The Great Projects Anmeldelser 118

My time in Borneo was so much more than a volunteering trip. It was a complete immersion into a different way of living, a chance to understand wildlife on a deeper level, and an opportunity to build bonds with people who very quickly felt like family. Living in the cabin with the group was simple, communal, and grounding. We cooked dinners together, shared stories at the end of long days, laughed until we cried, and supported one another through every challenge the work brought. Those evenings in the cabin became one of my favourite parts of the whole experience because they reminded me how easy it is to connect when life is stripped back to what truly matters. Working with the team and the locals was incredibly special. The kindness and patience they showed us was unbelievable, and I felt so honoured to learn their culture and way of life. They welcomed us into their routines, taught us new skills, and helped us understand the land and the animals in a way only they could. The bonds we built were strong and meaningful, and I will always remember how much they shared with us and how much they cared about the work we were doing together. Every day brought something new. I learned how to mix cement in the heat, carry river stones, repair and strengthen enclosures, and take on physical work I never imagined myself doing. We made all kinds of enrichment for the orangutans, using coconuts, magazines, leaves, natural materials, puzzle feeders, and anything we could find to keep their minds active and stimulated. It felt amazing to know that something you created with your own hands could bring an orangutan focus, curiosity, and joy. Seeing them interact with what we made was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire experience. The animals themselves changed me. Every orangutan has a story, and many of those stories are heartbreaking. Some lost their mothers, some were kept illegally, and some were rescued from land that is no longer safe for them. They are all in rehabilitation and cared for with an incredible level of dedication, patience, and respect. Not all will be able to return to the wild, and learning why they are here in the first place gives you a completely different understanding of how important this work is. The same goes for the sun bears and the pangolin we were lucky enough to meet. Each of them is living proof of why conservation matters. This experience opened my eyes to so much. It showed me how resilient animals are, how deeply humans can connect across culture and language, and how powerful it is to step outside your comfort zone. It made me appreciate the simple things in life, the value of community, and the importance of protecting the natural world. I came home with more than memories. I came home with new friendships, new skills, a new understanding of myself, and a heart full of gratitude. Borneo changed me in the best way, and I will carry this experience with me forever.

The project was everything I hoped for. From booking the trip, customer service and provision of all relevant information before thew trip to the very well organised Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary. Their staff was very friendly and helpful, excellent food and even some entertainment at the weekends was available. Some volunteers didn't realise that there is some physical work involved, which is needed to keep the place running. I actually enjoyed it and it gave me a good insight of what is involved in the day to day tasks of a sanctuary. I loved, loved, loved the animals. My favourites were the baboon babies and the horses, as it was very hands-on with them. Being close to the cheetahs was also an experience not to be missed. The Rhino Rangers experience was unbelievable and the K9 unit is a must. I had the chance to be teacher in the N/a'an ku sê Primary School for one day and I was delighted to see how respectful, happy and energetic the children were, despite their challenging circumstances. I really enjoyed their Friday assemblies with music and dance. I was sad to leave after 3 weeks.

Recently returned from Nyaru Mentang and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation facilities there. Hard work at times but the reward is to spend time up close with these amazing creatures. I cannot recommend this trip more highly, from Mags and Katie at The Great Projects to all the BOSF staff at Nyaru Mentang who made things so easy. Such a memorable adventure and something you must put on your Bucket List immediately, if not sooner!

Volunteering at Nyaru Menteng was truly an amazing and life-changing experience. The work was hard at times, but incredibly rewarding – every effort felt meaningful and impactful. The volunteer coordinators, Matt and Niamh, were exceptional hosts: patient, encouraging, and fully committed to giving the orangutans the best possible life. Their passion and dedication were inspiring. Accommodation was clean and comfortable, and we were very well looked after with plenty of good food. It was wonderful to spend time with other like-minded people, all working together on a project that clearly benefits the orangutans. I’m so glad I booked for a full month – two weeks would never have been enough. The four weeks flew by! Highlights of the trip included visiting the pre-release islands and observing the “toddlers” at Forest School – unforgettable moments that really show the importance of this work. Everyone involved in the project was welcoming and lovely, creating a warm and supportive environment. I would absolutely recommend this experience over any other orangutan programme in Borneo – this is the real deal. I’m already planning to return, as the help of volunteers will be needed for many years to come. Best of all was spending time with these beautiful, gentle primates who deserve every chance to live the best life possible, whether through full rehabilitation and release into the wild or lifelong care by the amazing team of vets and technicians at BOS Nyaru Menteng. If you’re considering volunteering, don’t hesitate – it’s an experience you’ll treasure forever.

We both loved our time at Nyaru Menteng. We booked it as an alternative holiday and had no idea how much we would enjoy working with and learning about the Orangatangs. These beautiful primates were as individual as the varied group we worked alongside. It was a privilege to carry out any task that would enrich their time at the sanctuary. I enjoyed all the food prep, leaf gathering and tree planting but also trying out new skills involved in the manufacture of hammocks and the building of the towers. The highlights were of course the interactions with the Orangatangs at both NM 1 and 2, the youngsters at jungle school or seeing them on the pre - release islands. As coordinators Matt and Naimh were excellent and made sure everyone was involved in all activities regardless of previous skill levels. It was hard work at times but we have returned home hugely enthusiastic about our time on this project.

Definitely a must do. So rewarding to be able to work with the technician team, provide enrichment materials for the orangutans and see how much they enjoy them. A real feel-good to help create the man-made islands for non-releasable orangutans and to plant trees that will support their future too. I highly recommend a 26 day stay if you are able to as you get more in-depth time with the orangutans plus 2 sessions watching the cheeky, energetic babies on their return from jungle school. Nyaru Menteng is a totally authentic, charming place to be and Matt and Niamh are dedicated, hard working hosts that make it all so amazing. If you're happy to work hard and sweat lots you'll have an unforgettable experience.

We had a fantastic trip to Samboja lodge volunteering. Our volunteer coordinator Kate was amazing , she was very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm. we did lots of activities from filling in a huge hole on a pre release island for orangutans to making food platforms, cutting down ginger leaves in the forest and making enrichments for the orangutans that were unable to be released due to lack of survival skills as lots were taken from their mothers for the pet trade. The technicians at the lodge that worked alongside us were friendly and encouraging a real team ethos. The trips that Kate organised for the group ranged from a local night market to a forest hike and a river cruise to Proboscus monkeys. I cannot recommend her or this experience highly enough.

I recently volunteered at Jane Goodall's Institute for Chimps-Chimp Eden in South Africa. It was life-changing. I loved working with the staff and volunteers. There are 33 chimps age 8yo to 81 yo !
We made a lot of enrichment for the Chimps like swings, ladders and many other things for them to explore. We also helped clean the night dens. The cook was fabulous. Our accommodations were nice. On our day off we went on a safari to Kruger National Park. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend.

This adventure taught me an incredible amount, especially about data collection to help animals in the wildlife sanctuary and how to resolve the human elephant conflict. The guide, Ravina, was knowledgeable, patient and empathetic. Her excitement about observing elephants never waned. She explained every step of our mission and answered all questions thoroughly and with a smile. The food that was served at the volunteer house was abundant and delicious, the other volunteers amiable and the location was truly in the wilderness and exemplified the lifestyle of a typical farmer in Sri Lanka. I opted to stay in the hotel nearby for an extra sum and was truly satisfied with the decision because I come from a cooler climate and the scorching days left me dizzy, so going to a hotel with AC made for a truly comfortable experience. Sri Lanka and the project will remain a positive and eye opening experience for me and I recommend the trip to anyone who wants to learn the ins and outs of how to preserve wildlife conservation and resolve the human elephant conflict.

Well what can I say?.....Volunteering with The Great Projects at Samboja Lestari Rehabilitation Centre was one of the best experiences of my life. It exceeded all my expectations. The two weeks spent there was very well organised and we took part in various activities ranging from making stimulating food enrichment items for both the orangutans and sun bears, cleaning of the enclosures, preparing food and lending our hands to maintenance and construction projects. It was great to see some projects finished, like the food platform on one of the islands, and the other project, banking up an erosion area on another of the orangutan's island, which will be completed soon. Although it was hard work at times, I felt rewarded, humbled and privileged working with the great orangutans and the cute sun bears. I came away feeling I had made a difference securing a future for the orangutans and helping to restore their habitat. If you are thinking about going, stop thinking, just do it!

I thoroughly enjoyed my fortnight at Samboja. Everybody was very friendly. Kate and the team looked after us really well. The lodge was comfortable and the food was good.
Working with the Orangutans and Sun Bears was a real privilege. I ended each day tried but with a real sense of achievement. We did a verity of tasks, from filling sand bags to reinforce a river bank to making jam sandwiches with leaves as part of enrichment. We also got to see a little of the local area visiting the Black River and a night market. It was a great way to see a little of Borneo and do some good. My only regret is that I only went for 2 weeks rather than 4.

Exhausting and challenging.
At times, thought-provoking.
Often surprising in so many ways.
But also exhilarating, exciting and rewarding!

Our recent visit to the Greenview Lodge at Sukau on the Kinabatangan River opened our eyes and hearts to the people, culture, environment and animals of Borneo, and left us with memories we'll treasure forever.
The work was hard, the accommodation was basic, the people were lovely and the whole experience was beyond our expectations.
We learned about the palm oil and the local culture; we cleared, planted and tracked new wildlife corridors; we cooked and ate with local families; we enjoyed local crafting, music and dances.

Just some of the wildlife we saw: endless macaques and hornbills; kingfishers and eagles, orang utans and elephants; civet and crocodiles; owls and water monitor lizards, green keelback and bronze back snakes, flying lizards, gibbons, silver langer and red leaf monkeys, beautiful songbirds, millipedes, a giant squirrel and lots of proboscis monkeys.

Every day was an adventure, with nothing guaranteed, but always something astonishing.

My sister and I travelled together to NYARU MENTENG ORANGUTAN SANCTUARY. We are in our mid-fifties and had one of the most wonderful and exciting experiences of our lives. We will never forget the orangutans, who behaved so gently and individually, the wonderful group and the excellent support from Matt and Melda! The program is very well thought out and competently organized. We had a motivating sense of achievement and the feeling of doing meaningful work in a great team, while also having plenty of time to relax. Big thanks to our supervisors and our new friends. This type of vacation made us want more, and we can warmly recommend this adventure to everyone!

An Unforgettable Experience in Namibia ! I spent three weeks in Namibia as part of a wildlife conservation volunteer program: two weeks at the Wildlife Sanctuary and one week at the TimBila Reserve. TimBila is a separate project focused on reintroducing wild animals into their natural habitat, and I highly recommend it. One of the most powerful moments of my stay was witnessing the reintroduction of an elephant into the reserve. Watching this majestic animal return to the wild in a protected environment was deeply moving and something I’ll never forget. I also appreciated a lot spending time feeding animals or walking with them. The team on site was incredibly welcoming and kind. When my return flight was unexpectedly canceled, they generously allowed me to stay two extra nights, which was a huge help. Their flexibility and support made my experience even more reassuring. I also want to highlight how helpful the contact person at The Great Projects was before my departure. They were always available, patient, and clear in answering all my questions. This volunteer experience allowed me to contribute to a cause I truly care about, while discovering the raw beauty of Namibia. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone passionate about animal protection and looking for a meaningful and enriching adventure.

Have volunteered through this organisation in South Africa, but this time went on their ultimate wildlife tour in Uganda.
It was exceptional. As three older women going we discussed in the reception of the first hotel how we would try and see if we could get single rooms in the next hotels. It wasn't a huge issue and it was a quiet discussion but reception must have overheard, told the tour guide who contacted the UK Office and before we knew anything they had arranged single rooms for the whole 12 day tour at an exceptionally excellent rate.
Nothing was too much trouble, we were encouraged to inform the guide daily if there was something we wanted to do in that area and they tried their upmost to accommodate every single need or thought.
I cannot recommend the great projects enough as a travel organisation, nor their partners in Uganda.

Pasamos dos semanas de voluntariado en Harnas y una semana en el santuario de vida silvestre. Ojalá nos hubiéramos quedado las tres semanas completas en Harnas porque nos encantó y nos sentimos como en casa. Hay menos voluntarios, todo está más organizado, más enfocado en brindar ayuda real, la comida es deliciosa y la experiencia en general es increíble. El santuario es un lugar agradable, pero hay muchos voluntarios (unos 70), y todo es menos personalizado, más desorganizado y, creo, un poco más centrado en actividades que atraen voluntarios que en la ayuda en sí. Repetiría mi experiencia en Harnas mil veces. El contacto con los animales salvajes es bueno, sabiendo que son animales salvajes. También se ven muchos animales en libertad, como rinocerontes. La vida en Harnas es más familiar, más hermosa.

Just returned from 2 projects in Africa booked through The Great Projects!

Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary: Namibia is truly a hidden treasure in plain sight! The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary is a wonderful organization with great people and an ambitious mission to help wildlife and preserve the various natural landscapes of Namibia. I was fortunate enough to see so many incredible animals including: lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, cheetahs, oryx, eland, springbok, and the list goes on. Equally as rewarding, I met dozens of amazing people during my six weeks with the organization - both other volunteers from around the world, and the staff members who are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I would like to mention Romeo, Sima, Dawid, and LeeAnn specifically for their continued help and hospitality. I would highly recommend spending at least 3-4 weeks at this program so that you can include one or more of the "extra" weeks away from the main sanctuary. I did the Neuras, Kanaan, and TimBila projects in addition to 3 weeks at the sanctuary, and it was a great way to feel at home and comfortable at the program while still getting to explore different regions of the country. Neuras and Kanaan offer incredible landscapes, and peaceful, quiet weeks in the sparsely-populated desert regions of the country. Sunrises and sunsets here are amongst the best I've ever seen in my life. Note that these areas are not as abundant in wildlife as some of the other areas (specifically large wildlife) given the aridness of the desert. TimBila is an absolute gem of a wildlife reserve. Here is where you will feel like you're sharing a home with elephants, lions, zebras, etc. TimBila is a must in my opinion. I will be forever grateful to this project for the incredible memories and the new friends I made. 5 stars

Amakhala Conservation Project: This project was a fun experience - I got to see many incredible animals including: elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and zebras. Socially, the program was very nice. During my two weeks, we had 14-16 volunteers, and it was nice to meet people from different parts of the world. While the ages of the volunteers will obviously vary from week-to-week, the age demographic of this program tends to be quite young (16 - early 20s). Additionally, the two volunteer coordinators we were with daily were also 24. This may be something to keep in mind if you're an older volunteer. A few things that I think are helpful to note when researching projects. This project is at least 50-50 in terms of a split between wildlife volunteering and community volunteering. You can expect to be on the reserve 2, maybe 3, days of the week. Other days will be spent volunteering with the local children or having free time (weekends). Also, you do not stay on the reserve. The volunteer house is located ~30-45 minute drive from the reserve. This means that you do have access to stores and such daily, but it is unlikely that you will see wildlife unless it is a day which you are scheduled to be in the reserve. There are other programs where you stay in the reserve or adjacent to it therefore you have a higher likelihood of seeing wildlife more frequently. I would recommend this project mainly to younger volunteers who want a mix of community-based volunteering and wildlife viewing. There is not as much hands-on work with the animals as you would find at an animal sanctuary project (which makes sense as the animals on the reserve at Amakhala are wild animals so there shouldn't be much hands-on work with them). All in all a fun time. 4 stars

Life-Changing Experience Volunteering in Namibia – Highly Recommend The Great Projects!

Volunteering at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary through The Great Projects was one of the most meaningful, exciting, and unforgettable experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the beauty of the landscape, the warmth of the people, and the incredible dedication of everyone involved in wildlife conservation there.

The Project: The sanctuary itself is a haven for a wide range of animals—cheetahs, baboons, leopards, caracals, lions, and more. Many have been rescued from the illegal pet trade, farming conflicts, or other dangerous circumstances. What stood out most was how deeply the staff care for the animals—not just their physical needs, but also their emotional wellbeing. As a volunteer, you truly become a valued part of that mission.

Your Role as a Volunteer: Volunteers are actively involved in feeding, cleaning enclosures, creating enrichment for the animals, and observing behaviors. It’s hands-on, and at times physically demanding, but extremely rewarding. Each day is different—you might be preparing food for lions in the morning and building a climbing structure for monkeys in the afternoon. There are also opportunities to assist in the vet clinic or go on anti-poaching patrols, depending on current needs.

The People: The team—both local and international—is phenomenal. Knowledgeable, passionate, and always supportive, they made sure we felt safe, informed, and inspired. I made lifelong friends with fellow volunteers from around the world, and the sense of community at the camp is something truly special.

Accommodation & Food: Rustic but comfortable. You stay in shared volunteer housing or tents, and meals are hearty and home-cooked. Dietary needs were catered for without issue. You’re in the middle of nature, which is part of the charm—don’t expect luxury, but expect authenticity and connection.

The Great Projects Support: From booking to departure, The Great Projects were incredibly professional and communicative. They provided detailed pre-departure info, helped arrange travel logistics, and checked in regularly during the project. Their commitment to ethical travel and responsible wildlife tourism really shows.

Final Thoughts: If you're passionate about animals, interested in conservation, or simply looking for a meaningful adventure, this project will exceed your expectations. I left Namibia with a greater understanding of wildlife conservation, a renewed sense of purpose, and unforgettable memories. It’s not just a trip—it’s a transformative experience.

Thank you to The Great Projects and everyone at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary for making this journey so extraordinary. I can’t wait for the next volunteering adventure

This is the first time that I participated in a volunteer project with an animal sanctuary and I did not know what to expect. My experience at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary was wonderful so much so that I am already considering my volunteering project for next year! To anyone who is interested in responsible travel, or if you are an animal lover, I would highly recommend this project. It's an unique, rich and varied experience and I learned a great deal about the orangutans. P.S. for those who might be concerned about the heat/humidity in the tropics, yes, it's very hot and humid there, but the mornings and evenings are quite pleasant. For me, when I saw the practical impact my small contribution as a volunteer has made for the orangutans at the sanctuary, it makes all the heat/humidity in Borneo bearable! : )

Review: A most amazing experience with wonderful people. Kate the co-ordinator and Wiki the "Boss" and her team made every day interesting, varied and worthwhile. Helping to care for these wonderful animals while learning about them was something we will never forget. The Lodge was great with 3 hot meals a day and comfortable beds. The lodge staff kept everything spick and span and were always smiling. Samboja Lestari is right on the equator so be prepared to work hard in the heat & sweat a lot but we would not change a thing!