LOCAL PEOPLE : Can enter free and only if they sign up before hand. Fridays only 9-11 am.

TOURIST VISITORS : Requires a "voluntary" donation of 50 US dollar/person or 25 US/children. Saturday morning only (if they are not available on saturdays, special arrangements can be made but then the donation must increase by 20 US dollar/person. This voluntary donation applies also if they are already BOS members.

CORPORATE/COMPANY/GOVERMENT VISITORS : can enter free and by an appoinment only in the hopes that visit here will encourage them to help us on large scale-these visitors should be accompanied by one of the project managers.

SPECIAL VISITORS : are evaluated on a per case basis and are escorted by the person bringin them in (project managers, etc).

We apologize if the rules seem lengthy, but we want to ensure that both visitors and residents (human and animal) have a positive experience. As we are all trying for life in harmony with nature and each other, general consideration for others' well-being, privacy and possessions is expected. Group living can be very rewarding and fun, so if you live and work as a team you will get a lot more out of our experience here at BOSF Samboja Lestari.

In Brief…

• Please, be considerate of others! Living in a group situation or shared accommodation may be difficult to adjust to, but is worth trying. Help out where and when you can and you will make many new friends!
• Please try to be tidy as it makes everyone happier!
• Please respect other people's property!
• Be considerate of others when smoking and try to refrain from smoking around non-smokers especially when they are eating, as it is really not pleasant. Smoking is only allowed in the immediate area of the Lodge and visitors must use ashtrays due to high fire threat.
• Please, do not smoke in the rooms - the next occupant may be a non-smoker and the smell lingers and is absorbed in the bedding.
• As the lodge is located near to the Orangutan Islands and the Health Clinic, noise should be kept to a minimum, especially after sundown when the orangutans go to sleep for the night. If they are kept awake at night, they will be under considerable stress, which could contribute to illness in some individuals. Low level talking is ok, but please, no shouting.
• Before retiring for bed, please close your doors to prevent any animals from coming into your rooms.
• Do not bring bedding out of rooms. Bugs will crawl in and cause you discomfort at night. The bedding may also need to be thrown out and replaced at expense to the Project (thereby allowing for less money for the animals!).
• Remember, anything accidentally damaged and/or needing replacement (unless through normal aging) means money taken away from the project and the animals we are all here to support - so try to be careful.
• Please leave your room in the same condition in which you found it upon arrival. Starting a cycle of cleanliness is a good way to continue it.
• Remember, we are a conservation project, conserve electricity and water whenever you can.
• Recycle bottles in the basket provided.
• If you are the last one to bed at night, please turn off all lights in the common area.
• Excessive drinking of alcohol and causing a nuisance to others (i.e.: noise late at night preventing people and orangutans from sleeping) will not be tolerated.

Around Samboja Lestari:

• BOSF adheres to a strict NO CONTACT POLICY regarding orangutans (and sun bears). This is not negotiable!!!
• Smoking is only allowed around the Lodge area and in front of the BOSF Office and not in the rest of Samboja Lestari.
• Please try to help keep the Samboja Lestari area tidy. If you see rubbish out of place, clear it up if you can.
• Think Conservation!
• Do not feed any of the wild life, as it would interfere with their natural state. Macaques can also become very aggressive around people and food.

Around The Village:

• While here, please remember that you are living in a small village that has not been exposed to westerners overly much. Please show respect for the locals and their culture, since without their support, Samboja Lestari could not exist.
• Women should pay special note to Indonesian village culture since it may be quite different than what you are used to. Most Indonesian village women do not smoke or drink in public and would certainly never be found drunk in public. Showing flesh is unacceptable so please cover your stomach and shoulders and wear at least knee length shorts or skirt. The wearing of bras is absolutely essential in public and around the office and working areas of Samboja Lestari.
• We realize that when working in the field, we can all get fairly sweaty and dirty. Please remember to clean up before going into the village or to Balikpapan - as not only are you representing your country, but also our Project to the outside communities.

In Detail…

1. Cleaning - The Samboja Lodge cleaning team will clean all common areas. You will be responsible for the cleanliness of your room. Please be as careful as you can with bedding, walls, furniture and bathroom. Each guest room is thoroughly cleaned and all bedding changed before any new arrival. If you wish us to enter your room to clean, please notify a member of staff and we can accommodate you.
2. Garbage/Recycling - When the small, room bins are full, please empty them in the larger containers around the Lodge. Glass bottles and cans are saved for recycling and should be placed in the appropriately labelled bin/basket. If you see litter lying around, please pick it up and place it in the bin.
3. Laundry - The Lodge will wash your bed linen if required during your stay. There is a laundry facility on site for your use. We will provide washing detergent, but you must wash your things yourself. If you should want someone do your laundry for you, this can be arranged at an additional cost.
4. Dietary Requirements - Vegetarian diets can be catered for at the Lodge. If you have any other dietary needs, please let us know and we shall try to cater to them.
5. Telephone/Internet - Making international telephone calls from the Lodge is not possible. There are Internet facilities at the Lodge. We can receive incoming calls at the Office but only in case of emergencies. Please inform your friends and family only to call the Office if absolutely necessary. We only have one phone line and need to keep it free as much as possible for animal-related calls.
6. Petty theft unfortunately is not uncommon in communal living situations. It is your responsibility to take care of your personal belongings. If you bring things out of your room, be sure to look after them and put them away.
7. Refrigerator - there is one available for guests to keep food and drinks in. Please put only the things that must be refrigerated in the fridge, all other items can be kept on the shelves. Be sure to clearly label your things and only use your own (we will have labels available for you). When you leave the Centre please remove any food you have on the shelves and in the fridge to make sure there is enough space for future guests and food does not go off.
8. Noise Level - Please keep noise to a minimum, especially at night. The Lodge is situated near the Orangutan Islands and there are cages on the hillside above the Lodge, as well as the Clinic on the opposite shore and we do not want to disturb the orangutans. Although we want you all to have a good time here, we do not allow unscheduled parties. Remember, we are a working animal and forest rescue/rehabilitation area and not a resort. You can listen to music, have a chat, have a few drinks (in moderation) but keep all activity at a reasonable volume and not too late into the night.
9. Household Items - If you notice household items running out (e.g. toilet rolls) or have suggestions for items, which need to be bought, please tell a member of staff.
10. Dress code - During work in the field, please wear appropriate clothing. Long sleeved shirts and long work trousers are best in keeping you safe from the sun and the mosquitoes. Good strong work boots and/or rubber boots for working are best. You can if you like, purchase rubber boots from us. If wearing shorts, please make sure they are not too short and are best at the knee or below. Trouser waistbands should not hang too low, and tops should not be too short, thin strapped or too revealing. Basically, T-shirts, long sleeved work shirts, long shorts and work trousers are preferred here. When going into the village or to Balikpapan, always be respectful of the local culture. Shoulders should be covered and again, shorts should be long. Also, clothing should be neat and presentable (not your work clothes).
11. In The Village - Please do not handle any of the animals you may see during your village walk. This is not only for your health and safety but also for that of the resident animals here at Samboja Lestari. If you see any animals that you think are in distress, leave them alone, make a note of where you saw them and tell a member of staff exactly what you saw. We will always help any animal that needs medical attention but puppies/kittens etc. from the village must be quarantined away from all other animals. Alert a staff member who will deal with the animal following proper procedures.
12. Stray Animals - Never, under any circumstances, bring stray puppies/kittens into the project. The chance of them bringing in potentially fatal diseases is high, and puts all the animals (and people) at Samboja Lestari at great risk. Stray animals must never be given food in or near to the project's grounds. Most puppies/kittens that appear abandoned probably are not. Most of the times the mother will simply be away finding food. If you are concerned about a particular animal outside or inside of Samboja Lestari, by all means let us know. The vet can offer medical treatment, and if an animal is starving we can feed it in a designated area of the forest. However make sure they do not follow you home.
13. Walking Around - If you want to take a walk during or after working hours please ask a member of staff first. Stick to the main path and out of tall grass - there are snakes here and we cannot keep you safe if you wander off the main path. Tell a staff member where you will be so that you do not get lost. When walking to the village or in the site, never go alone! Always make sure you are with at least one other person. Never go into animal areas alone. Never go outside the Lodge area after sundown.
14. Walkmans/Discmans - Please do not wear headphones when working around the project, as it is very dangerous. If there is a snake or an animal gets loose and someone calls you, you will not be aware of the danger.
15. Understanding - Please be sociable, dependable and willing to pitch-in wherever needed. A great deal of personal satisfaction can be had from a hard days work and the completion of projects if everything is approached with humour and understanding!
16. HAVE FUN!