Top Jungle & Rainforest Tours & Vacations 2024/2025...

Jungle & Rainforest Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

1,433 Jungle & Rainforest trips. Compare tour itineraries from 66 tour companies. 10,513 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

Small Group Jungle & Rainforest Tours

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Top Jungle & Rainforest Attractions & Experiences

Top Jungle & Rainforest Experiences

Diverse Experiences on Rainforest Tours

Rainforest tours offer a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a jungle adventure without worrying about the logistics. From exhilarating wildlife encounters to thrilling canopy adventures, our jungle vacation packages promise an array of unforgettable experiences for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
  • Going on an Amazon river cruise and seeing incredible wildlife day after day 
  • Embarking on a night safari in the jungles of Malaysia to spot nocturnal creatures like flying squirrels and civets
  • Standing in awe as a family of gorillas lumbered across the path on a trek in Uganda
  • Hearing the whoops of monkeys in the canopy, bird calls, and the buzz of insects all around 
  • Exploring the dense mangrove forests of Borneo by boat
  • Observing elusive jaguars during a guided jungle trek in the Brazilian Pantanal
  • Seeing thousands of colorful birds and snapping amazing photographs 
  • Learning about the traditions and culture of native tribes in Papua New Guinea
  • Marveling at the towering kapok trees of the Peruvian Amazon on a guided nature walk
  • Taking a thrilling river rafting trip down the rapids of the Tambopata River 
  • Experiencing a sunrise kayak excursion through the serene waterways of the Amazon Rainforest
  • Soaring through the canopy on a zip-line in Costa Rica
  • Witnessing the mesmerizing bioluminescence of fireflies illuminating the night sky in the rainforests of Southeast Asia
  • Participating in a traditional medicine walk with indigenous guides in the jungles of Ecuador

Jungle & Rainforest Tours & Travel Guide

Jungle & Rainforest Attractions & Landmarks Guide

On a jungle tour, you will experience incredible wildlife and learn about ancient native cultures. You might encounter enormous silverback gorillas in Rwanda or hike through the dense intriguing Cloud Forest of Peru on your way to Machu Picchu. However you choose to traverse the jungle, Stride has the trip for you!

While scientifically the term “jungle” is not technically synonymous with ‘rainforest’ the two are still often used interchangeably. Tropical Rainforests cover only about 2% of the total earth surface (7% of dry land) they are home to over 50% of the world’s species. That’s quite a species to space ratio!

To be called a jungle or rainforest, these areas occupy typically tropical lands, are lush and dense, and most of all have a thick, heavy canopy which keeps much of the moisture from rainy seasons “trapped” underneath, between floor and sky. This creates incredibly unique microclimates at all stages of the journey from jungle floor to the canopy, and lends to the diversity of wildlife. It’s also why these beautiful and mysterious places are called Rainforests - because they remain damp and humid throughout the year.

Tours to the world’s top rainforests (and those more off the beaten path) usually focus on wildlife, photography, eco travel, and cultural immersion. Jungles are often visited via river cruise, such the Amazon in South America, or the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Despite their similar atmospheres, these jungles around the world maintain their own unique personalities, and all are well worth visiting.

Entering the jungle harkens back to the age of exploration, when European explorers embarked on voyages of discovery. Howler monkeys hoot in the distance, the buzz of literally millions of species from the smallest centipede to the most vocal bird. Thousands of jungle dwellers expertly camouflaged by dense foliage wait just out of sight.

Where Are Most of the World’s Rainforests Located?

So you’ve decided you want to see one of the world’s most beautiful rainforests before it’s too late.

Where should you go? Well, just about anywhere. Did you know that the rainforests of the world can be found on every continent except Antarctica? The largest ones are in South America, surrounding the Amazon River, and in Africa, along the Congo River.

Additionally, you can visit the earth’s top rainforests in Southeast Asia, parts of Australia and even North America’s Pacific Northwest and Northern Europe. These rainforests total about six percent of the earth’s surface and are home to more than half of our plant and animal species. 

Look for the rainforests of the world here:

South America. Home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon, this amazingly diverse jungle is home to the greatest biodiversity on the planet.

Central Africa. The world’s second largest rainforest is located in Central America, as well as high cloud forest, mangrove swamps and flooded forests. 

Southern Asia. Southeast Asia is home to rainforests from India and Burma to Malaysia, Java and Borneo. The largest mangrove forests in the world are found in Bangladesh. 

Australia. You’ll find warm-temperate rainforests in New South Wales and Victoria, and cool-temperate rainforests in Victoria, Tasmania and at high altitudes in New South Wales and Queensland.

North America’s Pacific Northwest. Temperate rainforests are located from Prince William Sound in Alaska to the coast of British Columbia, all the way to northern California. 

What Are the Largest Rainforests in the World?

Now that you know where all the rainforests of the world are located, which ones are the largest? The top five largest rainforests on Earth are:

  • The Amazon: At 1.2 billion acres, the Amazon is home to 10 percent of the world’s known species of plants and animals. 
  • The Congo: Sadly one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, this 1.5-million-square-mile rainforest is home to five national parks. 
  • Bosawas Biosphere Reserve: The largest rainforest you’ve never heard of, this northern Nicaraguan jungles is more than 5 million acres. 
  • Daintree RainforestNot only enormous, Queensland, Australia’s Daintree Rainforest is thought to be the world’s oldest. 
  • Tongass National ForestNot where you might expect a rainforest, but Alaska’s Tongass is half-covered in rainforests and home to Alaska’s largest trees. 

Common Animals to Spot in the Rainforest

As home to more than half of our plant and animal species, it’s practically impossible to visit one of the world’s rainforests and not see a dizzying array of wildlife. We promise you’ll return home even more inspired to help protect the rainforests’ biodiversity, as well as that of their surrounding rivers, forests and streams. 

While you explore the world’s top rainforests, keep an eye out for: 

1. Mountain gorillasTrips to the rainforests of Africa - Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo - may bring you up close and personal with a mountain gorilla, the largest living primate on Earth. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the male troop leader, the silverback. 

2. Blue morpho butterfly - Look for these brilliant, blue-winged beauties, marked by their eyespots on the underside of their wings, intended to stave off predators. 
Okapi. Since it’s a master of camouflage, you might miss the okapi, which is the closest living relative to a giraffe. Located in the tropical forest of Ituri in Central Africa, it’s recognizable by its striped hindquarters and brown hide.

Brown-throated three-toed sloth. Who doesn't want to see a sloth? Spot the slow-moving cutie up in the trees. Notice the slight green tinge on its fur - it grows on the sloth’s coat because it moves so slowly! 

3. JaguarThey’re rare to glimpse in the world’s rainforests, but they’re there. Hidden by their spotted coats in bushes and trees, the jaguars prey on the rainforests armadillos, capybara, tapir, fish, birds and turtles. 

4. Scarlet macawTry to photograph this striking, large parrot, recognizable by its bright red, blue and yellow plumage and feathers. 

5. Capybara - ROUS, anyone? This rodent of unusual size is, in fact, the largest rodent on Earth, more than 100 pounds and two feet tall. It can hold its breath for up to five minutes so if you’re looking for one in a body of water, be patient.

6. Black howler monkeyListen for the unmistakable howl of this iconic rainforest monkey, which can be heard up to two miles away. 

7. Sulawesi bear cuscus - Predominantly found on the island of Sulawesi in the rainforests of Indonesia, this marsupial isn’t really a bear at all. It’s so named for its bear-like fur, which is thick and dark, but like other marsupials, it carries its young in a belly pouch.

Jungle & Rainforest Photography Tips

The jungle is fascinating and begs to be photographed. Whether you’re an amateur or professional, you will certainly find many different subjects along your tour through the jungle. The weather and water can sometimes create issues, so be sure you exercise proper camera care as you explore the many wonderful parts of the jungle.

1. Bring a lens cloth - And have it readily accessible before you begin shooting. Jungle environments are often 100% humid, and this can cause extreme fogging on your lens. While this can create interesting effects, it’s most likely not the effect you’re looking for.

2. Use a strap that’s made of soft, durable, water-resistant material. This is a bit a personal preference. However, as you’ll be hiking through dense rainforest, in very warm, humid weather, getting sweatier and not drying off, the generic strap to your DSLR may get irritating and itchy quickly. You can fashion your own strap fairly easily (check out some tutorials around the web), using a softer cloth material which will be much more comfortable throughout the long days of trekking.

3. Get to know the animals. Familiarizing yourself with various species patterns and habits will reveal certain facets of their personalities you may want to capture on film, as well as where the best spots to find them are, and what time of day or night. Also try to determine in advance any animals you’re looking forward to photographing and ask your tour guide if they have any special tips.

4. Bring a macro lens. If you’re not as comfortable with different lenses, using the automatic macro setting on your DSLR will suffice, but using the official lens will transform your photographs even more. Particularly for shooting the unbelievable plant life, being able to add creative focal points and composition with a macro lens is a wonderful asset.

5. Be respectful and patient. It can be frustrating for a wild animal to not sit in the perfect spot long enough for you to get the best shot possible. But patience is a virtue when it comes to wildlife photography. Try and book a tour that will return to various spots at different times of day, as this will increase your chances of capturing a truly wonderful image of that elusive species.

6. Don’t eliminate people from all your photos. While the wildlife is certainly the focal point of a journey through the jungle, a human presence can create a powerful and interesting dynamic. Your entire comment and composition will change, and also you’ll be able to look back and remember the people on your jungle tour (hopefully with fondness!). Additionally, you may meet native tribes and explore villages deep within the jungle, where you’ll definitely want to take some meaningful portraits.

What Are the Threats to the World’s Rainforests? 

While we try to reduce our carbon footprint for the greater environmental good of the planet, much positivity can come from visiting and supporting rainforest communities. Even before we consider a trip to one of the world’s most beautiful rainforests, it’s important to understand their vulnerability. At one point, these lush jungles covered 15 percent of our planet’s land area. That percentage is down to six. And just in the past 50 years alone, nearly 60 thousand square miles of rainforest are lost annually. 

Among the top threats to the rainforests of the world are:

1. Logging

There has been increased demand worldwide for tropical hardwoods, leading to an increase in (often illegal) logging activity in some of the world’s most beautiful rainforests. As beautiful as a Brazilian rosewood might be in one’s home, is it worth putting one of the most spectacular ecosystems at serious risk? 

2. Cattle grazing

Once rainforest areas are logged or burned, that cleared land is sold to farmers for cattle racing. This then leads to significant leaps in carbon emissions. 
Soya plantations. Much of the world’s livestock population ingests a high protein plant called soya. And most of the world’s soya is grown in South American where, in the past, rainforests stood. 

3. Palm oil

Palm oil can be found in many of the products we use on a regular basis, from shampoo to breakfast cereal to cleaning products. Valuable rainforest is harvested to grow the oil palm plant, a valuable cash crop, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. And it doesn’t stop there. When the rainforests are burned, the peatland below the surface, which contains huge amounts of carbon, is burned as well. The peatlands in Indonesia alone contribute to four percent of Earth’s greenhouse gases. 

4. Mining

Humans have long known that beneath the world’s most beautiful rainforests lie mineral and gold deposits. While many acres of rainforest, in Indonesia, for example, are now protected by law from prospecting and mining, there is the ability for underground mining in certain areas.

Once the underground mining infrastructure is created, loggers and poachers gain access to the area illegally. Brazil is home to the world’s largest iron ore mine and the rainforest there is under threat of being opened for mineral exploration.

5. Hydroelectricity

While it hardly seems fair, hydroelectricity, one of our renewable energy resources, is partly to blame for the deforestation for the rainforests. When hydroelectric dams were built after 2006 in Brazil, there was major flooding, which harmed wildlife and the local ecosystem.

Jungle & Rainforest Reviews & Ratings

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A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Fantastic week, thoroughly recommend

An awe inspiring trip, with something for everyone, and covering all the key sights, sounds and tastes of Jordan. I knew I wanted to see Petra, but didn't really h...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

fine, does what it says on the tin

An amazing experience, better than expected. The 2 days in Petra were fantastic and we saw everything. Just exploring Petra it is so vast. we had 2 leaders becaus...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A week in Jordan

Excellent Trip - fulfilled all my expectations - our Guide Zuhair was superb. on our second day in Petra spending time chilling at the tea shack by the High Place o...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A Week in Petra

A great week with a great bunch of people This was the trip just as I expected it - Petra being the highlight, but Wadi Rum coming a close second. Or maybe Jerash?...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

a week in jordon

full on trip which was very informative and interesting. all sites were good especially Petra, Little Petra and camping in Wadi Rum Eddy was entertaining and engag...

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