Name: Ellie

Hometown: London

Destination: Borneo (Malaysian - Sabah) Kinabatangan River

Project type: Conservation

Organisation: Trekforce Expeditions

What were your impressions of your destination?

Stunning. Amazing scenery, amazing wildlife, loads to do and not too many tourists. Absolutely lovely people - so welcoming and patient. Amazing diving and trekking too.

Was the work interesting and challenging?

We were working for 2 months in the jungle/rainforest clearing trails and coming up with a solution for a huge lake covered in weed - how to sustain the life in it until a longer-term solution had been fully researched. The work was physically challenging. Living in the jungle was physically and mentally challenging. I loved it. Not everyone enjoyed it as much at the time, but even they look back and realise that it was great fun and a brilliant experience.

What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?

Well, the jungle is hot, humid, mosquito and ant ridden, full of bizarre wildlife, but an amazing place to live. Bed was a hammock, mossie net and basha. Your 'basha area' was as homely as you made it! Hammocks are unbelievably comfortable - I really miss sleeping in mine! Food was interesting - all tinned (lots of spam, tuna and corned beef) with pasta etc. People took it in turns to be on 'admin' for the day and there was a definite challenge to cook the best food. Not that we'd probably eat most of it now...! Toilets relocated every so often so as not to stress out the ecosystem too much! Washing was with buckets out of the river. Great fun! Though clothes never got clean, it did help to keep the smell out a bit...!

Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?

Our leaders and medics (two of each) were great - up for a laugh but also responsible and with loads of experience. Trekforce have 'country reps' who live out in the country and come and visit the projects, bringing post! They were great in our 'jungle training week' getting us up to scratch on any skills we would, might or shouldn't need in the jungle (including survival!)

Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?

It was expensive, but then the insurance covered helicopters to get us out of the jungle in an emergency, which is essential. We had a guy get bitten by a snake who had to be airlifted out on our week long trek (he was fine - it was only a really little snake!)

Would you recommend the project to others?

Yes