An impenetrable space, both captivating and full of mystery, the rainforest remains, in our collective memory, rather inhospitable on first encounter.
Yet it fascinates, and all our senses quickly sharpen as we try to catch its scents, its sounds, and glimpse what lives within it.
Walking through rainforest is no easy stroll: the heat is intense and the very high humidity makes breathing harder.
The clothing advice is fairly standard: sturdy walking shoes with good ankle support and cotton clothing. Some regions sit at higher altitude, where rainforest can quickly give way to so-called “cloud forest”. In that case, dress more warmly.
Here are a few tips to follow to avoid unpleasant surprises, or disappointments…
– There’s no need to walk for hours to find a rare species. The most important thing is to move slowly, making as little noise as possible. Life teems constantly around you, but here more than anywhere, you need to pay close attention.
– Never touch a plant unless you’re certain of what it is. From a simple leaf that may be toxic to a hanging vine you grab onto that turns out to be a snake, everything around you is unfamiliar.
– Check every evening that ticks and other charming companions haven’t settled on your legs, or a bit higher up… Nothing too serious, as long as you don’t leave them there too long.
– Carry a sufficient amount of water.
– Try to arrange a night walk with your guide (outside the rainy season, when such an outing can be quite dangerous). You’ll discover yet another world, full of hallucinatory and unsettling sounds!
– Finally, density doesn’t mean abundance, and sheer size isn’t synonymous with indestructibility. The forest is fragile and its balance precarious.
Respect it, and take nothing away.
Reading these few lines might discourage some people…
But there’s no need to worry! It’s simply wise not to venture alone into these unfamiliar environments. What’s more, beyond all these potential hazards, a guide will prove extremely useful (even essential) for spotting flora and fauna that often go unnoticed at first glance…
And yet, it’s estimated that more than 30% of the world’s plant and animal species live within this complex ecosystem.
I invite all nature lovers to get a sense of what your next rainforest excursion might look like, by exploring an example of a tailor-made journey to Costa Rica, designed by Etendues Sauvages… Let yourself be guided, the Etendues Sauvages team takes care of everything!
Also read our tips on photographing in the rainforest.
