If you’ve ever wanted to venture into the jungle, there are plenty of places around the globe to do it. Whether you prefer comfort or roughing it, you can just do day trips and venture back to your comfy accommodation or immerse yourself in the whole jungle experience on a survival break. Here are our best places the world for a jungle experience.

The Amazon

If you only ever get to see one jungle, make it this one. The Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world. Although half of this famous tropical rainforest is located in Brazil, it also extends to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, as well as the smaller countries of British Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Colombia are the best places to delve into this jungle; the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Explore medicinal trails, take a boat trip deep into the Amazon, or learn how to survive in the jungle with just a hammock and a backpack.

Enter the Amazon Rainforest from Leticia in Colombia, from Manaus in Brazil, Iquitos in Peru or explore the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve in Ecuador, home to more than 300 species of mammals and uncontacted tribes.

No matter which South American country you decide to explore the Amazon jungle in, this web of ecosystems will leave a magical impression.

Borneo

Borneo is actually the third largest island in the world and consists of Sabah and Sarawak for jungle experiences and rugged wilderness.

Borneo is home to some of the world’s most endangered wildlife and is most well-known for its orang-utans. Sarawak has nearly 30 species of large mammals including primates such as the proboscis monkey which you can see in their natural habitat at Tunjung Puting National Park (on the Indonesian side of Borneo) or Bako National Park. If you want to venture off the beaten track, Tabin is a more wild jungle destination with nature trails. It’s also home to elephants and orang-utans.

Belize

If you are looking for some adventure with your jungle experience, Belize isn’t for the faint hearted. This may not be a destination that you’ve ever considered but if you fancy swinging through the jungle like Jane, and getting out of your comfort zone, then this only English-speaking country in Central America is a country for adventure.

You can abseil into black holes, explore caves and jump off waterfalls or search for Mayan ruins through wild untamed jungle. The beauty of Belize is that it isn’t as touristy as Mexico so you may even have a Mayan ruin all to yourself. Just listen for the roar of the howler monkeys as you explore.

Caves Branch Jungle Lodge is great for solos as everyone sits together for breakfast and dinner. The package also includes jungle tours whether you prefer to abseil or explore the underground caves. 

Costa Rica

With Costa Rica being nicknamed as the Garden of Eden, it should definitely be on your jungle list. Costa Rica has the highest density of biodiversity and although some say this country is touristy, there is still lots of wild vegetation to explore. The Sarapiqui Rainforest is one of the best places to beat your jungle drums and spot sloths while you’re at it. Hike cloud forests and spot volcanoes. Don’t forget to look for the tiny colourful tree frogs that Costa Rica is known for along the way.

Uganda

If you fancy a spot of gorilla trekking in the mist, then the African jungle it is. Uganda is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas and the mountainous area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the beat places to spot them. Trek through dense vegetation, lowland savannahs and across deep valleys to see this endangered species close up and personal.

But primates aren’t the only wildlife that you’ll find here. Venture into the jungle swamps and savannahs for zebras, elephants and lions, or take a boat across Lake Mburo for crocodiles and hippos. With one third of Uganda covered in lakes, rivers and swamps, you can’t get more jungle than this African country.

These are just our favourite jungles in the world. There are others to explore such as Madagascar to spot lemurs, or the jungles of Sri Lanka where you can find tigers.