Our partner’s tailor-made eco-volunteering missions offer a unique experience combining cultural immersion and direct contribution to the preservation of unique ecosystems. See the “Immersion with the peoples of Sumatra and biodiversity regeneration” mission here. Discover the main volunteer programs of the same project.
Protecting the biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park
The partner organization’s goal is to preserve the tropical forests and biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park, by developing sustainable alternatives with local communities. Together with local partners, it implements various projects to raise awareness about environmental conservation and protect ecosystems. The aim is to create a protective buffer zone around the national park and support sustainable economic activities.
This involves slowing deforestation while developing agroforestry, agricultural product processing, local craftsmanship, and ecotourism.
Gunung Leuser National Park: Patrols & Fieldwork
Immerse yourself in the heart of the tropical rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park. Alongside rangers and the KPL community, you will actively contribute to the monitoring and protection of one of the world’s most unique biodiversity hotspots.
What does the mission involve?
- Joining patrols with rangers
- Detecting illegal activities (traps, logging, poaching)
- Observing wildlife and flora in real conditions
- Conducting species inventories and monitoring key species
- Exploring remote areas of the forest
Objectives
- Prevent threats to biodiversity
- Collect useful scientific data for conservation
- Strengthen forest protection through field presence
Where?
At the edge and deep within Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the last wild and largely unexplored rainforest areas on Earth, home to exceptional biodiversity including the iconic orangutans.
Who is it for?
- Motivated volunteers in good physical condition
- Strong taste for adventure and hiking
- Team spirit and respect for nature
Recommended duration
Minimum 2 weeks / ideal: 3 to 6 weeks
Expected impact
- Improved detection of illegal activities
- Enhanced monitoring of species and habitats
- Direct contribution to the protection of primary forests
Alternatives to palm oil: agroforestry & reforestation
Alternatives to palm oil: Agroforestry & Reforestation
Take part in the regeneration of diversified agroforests, which support biodiversity and provide food autonomy for local families. Help smallholder farmers replace oil palm monocultures and support the diversification of rubber plantations.
What does the mission involve?
- Helping convert plantations into agroforests
- Planting fruit trees, spice trees, and native species
- Maintaining local nurseries
- Monitoring soil regeneration and biodiversity recovery
- Supporting families in adopting sustainable farming practices
Objectives
- Restore soils and natural resources
- Recreate habitats for plant and animal species
- Strengthen food security and local incomes
Where?
In degraded agricultural areas near the forests of Gunung Leuser National Park
Who is it for?
- Volunteers who enjoy outdoor work
- Interest in sustainable agriculture and reforestation
- Practical mindset and cultural openness
Recommended duration
2 to 8 weeks (depending on planting season)
Expected impact
- Rehabilitation of degraded land
- Development of sustainable and diversified agriculture
- Improved livelihoods for local communities
Education & Awareness (Pedagogy)
Support the future of children by combining education, awareness-raising, and intercultural exchange. Your mission is to connect tropical rainforest conservation with the well-being of local communities.
What does the mission involve?
- Supporting children with after-school tutoring
- Helping design and run educational workshops
- Creating learning materials about the environment
- Raising awareness in schools and villages
- Encouraging cultural exchange between young people from different backgrounds
Objectives
- Improve access to education for children and teenagers in remote areas
- Transmit knowledge about biodiversity and conservation
- Build collective environmental awareness
- Encourage eco-friendly daily habits
Where?
In villages surrounding Gunung Leuser National Park
Who is it for?
- Students, teachers, and people passionate about education
- Volunteers comfortable working with children
- Cultural openness and patience required
Recommended duration
From 2 weeks / ideally 1 to 3 months
Expected impact
- Over 100 children reached each year
- Stronger link between education and environmental protection
- Direct contribution to local development
Heritage Valorisation: Knowledge & Sustainable Livelihoods
Support local communities in enhancing their cultural and natural heritage, preserving ancestral knowledge, and developing sustainable income sources in harmony with biodiversity.
What does the mission involve?
- Supporting local craft production (basketry, weaving, natural fiber objects)
- Participating in the processing of agricultural products
- Contributing to the cultivation of medicinal plants
- Supporting community-based ecotourism initiatives
Objectives
- Preserve and transmit traditional skills and knowledge
- Create sustainable economic alternatives
- Strengthen the role of women in village communities
Where?
In villages surrounding Gunung Leuser National Park
Who is it for?
- Volunteers interested in crafts and local culture
- People curious about plants and their uses
- Those motivated by social and solidarity economy
- Creative and collaborative mindset required
Recommended duration
2 to 6 weeks
Expected impact
- Strengthened economic autonomy for local families
- Preservation of traditional knowledge
- Development of environmentally responsible activities
- Minimum stay: 1 week
- Recommended duration: 2 weeks
- Maximum duration: flexible
- Year-round
Fees
Mission 1: Gunung Leuser Park – Patrols & Fieldwork
- 1 week: 450 € / Minimum 3 days in the forest
- 10 days: 500 € / Minimum 5 days in the forest
- 2 weeks: 650 € / Minimum 7 days in the forest
- 3 weeks: 900 € / Minimum 10 days in the forest
- 1 month: 1,200 € / Minimum 14 days in the forest
Mission 2: Alternatives to palm oil – Agroforestry & Reforestation
- 1 week: 300 € / 350 € with 1 trekking day
- 10 days: 350 € / 420 € with 2 trekking days
- 2 weeks: 450 € / 520 € with 2 trekking days
- 3 weeks: 650 € / 750 € with 3 trekking days
- 1 month: 850 € / 970 € with 4 trekking days
Mission 3: Education & Awareness
- 1 week: 300 € / 350 € with 1 trekking day
- 10 days: 350 € / 420 € with 2 trekking days
- 2 weeks: 450 € / 520 € with 2 trekking days
- 3 weeks: 650 € / 750 € with 3 trekking days
- 1 month: 850 € / 970 € with 4 trekking days
Mission 4: Heritage Valorisation – Knowledge & Sustainable Livelihoods
- 1 week: 300 € / 350 € with 1 trekking day
- 10 days: 350 € / 420 € with 2 trekking days
- 2 weeks: 450 € / 520 € with 2 trekking days
- 3 weeks: 650 € / 750 € with 3 trekking days
- 1 month: 850 € / 970 € with 4 trekking days
- Supervision: Franco-Indonesian team, rangers, local guides and coordinators
- Accommodation: guesthouse or homestay, simple but warm comfort
- Meals: local cuisine, buffet-style (vegetarian options available)
- Physical conditions: suitable for all; activities adapted to individual profiles; minimum age 5 (recommended)
- Participants: individuals, couples, families, retirees, groups up to 15 people; students, interns, and volunteers are also welcome
- Life on site: you will stay in an Indonesian lodge with kitchen and shared spaces, in a hamlet on the edge of the national park. Days alternate between field missions, community activities, and free time to discover local people and culture. Power cuts are frequent, mobile network is limited, and Wi-Fi access is possible. For missions in surrounding villages, accommodation is provided in guesthouses, homestays, or temporary camps (patrol and reforestation missions).
- What you need to bring: no specific skills required, only motivation, adaptability, and willingness to contribute to a collective project. Your presence directly supports local teams in strengthening their actions and impact.
- Locations: villages around Gunung Leuser National Park – Langkat region, North Sumatra
A propos de l’association partenaire
Notre partenaire, est une association française créée en janvier 2017. Son objectif est de développer des projets d’agroécologie et de protection de l’environnement à Sumatra en Indonésie, aux portes du Parc National Gunung Leuser, hotspot de biodiversité (dont les fameux orang outans) et patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco. L’association et ses partenaires sensibilisent et mobilisent les communautés villageoises pour la reforestation, la protection et la préservation de la biodiversité. Ils luttent contre la déforestation et les monocultures de palmier à huile en élaborant des alternatives agricoles et autres activités économiques durables.
No posts
