DAR ES SALLAM, TANZANIA - If this city’s notorious traffic jams are feeling forgiving, it takes just 45 minutes to travel from the bustle of Tanzania’s largest city to tropical island paradise. It’s called Mbudya Island, and it’s a destination most travellers see for only the briefest of moments as they take the requisite ferry trip from Dar to Zanzibar.

ACCRA, GHANA - Last year,I found myself living in dusty, dirty Accra. I was volunteering with Crossroads International and working with a local partner called Pro-Link, doing communications for their projects in maternal health and HIV/AIDS education. Our office was in a bleak industrial zone and I was ready for a break.

OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - I love elephants. I have ridden them in India and played with them at sanctuaries in Thailand. So I was thrilled when on a journey through Botswana our small plane began its descent to the Okavango Delta airstrip and I could see clusters of the gentle giants munching contentedly on tender shoots growing in the marshy waters.

SOLITAIRE, NAMIBIA - We straddle Big Daddy’s spine and nimbly walk up the giant’s back to get a better view of the sun rising over the Namib Desert. When we reach the top of one of the world’s tallest sand dunes, we are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the world’s oldest desert spreading out in all directions before us.

CANSBAII, SOUTH AFRICA - My first sighting of a shark while diving was five years ago in Cuba. I remember it well. The sun was shining, the water was calm and the air was salty sweet.

NAIROBI, KENYA – My African safari adventure started rather unexpectedly – upon arriving and just a few kilometers outside Nairobi’s international airport, when a herd a zebras brought our mini-van to a halt at a road crossing reserved for them.

THE ROOF OF THE WORLD – As dawn breaks over the carpet of clouds obscuring the Serengeti Plains kilometres below, I let out a whoop of joy. I’m on top of Africa.

SOUTH LUANGWA, ZAMBIA – As the “trunk” slowly moves across the lobby of the spectacular Mfuwe Lodge, a recently arrived guest screams. The “trunk,” you see, is attached to a four-ton African elephant named Wonky Tusk.

While standing in a 21st-century Garden of Eden, not far from what was believed to be the original – if you believe in such things – I was being tempted to taste a small, bright red, pear-shaped apple by a beautiful Seychellois named Annette.

MAHE ISLAND, SEYCHELLES – The delightful Tum introduced herself and then proceeded to kick and punch me; twist my neck; dig her knuckles deep into my shoulders ... and I loved every minute of it.