Teacher Taster Trip

LIVE IT . SEE IT . DO IT

Experience Life in Borneo

Experience the richness of Borneo on a teacher familiarisation trip designed to bring experiential learning to life. Discover what it’s like for students to live and work alongside our local partners in rural communities, contribute to meaningful project work, and explore one of the most biodiverse environments on Earth.
Borneo offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, community development, and conservation. From visiting remote villages and learning traditional ways of life to exploring wildlife-rich rainforest habitats, students gain a deeper understanding of cultures, conservation, and their own role in an interconnected world, bringing global citizenship to life. You’ll travel between our permanent camps, gaining first-hand insight into how projects are delivered in partnership with local communities and the lasting impact they create.

Once you experience it, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of what your students can learn, achieve, and be part of, and the powerful role expeditions can play in developing confident, globally minded young people.
Group of travellers and locals posing together in front of the camp in Borneo

Spend 7 days, 6 nights

Trip Dates: 4th – 10th October 2026*

Cost: AUS $500 (Inclusions)

*Exact departure times will be confirmed

Register your interest

Camp Tinangol

This charming camp is situated just beyond the rural Rungus community of the same name and is in keeping with the rest of the village, giving you a really authentic experience and immersing you fully in the local culture. In no time at all this will feel like your home away from home and the hospitality and friendliness of the locals will make you not want to leave!

Each longhouse has a corridor running the length of the structure. On one side there is communal space for chilling out and socialising, on the other side are sleeping rooms. Traditionally entire families would live in a single longhouse that may be up to 100 ft long.

  • Location: 150 km (3 hours drive) from Kota Kinabalu Airport & 40 km from Kudat
  • Accommodation: Traditional longhouses
  • Bed Type: Comfy mattresses & bedding including mosquito net
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets
  • Hygeine: Cold water showers & sinks
  • Power: Mains electricity. British 3 pin power sockets
  • Signature dish: Sweet & Sour seafood dishes/BBQ
  • Social area: Volleyball court, badminton & board games. Small community shop nearby
Borneo, Tinangol - traditional longhouse accommodation

Camp Bongkud

Set in the shadows of the mighty Mount Kinabalu, Camp Bongkud is surrounded on all sides by lush picturesque scenery. Its hillside location gives it a pleasant breezy climate which makes it the ideal hillside retreat after a hard day’s project work.

Being in the heart of the village also has its advantages; all your project sites are only a short walk away and you can challenge the locals to a friendly game of volleyball on the community court during your downtime.

  • Location: 127 km (3-3.5 hours drive) from Kota Kinabalu Airport & 160 km from Kudat
  • Accommodation style: Traditional longhouses
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding including mosquito net.
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets,
  • Showers: Cold water showers & sinks
  • Power: Mains electricity backed up by generator (between 18:00 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
  • Social area: Chilling hut, volleyball court, badminton & board games
  • Signature dish: Banana fritters & steamed banana cake
Rainbow over main building in Camp Bongkud.

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to your Teacher Taster Trip.

Flights are included.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your travel insurance, vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. Do not worry, you will receive expert guidance on all of these once you sign up.

  • Camps International Company Representative
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
  • Transfers in private vehicles
  • Project costs and management
  • 24 hour support throughout expedition
School Expedition in Borneo. Travellers walking with a beautiful landscape ahead of them
two girls travellers planting seedlings on an expedition in Borneo
a monkey sitting on a branch in the jungle in Borneo

This itinerary will give you an insight into what you can expect on your expedition. It is dependent on time of travel and some elements may be subject to change.

 

Day Activities More details
Day 1 Arrival in Borneo Arrive into Kota Kinabalu, where you’ll be met by our Camp Borneo team and transferred to your accommodation. After an arrival briefing, enjoy a short walk around the town before heading out for dinner and getting to know the group.
Day 2 Camp Tinagol and Culture Day Travel overland to Camp Tinangol, stopping at a traditional gong-making village and visiting local project sites along the way. After a camp tour and briefing, head to the Tip of Borneo, where two seas meet, before returning to camp for dinner and a cultural performance.
Day 3 Camp Bongkud Journey inland towards Camp Bongkud, stopping at local viewpoints and the Kundasang War Memorial. On arrival, explore the village and project sites, gaining insight into community life. Dinner is followed by a cultural experience at camp.
Day 4 Village Life in Bongkud Start the day with a sunrise hike overlooking Mount Kinabalu. Later, experience daily village life, from rice cultivation to fishing and rubber tapping, offering a hands-on understanding of rural Borneo. Enjoy the local cuisines and learn more about the rural way of life.
Day 5 Kinabatangan River and Jungle Camp Travel to the Kinabatangan region and take a boat transfer to your jungle camp. After learning basic camp skills, head out on a river cruise to spot wildlife. In the evening, enjoy dinner followed by a guided jungle night walk.
Day 6 Wildlife and Conservation Travel to Sandakan to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre, learning about vital conservation work. Later, visit the Sandakan War Memorial before settling into your accommodation.
Day 7 Departure After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey, taking with you a deeper understanding of Borneo’s communities, conservation work, and expedition experiences.

See what life is like on expedition

Check out the photos from our previous travellers for a first-hand view into life on expedition.

Group of student travellers holding tools and working on a project in Borneo
Sunbear at Sepilok.
sarah-and-jackson-borneo-blog-image-10
student travellers in Borneo preparing a traditional meal together
4 young local children smiling and posing together for a photo in Borneo
Two travellers in the sunset
Group of student travellers holding tools and working on a project in Borneo
Sunbear at Sepilok.
sarah-and-jackson-borneo-blog-image-10
student travellers in Borneo preparing a traditional meal together
4 young local children smiling and posing together for a photo in Borneo
Two travellers in the sunset

For more of our travellers’ best photos visit our photo competition gallery. See more

To find out more about the trip, inclusions and prices please register for more information and one of our expert regional coordinators will get in touch.

We would love for you to join us on this amazing experience!

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