In the world’s jungles, danger comes in many forms – deadly predators, fatal disease, hazardous terrain, extreme isolation, and conflict with hostile humans. We are drawn to the beauty of Earth’s most remote forests, but unprepared visitors must guard against becoming unfortunate victims of these untamed environments.
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6 most dangerous jungles
Amazon Rainforest
This is the largest tropical rainforest in the world and also one of the deadliest, for a whole raft of reasons.
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Its humid, dense, tangled habitat is home to a vast number of wild animals that are best kept at arm’s length – for their protection as well as yours. The obvious are not always the ones that could lead to your death. Of course, there are large predators such as jaguars, black caimans, crocodiles, harpy eagles, electric eels and green anacondas. But there are also the smaller animal hazards, such as the blue poison dart frogs, fer-de-lance snakes, malaria mosquitos, banana spiders, tapeworms, etc.
But it's the jungle itself you should be most wary of. Without a skilled and knowledgeable guide, the overgrown and at times impenetrable understorey makes navigation extremely difficult. The towering, crowded tree canopy blocks any chance of communication with the outside world, rendering phones and GPS equipment useless.
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Get lost in this beautiful wilderness and the heat and humidity will burn your energy very quickly. Dehydration is the major concern, but don’t drink the river water – microbes will see you off faster than any chance of an animal attack.
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Darién Gap
This dense, lawless jungle on the Panamanian/Columbian border is infamous for more than just predatory wildlife. It's the remote, road-free land bridge between North and South America and therefore a major route for both lawless humans and migrating animals.
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On the Colombian side, there are treacherous, fast-flowing rivers and marshlands. On the Panama side, there are brutally high mountains. Making the trip on foot takes a good four days for a relatively fit and healthy person, if they're well provisioned and don’t succumb to any accidental injuries. Many who attempt to cross the terrain simply don’t make it, dying of starvation or infected wounds, unable to call for help.
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The isolation offers the perfect cover for criminal gangs smuggling drugs or people into the north. The presence of these armed thugs adds a human element to the dangers of the Darién Gap. Robbery, rape and other assorted violent acts are distinct possibilities encountered by unwary visitors.
Despite this, Darién National Park in Panama is the largest protected area in Central America. Although mainly for adventurous travellers, it is a top birding location where you can see colourful macaws, hummingbirds, howler and spider monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, Baird’s tapirs, tamarins and sloths.
Congo Rainforest
The Congo rainforest is the world’s second-largest rainforest, located in central Africa. It's home to more than 1,000 species of birds, 700 species of fish and 600 different tree species. In terms of mammals, you'll find an abundance of red river hogs, chimpanzees, and okapi and bonobos, both endemic to the region.
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Wildlife tourism is important in the conservation of the forests, and well-regulated tours protect visitors from any form of danger, but it still pays to be alert to the possibilities.
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Within its compelling and charismatic species, the Congo rainforest hosts a number of animals that can be dangerous if crossed, such as forest and bush elephants, buffalos, leopards, or mountain and lowland gorillas. But the real risks to locals and visitors alike often come from diseases such as Ebola, and the political instability that has affected that region for decades.
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Contaminated water can cause life-threatening diseases such as dysentery, and bites from mosquitos spread malaria, dengue, yellow fever and Zika virus. Even the smallest injury can quickly become life-threatening due to infection. Therefore, the most dangerous hazards in the Congo rainforest tend to be microscopic - pathogens, not predators - but these can be guarded against with care, appropriate clothing and insect repellents.
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Sundarbans
The extensive mangrove forest between India and Bangladesh is famous for its population of aggressive Royal Bengal tigers. The National Park is home to a number of critically endangered animals. Ganges and Irawadi dolphins and an endemic terrapin inhabit its rivers, and it is also important habitat for the Indian python.
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However, it’s one of the few places on Earth where tigers regularly stalk and attack humans. An estimated average of 22 people per year meet their end in the big cats’ jaws. That makes this the one jungle where the more relentless killer of people is an apex predator, rather than the usually more common snake bite or being infected by a tropical disease.
Tigers are not the only hazard with teeth among the twisted branches and roots of the mangroves. Sundarbans also boasts the massive and highly dangerous saltwater crocodile – so no swimming here, please! In fact, staying well away from riverbanks would be a good plan.
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The area is also prone to devastating cyclones and while the mangroves help protect the coastline from damage, they would do nothing for frail humans. Taking local advice and keeping an eye on the weather forecast when planning a trip to the National Park is prudent.
New Guinea Jungle
This dense, largely unexplored area straddling Papua New Guinea and Indonesia is home to some unique wildlife and remote traditional-living tribes. Most famously known as the land of birds of paradise, it has been drawing birdwatchers to its broadleaf forests for decades.
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The dangers to visitors here lie far less with any ferocious animals as with the hazards of travelling in an isolated location with limited access to communications and medical help. These perils are mitigated by joining one of the many well-organised tours and staying at established lodges that cater particularly to wildlife watchers.
An additional risk to safety might be getting accidentally mixed up in one of the occasional tribal disputes, particularly over land claims. However, this would be a rarity, as any personal threats tend to be confined to the members of the competing tribes rather than directed at tourists. Generally, the indigenous forest populations are most welcoming and hospitable to visitors.
Daintree Rainforest
Found on the northeastern coast of Queensland, this rainforest is one of the oldest in the world. It's the remaining part of the forests that covered Australia 120 million years ago. These days it contains 90% of the country’s butterfly and bat species and 30% of its frogs, reptiles and marsupials.
It's generally safe to visit, but it’s also filled with dangerous species, such as venomous spiders and snakes, although any significant damage to humans is generally brought about through bad decision making and careless actions.
Animals to look out for, and avoid, are saltwater crocodiles and cassowaries. These flightless birds can turn nasty if you get too close. It’s not unheard of for them to attack just because they’re in a bad mood. A massive inner toe on each foot can be 125mm (5in) long and razor-sharp. They will use this claw to rip open the soft bellies of humans to devastating effect. Given that these feisty birds stand up to 1.8m (5ft 11in) tall, reaching your vulnerable parts isn’t a stretch. Admire from afar.
