Introduction

Ever since I was 10 or 12 years old, and I first learned about Kilimanjaro, I have dreamed about climbing it. Had I known how relatively inexpensive it is to do so, I would have looked into it sooner. Kili is really 3 volcanoes: Shira to the west, Kibo in the center, and Mwenzi to the east. None are considered "active," but Kibo still has fumaroles. For more information, see: http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_kilimanjaro.html.

The Maasai Mara (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maasai_Mara) is just north of the Serengeti, in southwestern Kenya. By late August, The Great Migration has brought much of the massive herd of wildebeest to the Mara, following the rains. Accompanying them are zebra and various antelope. Lion, cheetah and smaller predators follow, as well, for obvious reasons.

The Okavango Delta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okavango_Delta), in Botswana, is home to such a proliferation of wildlife that to see them all would take, well, a lengthy visit. We'll see how many I can list in 6 days.