Reviews
Danielle Blackwell, 5th April - 2nd May 2010What were the highlights of your trip?The highlight for me was seeing the semi-wild orangutans, they looked so beautiful and at ease moving throught the trees, it was utterly breath taking and an image I will carry with me forever! This was closely followed by living alongside the Iban people. They were very friendly and welcoming. It was wonderful to see how people live in an environment that was completly alien to me. Seeing how happy these people were definately put into perspective the important this in life, material possesions are very superficial and living alongside these wonderful people proved that! I will also never forget the night I spent camping in the rain forest, in a small open makeshift tent. It was defiately an experience that I would love to repeat over and over! Even the giant ants were bareable by the end of the night!
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?1. Experience as many things as you can (especially camping out in the middle of the rainforest in a makeshift tent) 2. Talk to people - its the best way to find out about the best places to visit 3. Try and absorb every second - the magical moments pass by very quickly but the memories will be amazing.
Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experienceLife changing experience, made friends forever, I'm going again!
Tanja Ruehl, 5th March - 1st April 2010What were the highlights of your trip?The encounter with the most amazing creatures on planet earth, the Orang Utans.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?Mosquito repellant in the zoo!!! Learn how to deal with poo and insects. Love the animals.
Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experienceThe in-country team are doing a great job, I felt always well taken care of and learnt so many new things. Everything was well organised and I've met some lovely people that I'll stay in touch with for the rest of our lives.
James Kemp, 5th January - 1st February 2010The trip as a whole was fantastic, the team in Malasyia are helpful, energetic, fun, knowledgeable, the list goes on.. very pleased in the whole pragram from start to finish. Many thanks to you guys at real gap and the in country team.
Most memorable moment was working close with the animals, luckily I was at Taiping zoo with ILI, our faciliator, she's great.
Happiest time? Treking in the jungle and drinking lots of rice wine... and most unexpected encounter was getting close with the orangutan in the zoo.
The phrase I learnt, that I'll never forget is 'Terry Mcain Seat'......its 'thank you' in malay but could only remember it through a tv star..yes ,and a seat.
Shay Evans, August 2008A real highlight for me was being to able to get close to orang-utans and learn so much more about them for example, their behaviour. The other highlight was staying in the jungle and living near the iban tribe and getting to know a very different way of living. Also, i just want to say that our facilitators out in Malaysia and Borneo were fantastic and couldnt do enough for us!
Hannah Cashin, July 2008AMAZIN!! if you're interested you should definitely do it... it was the best experience being close to orang-utans and since they are my absolute favourite it was soo amazing! It's messy but so much fun :)
Anna Gidlow, June 2008Ever since a very young age I have loved orang-utans and to be able to have close contact with several orang-utans over a period of two weeks was an absolutely amazing experience! I got to know each of the orang-utans really well, such as their own personalities! The second part of the programme where we travelled into the jungle in Borneo was definitely a 'once in a lifetime experience'! Although at first it was a bit of a shock (when you realise you are actually in the middle of nowhere with no communication with the outside world!), our guide was very reassuring and the tribe were extremely welcoming.
Caroline Aldred, 4th March - 1st April 2007DO IT!!!!! It was the best thing I have ever ever done. There were times when it was tough, especially trekking in the rainforest, but I wouldn't change a minute of it. The memories I have I will treasure forever.
Nicky Payne, September 2006I really enjoyed spending time with the orang-utans and helping to entertain them each day. I also really enjoyed the jungle portion of my trip and spending time getting to know the Iban Tribe; I was surprised at how welcoming they were.
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