Personally, hammock is the best jungle shelter
One of the best ways to camp in the jungle is by using a hammock with a tarp over. The hammock keeps you off the ground, away from the wetness of the rain and creepy crawlies. Personally, it is by far the single type of shelter that is practical and jungle friendly.
The biggest challenge in using the conventional ground tents in the jungle is space. In the dense (natural) tropical jungle of Malaysia, finding a suitable ground space that is big and flat enough for a tent is almost impossible. Every inhabitant in the jungle is always competing for a piece of the ground. Plants grow on every patch of ground available and animals like ants and centipedes swarm the jungle floor for food 24/7.
The hammock approach solves many of the challenges in trying to use a tent in the jungle. All that is needed are two good size tree, strong enough to hold your weight and spaced just right for the length of the hammock. The two trees act as the main ‘posts’ for the hammock and the flysheet that will later go over it. One can even setup this type of shelter at uneven ground and there is no need to chop or clear ground bush unnecessarily.
I use a hammock with a sewn in mosquito net purchased in Thailand some years back. There are many types of hammock designs in the market and like all other outdoor gear, is limited only to our budget and liking. I am used to this one. It is side entry (some underneath!)and the mosquito meshing really keeps the bugs out.
The hammock I use when camping out in the jungle
The mosquito net is raised from the face when sleeping by tying it to a piece of twig
Here are some tips that I have gathered along the nights spent in a hammock.
For a big guy like me, avoid setting the hammock too high off the ground. I once had a cheap rope holding my hammock and the tree. It broke and I almost woke the entire campsite with my ‘ouch’ scream. Set it up not too high and use good webbing! Webbing helps to reduce damage to tree trunks too.
Pull the hammock as taut as you can when setting up. This will allow you to sleep as straight as possible. Some think it is uncomfortable sleeping in a hammock because of the curve but I don’t find it a problem it the hammock is taut when setting up.
Invest in a good flysheet to keep the rain out. Practice setting up the flysheet as it is the only thing above your head that is keeping the rain out.
Tie a piece of cotton string or in my case, it is usually the socks I am wearing on the webbing at both ends of the hammock. What this does is that it helps absorbs and drip down the water flowing thru the webbing from the tree trunk towards the hammock. If you don’t do this, in a downpour, water will sip into your hammock via the webbing.
The socks tied on the webbing absorbs and drips away water running from the tree trunk towards the hammock
And of course, choose your site carefully. This, regardless of what type of shelter you use is really important when choosing a camp site. Look up for possible falling tree trunks, avoid places too near to the water, make sure the campsite is not an elephant trail and no nasty animal nests nearby (wasps, bees etc). Often, trees in the jungle are ‘protected’ by ants which make it their home. Check for biting ants which may end up ‘invading’ your hammock. Even with a net to keep them out, biting ants are a nuisance.
So, if you are looking for a practical way to camp in the jungle, use a hammock!
Very good advice Keong.
I happened to notice a similar hammock with a mosquito net used by my guide when I was fishing in Belum recently. He told me the hammock was bought in Thailand for less than RM 100. Looks very nice too…like yours
You should tell your friend at Outdoor Dynamics to sell this. What size flysheet do you use? The army surplus one I have is about 6 foot and doesn’t seem long enough.
Hi Ozmeister…I think he is working on in. In fact, I think he is selling the two items separately. That gives you a good option as well. No need to have the mossy net and can just lie in the hammock enjoying the view.
I am using a 3mX2m flysheet. Yup…a bit small. A little bit bigger would be great. Actively looking for one now.
I use a 8ftx12ft. Depending on the trip i.e. if you’re with a huge entourage, then a big tarp would be beneficial. But if it’s a 2-3 person group, then I find a 6ftx8ft to be sufficient. At the end of the day, you decide what is right for you.
Hi Alex! Thanks for your input. Yup, I guess its about trying out some alternatives to find out the best solution for each individual. A big tarp would certainly be providing some extra comforts though!
Suggest you make your own from quick drying material which is usually lightweight but always make it a point to double the stitching – send it to a canvas industrial stitching shop.
Waterproof the tarp periodically too.
I got the hammock in the picture a few years back for about RM130 in Thailand, complete with the webbing. The tarp comes separate though. I find the material used extremely durable and strong and I doubt if it will be cheaper for me to make it myself. Not to mention the mossie net that is super fine. Yeah, the tarp needs waterproofing from time to time otherwise it becomes useless. I just use normal wax!
Hi,I just found your site and it’s FANTASTIC! Thanks for the great info!
I’m an American camping addict who just moved here to KL. Talking to my Malaysian friends (not campers) I didn’t think there was any gear available here, so I shipped some of my stuff here…
I’m planning my first camping trip here, and my flysheet(tarp) for my hammock has come up missing…I have been looking for somewhere to get another one…All I can find is plastic or heavy tarps. Can you direct me to a place to get a decent nylon water proof fly? Also any recommendations for where to camp would be great…
Thanks again for the great site!
Steve
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Great stories, a lot of knowledge can be used to help any one haven’t got experiences camping in the forest. keep up the good work.
Hi Fazuan! Thanks for your comments. Glad that you find them helpful.