The deep, unruly landscapes of jungles are some of the most unexplored terrain remaining of the world.
Brimming with life from every inch, they are an exciting and captivating place to explore, making a jungle trek the perfect place to seek out a travel experience that will take you out of your comfort zone and remain with you for many years to come.
In this article I’ll be counting down the most incredible jungle experiences, but first off, what is the difference between a jungle and a rainforest?
Here’s the science bit: A rain forest is denser, and has a canopy that blocks out most of the sunlight meaning that only shade loving plants can grow near the floor under the very tall trees.
A jungle has a less dense canopy meaning more sunlight gets in and plants can grow well at ground level. Jungles are often found out the outskirts of rainforests where the trees start to spread out, so many famous rainforests like the Amazon, actually have sections of jungle too.
Now check out some of most beautiful jungles around the world you need to see.
1. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
One word. Gorillas.
This could potentially be the scene of one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in Africa you could wish to have.
Yes, it maybe a tough and uncomfortable and it will require a lot of effort. You’ll be dodging huge spiders webs, swiping off biting ants, and ducking through the undergrowth and under huge branches, but the potential reward is worth it, a million times worth it in fact. Don’t forget this is exactly this kind of experience that makes Africa such an exciting and rewarding continent to travel through.
The jungle is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and covers an area of about 327 square kilometres.
The park is home to rainforest as well as jungle, with steep valleys and tough ridges and a huge population of gorillas meaning that the whole time you’re exploring you have the expectation of possibly greeting one of the most amazing animals in the world just around the next leafy corner.
View these Africa gap year trips to plan a trip yourself.
2. The Amazon, Peru (amongst others!)
How could I possibly create a list of amazing jungle experiences and leave out the force of nature that is the Amazon rainforest. Although the Amazon is mainly made up of rainforest it also has areas that are technically jungles.
Here’s some Amazon facts for you; it spreads its leafy wings over 9 countries in South America (although most of it falls within Brazil), it is home to over a third of the worlds species and it accounts for over half of the world’s remaining rainforest.
So, what’s the most amazing experience you can have in the Amazon? I’m giving it to Manu, Peru.
A trek through this region will take you through the most biologically diverse area of the Amazon. Manu has the highest bird, mammal and plant diversity of anywhere else on earth, and that in itself is pretty impressive. This really is one of the best things to do in Peru.
View South America gap year trips to explore the Amazon for yourself.
3. Bukit Lawang, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia
Bukit Lawang in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, is one of the most accessible places to spot Orang-utan in the world.
Part jungle and part rainforest, you enter the densely green landscape via Gunung Leuser National Park, where you can expect to trample past beautiful waterfalls, huge trees and twirling vines as you prepare to spot communities of these, critically endangered and pretty mischievous mammals.
Be prepared to spend a lot of your time searching high into the trees for a sighting, although you can get, pretty literally, up close and personal to these amazing animals if they decide they have taken a liking to you and want to see you a little closer up.
You might also want to combine your trip with a visit to some of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia.
4. Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world and it is home to some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia. But Thailand is also home to numerous stunning jungles.
Experience the sounds of the jungle at night by staying in the treetop huts or river raft houses of Khao Sok in Southern Thailand.
Khao Sok is thriving with a huge concentration of wildlife including mouse deer, bears, gibbons, banteng, sambar deer, Malayan tapir, macaque, porcupine, marbled cat, wild boar, and Asian wild dog.
If you are looking for a rewarding experience there are lots of wildlife volunteering programs located here.
5. Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Chitwan National Park is made up of jungle, rainforest, forest and grassy planes and as a result, is full of a huge variety of wildlife and flora and fauna, including, probably most excitingly, the Bengal Tiger.
The most amazing experience you can find at Chitwan, in my opinion at least, is a trek through the jungle in search of the super endangered wild tigers.
When I visited Nepal in November, I took one of these treks and after a 45 minute canoe ride along a crocodile infested river our group we’re dropped, with two guides, smack bang in the middle of the national park ready to walk back to the camp.
We all spent the next 4 hours looking all around us for tigers in trees, behind logs and between the long grass but unfortunately didn’t see anything more than a huge footprint (although that in itself was pretty exciting!)
Even though I was unlucky, I had an incredible experience tiger hunting. I did manage to spot wild rhino, crocodiles, wild pig and so many beautiful species of bird and then, just a few days after I left the park, I met a fellow traveller in Lumbini that had seen a tiger in Chitwan on a similar walk just a few days earlier.
Nope not jealous at all…. much.
Plan a Trip to Explore the Best Jungles of the World
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