Packing List - Jungle of Jos

Packing for the jungle is easier than you might think. You only need a small backpack for the trek. Everything else can stay at your hotel in Bukit Lawang until you are back.

What you need depends on your tour: for a short trek a few basics are enough, for a trek with overnight stays in the jungle you need a bit more. Use the lists below as a checklist.

For every trek

The basics

A small, light backpack (about 25 to 35 litres), ideally with a rain cover
One big water bottle. It needs to last for the trekking part of the day, and can only be refilled at the camps.
Rain jacket or poncho
Insect repellent, ideally with DEET
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or cap. The tropical sun is strong, even under the trees.
Enough cash for your tour. See how to pay.

Clothes and shoes

Long pants and long socks for walking. They protect you from insects and scratches.
Light, breathable clothes that dry quickly. In the humid jungle, wet clothes dry very slowly.
Light, natural colours such as beige, khaki or green. Dark clothes attract mosquitoes, and strong colours stand out in the forest.
Sneakers are enough for short treks. For longer treks, hiking shoes with a good grip and some ankle support are best, as trails can be steep and muddy.
Swimwear and a towel for the river

Extra for treks with overnight stays

On treks of two days or more you sleep in a simple wooden jungle hut with a waterproof roof. A thin mattress, a blanket, a pillow and a mosquito net are provided, and dinner and drinking water are included. In addition to the basics, bring:

Clothes

Enough clothes for all trekking days. You can wash clothes in the river, but how fast they dry depends on the weather.
Always keep one set of dry clothes for the camp
Long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt and warm socks for the evening and night
Flip-flops or sandals for the camp
Some extra clothes if rain is forecast

Useful at the camp

A headlamp or small flashlight. It gets dark at around 7 pm, and there is only minimal light at the camp.
Toothbrush, toothpaste and other personal toiletries, ideally biodegradable soap and shampoo
A quick-drying towel and hand sanitizer
Toilet paper and wet wipes
A small trash bag to take your waste back out of the jungle

Also good to have

A waterproof bag or a few plastic bags for your phone, camera, power bank and cables. Pack electronics twice: in a waterproof bag inside your backpack. This protects them in the rain and on the river.
A small first-aid kit with your personal medication, plasters for blisters, medicine against diarrhoea, rehydration salts and pain relief. See health tips.
A power bank for your phone and camera.
A camera. Remember: no flash near the animals.

Tips for packing

Pack light. A light backpack makes walking on hot, humid days in the jungle much easier.
Check the weather forecast before you leave. It can rain at any time of the year in the rainforest, so be prepared for sun and rain.
Leave valuables you don't need at your hotel.
Not sure what to bring for your tour? Just ask Jos when you book.