EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

There really is nothing like giving back. In this specially crafted expedition into Malaysia you will visit rehabiltation cantres and the natural habitat of the great orangutan, and at the same time help protect the environment for generations to come. Since 2009 Orangutan Odysseys has raised in excess of $250,000 for The Orangutan Project. Orangutan Odysseys will continue it's quest for sponsoring orphaned orangutans, protecting more rainforest through the Safeguard program (a jungle patrol system that prevents poachers and illegal loggers), and providing donations to various NGO's through Indonesia and Malaysia. 

MATANG WILDLIFE CENTER
Matang Wildlife Centre is located in Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. More specifically, it’s located in Kubah National Park, Sarawak’s main center for wildlife rehabilitation. Matang Wildlife Centre is responsible for rescuing and rehabilitating orangutans and other animals, and releasing them back into the wild.

SEMENGGOH WILDLIFE CENTER
The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, also located in Sarawak, rehabilitates wild animals kept previously as pets, as well as injured and orphaned animals, and then releases them back into the wild. They have successfully cared for over 1,000 endangered animals and are most recognized for their work rehabilitating orangutans. Due to their success, the number of animals released back into the wild significantly increased putting the forest at maximum capacity. Therefore, plans to rehabilitate orangutans were transferred to the Matang Wildlife Centre. As a result, Semenggoh changed its focus to studying orangutan biology and behaviour. It has also become a safe-haven to dozens of semi-wild orangutans who were graduates of the rehabilitation programme, as well as home to numerous baby orangutans born in the wild to rehabilitated mothers.

BATANG AI NATIONAL PARK
In eastern Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, is Batang Ai National Park. Surrounded by tropical rainforests, the park is home to a number of rare and protected animals such as orangutans, gibbons and hornbills. As with most transportation on the island, access is by boat and just over an hour’s ride upriver. The park is a beautiful combination of lush dipterocarp forests and swooping trees surrounding the artificial lake.

The rivers are fast flowing, clear and very refreshing. During dry periods, the water level gets quite low and visitors have to help push their boats upstream – an enjoyable and unique experience.

Ibans, the original inhabitants of Borneo, live in longhouses, another major attraction upriver for visitors. Guests can experience the authentic longhouse ambiance and local crafts, such as Pua Kumbu, the Iban traditional cloth used to decorate houses.

For visitors wishing to stay nearby, Hilton Longhouse Resort and several other local longhouses, offer accommodations just outside the park. Guests are encouraged to use the boating facilities available, as boat funds are used to give back to the community.

PROJECT FUNDRAISING OBJECTIVES (Fundraising trips only)
Participants in this expedition are expected to help raise funds (a target of AUS$1000 per participant) by getting friends, family and colleagues to adopt orphaned Orangutans as well as help protect the habitat of this endangered species through on the ground foot patrols that prevent poaching and illegal logging. Details of how to achieve this goal and further info will be sent once you have booked. Participants in this expedition will be contributing to the survival of the orangutans and their habitat by adopting an orphaned orangutan and sponsoring 100 hectares of rainforest under the Safeguard Program.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit pristine rainforest in search of the amazing wild orangutan.
• Visit the Wildlife Reserves at Matang & Semmengoh to see rehabiltated orangutans
• Visit the Batang Ai National Park and understand how deforestation is effecting the area and how reforestation is possible.
• Trek through beautiful primary forest and see thomas leaf monkeys, pig tail and long tail macaque, monitor lizards, gibbons, wild peacocks and more.
• Part of your expedition cost is directly donated to save these wonderful creatures.

ITINERARY

10 days (2 tour dates for 2014 - 20 to 29 April + 5 to 14 November)

Day 1 : Arrival Kuala Lumpur
Arrival after your international flight be transferred to your hotel for overnight accommodation

Day 2 : Arrival Kuching and transfer to Matang
Early morning flight to Kuching airport where you will be met by our representative for transfer to Matang Wildlife Centre, approx 1 hour drive. Check in to your accommodation and then receive your induction talk along with lunch. Early afternoon you will be given a tour of Matang WC where your guide shall explain how the wildlife park works and prepares the animals for potential future release. Here you will also meet the resident orangutans for the first time. Dinner at the wildlife centre and briefing for next day’s activities. After dinner you’ll be given a talk on orangutan behaviour and conservation by the centre’s expert staff. Overnight at Matang (B,L,D)

Day 3 : Semenggoh and Matang Rehabilitation Centres
Early this morning you will be taken to Semenggoh rehabilitation centre where you will visit Sarawak's most famous orangutan centre. On arrival your guide will explain about safety issues and the park guides will also provide an induction talk. Feeding here then occurs at 9am for one hour. After feeding you will be taken by bus to another location for an afternoon walking tour. This trek will firstly take you through the forest to a waterfall where you will enjoy a cool swim and lunch. Then you continue trekking along local trails back down to Matang, where along the way you may see orangutans or other wildlife which have been released back into the park. Tonight we will have a BBQ dinner with the rangers and families of the centre and overnight at Matang (B,L,D)

Day 4 : Matang - Bating Ai National Park
Today we make an early start and head down to Batang Ai NP. Along the way we will stop at some markets where you guides will do some shopping so you will have time to wander around and explore. Our bus trip takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. Along the way we stop for lunch and check out interesting places. Upon arrival at Batang Ai we meet our boats and travel by water to our park base-camp headquarters. Overnight and dinner at HQ. (B,L,D)

Day 5 : Batang Ai - full days trekking and culture visit
After an early start we head off on a full days trekking through the national park looking for wild orangutan, birds and wildlife. After a long days walking, lunch and a swim we shall stop by a Dayak Village and long house for dinner before getting back to base camp for overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Batang Ai - tree planting and culture
Today we will spend time closer to our basecamp. In the morning we will do some tree planting inside the park for regeneration of plants important to the local eco systems. Later we shall visit a second Dayak Village community and try our handicraft skills like weaving. There will be time for some relaxing and swimming as well. Overnight at basecamp. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Batang Ai - long trek and jungle camp
An early start this morning as we will start a long trek (5-6 hours) back into the national park, again always on the lookout for orangutan and wildlife. Later in the day we shall reach our "jungle camp " an old Ghurkha Camp, where we will stay overnight camped inside the jungle. You will sleep in hammocks clobbered by mosquito nets. This is a truly unique experience. Dinner and overnight at Ghurkha Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Batang Ai - Permai
This morning we leave our jungle camp by boat and head back to our HQ to collect our gear and depart Batang Ai via boat. It's then back on our bus and we head back towards Kuching for our "luxury" Damai Puri beach resort in Permai for a well-earned rest, swim, relax and dinner. Overnight at the resort (B,L)

Day 9 : Permai - Kuching
After a relaxing morning and breakfast we will head down to the local town district of Permia and visit the Sarawak Cultural Village (a living museum to the indigenous tribes of Borneo). Lunch and then we head back to Kuching for your final night in Malaysia at the comfortable Basaga Hotel 10 minutes away from the cosmopolitan city centre of Kuching. You will be free to wander around the town or just relax by the pool. (B,L)

Day 10 : Kuching - end of tour - Optional trip extension
Today we transfer you to the airport for you return to Kuala Lumpur  to meet with your international flights home OR you will continue on via one of our optional extensions like Kota Kinabalu or Kinabatangan River in Sabah Or perhaps a rour aroudn Kuala Lumpur. (B)

TRIP EXTENSIONS
Why not think about seeing more amazing locations in Indonesia after your Orangutan Expedition? For more details about some of the exciting trip extensions on offer to other parts of Malaysia or Indonesia click here.

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS

• Domestic airfares
• Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur (twin share - single supplement available)
• Accommodation in all locations in Sarawak (twin share)
• Accommodation in Batang Ai National Park
• Meals as noted in the intinerary (B,L,D)
• Tips (excludes tip to Orangutan Odysseys local guides)
• National park fees and camping equipment
• Airport transfers
• Experienced local guides
• Donation included for one orangutan adoption and sponsoring 100 hectares of rainforest
• Orangutan Odysseys t-shirt

EXCLUSIONS

• Airport departure tax - not applicable out of Malaysia
• Visa on arrival - No visa required into Malaysia
• International airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Alcohol and some meals

WHAT TO EXPECT

You are embarking on an adventure to places and amongst people whose lives are very different from your own. Many aspects of life in Malaysia will seem unusual. Remember that these are often the same aspects that make an area an exotic and attractive destination. While boat expeditions are considered easy, no trek is easy, even those rated "easy or moderate". In addition to the personal physical challenges you may face, travel conditions can present unexpected obstacles, such as rough and bumpy roads and changeable weather. To prepare for this "pack" a flexible and relaxed attitude. Bring a spirit of adventure and inquiry, a healthy sense of humor and a willingness to encounter the unexpected and you will find your trip to Malaysian Borneo the adventure of a lifetime!