Hiking isn’t just relegated to forests and mountain trails — the jungle offers some of the best wildlife opportunities around! But hiking in the jungle requires a little different preparation. You will be facing the challenges of heat and humidity, as well as unusual flora and fauna.
The best place to start is with your bag. A front-loading pack can offer easy access and come in a range of sizes that will accommodate your supplies. Many of these often come with rain covers, which will be essential for hiking in the jungle. Due to their unique ecological composition, jungles create their own weather, and rainstorms can be a daily occurrence.
Your clothing choice is critical when hiking in the jungle. Choose items that are lightweight, comfortable, and dry quickly. Extra ventilation and pockets that close securely are recommended. Always have a dry set of clothes available. Lightweight pants, shorts, long and short sleeved shirts, and a waterproof jacket are all items that will do well for this type of hike.
You will need reliable footwear. A comfortable pair of boots or shoes that have been thoroughly broken in will serve you much better than a brand new pair. Boots will best protect your feet and ankles, but if they are new, you risk painful blisters. Wear socks that will allow air circulation and wick moisture away but provide ample cushion for your foot. Sandals are absolutely unacceptable for hiking in the jungle!
Bring a hat (preferably with a wide brim), sunglasses, and sunscreen whenever you are hiking in the jungle. Protecting your skin from the sun is not your only concern, however — you’ll need insect repellent as well. Many people who enjoy hiking in the jungle swear by cornstarch or talc to keep chafing at bay, and you may want an aloe gel or other after-sun product to soothe your skin if you do get burned. Bring several bandanas as well so you can mop the sweat off your face frequently — you will regret not bringing one if you forget!
A machete may be necessary for clearing a path, depending on how remote your location is. A walking stick or trekking pole will almost certainly come in handy in the jungle, not only for providing support, but checking water depths and warding away aggressive wildlife. In addition to any water you pack for your journey, definitely have water treatment tablets or a water purification/filtration device. Most of these are affordable, readily available, and can fit in a pocket for easy transport. A multi-tool and first aid/emergency kit should be part of your packing list no matter where you are hiking, but most definitely for hiking in the jungle.
You’re going to see a lot of beautiful and exotic plant and animal life, so a compact digital camera will be a necessity. Your cellphone camera can function just as well for this purpose if you don’t want to take extra gadgets. If you know how to use a compass, be sure to plot your heading before you set out, and if you don’t know how to use a compass, you can learn how to navigate using natural features.
You should never go hiking in the jungle without telling at least one person where you are going and how long you plan to be gone. Use a guide whenever possible — they can also help point out features your untrained eye might not have noticed.
Featured Image from Jamie Fenn/Unsplash
