The Jungle Book

Spread across several countries in South America including Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, the Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world and home to incredible biodiversity drawing millions of tourists a year.

Tourism in the Congo Rainforest is gaining momentum, offering adventurous travelers the chance to embark on guided safaris and witness incredible wildlife.

Located in Central Africa, this is the world’s second-largest rainforest. Tours are typically based out of countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon.

Situated in Queensland, Australia, this is the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest in the world. It offers a variety of eco-tours and beautiful scenery.

The Daintree Rainforest in Australia offers unique eco-lodges where guests can sleep in the trees, immersed in the sights & sounds of the jungle.

Borneo's rainforests are a hotspot with activities like canopy walks, river cruises & encounters with indigenous tribes.

These include the jungles of Borneo, Sumatra, and other parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are known for their wildlife including orangutans and tigers.

Stretching across countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize, these jungles are rich in wildlife and easily accessible for tourists.

Costa Rica, known for its rainforests, has a booming industry of accommodations, including treehouse lodges & eco-resorts.

Located in Costa Rica, this is not a typical rainforest but a cloud forest, which supports a different type of ecosystem with lush, mossy vegetation and diverse birdlife. This a haven for birdwatchers, boasting over 400 species of birds.

On HBTT’s bucket list since the animated movie; Madagascar's rainforests are a place for those eager to spot lemurs, chameleons, and other endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. National parks like Ranomafana and Andasibe offer structured tours.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is representative of Asia’s tropical rainforests. It is home to numerous endemic species.

Sri Lanka's rainforests offer authentic culinary experiences, with guided tours like foraging for wild herbs & spices used in traditional Sri Lankan meals.

This is the second-largest rainforest in the Americas, extending through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. As it is rich in archaeogical sites, take an eco-tour led by local community member.

Learn traditional Mayan weaving techniques passed down through generations. Visitors can even participate in hands-on workshops to create their own intricate textiles with locals.

Located in southern Chile and parts of Argentina, this cool, moist rainforest is quite different from the tropical rainforests typically found around the equator.

Chile's Valdivian Rainforest is home to the world's smallest deer species, the pudú.

Located in Malaysia, Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests in the world and offers various eco-tourism activities like jungle trekking, canopy walks & river cruises. Locals offer thrilling night safaris where visitors can spot nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls, and slow lorises.

Accessible from cities like Coca & Tena, the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is known for its biodiversity & indigenous communities, offering opportunities for wildlife watching, canoeing & cultural experiences.

In Ecuador's Amazon, visitors can participate in traditional ceremonies with indigenous communities like the Kichwa to learn about their culture.

While not a traditional rainforest, the Pantanal in Brazil is the world's largest tropical wetland with wildlife like jaguars, caimans, giant otters, colorful bird species, and capybaras. Visitors can explore the region through guided tours or safaris.

Alaska's Tongass Rainforest is home to the Tongass Tiny Tree Festival, an annual event where locals and tourists decorate small trees to celebrate the forest's biodiversity.

This is the largest national forest in the United States and is known for its temperate rainforest. Visitors can explore via hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.

The Carpathian Mountains offer culinary tourism experiences, with guided tours that showcase traditional dishes made with wild mushrooms, berries, and game meats.

Spanning several countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania, Ukraine, and Slovakia, these are home to primeval forests with opportunities for hiking & wildlife observation.

Taiwan is home to several protected areas with lush rainforests, such as Yushan National Park and Alishan National Scenic Area, offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and experiencing indigenous culture. Participate in a thrilling night hike to witness the bioluminescent fungi.

Situated in Malaysian Borneo, Mulu National Park is renowned for its limestone karst formations, extensive cave systems, and diverse flora and fauna.

Visitors can explore through guided tours or jungle treks including the world's largest cave chamber, Sarawak Chamber, which is large enough to accommodate several jumbo jets.

In the Philippines, Palawan Island is known for its pristine rainforests, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine biodiversity. Activities include jungle trekking, island hopping & exploring underground rivers.

Palawan Island's rainforests are rich in medicinal plants. Visitors can join guided tours to learn about the traditional uses of herbs & plants by indigenous communities.

The Colombian Amazon is a hotspot for adventure tourism, like jungle survival courses & wildlife tracking expeditions led by expert guides.

Accessible from Leticia, the rainforest offers opportunities for wildlife watching, birding & immersive experiences with indigenous communities like the Tikuna & Huitoto.

In Tambopata National Reserve, visitors can join guided meditation & yoga sessions amid the rainforest.

Located in the Peruvian Amazon, Tambopata is a biodiversity hotspot with abundant wildlife & ecosystems. Visitors can embark on guided tours to explore the rainforest.

Experience canopy walks in various parts of the world:

• Taman Negara Canopy Walkway, Malaysia

• Amazon Rainforest Canopy Walkways (Various Countries)

• Borneo Rainforest Canopy Walkway, Malaysia

• Monteverde Cloud Forest Canopy Walkway, Costa Rica

• Tree Top Walk, Singapore

• Kakum Canopy Walkway, Ghana

• Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway, Rwanda

Explore the jungles of Borneo in Malaysia’s Danum Valley Conservation Area and Indonesia’s Tanjung Puting National Park to spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, & a diverse array of birdlife.

Bonus option: Discover unique wildlife in the rainforests of Madagascar, home to lemurs, chameleons, and other endemic species.

• Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina: A lush rainforest surrounding Iguazu Falls, located on the border between Brazil and Argentina.

• Kaieteur Falls, Guyana: Explore the pristine rainforest surrounding Kaieteur Falls, one of the world's most powerful waterfalls, located in the heart of the Guyanese jungle.

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand allows guided expeditions in Khao Sok National Park to learn essential jungle survival skills such as navigation, shelter-building, and fire-making. Experienced instructors provide hands-on training in this lush rainforest setting, offering valuable insights into local flora, fauna, and conservation efforts.

The Congo Basin Embark on a river cruise along the Congo River or its tributaries in Central Africa, offering opportunities to spot forest elephants, hippos, & bird species.

Kinabatangan River, Borneo Cruise along the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Malaysia, to observe wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, orangutans, and hornbills.

Places seeking volunteers:

• Costa Rica

• Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

• South Africa

• Madagascar

• Australia

• Borneo, Malaysia/Indonesia

• Peru

• Kenya

• Indonesia

• USA (Various Locations)

Take a guided night safari:

• Singapore Night Safari

• Chitwan National Park, Nepal

• Ranthambore National Park, India

• Kruger National Park, South Africa

• Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

• Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

• Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Visit the Maasai Mara region in Kenya or adjacent areas in Tanzania - The Maasai people are known for their distinctive culture, traditional attire, and pastoral way of life.

Engage with Maasai elders and community members to learn about their customs, traditional dances, and livestock-rearing practices. Gain insights into their deep connection with the land and wildlife, as well as their conservation efforts in partnership with local organizations.

• Lost City Trek, Colombia Reach the ancient archaeological site of Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City), surrounded by dense rainforest and indigenous communities.

• Gunung Mulu Summit Trek, Malaysia Summit Mount Mulu, surrounded by lush jungle, limestone cliffs, and diverse wildlife.

• Santa Cruz Trek, Peru Traverse the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in Peru's Huascarán National Park, hiking through cloud forests, alpine meadows while surrounded by mountain peaks & glaciers.

• Taman Negara Jungle Trek, Malaysia Explore the ancient rainforests of Taman Negara National Park encountering diverse wildlife, cascading waterfalls & indigenous villages.