1. Go in small groups

Earth Lodge organises very limited group sizes to purposefully ensure there is reduced negative impact from human activity (noise, waste, etc). A boat may hold three to four participants at absolute maximum, and only one to two guides. This means that an ideal group size should range from six to eight people only. The aim is to limit the impact any additional noise, smell, and waste might have on wildlife.

2. Listen and wait patiently for the guide’s instructions

Ulu Muda is generally a flatland forest which is suitable habitat for large animals, but rainforests are not like safari on the savannah. Animals, even those as large as elephants, can hide in the thick foliage even as you pass by on foot or by boat. 

It can be tempting to go ahead of your guide to look for signs, but this can be dangerous, as well as have a negative impact on both the animals’ well being, and your chance of seeing them. 

Guides will know more about the animal behaviour, where they like to roam, and how they may detect the presence of humans. They will instruct you on the best routes, places to watch from, and correct pace to move. Keep your voices down and avoid bringing noisy packaging or items so as to keep disturbances to a minimum. 

Visitors from a local university keep their distance from wildlife in the boat. Photo by Jonathan Lai, GreenSmiths. 

3. If you see something, don’t approach

Watching an animal’s natural behaviour when it is not alerted to human presence is the best kind of ethical nature viewing. If you see an animal whilst on the boat or land, try not to move too much unless you are backing away to ensure you are a safe distance from the animal. 

When we see elephants, we normally ensure we stay a minimum of 80 to 100 metres away. If you do need to adjust your spacing, move slowly without sudden movements so as not to scare them. 

You should never approach an elephant – this is extremely dangerous. Some human-elephant interactions have been fatal where the elephant felt that it was at risk. This is particularly true for elephants protecting younger offspring within their group. 

Local and international tourists spot wildlife from the river cruise with help from the boatmen and guides. Photo by GreenSmiths. 

4. Bring the right viewing equipment

Since it is advised to keep your distance, a pair of good binoculars and/or a camera with a good sized photo lens is a must. 

Be cautious at night about using bright, white torch light to illuminate animals. Whilst this can be helpful for spotting, the intensity of the light can affect the animal’s vision – and yours and your fellow guests. 

If you do spot an animal, try and face the torchlight slightly away to the side so it is not straight into their eyes. Even better if you can use a red filter which will dull the light for the animal.

5. The rainforest is a buffet – don’t feed animals 

We have often heard of scenarios where people feed forest animals because they have been concerned about their lack of food sources, but this normally is the result of misinformation. Rainforests provide all the necessary food and minerals for the animals, and their waste feeds the soils from which more of their food grows. 

Humans introducing non-sustainable and non-natural food sources severely damages this equilibrium and the natural health of both animals and plants. Don’t leave your food and don’t throw food scraps into the water or forest. 

6. Take all your trash out – or don’t bring harmful things into the forest in the first place

This includes wrappers, plastic bottles, uneaten food – but even the shampoo you use or synthetic fibres on clothes can leave a trace. When you’re sitting in a hide overlooking the salt lick, you want to not only hide your visual presence but make yourself hard to smell too! 

How about wearing clothes from natural materials rather than synthetics which tend to trap bacteria between their fibres and make you smell more strongly? How about not wearing makeup, cologne, or other synthetic scents when you visit? Get back to your natural version. 

7. The rainforest is a buffet – but not for you

Finally, you have probably heard the phrase ‘take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints’. Rainforests can provide ample food sources for animals and even for people. You might be tempted to try a juicy looking berry, but nowadays, very few people have sufficient knowledge to understand what is safe to eat. Our recommendation is not to try. 

8. Don’t make new paths and trails

In addition, don’t damage the plants by cutting or stamping – even if you want to try and improve your viewing spot, you’re more likely to alert the animal to your presence, and do damage to the ecosystem in the surrounding areas. If a trail is blocked by fallen debris, leave it to your guide to manage. 

9. Don’t leave with anything that isn’t yours

Finally, never take any items out as souvenirs – the forest is a circular flow of energy where every nutrient goes back into its ecosystem.