negatively affecting the local environment and providing cause for global concern.
Raleigh Venturers will volunteer in Borneo on a mangrove planting and rehabilitation project, working alongside local experts and communities living near mangrove creeks to revitalise mangrove growth.
Example itinerary for Borneo
Everyone’s Raleigh Expedition is slightly different – depending on how long you stay and what time of year you go. This is an outline of what you can expect from a 10-week Expedition to Borneo. For a information on camp life and project information, download a sample itinerary.
Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International airport
You’ll be met by the in-country team.
Induction and training (3-4 days)
Get to know your fellow Venturers and prepare for Expedition life. You’ll receive essential training on topics such as health and safety and cultural awareness.
Community Project (19 days)
Venturers work together in a Sabah native community on projects which may include supporting construction of community halls, toilet blocks, or village drainage systems.
Debrief at Fieldbase (2-3 days)
At the end of each phase, everyone returns to Fieldbase ‘Camp Tinangol’ for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. Project groups will change between each phase, this is an important part of the Expedition experience.
Leadership Trek (7 days)
You’ll conquer a 7-day trek across the Salt Crocker Range. On this trek, every day is different, including the weather and the accommodation.
Jungle Adventure (11 days)
You’ll work on eco-tourism projects, living in a rainforest community with Orang Sunai (indigenous river people), go on river safaris and visit Borneo’s famous Orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.
Environmental Project (19 days)
You’ll work on reforestation activities and mangrove rehabilitation, which will support local wildlife, while also raising awareness locally about these issues.
Final review (2 days)
All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at Fieldbase. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.
Expedition Dates & Pricing
We run two cycles in Borneo every year and offer different Expedition lengths.
10 weeks
The most immersive and popular Expedition. Take part in all three full phases.
7 weeks
Take part in two full phases – either the Community or Environmental project with the Adventure Challenge.
5 weeks
Take part in a full phase of a Community Project or Environmental Project (assigned) with a shorter Adventure Challenge.
Expedition Dates & Pricing
2025
CYCLE 1
FEBRUARY - APRIL
10 Weeks
10th February – 17th April 2025
£4,595$5,925$5,925$5,925ZAR 86258
7 Weeks
A: 10th February – 28th March 2025
B: 2nd March – 17th April 2025
£4,125$5,260$5,260$5,260ZAR 76576
5 Weeks
10th February – 17th March 2025
£3,499$4,595$4,595$4,595ZAR
Application deadlines:
10 weeks, 7 weeks (A) and 5 weeks – 5th January 2025
7 weeks (B) – 13th January 2025
Apply now
CYCLE 2
Borneo Expeditions do not run in Cycle 2
CYCLE 3
OCTOBER - DECEMBER
10 Weeks
11th October – 16th December 2025
£4,595$5,925$5,925$5,925ZAR 86258
7 Weeks
A: 11th October – 25th November 2025
B: 31st October – 16th December 2025
£4,125$5,260$5,260$5,260ZAR 76576
5 Weeks
11th October – 15th November 2025
£3,499$4,595$4,595$4,595ZAR
Application deadlines:
10 weeks, 7 weeks (A) and 5 weeks – 24th August 2025
7 weeks (B) – 12th September 2025
Apply now
Apply for an Expedition
Apply online
Fill in the online application form and tell us why you want to go on Expedition!
Screening
If your application is successful, we send you a booking form and process a deposit of £200$200$200$200ZAR .
Confirmation
You will be assigned a volunteer coordinator who will send you all the information you need about your Raleigh Expedition.
Pre-departure
Get ready for your Expedition – we will support you all the way!
What’s included
- Airport welcome and transfers
- All food, transport and accommodation on Expedition
- 24-hour support from Expedition country & UK office
- Safety expertise
- Extensive pre-departure information and support
- Local orientation, project training & equipment
- Raleigh t-shirt
Not included
- Flights
- Visas
- Vaccinations
- Personal kit
- Travel insurance
- First aid training (Venturer Managers)
A full breakdown of what’s included and not will be provided on application.
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Borneo Expedition FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Raleigh Expeditions in Borneo
What sort of food will I be eating?
Raleigh provides dry and fresh food (Raleigh Rations), and Venturers rotate to cook for the group.
You’ll be living in remote areas of Borneo, so food will consist of South Asian staples such as noodles, rice, breads, beef, fish, chicken and vegetables. You will also have the chance to experience foods provided by the rainforest and enjoyed by locals, such as the bambagan (a giant, mango like fruit) and the rambatan (a juicy, sweet fruit similar to a lychee).
Basic Rations might include
- Breakfast: Porridge (Oats) with milk powder and sugar to flavour.
- Lunch: Bread or Crackers with Jam, tuna, cheese.
- Dinner: Rice/Pasta, tinned pasta sauce, tinned beans or tinned curries.
- Additional: Tea, coffee, milo, local doughnuts, fried bananas (Pisang Goreng), fruit and fresh produce when available.
Where will I be staying on Expedition with Raleigh in Borneo?
Accommodation may vary. You’ll wild camp in hammocks, sleep in traditional long houses and also in local community halls. No matter where you stay, accommodation will be basic and authentic to rural life in Sabah.
What is the weather like in Borneo?
Borneo is a tropical paradise that attracts travellers all year round. The weather is hot and humid for most of the year, with average temperatures of 27°C to 32°C and relative humidity of 80%. Borneo has two distinct seasons: the dry season, which starts from March to September; and the wet season, which lasts from October to February when the North-East monsoon hits the island.
You can expect brilliant sunshine in the morning and rain in the afternoon which generally lasts a few minutes to hours. However, the weather is often unpredictable and you should expect high humidity and rain at any time of the year, which means you will most certainly need your waterproofs.
Will I need a visa for Borneo and is it included in the cost?
Whether you need a visa to travel to Borneo will depend on your nationality, purpose of visit, country of residence and length of your stay. Your Venturer Coordinator will provide you with all the relevant information. The costs of visas isn’t included in the price of your Expedition.
What language is spoken in Borneo?
The official language in Borneo is Malay.
Some useful phrases are:
- Selamat pagi – Good morning (literally translating as ‘Good day’)
- Salamat petang – Good afternoon
- Selamat malam – Good evening or good night
- Terima kasih – Thank you
