It takes a certain level of skill, endurance, and proper planning for one to survive in the jungle. Have you been thinking of going for a hike, camping, or other outdoor adventures in the jungle? Preparing properly can be the difference between enjoying every bit of it (surviving) and regretting making the decision. Here is a guide and a few tips on preparing for and surviving in the jungle.

1. Adapt To the Weather

Unknown to many, tropical weather can be brutal on your body with an even increased risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, exceptionally if haven’t acclimatised to it. For this reason, it is imperative that you start preparing yourself for the extreme tropical weather, just as you would with attitude and cold. One of the best ways to do this would be to give your body time to re-adjust and adapt to the jungle’s humidity and heat. This will also help shake off any jet lag you had, making it easier to survive the weather and other conditions.

2. Beware Of Your Surroundings

The dense forests, tall grass, or even sand provide perfect hiding spots for animals, snakes, birds, etc. The first rule of being in the jungle is to be aware of your surrounding: You can best achieve this if you:

• Look up: This is especially important when wading through the thickets/forest, and setting up camp. Even though there might not be predators/animals around, you still should be weary of branches hanging dangerously, dead trees, or branches. The last thing you want is for a dead tree or branch to fall onto your hammock. Look for a spot with safe trees to camp.
• Look down: Ants, critters, leeches, and even snakes can hide under the leaves or lying logs. Take time to inspect the surrounding area for signs of these tiny insects, animals, and snakes before setting up camp. Consider sweeping the clearing carefully to ensure there aren’t any. Sweeping the surrounding area will also help deter insects and small animals from coming closer.
• Stay vigilant: With the ground and skies clear, you then need to be extra careful and vigilant with your surroundings. You should not only look out for animals but also check your shirt sleeves and boots before putting them back on. Insects love nesting in those.

3. Get Fit (Physically)

Make an effort to improve your physical (cardiovascular) fitness before venturing into the jungle. A gentle training regimen to help tone your muscles and lungs will come in handy, especially in improving endurance. Considering you’ll be having a rucksack on your back for the days you’ll be in the jungle, boosting your endurance and fitness beforehand would be a wise idea. Start with strength training for a few minutes a day, then turn up the heat until your body is accustomed to the pressure.

You will be doing a lot of trekking especially if you visit places like the Orangutan Sanctuary Borneo. It is located about 25 kilometres west of Sandakan in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is world famous for its Orangutan conservation efforts and it is one of Sabah’s most popular tourist attractions.

4. Pack Light

Trekking over uneven ground, on rocks, up hills, and on slippery/rough surfaces can be quite a challenge and risky, even worse if you’ve done it before. For this reason, you’ll want to invest in shoes designed for grip and uneven terrain, as well as lighten your load as much as possible. In addition to packing enough food for the entire trip, you’ll need to ensure your tarp, hammock, and rucksack are of the highest quality possible. These will have a significant impact on your comfort and overall well-being.

5. Stay Hydrated

Water is more important when in the jungle/wilderness than anything else. It is thus advisable to stay hydrated at all times. Although most forests will have streams of clean water, you might want to bring water filtration and treatment kits to use whenever refilling the water bottles. You might also notice that the sweating will reduce as the body gets used to the climate and heat. Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water will help keep your vitals in top shape, including concentration.

With the right gear, tools, and proper planning, there’ll never be a dull moment in the jungle. There’s also so much to explore from waterfalls, steep ravines, plunging in cool pools/ponds, to navigating in the undergrowth. As mentioned before proper planning and preparedness are key to enjoying every moment in the jungle.