Wildlife of the Jungle and African Safaris
Rainforest exploration, African safaris and tours of jungles around the
world have an exotic appeal like no other type of experience. While the
expert tips below specifically address hiking through rainforests and jungles in
South and Central America, they certainly can all be expanded to nature hikes
around the world, and most even to African safaris where you will be driven. Make the most of your adventure safely.
TO SEE A JUNGLE, WALK THIS WAY
by Bob Linde and Shirley Linde
It pays to walk a trail with a naturalist guide. A good
guide will help keep you out of danger, help you spot wildlife and tell
wonderful stories about what you see.
We have hiked through rainforests of Costa Rica and Belize
and through jungles along the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers with
naturalist/guides. Here four of the naturalists we have traveled with ...
Marcel Lichtenstein,, Carla Weston, Conrad Weston, and Dr. Charles Leavell …
share their tips on the ways to walk a trail like an expert and have
satisfying sightings of wildlife in even the most remote areas.
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Go with only a few other people. Big groups don't work.
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Go at sunrise and sunset if you can. As sunlight arrives,
monkeys are screaming and birds are chirping; at sunset they are giving
their goodnight calls.
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Know where you're going. Is it a loop trail or must you
return the same way you came? Watch for landmarks on the way to make
returning easier.
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Stay on the trail. Watch where you walk. When you're
looking up at the trees, don't move your feet. When you're moving your
feet, look down. If you're going to touch something, take a close look
before doing it.
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Bring water. Drink it. You can dehydrate in the tropics
without realizing it. Bring and eat some snacks to help keep up your
energy.
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Bring binoculars. Even if you are not an avid birder, you
will be happy you brought your binoculars. On one expedition our
eagle-eye skipper/guide brought us to within 10 feet of a large Jesus
Christ lizard (he can walk on water). With binoculars we could see his
huge standup pointed ears and his bright orange and black eye staring at
us.
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Wear loose comfortable clothes, and long pants if bugs
are going to be a problem. Wear shoes that you have worn several times
so you know they are comfortable. Wear a hat if you will be in open
sunny areas. Bring insect repellent, but don't put it on until you need
it. If it contains DEET or other toxic material, put it on your clothes,
not on your skin.
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Slow down. People usually walk right past incredibly
exciting things and never know it. On one hike without a guide we saw
six people walk right on top of a fascinating parade of leaf-cutting
ants. They didn’t even notice them crossing the trail with leaf pieces
held high that they had just cut from a nearby tree.
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Look at different levels. In the trees look slowly along
individual limbs, watching for bumps, lumps, and movements. A baggy
looking lump can be an anteater or sloth inching slow-motion along the
limb. Interesting insects are often seen inside flowers or on leaves.
Also learn to look past where you are, focusing on the next layers of
trees deeper inside the forest.
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Listen. Keep your ears tuned for birds, frogs, or a
sudden rustling in the underbrush. Things aren't always what you might
think they are. A howler monkey might sound like a big barking dog;
another monkey might sound like a squeaky toy. One spider makes a
dinging sound. If you hear a breaking branch or other noise directly
above, look up and be ready to jump out of the way. And listen for the
sudden absence of sounds. It may indicate that something is going on.
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Smell. Notice the jungle smells. You can smell peccaries
and tapirs. You can smell wild ginger from 1/4 mile away. And one very
strong smell is characteristic of a kind of ant colony.
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Don't let rain stop you. Animals will be out, and because
of the rain they can't hear you as well.
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Most of all, be quiet. Noise will scare away the critters
that you're trying to experience. Whisper, or don't talk at all. Walk
lightly.
The naturalists gave some don'ts also. Don't try to attract
animals or approach closely to them. A male might think you are trying to
invade his territory. Don't feed the animals. It could encourage them to
depend on humans. Don't wear perfume, cologne or after-shave lotion. It may
attract bees and wasps. Ditto, flashy colors. Don't smoke. Don't walk in
tall grass or other places where you can't see your feet. Unpleasant things
may be there. Don't turn over logs or peel bark off of trees -- you may
uncover an angry scorpion or snake. Don't touch caterpillars. You may find
it very painful. Don't leave the trail. Don't walk in the jungle at night
without a guide and a flashlight. There are some cool things out there, but
there are some nasty ones too. Don't collect specimens. Rainforests are
fragile eco-systems that require careful use if they are to survive. Don't
leave litter behind.Follow this advice and your
next nature hike, whether it's in a rainforest of your nearby park, will be
a more meaningful experience.
The naturalists interviewed work as freelance guides and
lecturers for World Explorer Cruises and Clipper Cruise Line. Other
eco/adventure cruises with naturalist guides can be found at
www.smallshipcruises.com
on the web.
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