Our globetrotting is now literally taking us to the other side of planet.

Together with certified wildlife guide, Newton from Joy’s Camp in the Shaba National Reserve, allow me to introduce you to Into Africa, as opposed to Out of Africa. In fact, the word safari happens to be the Swahili for journey.

Jambo, Greetings from Kenya, on the East Coast of Africa, sitting across the equator and bordered by the Indian Ocean on the southeast . This is a country of varied landscapes with rolling central grasslands, snow-capped mountains, searing deserts, wide beaches, coral reefs and off shore islands.

Kenya is the quintessential safari land with an awe-inspiring abundance and variety of exotic wildlife, an immersion opportunity in a wide open living zoo. It is home to the the Big Five: lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo.

It is also known as the the cradle of mankind based on the human remains that have been excavated in the famous Rift Valley. And our new president, Barack Obama traces his paternal family roots to Kenya.

All of the serious world travelers I have met/known maintain a Wish List. Usually appearing in their top 5 or top 10 destinations is the classic African Safari, considered by many a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I have to admit that it wasn’t initially on my personal list but it did migrate up slowly. After 10 years of return trips to the South Pacific, it appealed to me as a completely new and different type of adventure. It didn’t fail to surprise and delight me with the unexpected.