Packing list

Visiting the tropics in search for herpetofauna can be really a nice experience, but only if you are well-prepared. This means that you want to pack as light-weight as possible, only bringing the absolute necessities for your trip. These definitely include documents and money, but may also include a camera and swimwear. However, some things are smarter to be left at home, such as jewelry and gadgets that you will not need in the jungle. For most of the tours that are offered, you will be well-prepared by packing the following:

Documentation

• Passport, visas and international vaccination certificates.
• Cash, ATM and VISA cards.
• Copy of travel insurance policy.
• List of contacts in case of emergencies.

Clothing

• Rubber boots (around 110 Surinamese dollars here in Suriname) and sandals or flipflops.
• Short-sleeved shirts.
• Long sleeved shirts and/or sweater for "cooler" evenings. 
• Quick-drying travel trousers, shorts and swimsuit.
• Many durable, quick-drying football socks (for in the rubber boots). 
• Rain poncho or raincoat.
• Sunglasses.
• Lightweight hat.

Field equipment

• Water-resistant headlamp with enough spare batteries.
• Pens and a field notebook. 
• Collapsible snake hooks and tongs.
• Backpack.
• Lightweight daypack. 
• Water bottle.

Camera gear

• Digital camera, memory cards, and battery charger.
• Macro lens, wide angle, and telephoto.
• External flash units, softboxes.
• Tripod, ballhead and L-plate.
• Rechargeable batteries.
• Plastic bags and silica gel for dealing with lens fogging.
• Plug adapters for Surinam's electrical socket types.
• Camera backpack or Pelican case.
• Cleaning kit for camera and lenses.

Products of personal use

• Sunscreen and lip balm.
• Insect repellent.
• Baby powder (to prevent wet feet and smelly rubber boots).
• Cloth bandaids, alcohol pads, and antibiotic creams.
• Benadryl cream for itchy bites.
• Aspirin/ibuprofen or other analgesic.
• Cold-symptom relief tablets, antihistamine, cough drops.
• Prescription medicines in their original bottles.
• Copies of medical prescriptions.
• Imodium, Lomotil, or similar anti-diarrhea medicine.
• Visine or similar eye drops.
• Water purification tabs or water filter.