My 5 Most Dangerous Travel Stories

Travel is not always fun and games... so many things have happened to me on the road and today I am sharing with you my scariest ever moments. These stories happened in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania and I feel lucky to have survived these situations.
What is the scariest thing that's happened to you on the road? Let me know in the comments
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#Scary #Travel #Scarystories
00:00 Introduction
00:44 Indonesia Gang Attack
04:46 Hospital in Tanzania
10:12 Ethiopia Horror Travel
14:02 Bangladesh Hospital
21:10 Uganda River Rafting

[@BackpackerBen]

let me know your scary stories from traveling

[@TheDudeoflifee]

I Was traveling In Somalia from the US in 2021 when we had a road trip and the driver wasn’t the best by going super fast and long story short we crashed to the side of the road and hotted a Goat

[@marcusskidmore7290]

I got refused boarding on a flight home from the U.S because they thought I was drunk when I wasn't (i'd had a few but I was fine). Turns out it was because of the massive storm and i'd got 'bumped' by priority customers. Wasn't much point in kicking off.

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

I have one - a holiday rather than travelling. Me and 2 mates went to Salou in Spain in 2011. We went out clubbing and whilst in one of them a local Spanish girl warned me and one of my mates about the Russians there. Little did we know our other mate was touching up a Russian girl under a table which had other people sitting at it. Outside me and my other mate were sat down at a table and we were surrounded by Russian blokes who were very intimidating, hovering around us and obviously talking about us. Luckily the bouncers shoed them away otherwise I suspect we were in for a kicking. Same night, the mate who did the fondelling got punched in the back of the head randonly when we were walking home. Same holiday someone pushed a glass bottle off a balcony as we were walking beneath it (missed luckily). Got called English pigs by some random people. My mate (still friends) certainly almost got us into serious trouble. Getting hammered with some Irish folks was the highlight!

[@JBwhattodo]

I was in Plymouth in the late 90s 5 times! 🍻

[@potteralan]

Lived in Barcelona for a while when I finished university, one night walking to the bus on La Rambla after some beers I was followed and harassed by some guy presumably a pickpocket told him to piss off several times then I felt a hand on my shoulder swung round and landed a blow... on an undercover Guardia Civil who was following us both. Myself and the pickpocket spent the night in the cell.

[@johngravley2389]

In 1990, I was going from Nicaragua to Costa Rica. I caught a bus down to the border, checked through the Nicaraguan checkpoint and discovered that the Costa Rican checkpoint was 3 kilometers away. There was a shuttle bus service between the checkpoints but it wasn't at the Nicaraguan side at the moment and, besides, the price for this service was an outrageous $2. I was spending $5-$10 per day for everything so I thought, "Screw this", hoisted my pack onto my back and started walking. The road was a narrow blacktop right through the thick, overgrown jungle. When I got about halfway, I started hearing rustling in the jungle to my left. This happened a few times and then suddenly a troop of 6-10 soldiers with automatic weapons drawn came running out of the bush and surrounded me in a tight circle. The leader was right in my face, screaming at me in Spanish, saying things like, "Where are you from?", "Who sent you?" and other things that indicated they thought I was a spy or something. I pretended that I didn't understand Spanish and tried to let them think that I was just a dumb traveler (which was true). My mind shifted into hyper-speed trying to figure out who these guys were and I finally decided that they were Uno since the Sandinista had just been disbanded and told them that I was from the U.S. since Uno was heavily supported by the U.S. As soon as I said that, the atmosphere totally changed and they started slapping me on the back and calling me "El Loco Gringo" and let me go. After spending 3 weeks in Costa Rica, I headed back the same way, checked through the Costa Rican checkpoint, got out my $2 and thought, "Where's that wonderful shuttle bus?"

[@panoramic6011]

And you didnt even have a camera, imagine you were vlogging lol el gringo would have his head chopped off.

[@theboss6616]

Wow! that’s incredibly story but, that situation is quite scary

[@cameronpickard7456]

so funny you loco gringo

[@TomMannis]

I was showering in a hostel in Munich, Germany. I had to pay for a token to get 10 minutes of hot water. The hot water went off before I could get all the soap off of me, and I had to finish with cold water. Terrifying. Top THAT scary travel story.

[@BackpackerBen]

hahahah I enjoyed that

[@lilhoggy2074]

“They survived a bad place they’re still alive - that’s so wicked” hahaha

[@BackpackerBen]

😆 Ugandan for ya

[@lilhoggy2074]

@@BackpackerBen a man fell into a river in Uganda, I guess you could say he was in de-Nile…. I’ll leave the hall…

[@KC-in9px]

You weren't allergic to the tuna steak. It was spoiled and what you had was histamine fish poisoning. It was caused by bacteria present in your fillets.

[@BackpackerBen]

I said this to the restaurant and they denied it completely. Didn’t even give me a refund 😑

[@KC-in9px]

@@BackpackerBen Complaining in impoverished countries is useless for rich westerners. Lol

[@KC-in9px]

@@BackpackerBen I'm 63 and will be starting 6 months of solo travel in September. Your food poisoning scares aren't making me feel very confident. Wish me luck! Lol

[@BackpackerBen]

Where you going? 😎 don’t let my stories put you off you’ll love it

[@youme1414]

I am told Scombroid Fish Poisoning is a very common fish poisoning. So you should be careful where you eat fish like tuna, herring, etc.

[@beerbuffbackupchannel8125]

I was once wondering near the Kohn Yao national park in Thailand. Went for a piss near the bush when suddenly I was tapped gently on the shoulder from behind. When I turned around, 3.5 m tall elephant stood behind me,with the tip of his trunk on my shoulder. He didn't hurt me in any way,but I almost got a heart attack..

[@BackpackerBen]

Sure isn’t wasn’t a Welsh girl? 👀

[@ChandChandramukhi]

As a solo woman traveler in Albania last year, I crossed some high mountains by car, alone in the night and without gps or phone cause it was dead. A storm started and rocks were falling down the slopes and the wind was moving the car. The road was narrow and at a certain point a torrent was rushing down, the asphalt was carried down. there was no way back, and in front I didn't know if the car will be able to cross the waters. So I was stuck there, hand on the handbrake, praying. In a moment, from the opposite direction a car passed without problems the torrent - the first car passing on that road for hours, and the same model as my car, Laguna, which is rare in Albania. As if someone up there wanted to show me I can do it.

[@BackpackerBen]

Wow 😯 thanks for sharing

[@JBwhattodo]

Always fun hearing someone else’s horror stories without suffering myself 😎 Good idea to relive them once in a while, looking forward to part 2…..

[@BackpackerBen]

Any stories you’d like to share? 👀😎

[@cuttlefishagain]

omg be careful. I am a solo female traveler and have been in semi-weird situations, but these are beyond that. The white water rafting and the terrorist group, yikes. There is a fine line between not letting fear hold you back and... just.... walking right into something dangerous haha. Keep safe!

[@TH3P1T13ULLGAMING]

Awesome content always bro and love the fact you always show the raw side of traveling and always looking forward to the next , keep smashing it bro 👊🏻😎👊🏻

[@BackpackerBen]

Appreciate it mate

[@ba88893]

Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed these!

[@spaghettistef]

I had a similar experience in Gili islands, but it was totally my fault. Basically, someone helped me to unload my luggage from the boat I was on and I tipped him (not like I had a choice). Problem was that I tipped him VERY little (like what could have been the equivalent of 1 penny in the UK) because I was confused about that currency... He took it personally and felt insulted so he started shouting at me and some of his mates came over. Everyone was shouting at me but I couldn't understand what was going on since in my opinion I tipped him fairly so I started shouting too... One of them pushed me and I pushed him back and he fell to the floor. In that moment I quite literally sh*t myself and started thinking I'd die killed on a beach in Gili. Surprisingly, the guy stood up, said something calmly and everyone left. And that was my "welcome to Gili" moment.

[@BackpackerBen]

Always happens in Gili 😆

[@fretloose2008]

Great stories Ben, thanks for sharing!

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks for watching

[@laurabowness4121]

oh my goodness. The sickness in Bangladesh sounds horrific. Glad you recovered from it!!

[@BackpackerBen]

just about hahaa

[@TheGreatOutdoors]

Missed this video last year. Good stories 👍

[@victoriaaletaaustria2817]

Rule of thumb: Eat only the foods you're familiar in any country. You got food poisoning. Also, no place is worth visiting if your life will be in danger. Not being prejudiced, those places where you got food poisoning are not really hygienic in food preparations aside from the low quality of ingredients.

[@DustySmith1]

But eating unknown foods is what I travel for

[@IngramCars]

Radical adventures, sounds like you're lucky to be alive! So glad you are here to tell the tale.

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks mate! Appreciate it

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

You are some lad Ben lad, a great adventurer but some risky trips. Fair play to you, what a brilliant character you are, love your stories & videos. Bless you young man.

[@jjanderson1884]

These stories are what I wanted to hear from a hardcore traveller! Really real and very scary.

[@TheStarcruiser]

You're a great ambassador for world travel Ben! The tuna & chook stories were terrifying, but going down those the rapids, No Way!!! Once again, Well Done you survived👍

[@johnwhite1832]

great work Ben always fantastic to watch

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks again!

[@joshnewland1266]

Just wanted to leave a message Ben to say love your videos, when everything else right now seem to be about politics, economics and people arguing your a great escape from all that nonsense. lots of love from Brighton.

[@BackpackerBen]

Appreciate it Josh! Keeps me motivated

[@johndouglas5712]

Ben , the genius of your videos is that we really like you and half the time I’m actually very worried about you . Your truly a mad lad . Cheers , I couldn’t do what you do and I have worked in a fairly dangerous bar doing security for 17 years . Good lord man ! Im afraid you’ll get sick from a bad chippy in England! Love your work. You are a real one

[@BackpackerBen]

appreciate it mate, more mad stories to come!

[@douglasfletcher6609]

Nice tips. Thanks for the hints 🎉

[@stephanierodriguez1540]

Wow Ben, now I understand why you are so cautious about what you eat in every video!

[@xploit811]

You have a very soothing voice mate. Another lovely video.

[@BackpackerBen]

I need a voiceover job

[@ASBO_LUTELY]

Yeah, just like Russell Howard!

[@cfcjb]

I found you through mr bald, I’m working my way through your videos, which I love! It seems that there should be some before the first one on here? Is there a way to watch them? Much love.

[@BackpackerBen]

Awesome, thank you! yes I deleted many they were awful

[@Pizza.Man27]

Some decent stories Ben. 👍

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks mate ✅

[@weedyganzalays]

Brilliant stories brother. Wow

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks for tuning in

[@aronjohns4662]

Awesome Ben I was waiting for this type of content

[@dougieranger]

You’re a great couple. 👍🏼

[@miodragpavlovic5292]

Excellent content and video. Just a thought, after a couple of these dodgy experiences did it ever cross your mind to leave your backpack in a cupboard and get a job in a warehouse?

[@BackpackerBen]

No chance 😆 I’d never go back to a dull job

[@br0wnkrak3n70]

Having seen you with Mr Bald I've started making my way through your videos from the top over the last few days. Absolutely love the content, especially loving in the early stuff when you randomly added in the horror music or stalker music with the slow-mo stuff. That cracks me up and hope you been keeping that stuff up!

[@BackpackerBen]

Hahaa that noise is gone now cuz of the Copy right 😣 but thanks for watching mate. Appreciate it

[@br0wnkrak3n70]

@@BackpackerBen thanks for the reply. That's a shame! I'll miss that, was a nice feature. I'll still keep watching either way!

[@calvingarrett3245]

Damn dude your lucky to be alive I did white water rafting when I was younger almost drowned then and yes it's really scary. Merry Christmas Ben

[@mandeeqahmed9225]

I am glad you are alive I have nasty memories of Ethiopia terrible place. Take care mate

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks bro 😎

[@cryptoeraser5439]

Hi Ben, great content! Where is the location you shot this? Cheers.

[@kellyin]

where is part 2 please ? love your story.

[@richardjunnier2180]

You really made me happy about my decision to travel to Ethiopia in September. ;)

[@johnafrica7979]

Excited for these stories 😆

[@ChuecaX]

Got a lil bit of a similar story as you from Bali 6 years ago (this happened in a back alley near Kuta though). Luckily the seller + his friend only threatening us once and lett after we paid, i.e not waiting outside bars or anything.

[@BackpackerBen]

always KUTA!!! horrible place

[@FixitFrank]

10min? good man.

[@nomadnush8547]

These stories are insane!!!

[@1_Tim]

I'll keep it short but it was oddly what started me traveling. I picked up a couple of female hitchhickers. Thought safe enough. They attempted to snuff out my light. It happened in my hometown area. It made me think if this could happen here I can go anywhere can't get any worse. Quit my job in short order and hopped a train and from there hitchhicked from coast to coast within Canada over two plus years. Had a myriad of adventures and met so many interesting, genourus people and experienced many amazing places.

[@BackpackerBen]

Snuff out your life?

[@BackpackerBen]

Glad it didn’t let you get put off by travelling more mate

[@1_Tim]

@@BackpackerBen Yes, adrenaline and luck saved me. After that intuition and a gut feeling developed for situations

[@BackpackerBen]

Blimey mate! That’s mad

[@1_Tim]

@@BackpackerBen It was full on crazy

[@reneewelch7993]

So interesting! Girl checking phone in background was a wee bit distracting though.

[@keithkench9432]

Well that makes a tui package holiday look appealing. tc mate.

[@jelly4208]

You and that bird just friends? You have a great connection with each other 😊

[@PatientZiro]

Interesting stories Ben. These experiences basically shaping your future. I bet you don't eat and swim casually now... Oh and for sure you don't roam around with Al-Shabab :)

[@BackpackerBen]

they certainly changed me hahah

[@davidaustin902]

I was in a rapid before and my lifejacket got caught on a branch. So, I was stuck under water not moving. Barely got to the surface after realizing I wasn't moving.

[@questioneverything7598]

Great Video! You are a great story teller and Cat is a great addition to your videos.

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks mate! Yes she’s okay 🙃

[@KazumaLeVoyageur]

I’m not sure if this counts but just a month before Covid-19 became a full-fledged pandemic, just after having passed through immigrations to go home after a week of vacation in Japan, I lost my passport while waiting for my flight. Luckily, the airport janitor who found my passport went to the boarding gate where my flight will be departing just in time before boarding the plane. I dunno what I could’ve gone through had it not been found and returned to me on time.

[@BackpackerBen]

Definitely scary and so stressful 😂

[@ddnn974]

Only in Japan would you get your passport back so easily

[@curtisgregory517]

ONLY in Japan, the best people on earth in citation like this they are so helpful and honest. I have seen this many times and have tried to be this way.

[@neeway1620]

I'd never heard of Tuna causing anaphylaxsis before but a quick google there and it seems you need to keep yourself away from Tuna, Herring and Mackeral my friend. Scary stuff!

[@luscious07]

Those rapids were insane!

[@BackpackerBen]

hahaha crazy mate

[@ianventer5032]

Ben! Enjoying the content, mate. Consider the following phrases on merchandise: "What a place!", "Jesus Christ!" "A-haa!" "Good man!"

[@BackpackerBen]

Hahaha maybe one day mate 😂

[@anthonygates7523]

Be safe out there bro

[@BackpackerBen]

I try haha

[@SteveSmithRailways]

She does make us laugh...we need more of Kat in your videos or tell her to start her own channel. After watching that, surely the next 5 aren't as scary and how you never gave it up is a credit to you buddy. I think most would have given up after No.1 I hope the KZbin fame and revenue continues to grow as we thoroughly enjoy watching them. We need to see you in a Bald video in the Ex Soviet countries. Best Wishes.

[@BackpackerBen]

Next 5 aren’t to bad 😎 sort of…

[@SteveSmithRailways]

@@BackpackerBen Thank FFT then....lol

[@ChelliBee]

My travel group got into it with fisher men in Lombok, Indonesia. They said they would take us snorkeling and when we got out to sea they had horrible/dirty gear. We tried to ask for a discount it didn’t go well, we had to pay them. The food we had in Zanzibar was questionable. My bf at the time got the tuna steak but sent it back 😅

[@goxsha791]

Great video, kind of scary getting sick in such an undeveloped country. You are lucky you are here now. Wish we were lucky to see Kat the second half of video!

[@BackpackerBen]

Was the worst man 😑 thanks for your comment

[@andyelliott8027]

@@BackpackerBen I had to drive from Guildford to Peterborough and then down to Taunton, luckily there were no terrorists and I didn't get sick.Phew!

[@BackpackerBen]

😆 madness

[@MadDogAdventures]

I was going to go to Gili this morning but I woke up, in Tanjung, and it was raining so now I am in the mountains of Desa Anjar

[@alimoeed2577]

Ben you love playing Russian roulette when travelling. Some are funny though 😂. Ali from London uk

[@BackpackerBen]

Best way 🥴

[@hassanhussein6110]

BEN .......................... This hassan from somaliland lives in bu dhabi .................................you are so lucky and blessed ............................. full of adventures take car and iwe learn from your adventures .................................... where is your next trip ............................ habibi ....hhhh

[@alanwhite6730]

Was there ever part 2 for the rest of these stories?

[@sharkymoon422]

Why don’t you take her camping in the Lake District, make a great video seeing ya both in the beautiful Lake District.. Nice video Ben, it’s them experience’s that remind us why we live! 🙏👍

[@BackpackerBen]

Mate it’s a scam those prices during summer 😂

[@AdiusOmega]

I can understand your skepticism when it comes to eating foreign foods now. Something worth trying is that if you ever feel like your going to be getting food poisoning, evacuate your stomach as much as you can and start drinking apple cider vinegar. The HCI of the stomach PH is not strong enough to kill the common bacteria that you suffer from food poisoning. It essentially attacks the lining of the stomach and prevent a person from being able to eat or drink. Sounds ridiculous but it works. Always carry some with you when traveling it could very well save your life.

[@1758pk]

I got food poisoning from a sketchy Italian restaurant. I hardly remember the 3 days when it was the worst. What I do remember, I won't go into detail.

[@tahsinislam786]

Its sad that you got food poisoning, really sad to hear it. I am from Sylhet and its shocking that you did not get food poisoning from Dhaka. You probably went to these pach vai or panshi.. Yah next time be more careful.

[@whereisgabri3641]

What the hell man! I also experienced a private hospital in Vietnam where I was bitten on the neck by a cheeky monkey. No anti rabes vaccination so i had to rush to the nearest hospital which was about 2h driving.

[@vifgull]

Of cause your views goes up with Kat. The dynamic duo are so lovely in the films. I hope you guys are a couple? Love from Scandinavia

[@abdishakourmahmoud3730]

Ben you are crazy bro but lucky

[@tanveerhasan2025]

I feel so bad that you had that bad food poisoning experience in Bangladesh. I hope that you have better time that now you are back here.

[@stewart2589]

Why would someone want to go to that dump

[@kdog5041]

What location is this at the start of the video? It looks beautiful!

[@madmousetales]

you could do a whole video on all the times you got food poisoning tbh ahaha

[@Thorpeman]

I’ve a friend that worked in Morocco for a couple of years and said living there had given him a cast iron stomach and nothing made him I’ll anymore but following a mad night we had in Tenerife he went down with Delhi belly 😅

[@benh5093]

Goods shit mate. You've been through it!

[@BackpackerBen]

Certainly have 😆 thanks for watching

[@CheekyCommodoreGamer]

9:13 It was always possible you could be a time-traveller 😇🕹👌

[@michaelgarn5330]

That's crazy

[@ashleymorris7899]

Man your stories are insane lol, worst thing that happened to me was getting biten by a monkey in Siem Reap, only 1 private hospital, spent 80 USD on a rabis jab then had to have a load more injection when i got back to Bangkok not exactly scary but differernt I guess, was my own fault I attempted to stroke it after it had just mated. BTW also used to live in your area, Saltash then Yelverton. Bet its a pain in the ass to travel now plymouth airport is gone?

[@ariestiger12]

I'm sorry but the reaction from the tour guide at 24:00 killed me 🤣🤣

[@sicr7373]

Kat's awsome, she makes me laugh so much, all the faces she pulls!

[@gazriley624]

Big Thumbs up to Kat ;)

[@cfcjb]

It’s crazy that the worst of your scary stories come from food!!!!

[@BackpackerBen]

hhahah yes

[@herewegowithtim1984]

You are brave to throw yourself into things the way you do. Plenty of courage and self belief I would say. Excellent stuff.

[@BackpackerBen]

🤝

[@curtisgregory517]

Ben, I was in East Pakistan now called Bangladesh so many times. My reason for going there involved supportng the Tibetans as they were fighting the Chinese for their independence. My objective for 14 years in the 1950s - 70s was to support and oppose commie expansion, I was involved in this "back door entry" into dozens of countries. risky business.

[@Travel.Sazzad]

Any great stories from Bangladesh that you remember? Did you visit some of the remote parts of Bangladesh in that time?

[@Salim-vb3mw]

Sad that wifi connection in Ethiopia is weak

[@astrogeek4061]

Kat is a great sidekick

[@kbcvisuals]

Phi Phi Island caught fire, no1 knew what was happening all we heard was there is no fire service and every house is made of wood, so everyone was running into the sea with their luggage lol, no water etc left the next day.

[@BackpackerBen]

Wow 😆 madness mate

[@williamfurman2042]

Buddy Holly lost his judgement by taking a one am, night blind, flight in freezing weather. You're much wiser than he was.

[@shaf-cr7]

Can assure you Barishal hospitals are developed now 😊

[@justinmichaud837]

Come to Connecticut USA I can show you some really scary shit. Loved your videos with bald

[@ARCHSTANTON61]

CAT IS BEAUTIFUL, GET A RING ON THAT FINGER BEN..

[@theonlyroger1837]

Lesgoooooooo Ben!

[@belfastroamer]

What country is next on the list Ben?

[@BackpackerBen]

Choosing next week mate 👍

[@dougieranger]

@@BackpackerBen Come back to Scotland. See the other side of the coin Ben.

[@belfastroamer]

Happy days. Good luck 👍

[@BackpackerBen]

@@dougieranger would defo return with cat ;)

[@dougieranger]

@@BackpackerBen Really nice weather at the moment Ben.

[@densidste9137]

Never heard anybody this concern about the location of Hospitals, been there when I was born I heard. how about consulting with medical student ...

[@mikatimonen5449]

I always check the chicken first anywhere in the world.

[@HavNCDy]

Prediction: his top scariest story is his visit to Rhymney with Bald

[@BackpackerBen]

😆

[@29goodvibes]

Nr 11th : the water was too hot in a iraqi shower room..🙄😅

[@kendodd1060]

My 8yr old grandson wants to know if that burglar was Marv Murchins. If so then he said he would be scared as well.

[@BackpackerBen]

hahahaa nooo

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Where is Part 2? I cannot locate it.

[@NATGEOBLOGS]

Keep entertaining us bro

[@BackpackerBen]

🍻

[@gimmethepinkelephant3685]

Chicken always seems to get people. The one and only time I ever got food poisoning was because of bad chicken. I actually got it from KFC. It wasn't raw, but something must have been wrong with it. I was like ten or eleven years old when it happened. It was awful, and it lasted for about three or four days. I literally felt like I was puking up that same meal for all three of those days. How that's even possible is beyond my understanding, but that's what seemed to be the case regardless. It was really nasty and definitely ranks up there with some of the worst sicknesses I've had in my forty four years of living. The worst was easily Mononucleosis. That lasted for almost two months...lol!

[@rurysaurus]

what a madlad

[@BackpackerBen]

🤝😎