Orangutan Volunteering with BOS in Borneo

Samboja Ecolodge, Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS)

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I recently travelled to Indonesian Borneo for an orangutan volunteering adventure working with orangutans. >Our accommodation while volunteering at the Samboja Orangutan Sanctuary was Samboja Lestari Ecolodge. It is a hideaway near Samboja in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, just an hour’s drive from the capital Balikpapan.

Orangutans in Borneo

For anyone living or visiting Balikpapan, do yourself a favour and spend some time here.

It is one of only a few places easily accessible to see rare and endangered orangutans and sun bears in a natural habitat setting. Here are some facts about orangutans you may be interested in.

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Samboja baby orangutan

The Ecolodge is a venture of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF but commonly known as BOS)

This geographical area is known mainly for its coal, oil and palm oil reserves. The commercial activity, however, is endangering many native animals for our future generations.  

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Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation is attempting to rescue many orangutans as well as preserve some of their forest habitats.

Visiting Indonesia? Find out about the most famous landmarks in Indonesia, learn the best things to do in Bali and bookmark our Bali itinerary to help you plan your next adventure. 

Samboja Ecolodge

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Samboja baby Sumatran orangutan

The lodge is situated in a 103ha tertiary rainforest. It was created from an arid desert between 1998 to 2005 by the efforts of Willie Smit and BOSF.

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Samboja lodge orangutan

Greeting you at the entrance by a bridge over running water stream is an orangutan – not real of course!  

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Samboja lodge entrance

Each air-conditioned room has French doors opening onto a balcony with a view of the rainforest and captivating sounds of tropical birds, cicadas and orangutans.

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Samboja lodge rainforest views

Many indigenous tree species, flowers and fruiting trees surround the lodge, and squirrels can be seen leaping from tree to tree.

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Samboja lodge room sand gardens
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Samboja lodge gardens

The lodge has a unique design based on local architecture and is largely built from recycled products.  

Cosmetic décor is traditional Kalimantan.

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Samboja lodge twin room

It is well hidden amongst the rainforest and looks out onto the Orangutan and Sunbear Sanctuaries.

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Samboja lodge dining area and library

Three meals a day are provided at the lodge. All food is freshly prepared by the house staff and is a delicious local Bornean traditional menu.

A smorgasbord of culinary delights is presented with free-flowing tea and coffee available at all times.

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Samboja lodge smorgasboard dinner
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Samboja lodge lunch

A five-minute escorted walk takes you down to the Orangutan Sanctuary.

This includes six moated islands over seven hectares, housing free-roaming generations of orangutans.

They can also be viewed with binoculars from the top level of the lodge where luxurious King and Queen Suites have a private balcony overlooking the rainforest.

Orangutan Sanctuary

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Samboja lodge library

The Samboja orangutans cannot be released back into the wild. Keepers regularly deliver enrichment packages to the island orangutans by rowboat.

Orangutans come down to the water’s edge, giving you an unbelievable opportunity to closely observe these amazing primates, so human-like in their behaviour.

Guests can also help prepare enrichment packages and food for them.

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Samboja orangutan enrichment

Excursions from the lodge can include an early morning 4km return Wildlife Nature Trail with a guide.

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Samboja lodge tropical flowers

There is also a chance to visit the office of the BOS organisation.

You can watch a film about the planting of the forest and the creation of the animal sanctuary in 1998.

It also shows the subsequent release of many rehabilitated orangutan back into the wild.

There is also a 58ha sun bear sanctuary in the grounds.

It houses many injured or rescued orphaned bears, which hopefully may be released back into the wild one day.

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Samboja sun bear

Sun bears are the smallest of bears and are usually found high up in trees.

Strong paws with very long claws assist their remarkable climbing activity.

Whilst they may appear small and cuddly they are quite an aggressive animal.

Staying at Samboja Ecolodge is a unique opportunity to enjoy a comfortable and unique accommodation in an amazing tropical rainforest setting, with a chance to be in close proximity of endangered orangutans and sun bears.  

Orangutan Volunteering with BOS in Borneo

Orangutan Volunteering with BOS in Borneo

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Irene Isaacson
While living the life on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and actively volunteering with wildlife organisations in her spare time as a semi-retired medical doctor, Irene has travelled the world with her shark scuba diving husband, Tony Isaacson (aka DiveCareDare). Experiencing wonderful wildlife adventures as well as voluntourism, travel and nature photography has become her passion. She loves to share their experiences via Instagram and YouTube, in an effort to increase awareness and promote conservation. On a mission to make a difference, their shared motto is: "In the end, we conserve only what we love, we love only what we understand, and we understand only what we can learn." (adapted from Baba Dioum 1968)