an image of four kayaks on a jungle expedition venture

How to Travel Light for Your Jungle Expedition

Bushmasters’ Jungle Expedition courses are truly like no other jungle survival experience. The team utilise a myriad of methods to explore the deepest, untouched areas of the Guyanan jungle, ranging from inflatable kayaks to soaring helicopters. Because this once-in-a-lifetime trip is largely unplanned and will send you into unknown terrain, you will have to pack efficiently – remembering all the necessary equipment whilst trying to select items that will enable you to travel light with ease. Below, Bushmasters have provided a list of essentials and offered expert packing tips to ease your packing worries.

Luggage

On the Bushmasters Jungle Expedition trip, you’ll be travelling in a multitude of different transportation devices, meaning that your luggage will have to be portable and not cause any trouble or pain when trying to move around the jungle quickly. Therefore, it really should go without saying that a wheeled suitcase is not going to be appropriate for an expedition around the Amazon rainforest!

Investing in a robust rucksack that has been specifically designed for jungle expeditions is the way to go. Here at Bushmasters, we can provide this for you, however if you’re keen to obtain one yourself, a 75 litre pack is ideal. Try not to exceed a weight of 10kg once you’re fully packed – your tired body will thank you later! Be sure to stash away rainproof bags, particularly if you’re kayaking or rappelling off waterfalls, as dry bags will seal your items and protect them from getting wet. The rainforest is damp, and once your clothes or gear get wet, the unrelenting humidity will stop them from ever fully drying.

Clothing and Footwear

Quick-drying, lightweight clothes are essential for a jungle expedition. Try to take two sets of everything, and divide them by ‘wet’ and ‘dry’. The ‘wet’ clothes should be worn during the day and peeled off before heading to bed, switching to the ‘dry’ kit for the night.

Your clothing essentials should be as follows:

  • Lightweight trousers
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Convertible trousers/shorts
  • 2 pairs of socks
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun Hat
  • Comfortable boots – Bushmasters recommends US Army Jungle Boots, as they will offer the resilience and comfort you’ll be needing at very little expense.
  • Gear

    Once you’ve selected your rucksack and packed your clothing, it’s likely you won’t have much room for anything else. However, these are still some essentials that will enhance your jungle survival experience!

  • Any electronic devices you wish to take with you on your jungle expedition, such as mobiles or cameras, will need to be sealed in a dry bag and stashed away within your rucksack.
  • Sunscreen is vital, but try to pack an unscented bottle to dissuade the attention of insects.
  • A head torch will be necessary as the sun slips below the horizon, as you’ll need your hands free to do other tasks. Don’t forget to pack spare batteries and place them in a cool, sealed dry bag.
  • Mosquito repellent will help to keep the bites at bay.
  • Although your expedition leader should have a group medical kit, a mini first aid kit will help you to tend to smaller injuries, such as cuts or blisters that could get infected.
  • The volume of items you’ll need to take will depend on how long you intend to stay in the jungle, so it’s best to consult with your expedition company prior to the trip to find out exactly what you’ll be needing. Bushmasters offers an exhaustive kit list that covers what you’ll need to bring with you when embarking on a jungle expedition with us.

    Adventurer Edmund Jin recently ventured into the jungle with Bushmasters to experience a jungle expedition like no other. He made expedition history; kayaking to the infamous Kaieteur Falls and rappelling down the falls on the largest tension line ever used in South America! His exhilarating trip can be viewed below.

    Are you in the market for a jungle expedition that will push you to your limits? Our Dates and Costs page offers comprehensive information and timelines of all our trips, from now until December 2018. If you see a course that piques your interest and entices the explorer in you, do not hesitate to fill out our contact form to enquire about an upcoming jungle expedition venture.