Jungle Trekking in Indonesia: Safe through the Rainforest

“I can show you the orangutans!” Trustingly, a stranger pats me on the shoulder and pulls me in his direction. But he did the math without his buddy, who told me: “I know absolutely secret places, no other guide will show you that.”

On my way from Medan to the village of Bukit Lawang deep in the jungle of Sumatra, I feel a little reminded of my school sport as I sat on the bench and fervently hoped that I would be elected to the team.

Every restaurant and accommodation in the village offers tours into the jungle. And all of them advertise with the sighting of the wild orangutans there. Often you don’t even get to ask the first questions, because the tour providers literally trump each other with their offers. The competition is fierce and unfortunately among them are some black sheep who are only interested in your money, but not in your safety.

But your safety should be a top priority during a multi-day tour through the jungle. After all, the rainforest in the Gunung Leuser National Park on Sumatra is not an Indian animal park with cute zoo inhabitants, so poisonous animals and impassable terrain should be known exactly.

The excursion is a real adventure: hours of hiking at 100 percent humidity, overnight in the great outdoors, in camps set up by the guides themselves. The food is cooked together and supplemented with food directly from the forest, such as the sap of the banana tree. More nature experience is not possible.

Exotic sounds and huge insects lurk everywhere. With a bit of luck you will see stately orangutans and will understand why their name means “forest man” in Indonesian. Like little people, they stand bored in a forest clearing and seem to be talking about their day.

Our small group ducks deep into the undergrowth and watches the animals with fascination. No one can prepare you for the sight of these gentle giants in the wild. And yet A quiet melancholy overcomes me, because in Sumatra there are only about 6,000 orangutans left. The palm oil industry is depriving the great apes of more and more habitat. Uncontrolled tourist crowds additionally damage the rainforest and are a danger to the animals.

It is therefore extremely important that you follow a few golden rules during your visit in order not to destroy the delicate ecosystem on the one hand and to return safely from the jungle on the other.

The tiny village of Bukit Lawang on the Indonesian island of Sumatra is the starting point for tours into the jungle. Getting to Indonesia’s chaotic roads can be noisy and overwhelming at first glance. Much is not as organized as at home and requires a lot of planning. Power outages are the order of the day. ATMs, large shops or extensive Internet are missing in the village.

I had to experience this painfully when I reached Bukit Lawang after several hours of driving and did not find an ATM anywhere. That’s why I spent an entire day driving to the nearest town in Binjai to get money, check emails, and drive back to the starting point. A day tour and quite unnecessary with appropriate planning. Therefore, bring enough money for your tours and several credit cards, as not every credit card works at every ATM.

In the tropical rainforest it is hot and humid all year round. Therefore, there is no ideal season to do a jungle trekking. But even in the rainy season, it usually only rains in the late afternoon after 4 pm

Therefore, Bukit Lawang is good to travel all year round and not overcrowded with tourists. The only exception is the midsummer during the period of Ramadan, especially during the Idul Fitri week, when many local tourists populate the small town, and it can therefore get quite noisy. The same applies on Sundays.

Prices have risen dramatically in recent years. Meanwhile, you get a standard price of 450,000 IDR for a day trek including guides, food, tube rafting on the Bohorok River, and all permits. That’s around 35 $.

If you opt for multi-day tours, such as the 7-day trek to the Aceh region in the north, you will of course have more chances to see orangutans and other wildlife such as the rare Sumatran tiger. Because the longer the tour, the more intense the feeling of adventure and getting to know the jungle with all its inhabitants.

Be prepared for the fact that you will be wet and exhausted in the jungle. With almost 100 percent humidity, the whole thing sometimes reminds you less of fun than of a hellish-hot nightmare with clothes steaming wet from your skin. A certain basic fitness is therefore a prerequisite for such a tour.

In addition, pack only the essentials on your trip:

• Sturdy footwear such as air-permeable sneakers
• Raincoat
• Tampons, if applicable
• Waterproof protective bags for your camera and batteries and, if necessary, power banks
• Lightweight and quick-drying T-shirts and cargo pants
• Swimsuit
• Coneflower
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito spray with the active ingredient DEET as well as permethrin to treat your clothing and equipment. It is best to buy the sprays in Medan, as they are really expensive in India.
• Your first-aid kit with disinfectant spray, bandages and patches, antiseptic creams, paracetamol, and ibuprofen
• Flashlight

Never hike alone into the jungle. The jungle is not a native forest with paths, cute squirrels and well-signposted signposts.

Just as I was in Bukit Lawang, a German had fled into the jungle with his baby to organize his thoughts and got lost in the thicket of the jungle. Only with great sympathy of the village population and after more than twelve hours of searching, the man was found with his child. He had been very lucky and I was ashamed of his megalomania.

Therefore, it is essential to make your way into the great unknown only with a certified guide. Unlicensed guides can put your life in danger due to a lack of knowledge of the jungle.

1. Do not march into the jungle with smugglers or large groups – even if this may seem cheaper at first glance. Around 150 guides are registered with the Bukit Lawang Guide Association, but not everyone has the same experience and education.
2. Therefore, book your trekking trip through a registered website or after arriving in Bukit Lawang in one of the accommodations.
3. Trekking prices in Bukit Lawang are all valid for a minimum number of participants of three people. Single travellers should always make sure that the minimum number of participants is given when agreeing on prices on site.
4. Ask your guide for permission before the trekking tour and have it shown to you if necessary. Especially female travelers should protect themselves.
5. The trails in the jungle and village can be steep and slippery. Therefore, always take good care when hiking.
6. Always drink a lot during the tour!
7. However: Do not drink tap water or water from the river. Only bottled or boiled water should be drunk.
8. Keep a safe distance from the orangutans and other animals in the jungle. Never forget that it is their realm, and they are wild animals. Even the cute orangutans can develop considerable powers if they feel they are in danger. This is especially true if they are traveling with offspring.
9. Don’t throw garbage into the jungle and take everything you carry with you back to the village.
10. Don’t call orangutans and don’t feed them.