Take part in one of the three scientific expeditions of the Wallacea program. Join an unusual adventure, a rare opportunity: accompany a team of passionate interdisciplinary explorers and scientists to the heart of the island of Sulawesi! All scientific trips here
Expedition to little-explored areas
The island of Sulawesi, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, is home to exceptional terrestrial and marine biodiversity, particularly in the karst massifs of Matarombeo and the Labengki-Sombori archipelago. However, this natural wealth is now seriously threatened by destructive activities: nickel mining, intensive agriculture, deforestation and pollution. These ecological pressures are jeopardizing rare ecosystems and the local communities that depend on them.
In response to this urgent need, our partner's "Wallacea Expeditions" scientific exploration program aims to organize exploratory missions in areas that are still under-studied, in order to protect them by promoting their natural and cultural riches.
The objectives of these expeditions are
- Explore little-studied territories: pave the way for major discoveries in unexplored areas (unknown species, virgin ecosystems, underground networks and archaeologically valuable rock paintings).
- Collect a maximum of scientific data: carry out biological (fauna, flora) and archaeological inventories in unexplored areas. Studies of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, particularly as a function of altitudinal gradient or underground environments.
- Raising awareness among local and international populations: Creation of teaching aids for schools and local communities. Production of popular science content (documentaries, photographs, publications) to raise awareness among a wider public, both in Indonesia and internationally.
- Develop advocacy for the creation of a protected area: Support local authorities in integrating conservation into public policy. Build a case to support sustainable local development based on ecotourism or other more environmentally-friendly practices.
You accompany a team of explorers
Take part in one of the Sombori, Latoma or Tangkelemboke expeditions. Join an unusual adventure, a rare opportunity: accompany a team of passionate interdisciplinary explorers and scientists into the heart of these unexplored territories!
Your missions on the Sulawesi expedition
Logistics and smooth shipping:
- Help penetrate hard-to-reach areas, help set up a camp that is as pleasant, functional and environmentally friendly as possible (management of drinking water, electricity, kitchen, latrines, etc.).
- Research support and scientific data collection: follow the scientific protocols established by the research team to analyze endemic biodiversity and the environmental impact of external contamination, such as nickel mining, deforestation and plastic pollution.
If you wish, you can also :
Produce artistic and/or audiovisual content: if you have artistic and/or audiovisual skills (video, photography, illustration, content creation, etc.) you can produce a logbook or capture the beauty of the place. Your vision will help to fill people with wonder, raise awareness and highlight the actions taken by our Indonesian partner to preserve marine ecosystems.
Upcoming expeditions
Sombori - Marine biology and archaeology
- Inventory of coral reef biodiversity.
- Study of marine flora and fauna.
- Archaeological surveys in search of historical remains.
Dates : April 21 to May 2, 2025
Latoma - Study of canopy and mountain ecosystems
- Exploration at altitude up to 2000 m.
- Observation of biodiversity at different altitudes.
- Climbing trees to study the tropical canopy.
Dates: November 20 to 31, 2025
Tangkelemboke - Caving and underground exploration
- Archaeological surveys in karst caves.
- Underground biodiversity study.
- Analysis of the underground course of the Lasolo River.
Dates- November 17 to 28
- December 1 to 12, 2025
The Wallacea project is a genuine open-air field laboratory, where science, ecology, culture and civic commitment come together to defend one of the planet's last natural sanctuaries!
|
Departure from Kendari |
Back to Kendari |
Duration |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21/04/2025 |
2/05/2025 |
2 weeks |
2990 |
|
20/10/2025 |
31/10/2025 |
2 weeks |
2990 |
|
17/11/2025 |
12/12/2025 |
4 weeks |
4990 |
|
17/11/2025 |
28/11/2025 |
2 weeks |
2990 |
|
1/12/2025 |
12/12/2025 |
2 weeks |
2990 |
The entire cost of your mission, including airfare, is tax-exempt: up to 66% for individuals, 75% if you are subject to the IFI, and 60% for companies.
Not included
- Air tickets and airport taxes;
- Entry visa for Indonesia ;
- Personal equipment (tent, clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, water bottle, backpack, headlamps, etc.);
- Anti-malarial drugs and any other medicines and vaccines;
- Extra drinks and snacks, as well as souvenirs ;
- Any expenses (transport, meals and accommodation) incurred outside the official dates of the mission;
- Cancellation insurance.
Included in price
- Logistics costs
- Transportation*, meals, hotel accommodation
- The on-site mission management team
- Equipment required for the mission
- Pre-organization to ensure that everything runs smoothly during your stay
* The journey to the various expedition sites is long and relatively costly, whether by 4×4, boat or pirogue. The tracks are difficult, which means we have to hire high-quality, more expensive vehicles, which almost invariably involve additional repair costs. For safety reasons in particular, we are obliged to keep the means of transport with us throughout the mission, which lengthens the rental period and therefore the cost.
- Management fees
- Monitoring and evaluating the results and impact of missions
- Mission promotion initiatives
- Administrative processing of registrations
- Repatriation and civil liability insurance
- Membership of Naturevolution
- Donation to Naturevolution's conservation programs
- Per diems and transport costs for the researchers you will accompany in the field, as well as their post-mission laboratory analyses
- Year-round salaries for those involved in the conservation project
- Project follow-up by our French team, including some on-site visits
- Finding funding and monitoring partners in France, essential to the success of the conservation program
- Field supervision: you'll be part of a team of interdisciplinary explorers and researchers. The missions are led by explorer and Naturevolution founder Evrard Wendenbaum, and supervised by Naturevolution Indonesia and the Halu Oleo University student association, who provide supplies, logistics and security. It should be noted that the partner has the agreement and access permit issued by the local authorities to enter certain remote sites.
- Exploration: these missions are explorations! In other words, they are punctuated by the unexpected, adventure, improvisation and discovery! You'll be working in areas that are difficult to access and unknown, forcing you to step completely out of your comfort zone!
- Remote areas: you'll be immersed in particularly remote and exotic areas, in contact with a new culture and new natural ecosystems. You'll experience a unique adventure, far from your comfort zone and habits, while helping to protect Sulawesi's underwater treasures.
- Physical condition : you must be in good physical condition, with a medical check-up required.
- Know how to swim
- No scientific qualifications required: no need for a scientific background or special diploma, just motivation, enthusiasm and a great desire to learn!
- Expected attitude : at last, we expect you to be smiling, pleasant to be with and full of energy!
Beyond your direct actions, your presence is essential because
Acommitment to international citizenship
As an ecovolunteer, you'll be helping to raise awareness of the ecological and social challenges facing this region, both in France and abroad. As a direct witness, you'll be helping to raise awareness of the challenges and the actions taken by our partner to meet them. As a "citizen of the world", you are committed to protecting these last sanctuaries of biodiversity and empowering the local population.
Essential financial support
Your participation in the mission becomes a donation and contributes to the financing of various local and sustainable development actions in Naturevolution's areas of intervention in Indonesia, Madagascar and France!
Location
The mission takes place in the southeast of the island of Sulawesi, a unique territory located in the heart of the Coral Triangle. This exceptional site is made up of a mountainous karst massif and a wild archipelago of heavenly islets. Sulawesi is a true sanctuary of biodiversity, home to a wide variety of species with remarkable levels of endemism. The island boasts the highest concentration of butterflies in the world and some of the richest coral reefs on the planet.
Accommodation
You'll sleep in a personal tent in a camp built from scratch in the heart of the area to be explored. The camp will be rudimentary but as pleasant, functional and environmentally friendly as possible.
The food
Meals are mainly made up of products purchased in Kendari, supplemented by fresh fish from the local fishery and fruit and vegetables grown on site. For drinking water, we collect fresh water from wells and rivers, which we filter or boil to guarantee its safety. Some meals are taken in local villages, allowing us to discover traditional cuisine while supporting the communities.
Transportation
We meet on Sunday evening at Kendari airport (code KDI) or at our hotel in downtown Kendari, easily accessible by cab (7€ / 100,000rp maximum) if you arrive earlier. A first welcome meal will be shared in Kendari, and Sunday night will be taken care of. You will leave for the field on Monday morning. At the end of the mission, you'll be taken back to Kendari on Friday evening, where a final night's accommodation will also be provided, to enable you to catch your return flight on Saturday morning.
Laundry
As conditions are rather rudimentary in the field, there is no conventional laundry service. Clothes will be washed by hand with non-polluting natural soap, using locally available water, and we recommend that you bring light, quick-drying clothes.
Wifi
As the terrain is particularly isolated, there is very little Wifi connection available on site. This mission is a unique opportunity to disconnect, to live the ecovolunteering experience to the full, and to focus on the environment and conservation actions without digital distractions!
Naturevolution
Since 2009, the Naturevolution association has been actively working to protect and enhance the last threatened sanctuaries of biodiversity, notably the Makay massif (Madagascar) and the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia), two territories of exceptional ecological wealth. Born of scientific naturalist expeditions, our partner works hand in hand with local and international interdisciplinary researchers to study and document the richness of these unique ecosystems. At the same time, the association works closely with local communities to develop a holistic approach to sustainable development, focusing on social, environmental and economic aspects. Through documentaries, exhibitions and educational programs, our partner brings these territories to the general public and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect them.
