Now that Steve Irwin has passed away, the world is in need of a new daredevil, prepared to get up close to the most deadly creatures on the planet. And there’s absolutely no reason why that can’t be you – there are now tours, trips and expeditions worldwide that allow visitors to get unnervingly close to vicious beasts that would have the average tourist for breakfast.
Nile Crocodile
At over five feet long and very toothy, Charley the crocodile doesn’t seem like the type you’d want to mess with. However, it appears as though he’s become resigned to being stroked and patted over the years at the Kachikally Crocodile Pool in The Gambia. Supposedly protected by an enchanted spell, this murky green pond has over 100 crocs in it, seemingly ready to take the tourist meat sauntering up to the water’s edge. There’s no security – you just have to take the man at the gate’s word that none of them have ever attacked. Charley can be stroked for 50 dalasis (£1.20)
Gorilla
Whether its due to watching Gorillas In The Mist a few too many times or our natural kinship with primates, we tend to think of gorillas as being lovable, cuddly creatures. They are, of course, nothing of the sort, as anyone set upon by an angry silverback will probably tell you. That said, getting up close to a family in the wild after trekking through the mountains of Rwanda is about as rewarding as you can get.
African Lion
It’s one thing to go on a safari to see a lion, and quite another to set bait for one and hunt it down. Regardless of the ethics of going out to southern Africa to kill lions, there’s no doubt that it has to be one of the scariest experiences possible. Creeping up to the king of the jungle while he’s about to devour a juicy carcass takes a certain degree of nerve. And a working gun.
Pythons and Cobras
Putting a python around your neck may seem cool, but there’s always that off chance that something’s going to annoy it. If that happens, it will constrict, go for the kill and have you choked within minutes. There are zoos around the world that allow visitors to wrap these giant snakes around them, but the snake farm at the Queen Saowapha Memorial Institute in Bangkok, Thailand goes one step further. Here the handlers will bring out deadly cobras, and milk their venom into Petri dishes right in front of you. Entrance costs 70 baht (85 pence).
Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears aren’t exactly renowned for being friendly at the best of times, but surely being followed around for a week during mating season isn’t going to do their temperament any favours? Responsible Travels offer the chance to get up close to the growling monsters in Canada, following them on foot and horseback whilst investigating their dens and watching them move at close quarters.
Great White Shark
For sheer, petrifying fear, it’s hard to beat being trapped in a cage and breathing frantically into diving gear whilst three or four great white sharks try to have you for lunch. These cave dives can be done across the world – particularly off the coast of the US, Mexico and Australia – but the main industry is based in South Africa. A small stretch of water near the fishing village of Gansbaai is known as Shark Alley, absolutely teeming with Jaws impersonators ready to rattle the bars with frightening ferocity.
This article was originally written for AOL UK.
Copyright David Whitley.
