Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project

We had a fantastic experience, Kate was our project coordinator and her and her team were so well organised. Every evening she would run through the itinerary for the following day, including how the group were to be split up for different tasks etc. During the 12 nights we had really varied activities, from collecting leaves for enrichment, preparing different enrichments, building a feeding platform, helping to lay a concrete path to removing silt from the river bed to increase the depth of the water. We initially worked with the sun bears until our second covid tests proved negative whereby we were able then to work with the adult orangutans living in the sanctuary. Kate and her team were really supportive, given guidance and had lots of knowledge about the sun bears and the orangutans. The group we were with, were really great, everyone worked well together and we had lots of fun whilst feeling really thankful for being able to give some care to the sun bears and orangutans to help make their lives better. The lodge was very comfortable and we had superb food, best food we have had on any of the other volunteers experiences we have... We had a fantastic experience, Kate was our project coordinator and her and her team were so well organised. Every evening she would run through the itinerary for the following day, including how the group were to be split up for different tasks etc. During the 12 nights we had really varied activities, from collecting leaves for enrichment, preparing different enrichments, building a feeding platform, helping to lay a concrete path to removing silt from the river bed to increase the depth of the water. We initially worked with the sun bears until our second covid tests proved negative whereby we were able then to work with the adult orangutans living in the sanctuary. Kate and her team were really supportive, given guidance and had lots of knowledge about the sun bears and the orangutans. The group we were with, were really great, everyone worked well together and we had lots of fun whilst feeling really thankful for being able to give some care to the sun bears and orangutans to help make their lives better. The lodge was very comfortable and we had superb food, best food we have had on any of the other volunteers experiences we have undertaken. Kate also organised some super trips in our downtime. We did feel part of a large family of like minded people. One of the best volunteer projects we have been on. Highly recommend this - Kate is definitely the best project coordinator we have had. (Show More)

My 4 week volunteering project began after a 3 day journey to get there. Not knowing what to expect i was met by Kate. An amazing caring lady who sometimes doesn't appreciate her own depth and knowledge. She quickly put me at ease, showed me to my room and let me get settled in. I went down for lunch, the food never let us down, always fresh always good options, always tasty and if we wanted something all we had to do was ask and it was usually granted within reason. I was the only volunteer there for most of the day so had my first glimpse of Rambo who stole my heart from the start. All of the people involved in the TGP are clearly caring lovely people who treat everyone with kindness and respect including the animals. It was a pleasure to work hard for the cause and i did not regret one single decision i made to embark on such a worthwhile cause. The Orangutans share 97% of our DNA so hopefully they get out of it what we get out of it. it was sheer pleasure every time we interacted with them. The sun bears are... My 4 week volunteering project began after a 3 day journey to get there. Not knowing what to expect i was met by Kate. An amazing caring lady who sometimes doesn't appreciate her own depth and knowledge. She quickly put me at ease, showed me to my room and let me get settled in. I went down for lunch, the food never let us down, always fresh always good options, always tasty and if we wanted something all we had to do was ask and it was usually granted within reason. I was the only volunteer there for most of the day so had my first glimpse of Rambo who stole my heart from the start. All of the people involved in the TGP are clearly caring lovely people who treat everyone with kindness and respect including the animals. It was a pleasure to work hard for the cause and i did not regret one single decision i made to embark on such a worthwhile cause. The Orangutans share 97% of our DNA so hopefully they get out of it what we get out of it. it was sheer pleasure every time we interacted with them. The sun bears are just as pleasurable to watch, make enrichments for and feed. The last day we went for one last visit to see Papa and Kikan who had been released back onto their island (entertainment providers). Then we went to see all of the others on the islands. We got a really nice unexpected surprise and a lovely photo with Dr Willie Smits (founder of the BOS foundation). We had a chat with him about threat of El Nino and how the land we were stood on was barren land some 30 odd years previous. I will never forget the memories i made with people and animals in the rainforest of Borneo, thank you TGP and all involved. (Show More)

Working with BOS was an enlightening experience over the last two weeks. Our coordinator Kate had been with BOS for over ten years. I personally found Kate a very experienced and personable. Throughout my time I had been shown how to enhance enrichments for the Orangutans and Sun Bears. As an energetic over seventy years young woman with limitation of my upper strength, I was able to feel involved and part of the team. I had so much pleasure assisting with building the Sun Bears platform, digging holes ready for the insertion of beams, which were cut to length, securing with washers and bolts. Then placing a roof on top with the help of my fellow crew. After this adventure our team prepared concrete ready to make a path for access for future team members and technicians , we were able to leave our mark in the wet concrete. Another experience was removing wet soil from the river so Orangutans couldn’t cross over to another island and hurt each other in the jungle. This was hard labour intensive although so satisfying. I will always have such loving and fond memories. I came away filled with happiness and joy seeing orangutans... Working with BOS was an enlightening experience over the last two weeks. Our coordinator Kate had been with BOS for over ten years. I personally found Kate a very experienced and personable. Throughout my time I had been shown how to enhance enrichments for the Orangutans and Sun Bears. As an energetic over seventy years young woman with limitation of my upper strength, I was able to feel involved and part of the team. I had so much pleasure assisting with building the Sun Bears platform, digging holes ready for the insertion of beams, which were cut to length, securing with washers and bolts. Then placing a roof on top with the help of my fellow crew. After this adventure our team prepared concrete ready to make a path for access for future team members and technicians , we were able to leave our mark in the wet concrete. Another experience was removing wet soil from the river so Orangutans couldn’t cross over to another island and hurt each other in the jungle. This was hard labour intensive although so satisfying. I will always have such loving and fond memories. I came away filled with happiness and joy seeing orangutans in their true environment, where baby orangutans are educated by loving carers in baby school. They are shown how to survive in the wild, learning to climb and swing from tree to tree. Also what foods to search to obtain ample food source. With the help of fellow team members and technicians we were shown how to collect branches, ferns and leaves for the orangutans make their beds each night. The technicians & Kate showed how to use a machete for cutting food sources for the orangutans & Sun bears. Accommodation was outstanding and the lodge provided outstanding meals catered for all tastes. My fondness memories will be knowing the orangutans and sun bears are in a safe and caring environment and being a part of this incredible experience, in particular listening to the sound of the jungle & night calls of the animals in the early morning hours. From the bottom of my heart I truly BOS for such a remarkable exposure to life in the jungle. Thank you so much for the best time of my life. Regards Christine Sharkey June 13-28 th 2026. (Show More)