Planet Earth IRL See Wild Animals on The Most Insane Tours Across the World

Binge-watching nature documentaries is a great way to spend the day. Every time you turn one on, it’s impossible not to wonder what it would be like to see those animals in real life. Sure you might not be able to wear those sweatpants nor will you be able to put down all that ice cream, but to see these animals in their natural habitat in person would be a memory you can hold onto forever.

So why live vicariously through David Attenborough, when you can go see these animals yourself?

Give yourself something to binge-watch when you become your very own nature photographer with these insane tours with wild animals.

Russian Reindeer

While Russia isn’t quite the same as Santa’s workshop, you will probably see some red noses when you go into the Siberian Arctic to kick it with reindeer and their indigenous herders the Nenets.

The Nenets just started to allow tourists to come visit them and see how they use reindeer to sled, fish, hike, and camp. This all sounds cool, but actually, it’s cold! Temperatures can reach minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit (hence the red noses) so if you go don’t forget a jacket or eight.

River Rafting in Gabon

Africa is known for its safaris so what makes this one so special? Well, I’ll tell you. This tour is pack rafting in Ivindo National Park. So you can paddle by gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants. But wildlife isn’t the only amazing thing you’ll see. The rivers in Gabon are absolutely amazing, and the views of the forest and rivers are truly breathtaking. You’ll even cruise by Africa’s highest waterfall.

Track a Fossa in Madagascar

What the heck is a Fossa? Only Madagascar’s largest carnivorous predator. How could you not know that? What is your problem? I talk about fossas every single day. I’m always telling my friends that it’s a cross between a cat and a mongoose and they can grow up to six feet long. I tell that to my friends, but they already know, because my friends aren’t stupid.

It’s hard to find a fossa in the wild but it is super fun to track them. Along the way, you will see some lemurs and a bunch of other animals amongst the Baobab trees. I love that name. Baobab.

Gorilla Guides in Congo

Gorillas are awesome. So why not go see them in real life? Hit up the DR Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park and go chill with these beasts.

This is a new tour, so you will be one of the first to check this place out and it will be the first time these gorillas hear “yo, what up?”

Jellyfish Snorkeling in Indonesia

Usually swimming with jellyfish is a bad idea. They sting you all over and then you have to have someone pee on you because that helps, I guess, somehow. But in the Indonesian province of West Papua, there are a ton of jellyfish that are stingless. So now you can snorkel with them and no one will have to pee on you unless you’re into that kinda thing.

You can hike or take a dinghy (another great word) to the lakes that hold all these jellyfish and then dive right in. They will surround your body and blow your Instagram up.