52 things to do in a rainforest

A tropical rainforest, apart from being galalactically important, is also just a swell place to be. Sure it’s sweaty, sometimes there are leeches, and sometimes those leeches wriggle into places they shouldn’t. But for the most part a rainforest is one of the best places you can ever visit. Here are some things to do if you ever find yourself in one.

Get up at the crack of dawn to watch the sunrise and birds.
Climb a tree. Or something taller.
Go on the trail of something rare–track orangutans, walk in the footsteps of elephants if you get the chance.
Always swim in cool rivers, unless there are crocodiles.
Cover yourself in mud–you’d pay a lot for such a treatment at a spa (if you’re into that sort of thing).

Go somewhere on your own and just sit there quietly on a log.
Wait until nightfall, get a bright lamp and a sheet, and then watch the sheer abundance of moths.
Sometimes things will go wrong. Take it in your stride. Write blog posts about your trials and tribulations: collapsed bridges, or broken machetes–whatever the problem of the day is.
Night drives are the best. Take a torch and your binoculars and look out for any tell-tale eye-shine. Dark nights (i.e. not full moons) after days when it has rained can be best for spotting mammals and it’s amazing what you can see just sitting there on the road.
Sunsets are better than sunrises–you don’t have to get up for them…

Talk to a scientist–they are usually happy to tell you about their research if you take an interest.
Talk to the locals–they know the forests the best, and might even tell you about the clouded leopard that’s been traipsing round camp…
Find a waterfall. Have a coke under it.
Do something nobody else will have ever done there before. Then you can always be the weirdo that whistled the theme tune to Grand Designs in the middle of a jungle.

Keep a notebook and write down what you see.
Release your inner Tarzan. Swing on vine and do that “AAAAAAAA” bellowing noise he does.
Go off exploring with a camera, and don’t ignore the fungi and invertebrates.
Read good books about adventurous expeditions and jungle explorers. Start with this one.
Stage the graduation you managed to miss…

Try the local alcohol…rice wine if you dare.
Try to learn the local language.
If you get a chance, are with someone who knows their stuff and aren’t in a protected area, forage for rainforest food–mushrooms, ginger, fruits and fish, maybe even some river snails…
Or else a jungle muffin at dawn whilst trying spy some otters can be fun.

Find something interesting and sketch it.
Record some videos about anything fascinating you find in the forest–no need for any fancy gear, your phone will probably do the job. There are plenty of primary school children that would love to see any snakes you happen to stumble upon.
Spill over a good old fashioned guidebook–birds, mammals, snake, whatever tickles your fancy.
Have a nap on a log…but make sure you tuck your trousers into your socks!
Better still, go hammocking in the forest.

Pour over old maps.
Go on long jogs through the forest or down old logging roads.
Spend as much time walking silently in the forest as possible, especially early in morning. Walks = wildlife!
Try to give your trip a purpose. If you’re part of research expedition then record your work, write blogs, maybe even a little poem! If you’re there for an adventure, is there any useful data you could be collecting on the way?
Get a riverside haircut.

If you chance upon some internet, read Mongabay articles about the latest regional environmental news.
Feed the wild pigs your leftovers.
Learn from anybody that will to teach you–chances are you’ll stumble across somebody with an encyclopedic knowledge about something you’ve never even heard of.
Go looking for snakes.

Try your hand at some investigative journalism around a local story or issue that captures your attention.
Volleyball, football, badminton–whatever sport’s on the menu where you’re camped, get involved!
Record a podcast in the forest.
Find a really cool tree (probably the easiest thing to do on this whole list!)

Grow a jungle beard that you know deep-down looks revolting but that you’re also kind of proud of…
When it gets too much even for you to handle, shave it off in the forest.
BBQs. Mmm
Try your hand at some local fishing techniques.

Learn one of the regional anthems. Maybe this absolute belter…
Karoke. Because sometimes you just don’t have the choice (/secretly LOVE it).
Listen to crazy stories from people who have been working/living there for years.
Wade upstream to get a different perspective of the jungle than you would walking through the understorey.
Have fun with a machete.

Ask if you can go out on trips with scientists or researchers working on cool projects different to your own. It could well be the most rewarding thing you do.