Mosquitos, Snakes and Creepy Crawlies in the Rainforest!
I'm almost always asked about this so here's a personal overview.
Mosquitos
The good news is in the area of our ecoTrails in the Amazon, the risk factor for Malaria caught through mosquitos is considered low. Personally I've never taken any Malaria tablets or had any anti-Malaria injections. My own experience and observations of many others living and travelling in this region confirms my decision to be correct for me. However you have to make your own choice and the usual advice is to speak to a qualified doctor.
What's more a factor, in my opinion, is the nuisance factor of mosquitos especially early morning or later in the evening. So repellent can be important. You can buy strong natural repellents now in a lot of the good Outdoor Stores, there's also the strong but 'chemical' version containing the likes of Deet which is quite effective. Sleeping in one of the huts in the village, or hanging out around the campfire, you might like to get coils of Mosquito repellent which burns like incense, but doesn't smell like incense! Then there is the fundamental protection of covering your arms and legs. You can get a fine gauze which goes over a hat and protects your face and neck. I've seen the locals use the juice of lemons or limes.
My way of dealing with mosquitos is to make sure I' wear the correct clothing of dark long sleeve shirt and long trousers and the face net protection if they get really bad, which I mentioned above is usually early morning or for a few hours around dusk. I would only use repellent from time to time on the likes of the backs of my hands, around my ankles on my socks and on my face and neck if I'm not wearing the gauze cover. I don't use the net much but it's handy to have and it's very light and compact to carry.
I've never felt they were any more than a nuisance so let's move onto other insects, animals and stuff.
They got it very wrong in Jungle Book - the King of the Jungle or the Amazon is not the tiger it's the ant!
Ants and other biting stinging critters and spiders can mostly be held at bay with good high fitting boots or the local's favourite, Rubber Boots. Don't be tempted to go walking in long grass in sandals or bare feet.
Snakes are rare enough to encounter and like most animals they want to avoid humans and will keep out of your way. Again the high fitting walking boots or Wellington boots offer a lot of protection.
The larger animals like the big cats, stay well away from humans and can sometimes be spotted at a distance.
It's possible to write out a long list of insects, beetles, snakes or whatever to avoid, the practical solution is the protection from the mosquitos I've mentioned and correct footwear. That combined with a dose of common sense goes a long way. I've always felt very comfortable in the Jungle and I think you will as well.
I often go swimming in the river, our very experienced local guide knows where it's safest. It's best to wear swimming trunks or bottoms for the ladies, of the tightly fitting kind. I've some very unforgettable experiences of swimming with the pink dolphins!
Trails of the Spirit facilitates Sketching Workshop
Adventures in Peru and Ireland
