Who normally comes on survival trips? Would I fit in?
We have a wide range of people on our courses from young professionals, people taking a gap year or career break, to adventurous travellers. Everyone from students to Hollywood movie stars like Channing Tatum have been on our trips. The majority of people are in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s although we often have fit older people coming along too.
How fit do I have to be?
There is no way of avoiding the fact that these trips are designed to be challenging. That does not mean, however, you need to be an Olympic level athlete! Physically you just need to be in good health and pretty active.
If you are normally inactive then ideally, a few months before coming out, you should go running, swimming and circuit training. This will not only help you walk over the rough terrain and carry weight, but more importantly, help you acclimatise to the environment.
Different trips require different skills/fitness. On the desert island survival course surrounded by the Caribbean sea you must be able to swim – in the deserts of Jordan with no water anywhere, that’s not so important!
Do not, however, go and pile on the muscle like Mr or Miss Universe. That sort of strength is not an advantage. You need stamina, all round fitness and a positive mindset. A bit of flab could even prove useful, especially on the survival courses!
If you are normally inactive then ideally, a few months before coming out, you should go running, swimming and circuit training. This will not only help you walk over the rough terrain and carry weight, but more importantly, help you acclimatise to the environment.
Different trips require different skills/fitness. On the desert island survival course surrounded by the Caribbean sea you must be able to swim – in the deserts of Jordan with no water anywhere, that’s not so important!
Do not, however, go and pile on the muscle like Mr or Miss Universe. That sort of strength is not an advantage. You need stamina, all round fitness and a positive mindset. A bit of flab could even prove useful, especially on the survival courses!
Will I be safe?
Bushmasters trips by their very nature involve an element of risk. Which is why you’re here, surely!
That said, we employ a detailed system of safety measures to ensure you are kept out of harm’s way. See our Safety page for more information.
That said, we employ a detailed system of safety measures to ensure you are kept out of harm’s way. See our Safety page for more information.
Are there any age limits?
Bushmasters do not strictly set any age limits, though the type of trips we do can be very tough, both mentally and physically and you need to be prepared for that. All Bushmasters trips therefore require a certain maturity. You really will be in the middle of the jungle and though it’s great fun, it is no place to be messing around like some juvenile punk. If you do, you may find yourself putting your new found survival skills to the test sooner than you think!
We strongly recommend that people should be over 18 to join a Bushmasters trip, but if you wanted to bring your 17 year old son or daughter on a trip then of course we would consider it. The age range on our trips does vary considerably, on one survival course from 18 to 72! So if you’re fit enough, mature enough and mentally up for it, then you can give it a go. Please email us before signing up if you are under 18.
We strongly recommend that people should be over 18 to join a Bushmasters trip, but if you wanted to bring your 17 year old son or daughter on a trip then of course we would consider it. The age range on our trips does vary considerably, on one survival course from 18 to 72! So if you’re fit enough, mature enough and mentally up for it, then you can give it a go. Please email us before signing up if you are under 18.
Is there a problem if I am vegetarian?
No! The only issue will come on a survival course during the isolation phase when you’ll spend a few days fending for yourself. This is not a problem as long as you let us know. There is always plenty to eat in the jungle, you just have to know what’s good and what isn’t and if you’re a vegetarian we’ll make sure we pick out the better stuff off the bush menu for you. If you have any other special dietary needs please let us know. We can usually make sure your needs are met.
What is the difference between the seasons?
The jungle in the interior of Guyana has two distinct seasons; wet and dry. It is generally hot and humid year round. The seasons are quite different and each has advantages and disadvantages and clearly the seasons spill in to each other slightly. Generally it is dry between September/October to March/April annually, the remaining months being mostly wet.
Belize also has wet and dry seasons, though there it is called hurricane aseason, for obvious reasons. Hurricane season runs June-November, though Belize historically has been affected by hurricanes later in the season. Earlier on though, tropical storms are possible. Getting the right time for the desert island trips is important here.
Jordan has seasons much like Europe and North America. Spring, summer, autumn, winter. Here though they can be pretty extreme. In summer the desert can be 50C and in Winter covered in snow! We aim to run trips in the cooler months of the autumn, where the daytime temperature is still pretty warm and the night time temperature pretty cold, but it’s not extreme!
Belize also has wet and dry seasons, though there it is called hurricane aseason, for obvious reasons. Hurricane season runs June-November, though Belize historically has been affected by hurricanes later in the season. Earlier on though, tropical storms are possible. Getting the right time for the desert island trips is important here.
Jordan has seasons much like Europe and North America. Spring, summer, autumn, winter. Here though they can be pretty extreme. In summer the desert can be 50C and in Winter covered in snow! We aim to run trips in the cooler months of the autumn, where the daytime temperature is still pretty warm and the night time temperature pretty cold, but it’s not extreme!
How much money do I need to bring?
Completely your call, but if you are just coming just for the trip and want to buy some souvenirs and lots of beers, then about US$200-3000 is ample. Only bring cash, preferably US$. You can change this into local currency in country, but remember, on Bushmasters trips there are few ATM’s!
If you plan to stay on a bit longer either in Guyana, the Caribbean, Belize to dive the Blue Hole or Jordan to go see more of the sites like the Dead Sea and Jerash then of course you’ll need more.
If you plan to stay on a bit longer either in Guyana, the Caribbean, Belize to dive the Blue Hole or Jordan to go see more of the sites like the Dead Sea and Jerash then of course you’ll need more.
Do I need vaccinations or anti-malarial drugs?
Always check with you local doctor and do take / update anything they suggest. Bring the vaccination card with you, make copies and bring them too. This is good advice when travelling anywhere internationally. My vaccination cards are in the same wallet as my passport!
Guyana and Belize are malarial zones, though the risk of getting the disease is low. Tropical diseases are most abundant in areas of large population and often below par sanitation. In the middle of the jungle with no people around you, your risk of getting any tropical disease is immensely small. For example, in 15 years we have never had a recorded case of malaria, by far the most common and dangerous of the tropical diseases. Similarly Jordan has its own health related issues, which again are very, very rare! The key is to check with your doctor as so much about drugs depends on you personally, any medical conditions you have, allergies, treatments you are already on and so forth.
Guyana and Belize are malarial zones, though the risk of getting the disease is low. Tropical diseases are most abundant in areas of large population and often below par sanitation. In the middle of the jungle with no people around you, your risk of getting any tropical disease is immensely small. For example, in 15 years we have never had a recorded case of malaria, by far the most common and dangerous of the tropical diseases. Similarly Jordan has its own health related issues, which again are very, very rare! The key is to check with your doctor as so much about drugs depends on you personally, any medical conditions you have, allergies, treatments you are already on and so forth.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?
For Guyana, it is a requirement to show proof of a yellow fever vaccine only if you are travelling from a country with a risk of yellow fever. If you are travelling onward to Brazil however, everyone must have proof of yellow fever vaccination. It is part of their entry requirements (from Guyana) and they are strict on this.
For Belize and Jordan if you have this vaccination then bring the international card with you.
For Belize and Jordan if you have this vaccination then bring the international card with you.
Do I need a visa?
Not if you are a passport holder from a Commonwealth country, most of Europe or the USA. Other nationalities need to check before departure. Clearly all visitors require a valid passport and those arriving by air require an onward plane ticket.
Visa requirements are easy to find online for any country on the planet.
See also Wikipedia’s List of Commonwealth countries.
Visa requirements are easy to find online for any country on the planet.
See also Wikipedia’s List of Commonwealth countries.
Can I come on a trip alone or do I need a group?
Most people on our trips do come alone. We advertise our trips to ensure we get the minimum number required (four-six, trip dependant), so you do not have to worry about that. You can of course come with a friend or group and if you want you can book out an entire trip just for your friends. In this instance please email us your preferred dates, we will see if it can be arranged and of course offer you a sizeable discount.
How does the payment system work?
You can pay either by bank transfer, in person, by credit card or pretty much in any other way directly into our UK bank account. You can also pay via PayPal. We ask for a 25% deposit at the time of sign up and the balance 8 weeks prior to the trip.
Paypal may raise a fee to you for using their service.
Paypal may raise a fee to you for using their service.
Which international airport do I fly to?
Guyana has two international airports – Cheddi Jagan International Airport, airport code GEO and Ogle – code OGL
Belize also has one international airport – PhilipSW Goldson International airport, airport code BZE.
In Jordan we ask you to fly to Aqaba, airport code AQJ. The capital is Amman whose airport you may have to connect through, airport code AMM.
Belize also has one international airport – PhilipSW Goldson International airport, airport code BZE.
In Jordan we ask you to fly to Aqaba, airport code AQJ. The capital is Amman whose airport you may have to connect through, airport code AMM.
Are the countries safe?
Very. All countries have a level of petty crime and thieves, but if you just act sensibly you’ll have no problems. Don’t wear flashy watches or take a tour in the poorest, most rundown parts of town. We are mainly deep in the interior, so we rarely see people, so the chances of trouble are pretty much nil. Guyana is very safe, the capital city is fine and as long as you act sensibly you will have no problems. Similarly Belize, especially on the cayes is cool and tourism is big business. But if you decide to act the fool and go round smoking weed and getting drunk then you are opening yourself up for trouble. Jordan is extremely safe. As a Muslim country they have strict rules on behaviour and courtesy. It’s more likely a family will give you their last loaf of bread than rob you. Would you go wandering drunk with your latest phone in the middle of the night in a rough part of any town in Europe or North America? If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it here!
