DESTINATION 

MALAYSIA

Recommended for: Conservation Volunteering
Living costs: £
Peak season: December to February
UK government travel advice: Malaysia
Visa requirements (for UK citizens): Up to 90 days visa-free

Aside from being home to Malaysian Borneo, which is a whole other page, Malaysia is also the secret location of some of the world’s best islands. Between the beaches of Perhentian, Tioman and Langkawi, Leo can eat his heart out.

It’s also where you’ll find the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, known as Taman Negara, and the mangrove forests of Kuala Selangor, among much other greenery. In fact, roughly two-thirds of the country is estimated to be covered in forest.

Volunteers are needed to preserve Malaysia’s wildlife both below the sea and above it. The country’s beautiful jungles are under attack from loggers, with more than 60% of the peninsular forest having been cleared. Meanwhile, illegal fishing methods are wreaking havoc under the water, damaging corals and killing turtles, reef sharks and other sealife.

In the city, one of the country’s most unique features is its merging of three key cultures: Chinese, Indian and Malay. Not only does that mean you’ll be hearing a lot of different languages, it means there’s a diverse range of food, temples and markets to try out.

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