Camping in the real jungle of Taman Negara

Hammocks are the way to go in the jungle

I have walked and camped my fair share of jungles but this trip with MYCAT was one of the few rare occasions where a jungle experience is stretched a few notches up. An absolutely satisfying experience with a sigh of relief at the end of it all.

This is real primary jungle. It is an area in the Taman Negara jungle that has neither been logged nor seen much human activity. A place inhabited by flora and fauna of all shapes and sizes. Where humans are probably the aliens and misfits. The sort of place that stretches your comfort zone and tests your ability to mentally overcome challenges. This is the place where once inside, there is no turning back. As exotic and postcard it may look and sound, this is not a place to be taken lightly.

Big towering and magnificent trees

Droppings of our ‘BIG’ friends is a common sight

This caterpillar gave one of us a nasty sting through clothing!

See if you can spot the kungfu master in the picture

There are just no certainties. After days of walking, having a fire not only helps to warm our bodies, dry our clothes but it also helps to lift the human spirit. Hammock camping makes sense due to the lack of flat ground for tents. Even with the scarcity of trees, one can always be creative and build an apartment of hammocks.

When there's lack of suitable trees, think apartment!

Fire is a matter of survival and in this case, it helps to dry our equipment, keep us warm and lift our spirits

My hammock partially setup on uneven ground

The terrain we walked on was mostly hilly terrain. They are not mountains by any means but the fact that it rained during the nights of the first few days made walking difficult. We were slipping down our bums, tumbling down river banks and walking cautiously on tree trunks that links us to the other side of the river bank. Each step we took is a calculated risk. Lower one’s guard and one may find oneself hurt very badly. Having parangs worn at the side of our waists makes such accidents even more dangerous.

It may not seem dangerous but that piece of stick was the only thing keeping us from the deep mud and steep ravine on both sides

Finding a good campsite beside a river is a blessing. It provides ample water for consumption as well as for cleaning up. After days of walking, we are practically drenched in our own sweat. Our sweaty bodies attract a host of insects; particularly sweat bees which can be really annoying. At our river campsite, we took every possible opportunity to clean up. After having worn the same sweaty shirt for days of walking, a well rinsed shirt is very much welcomed, even if it was worn wet. At least it smelled better.

Wee Siong taking the opportunity to rinse clothes in the river

It is a great relief being able to clean-up in the jungle river

Take every opportunity possible to rinse and dry your daily worn clothes

Camping in real primary jungle can be a challenge but not impossible with common sense and mental strength. There may be more seasoned and experienced campers around you but if you know what you are doing and doing it safe, you will be okay. The key to jungle camping, as a mentor of mine used to say is to be humble and respect the things around you. You are after all just a passer by. And as Benjamin Whichcote saying, ” None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.”