Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Imagine a place with active volcanoes, boiling sulfurous springs, and toxic gases. That’s the Danakil Depression. It has one of the highest temperatures on the planet, with the average often soaring above 95°F. It looks completely otherworldly.
Congo Basin, Central Africa
As the world’s second-largest rainforest, the Congo Basin is full of life, including a lot of things that can hurt you. Between venomous wildlife, disease-carrying insects, dense jungle and regional instability, the dangers here are very real.
North Sentinel Island, India
The danger here is the people who want to be left alone. The Sentinelese tribe has rejected outsiders for centuries, often with hostility. The Indian government prohibits travel near the island, protecting both the tribe and visitors.
Lake Natron, Tanzania
This Tanzanian lake is so alkaline (pH up to 10.5) it can burn the skin of animals that touch it. For millions of lesser flamingos, who are uniquely adapted to it, this harsh environment is a vital breeding ground.
Oymyakon, Russia
Welcome to the coldest inhabited place on Earth. In 1933, the temperature here dropped to a mind-numbing -90°F. The ground is permanently frozen, making daily life an extreme challenge and agriculture completely impossible for its residents.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
This desolate Namibian coast is littered with the skeletons of old ships and whales. Thanks to dense fog, strong currents, and a harsh desert inland, survival was nearly impossible for shipwrecked sailors.
