Recommended Items – To print the list below click here
Documentation
Insurance documents – Bring a copy of your insurance details
Photocopy of identification used for flights – We ask you to bring this in case your identification (eg drivers license) goes missing. So keep a copy in your hand luggage and main luggage, separate to your actual identification
Hand Luggage
Valuables – Anything valuable including your identification (passport or drivers license), money, cell phone, camera
Personal medicine – It must have the original packaging/labelling
Change of clothes – Including spare underwear
Head lamps/ head torches (bring spare) – Essential for your expedition, so this is not something you want to lose
Toiletries – Toothbrush and wet wipes
Travel sheet or liner – A very light travel sheet or sleeping bag liner is good to carry with you
Essential Kit
Backpack, rucksack, or hold-all – 50-70 L. You won’t need to carry the bag too far, therefore a true rucksack is not essential, but advisable over a duffel bag. Avoid bringing a hard suitcase.
Waterproof plastic bags – Supermarket zip lock bags are perfect (varying sizes) to keep kit dry in the event of rain
Small day rucksack/backpack – 20-30 L. For fieldwork and hang luggage during travel
Sleeping bag – It will stay warm at night, so a lightweight sleeping bag should be suitable
Hat with brim – Prevent sunburn/dehydration/sunstroke which is a big risk. Lots of the surveys may be in areas where you will be exposed directly to the sunlight. You will need something to offer relief from the sun.
Small towel/sarong – Travel towel, small/thin towel or a sarong. Do not bring a standard towel
Water bottle/platypus – At least 2 L capacity – ESSENTIAL. Many prices and styles available.
Head lamp/head torch, and or flashlight/torche – ESSENTIAL. Petzl, Black Diamond, LED Lenser or other high quality light highly recom-mended. Ideally, bring a head torch that has a red light function so not to attract insects.
Spare batteries – Good idea to have spares for any electrical equipment like your head lamp. Re-charging equipment is not always possible
Wake-up alarm – This can be a simple wristwatch, or an alarm on a phone
Sunglasses – A basic pair for sun protection
Notebook and pencil – You may want to take notes during lectures, or keep a field diary
Tablet or laptop – This is required for the statistics portion of the field course
Clothing and Footwear Essentials (Remember your weight restrictions for flights.)
2 pairs lightweight long trousers – They should fit slightly loose. It’s preferable to have ones that zip off and convert into shorts.
2-3 pairs shorts – See comment above-will only need one pair
4-6 t-shirts – Loose fitting and fast drying is preferable
1 warm fleece – Non-bulky if possible, useful for flights and at nighttime.
2 loose long sleeved shirts/tops – Something loose and lightweight to cover arms in the forest and the evenings
Underwear – Enough for one week. Females – 2-3 bras
Nightwear – Something comfortable to sleep in
6 pairs of hiking socks – Quick drying materials are best for this – e.g. avoid cotton
Waterproof poncho – You only need a very lightweight, waterproof cover, so something like a poncho is ideal
Rubber boots/rain boots – ESSENTIAL! Longer boots that approach knee height are best. Avoid very short ones.
Sandals/crocs/flip-flops – Anything that is comfortable to wear in camp that allows your feet to air and has a steady grip
Sneakers/tennis shoes – Shoes to cover your feet and offer a steady grip. (These may not be necessary depending on choice above—eg Crocs or Keens)
It is a good idea to keep one set of clothing clean for your flights to and from the country, this makes your travel and the people around you more comfortable. There will be the chance to hand wash your own clothes if you wish, so bring biodegradable washing liquid. You may also want to consider an additional set of clothes to wear during ‘downtime.’
Remember you need to travel light. Label your baggage, clothes and kit; there are many volunteers, and some may have the same or similar items to you.
Toiletries (Good tip to travelling light is to get into small groups to combine things like toiletries, foot powder and sun block, as you don’t all need to bring a bottle each!)
Toiletries – Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hair and body wash
Insect repellent – ‘Mosi-Guard’ or something similar is an effective, environmentally friendly insect repellent that does not contain DEET, as is ‘Skin so soft’ by Avon or Ecoguard. DEET based repellents are not recommended, so we can minimize our impact on the environment; they are very strong, can dissolve plastic and you cannot wear products containing DEET for many of the surveys where DEET will harm the wildlife encountered. See: www.alternativeinsectrepellent.co.uk
Sun cream – SPF30 minimum
Biodegradable washing liquid – You will have the chance to wash some of your clothes if you wish, but if you pack correctly, it shouldn’t be necessary for the week.
Toiletries should be ‘green’ or biodegradable to minimize the impact on the environment. Most biodegradable soaps are multi-use. Sanex 0%, Lush, The Body Shop, Dr Bronner’s and many health stores offer ’green’ detergents.
Medical Kit (Staff will be carrying medical kits and the medical provision on site is excellent. However, there are some items listed below you should carry yourself (as appropriate)
Rehydration salts – ESSENTIAL. Please bring 8-10 sachets
Antihistamine tablets – Drowsy & non-drowsy
Antihistamine cream – Bite/sting relief cream
Paracetamol/aspirin – For headaches etc.
Antiseptic wipes – Always handy
Plasters/ band aids – Assorted sizes. Blister plasters are more expensive but can be handy
Hand sanitizer – Always useful
Sanitary towels/tampons – Travel can disrupt your cycle, so don’t assume you won’t need them. Tampons are not available in the Amazon forest!
Any prescription medicines personal to yourself – It must have the original packaging/labelling. Bring enough for the duration of your expedition
Optional Extras
Camera – If you have one bring it – you will come back with some amazing pictures. Keep it in a zip-lock bag or dry bag with silica gel packets.
Binoculars – Can be useful on certain surveys; Opwall staff will have their own on-site but you should consider brining your own if you have a pair. Ideal to have a few pairs amongst the group. Inexpensive pairs are available on Amazon (8×40)
IPod/music player/cards/book – There will be some down time during the field course and long journeys where you may want some form of entertainment.
Money
Spending money will be required for meals before and after your expedition, as well as to cover per-sonal expenditure. This includes food and souvenirs you wish to purchase while travelling.
Please factor in these values when deciding how much money to bring with you, and organize a con-tingency fund for emergencies.
– Meals in airport transit $10-20
– Snacks in Florida $1-5 USD per item
– Souvenirs range greatly in price depending on the item
We recommend bringing approximately $100-$250 spending money for the expedition.
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