Orion Cruises - Orangutan Foundation International

Orion Expedition Cruises, have announced securing a world-first marketing association with renowned primatologist Dr Galdikas and her Camp Leakey-based Orangutan Foundation International.

Scientist, conservationist and educator, for four decades Dr Biruté Mary Galdikas has studied and worked closely with the orangutans of Indonesian Borneo in their natural habitat and is today the world’s foremost authority on the orangutan. Like Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey, Dr Galdikas was mentored and inspired by Professor Louis Leakey the famed paleoanthropologist.
Highlights of the agreement and the exclusive experiences afforded Orion guests visiting Borneo on Camp Leakey itineraries include:

Orion II’s first Borneo season features eight voyages, three that include a visit to Camp Leakey: 30th September and 29th December 2011 and 8th January 2012.
Dr Galdikas will travel onboard Orion II for all or part of the Camp Leakey voyages as a guest lecturer.
On these visits Dr Galdikas will personally escort Orion’s guests in small groups while at Camp Leakey to visit the Orion Feeding Station, the Infant Care Centre and Rehabilitation area.
29th December 2011 marks Dr Galdikas’ 40th anniversary celebration of Camp Leakey. Dr Galdikas will sail the full cruise and present two onboard lectures with opportunities throughout the cruise to meet her.
Orion Expedition Cruises has donated funds for an orangutan feeding station at Camp Leakey that will be accessed exclusively by Orion II guests.
Orion Expedition Cruises will purchase an Orangutan Adoption Kit for each guest onboard sailing on any 2011 or 2012 Borneo sailing.
Dr Galdikas has been hesitant to allow third party operators to link with her Camp Leakey rehabilitation project. However, the meeting of minds between Dr Galdikas and Sarina Bratton opened the way for a co-operative agreement that will benefit her Orangutan Foundation International through support from Orion Expedition Cruises.
Orion Expedition Cruises’ Borneo voyages cost from £4,770 per person including 10 nights onboard Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.
For further information visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or The Cruise Line