Backpacker lived with Amazonian tribe while traveling South America

By Freddie Noble via SWNS

An adventure-loving man has told how he backpacked around South America - and ended up living with an Amazonian tribe.

Marwan Busin, 26, spent five days hunting with the tribe, hiking through the rainforest and even eating small crocodile-like caiman.

Marwan had been traveling in Costa Rica, Central America, when he decided to fly down to explore Ecuador 800 miles away.

Whilst he was staying in a hostel in Tena, Ecuador, he bumped into a local who started chatting about the country's Waorani tribe.

The local said Marwan would be able to spend five days with the tribe so the pair set off on a nine-hour coach journey to Orellana, Ecuador.

He said the tribe welcomed him with "open arms" and he ended up hunting with them.

Marwan, from Wembley, London, said: "I didn’t know what to expect and I only seen them on tele. My first thought was that this is crazy. It was like being inside of a National Geographic program.

“I was itching to try something new, I couldn't wait to go hunting and explore the forest."

After making the journey from Costa Rica to Ecuador, on September 2, 2024, Marwan spent the night in a hostel in the country's capital Quito.

He made friends with other travelers and got chatting to a local who knew members of the Waorani tribe.

Marwan said: "When we got to Tena, we were approaching people about the rainforest. The locals were very friendly and happy to help us.

“We were speaking to a bunch of people but some of them said no but one guy helped us out. He called his friend to come meets who then ended up coming with us.

The next day, Marwan and some of the other backpackers he met that night made a nine-hour coach journey to hear of the Amazon Jungle.

They had to go through the Jungle Immigration Office, where they gave their names, passport numbers, the date they entered the jungle and when they expected leave date.

When he arrived, Marwan said he was "nervous" to meet the tribe but said they were "welcoming".

"I was a little bit nervous but mostly excited," he said.

“The leader spoke Spanish, but the tribe had their own native language.

"There was a lot of hand communication - I would 100% do it again."

During his time with the tribe, Marwan went on hikes, explored the jungle and went hunting.

Marwan said: "We were mainly hunting and fishing. They were taking us out of the jungle and even showed us hotels within the forest.

“They showed us a tree which was used to make medicine and even perfume. They showed us how to make a fishing rod and even a spear used for hunting.

"We ate Caiman and they ate a mother monkey, and kept the child before it is old enough to be eaten.”

Whilst he was there, Marwan and the other backpackers slept on the floor and said the bugs were unbearable.

He said: "In the first two days, I was sleeping in a hammock but It got really cold at night and the hammock stopped being comfortable.

"I then moved inside the cabin and slept on the floor.

“The bugs were awful, I've never seen so many bugs in my life."

Marwan said spending time with the tribe was an "incredible" experience and one he will remember for a lifetime.

Overall, Marwan said the trip cost £350 split between three people - including the plane, coach and food.

Marwan said: "It’s so interesting how they know everything about the rainforest.

"They know how to navigate and even know the name of every tree and what's inside of them.

"One time, this guy cut down a tree and there was food inside. Jungle Spaghetti was so nice and one of my favorite jungle snacks.

Cost of the trip - £350 between three backpackers

• Plane: $220
• Transport: $90
• Food: $25
• Hostel: $16