5 must-watch programs if you love survival shows
Pick up your machete, some kindling and your flint, because we're heading into the wild. Survival shows have become hugely popular over the years, and while you've most likely heard the name 'Bear Grylls' and the show Man Vs Wild before, there's a host of other survival shows that are waiting to be uncovered.
Here are five of the best:
Running Wild With Bear Grylls
Think Man Vs Wild, and now add in A-list celebrities. Running Wild With Bear Grylls sees arguably the world's most famous survival expert take stars such as Barack Obama, Michael B. Jordon, Zac Efron and Kate Winslet on a journey through the wilderness.
Every episode features a journey with a new celebrity with a different adventure and purpose. For example Julia Roberts joined Bear Grylls to help deliver vaccinations to a remote village in Africa, while Barack Obama highlighted the impact of global warming during his appearance.
Julia certainly had to face her fears in Africa. 9Now
RELATED: 5 of the most surprising celebrities to feature on Running Wild with Bear Grylls
Often, the extreme adventures place the world's biggest stars in situations that have them far outside their comfort zone, and on many occasions they also open up to Bear, providing a unique insight into their life.
Stream episodes of Running Wild With Bear Grylls for free on 9Now.
Naked and Afraid
Ever had the urge to strip down nude and attempt to survive in the wilderness for 21 days? No? Well quite frankly neither have I.
I have, however, had the urge to watch others attempt this feat from the comfort of my own home, and you can too.
Despite Afften leaving after seven days, Zack lasted the full 21 days and completed the challenge. Nine
Naked and Afraid sees two survivalists — one man and one woman — attempt to survive in the wilderness for three weeks. Each survivalist is allowed to bring just one helpful item, such as a fire starter, machete or pot. Teams or individual survivalists are able to tap out at any given stage, but the goal is to make it all the way to the end of the 21 days and reach the final extraction point.
In one episode, Zack made it all the way to the end despite his partner, Afften, leaving after only a few days.
Zack overcame sunburn by slathering his body with mud, started a fire and managed to sustain himself with food and water for the entirety of the challenge, rarely complaining despite his body being pushed to its physical limits.
RELATED: 5 life lessons I learnt watching Naked and Afraid
Afften struggled emotionally during her time on Naked and Afraid. Nine
Each episode follows a team of two from start to finish, meaning it's easy occasional viewing.
Stream episodes of Naked and Afraid for free on 9Now.
Dual Survival
In Dual Survival, two survivalists with very different skill sets team up to try and survive in some of the most difficult environments on the planet.
Cody Lundin is a primitive skills expert with over 20 years of experience, which is on the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to Dave Canterbury, who is army-trained, a S.R.T. (Special Reaction Team) sniper and a hunter.
Cody Lundin is ready to survive in ways you wouldn't even imagine. 9Now
And while their goal is the same, their very different approaches to survival means clashes between them do occur from time to time. Each episode centres around a new location, meaning you're exposed to breathtaking and constantly changing landscapes as well as new survival skillsets that tie into the environment.
Stream complete seasons of Dual Survival for free on 9Now.
Hacking the Wild
It's a survival show with a twist. Hacking the Wild follows Andy Quitmeyer as he journeys through the wild. What sets this survival show apart from others is that the survival expert uses everyday technology to aid him in his adventures.
Andy took various technological equipment with him to help him survive. 9Now
RELATED: 23 thoughts I had while watching Hacking The Wild
Stream complete seasons of Hacking the Wild for free on 9Now.
Alaskan Bush People
Alaskan Bush People follows the Browns, a family of nine (seven children) who live off the grid in Alaska and depend on each other to survive.
Meet the Brown family. Nine
It offers a rare insight into how a family lives day in and day out in the wilderness, surviving off wild plants and animals and crafting shelters and even swords. Their daily tasks are fascinating, with the family even inventing strange devices in a workshop to help them.
RELATED: 36 thoughts I had while watching Alaskan Bush People
Stream complete seasons of Alaskan Bush People for free on 9Now.
