You’ve Been Warned!
Jungles are stunning. Boasting mind-blowing biodiversity, inhabited by the most beautiful creatures on Earth, concealing some of the most spectacular natural treasures, they have long been one of the most exciting things to visit in this world. But they can be immensely dangerous for humans. Be it animals, flora, or weather conditions, jungles live by their own rules. And in the majority of cases, these rules are too tough for the ordinary human being to handle. Often disrespecting these laws means injury, illness, and subsequent death. Jungles are to be treated with respect. Some are to be avoided altogether. We’d like to take you on an adrenaline-infused journey to the latter. Can you survive the world’s most dangerous jungles?
Darien Gap
One of the rainiest places in the world, the Darién Gap is undoubtedly among the most dangerous too. It’s here that the Panamerican highway, which connects North and South America, stops. It’s a gap, if you will. And a terrifying one at that.
Stepping inside the lush jungles of the Darién Gap without a professional local guide often can be equivalent to suicide. Apart from the natural dangers like heavy rainfalls, hard terrains, the absence of trails, poisonous flora and fauna, there are also human-made ones. This National Park is located right at the border of Colombia and Panama, a vital land connection that sees regular migrant crossings and drug trafficking. Also, the FARC, a Colombian Marxist guerilla group is actively present here. This creates additional dangers to potential travelers attempting to cross the jungle that can result in kidnappings and deaths.
While it is not generally recommended to attempt trekking here, since the beginning of the 20th century there have been many attempts to cross the Darién Gap on a bike, on a Range Rover, or a motorcycle. In 1979, evangelist Arthus Blessit even tried it on foot while bearing a giant wooden cross. Nevertheless, the advice is quite obvious: you probably shouldn’t go there, and definitely don’t go there on your own.
Amazon Rain Forest
Amazon, also known as Amazonia, is one of the largest jungles in the world. The vast rainforest covers an area not less than 5.5 million km². Some of the countries touched by the Amazonia include Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Suriname, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Guyana, and French Guiana, with Brazil covering the largest area.
Amazon forest covers 50% of the rainforests on earth. The jungle is fed by the Amazon River and about 1100 tributaries. This enables the growth and existence of both flora and fauna. The animals in the Amazon rarely go after humans unless in self-defence. The forest, however, has plenty of frogs and snakes and other threatening reptiles.
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, there is a river so hot it can boil alive any animal or human that has the misfortune to fall into its waters. It sounds like a romantic jungle legend, except it’s actually true. Smoke wafts above this 82-foot wide and 20-foot deep miracle of nature. At the hottest points, it can reach a deadly temperature of 94 degrees Celsius (201 degrees Fahrenheit).
Malaysian Rain Forest
The list of deadly animals in the jungles of Malaysia is long and colorful. Starting with a gorgeous Malaysian tiger that, although rare, can still be lurking around, to the omnipresent disease-bearing mosquito; from giant attacking elephants to huge poisonous tarantulas. Also, you can add illegal poachers and loggers who are often armed and ready to kill anyone who interferes with their delinquent and nature-threatening deeds. In fact, Malaysian rainforests tell a tale about mistreating a huge ecosystem. As the number of animals is decreasing due to deforestation, hunting, and industrial mining, soon enough the lush greenery will become a thing of the past.
Sambisa Forest
Sambisa forest is located in northeast Nigeria. The forest covers 518 square kilometres with a huge part being thick vegetation that is full of animals and reptiles. Sambisa forest was known for the stray elephants and most dangerous creepers. The forest is also known for being a strategic Boko Haram hideout for almost one decade, which makes it even more dangerous. The terrorist group is known for brutally killing innocent citizens, abducting civilians including young girls, and spreading their idea of purifying northern Nigeria to be fully Islamic. The hilly terrain and tall trees are some of the things that make the terrorist group set their camps in the forest.
Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania
The Hoia Baciu Forest is often referred to as the “Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania” as it is said to be inhabited by the devil in person, by ghosts and perhaps even aliens. The forest gained notoriety around the 1960s, when biologist Alexandru Sift photographed a flying object in the sky above the forest. After this incident, other inexplicable events soon followed, including the disappearance of a shepherd and his 200 sheep which were never found again; and the disappearance of a five-year-old girl who later reappeared five years later wearing the same clothes and without having aged even one day. A woman also disappeared after a long time with a fifteenth-century coin in his pocket; and the case of a missing woman having reappeared in the forest with a 15th century coin in her pocket.
There have also been many first-hand reports form people who have entered the forest, only to come out with burns, severe rashes, headaches and high fever which they did not have before. Some studies have revealed higher than usual radioactivity, produced by natural uranium present in the subsoil.
Crooked Forest, Poland
The Crooked Forest of Poland has been considered as the most dangerous forest in the world. It has also been termed as the most adventurous forest of the world. The forest has some of the rarest species of animals that you could ever see.
The Crooked Forest has been linked with many horror and adventurous stories. It also has a very peculiar shape which is much different from other forests. Moreover, reaching here is very dangerous and threatening.
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