Bugs, Criters, and Dangers of the Jungle

I get the question all the time…but isn’t the jungle dangerous?! What about the Mosquitos? In short, yes there are dangers, but usually less than and different from what you’d think…plan accordingly and enjoy one of the truly wild places left on the planet!

First off, most of my fishing travel is based in Colombia near the Venezuela border. This is also merely my opinion/protocol and everyone should act according to their own comfort level and research.

I’ve gone whole trips and never seen a single mosquito. Mosquitos are rarely found on the Orinoco River and its tributaries during the fishing seasons. Certain times of year in various areas I’ve heard of them being bad but not the times of year that I go! I did get my yellow fever vaccine which is an option but not mandatory in Colombia (it is mandatory for Bolivia).

What get you are the biting gnats and sandflies! At times they can be terrible. They seem to come out mostly in the evenings and occasionally in lagoons during windless days. The bites itch and swell up something fierce. Not fun but typically not disease carrying. There can also be bees so if allergic please plan accordingly. The bees on the Guavaire particularly love Payara slim so wash up!

For reference, I found Alaska mosquitoes and sandflies to be 10x worse. However, you are in the jungle, so learn to deal with a few bugs!

What can you do about the bugs?!

The number one thing to do is stay covered up at all times. Light breathable synthetic long pants and hoodies along with socks & crocs worn at all times is my solution, even around camp. Yes it can be hot but I stay covered up. Keep your lights off in your tents/lodges when possible as they are attracted to lights. And use the fans! They don’t like moving air so hanging out by a fan in the evenings is very effective.

I do take topical cortisone cream to reduce the swelling and itch from the inevitable bites along with some prescription prednisone pills if swelling is severe (worse case and only seen one issue of this).

Options I don’t do but some people might choose: Wear a buff over your face (I struggle with the heat and breathing). Bug spray (minimal effect on these pests) or bug headnets. Permethrin or Picaridin can be washed into your clothes before departure. And if your very concerned, malary medications like Malarone. I personally choose hoods and socks…

Orinoco Lodge, Colombia

Heat and dehydration is by far the most consistently dangerous part of the jungle.

While staying covered up from the bugs, the heat and humidity are working another angle. The heat can be sweltering and unrelenting. Add a little (or a lot) of alcohol and its a recipe for disaster. After a 6 mile hike and all-day fishing expedition in the Bolivian jungle, I had painful full body cramps on the boat ride back to camp. Heat stroke is a real thing on the Orinoco River as the black rocks of the Orinoco Basin radiate immense amounts of heat. Given that most of these trips are in USA’s fall/winter, it can be a lot….get ready to sweat and drink drink and drink some more!

All camps and lodges are aware of this and try to have plenty of bottled water but the juice, Coca-Cola, and beer are tempting (and often not helpful). I mix it up too but the number one thing I bring with me from home are additional electrolyte tablets like Nuun. I take 3-5 Nuun tablets PER DAY and have salt pills as backup. I find this incredibly helpful. I chug one when I first wake up and right before bed each day along with a couple during the heat of the day (I get some with caffeine for mid-day).

The other thing to do is swim! Simply jump into the water every few hours. Full body with all your clothes on. Evaporative cooling works! I also take a cold shower in the evening once back from camp and again first thing in the morning. Keep that body temperature down by getting wet.

And NO the piranhas won’t eat you!

That’s a huge Hollywood myth. You do not need to fear being eaten alive if you get into the water. There are only a few documented instances of this happening. Its like getting eaten by a bear…so so rare. If you are bleeding heavily, probably don’t swim across the river but getting into the water for a few minutes is safe and will greatly help you battle the heat.

Water born illnesses

I won’t list out the possibilities here but food and water born illnesses have been known to occur. Clearly its bottle water only for drinking. Some people avoid all food that isn’t cooked (I’m not that strict). Be careful when swimming or in the showers not to swallow any water.

I take prescription Ciprofloxacin (I hear Azithromycin is now preferred by many). This works for many diarrhea causing pathagens. Pepto is also a must although I’ve been pretty lucky so far on this front. Seems like every other trip someone gets diarrhea though. It’s not a huge problem but there is a chance of stomach issues. Be prepared

So many cool species!

Criters of all shapes and sizes

The biomass of the jungle creates rich and amazing biodiversity. So many incredible species, most of which are harmless. So many birds, macaws, parrots, butterflies, moths, lizards, frogs, river otters, spiders, bugs of all forms, and caaman everywhere (they’re also pretty harmless!). Embrace this! One of the more notable and dangerous criters are the Stingrays. The locals laugh at the Piranha concerns but they take stingrays very seriously. These beautiful rays are typically on sandy beaches, beaches that are often great wadable areas for Peacock Bass (stingrays are catchable too usually with a spinning rod & bait…just be super careful). Just watch your footing if wading on beaches!

People

There are good and bad apples everywhere. Most of the new and incredible fishable areas across the Amazon jungle are opening up because they are far more safe than 20 years ago. Many areas have sad histories of drug running, smuggling, and even abuse. Successful military intervention, indigenous support, and access to roads & the internet has opened up a much healthier eco-tourism economy to what are primarily indigenous areas. I am so grateful to these amazing communities and individuals. The fishing is world class but my interaction with the indigenous peoples are nearly always a highlight of my trips.

Two poor encounters that have occurred on trips. First was a client who arrived in Bogota a day early and decided to wander around Bogota alone. He got robbed. Pay for a guide in the big city! Second was a military check at an upper camp. A little scary but they were actually pretty cool guys!

Recap:

Overall, just be careful. Most lodges will have an english speaker picking you up and at the lodge although not necessarily on your boat while fishing. Remember that schedules and timelines work differently down south. Be flexible, adaptable, and always enjoy the experience!

Always an adventure! Embrace and enjoy