Crocodile Ceremonies, Treacherous Treks, and one of the Most Remote Tribes on Earth: Papúa New Guinea with Off-Grid Explorer Benedict Allen

Benedict Allen has made a name for himself, not necessarily for what he does, but for what he does not do...travel with modern technology. For the last several decades, Benedict has explored some of the most remote corners of the planet, from crossing the Amazon basin to the deserts of Namibia. And instead of navigating those highly complex journeys with modern technology, he's chosen instead to embed himself with local cultures, relying solely on the goodwill and guidance of native people to survive. And today, we're following along as he recounts some of his most epic -- and occasionally terrifying -- adventures. From living in a 'crocodile nest' in Papua New Guinea for six weeks to narrowly avoiding being gunned down during a mountain crossing deep in the jungle, Benedict has some truly wild stories to share. But his story isn't solely about adventure...it's about the humanity we all share.  As of May 2024, Papua New Guinea is experiencing devastating landslides. If you feel inspired by the stories of Papua New Guinea's people in today's episode, please consider donating to organizations such as Papua New Guinea's Red Cross or IOM relief efforts. CONNECT Learn more about Benedict and his many adventures on his website, benedictallen.com. You can also find him on social media @benedictallenexplorer. The book from this episode is called Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown, and you can find it anywhere books are sold. SOCIAL Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @armchairexplorerpodcast. Want travel tips and advice? Questions about this episode? Message me! Sign up for the monthly newsletter at armchair-explorer.com. CREDITS This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Jenny Allison did the guest booking and wrote this episode, along with host and producer Aaron Millar. Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Theme music written by the artist Sweet Chap (on IG @the_sweet_chap). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices