What to pack for your visit to the rainforest

What to pack for your visit to the rainforest
Rhett A. Butler, mongabay.com
September 26, 2005

Rainforest in Brazil

Visiting a tropical rainforest promises to be a memorable experience. Rainforests house around half the world's plant and animal species and are home to indigenous people who live in ways quite unlike those in the western world. Further, rainforests are found in a variety of landscapes: some are situated on scenic mountain ranges, others hug giant lowland rivers, while more still are found near beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Rainforests offer opportunities for cultural exchange, photography, adventure, fishing, hiking, relaxation, birding and wildlife spotting.

Pack list for your rain forest trip

It's a good idea to pack light. That said, there are a fair number of items you probably want to bring to the jungle. Below is a full list, although you may not need all this stuff.

Also see A practical guide for traveling to the rainforest.

Health and comfort related items

Insect repellent

Ant-inch / insect bite relief products

Sunscreen

Lip balm

Sunburn relief products

Pre-moistened towelettes or baby wipes

Hand sanitizer

Moisturizer

Medication (altitude sickness, colds, fever, bites)

Basic first aid kit (band-aids, aspirin, disinfectant / antiseptic, tweezers

Instructions on medications if you have special requirements for attending doctor.

Toiletries

Spare contact lenses and glasses

Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper

Clothes-washing soap
Clothing

Raincoat / poncho

Wide brim hat

Flip flops / sandals

Walking shoes/old athletic shoes/hiking boots. Be sure they are comfortable -- blisters are not fun in the tropics where they are likely to get infected. 2 pairs are a good idea since one pair will usually be wet and muddy from hiking.

Socks. Your socks will likely be thrashed by the end of the trip. Be prepared to wash them daily.

Bathing / swimming attire

Shorts, although long pants are a better bet for hiking

Long pants. I prefer cotton or quick drying material to the high-tech synthetic stuff that tends to be hot. Breathable is good. Quick drying is good -- jeans are not fun when wet and hot.

Light cotton shirts can be preferable to T-shirts, though T-shirts are easy

Lightweight long-sleeved shirts for protection against sun and insects

Bandanas can be useful for all sorts of purposes

Lightweight jacket -- it can get cold especially at elevation

Underwear

Sleeping attire
Hiking stuff

Lightweight day pack for hikes. Waterproof is nice but plastic bags inside the pack is an option.

Binoculars for birds and mammals

Sunglasses

Water bottle and/or a CamelBak-style backpack. I use a plastic water bottle acquired locally -- less stuff to bring and there's no pain when they get lost or smashed.

Flashlight and a headlamp
Camera stuff

You should pack your film in your carry on. Some airport x-ray machines now damage undeveloped film. Check with security people at the airport.

Charger

Current converter and plug adapter

Extra film, batteries, and memory cards. Bring more than you think you'll need.
Other stuff

"Gifts." Pens and school materials for kids, not candy. You should give gifts for children to their parents or teachers, never directly to children.

Extra bag for tourist items you pick up along the way. Old clothes can be given away at the end of the trip -- less stuff to take home and more room for locally produced goods.

Travel guide, field guides, reading material (sometimes this can be left behind in lodges where it can be appreciated by other guests)

Travel clock with alarm

Cheap watch

Notebook, journal, pens (including a permanent marking pen)

Zip lock bags are great for keeping your clothes and gear orderly and dry.

Mosquito netting. Many lodges have mosquito netting -- ask before you go. If you don't know where you will be staying (i.e. "winging it"), it's probably a good idea to bring netting.

Rain forest packlist

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