Where You’ll Be – Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra

Tucked along the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, Bukit Lawang is a jungle-fringed riverside village that feels like a world away from city life. This is the heart of orangutan country—where wild forests hum with the sounds of gibbons, hornbills, and yes, orangutans swinging freely through the canopy.

Just a few hours from Medan, Sumatra’s capital, Bukit Lawang is accessible yet remote enough to retain its raw, untamed charm. Here, your days are framed by misty mountain mornings, muddy boots, and the calls of the jungle. You’ll be surrounded by vibrant green rice fields, palm-lined riverbanks, and a tight-knit local community whose warmth and hospitality will make you feel instantly at home.

You’ll live and work within smaller farming communities just outside the main tourist trail—places like Batu Kapal and along the Landak River—where the true conservation magic happens. These lesser-visited areas are also where truly wild orangutans roam, offering you a rare and privileged window into their world.

Indonesia – A Land of Diversity and Spirit

Indonesia is a vast and breathtakingly diverse archipelago made up of over 17,000 islands—and Sumatra is one of its wildest gems. Known for its dense rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and rich cultural traditions, Sumatra offers a raw, immersive experience unlike any other part of Southeast Asia.

Sumatra is home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife, including orangutans, Sumatran tigers, elephants, and rhinos—all clinging to survival amid growing human pressures. It’s also home to some of the kindest, most resilient communities you’ll ever meet, many of whom live in harmony with the land and are eager to welcome volunteers who come with open minds and big hearts.

Expect warm, humid days, afternoon rain showers that feed the rainforest, and golden sunsets over jungle hills. Expect stories, songs, smiles, and a thousand new perspectives. Most of all, expect to grow.