Pachyderms in Peril (Wildlife)
Work alongside Kenya Wildlife Service rangers as they relocate elephants to less crowded parks. Join the rangers as they search by helicopter for elephants in overrun habitat, dart the creatures, and transport them overland to their new home. Cost: $10,830, including three nights' accommodations. Source: Dennis Pinto, Micato Safaris, New York City (212-545-7789; dpinto@micato.com; micato.com).

Kenya
Real-life Earth Mother (Philanthropy)
Meet Wangari Maathai, awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to ecologically sustainable development and democracy. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which in 30 years has mobilized poor women to plant 30 million trees while empowering them and their communities. Spend a day with Maathai in her Nairobi office and planting trees. Cost: $2,000 donation. Source: Linda Friedman, Custom Safaris, Bethesda, Maryland (301-530-1982; linda@customsafaris.com; customsafaris.com).

Olympics by Osmosis (Sports)
Train with half a dozen of the world's best runners, including marathon record holder Paul Tergat. Join the athletes for meals in their homes, follow them to their training camps, tag along as best you can on training runs, and learn some tips to use on your local track. Cost: $5,000, including two nights' accommodations. Source: Dennis Pinto, Micato Safaris, New York City (212-545-7789; dpinto@micato.com; micato.com).

Morocco
Berber First Family (Culinary, Local Traditions)
Pass a day with a traditional Berber couple in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. Seventy-eight-year-old Ibrahim Zahidi has been the imam of his village, Ait Lahssein, for 20 years, serving as spiritual and secular adviser, and sometimes judge. Stroll through barley fields and almond orchards while learning about Islam and secular Berber life. Accompany Fatima, Zahidi's wife for more than 50 years, as she tends the livestock, bakes bread, picks roses to be sold in Marrakech, and prepares a secret couscous recipe. Cost: $500. Source: Cherri Briggs (see Cameroon).

Tanzania
Studying Simba (Philanthropy, Wildlife)
Spend a day tracking lions with researchers in Serengeti National Park. Get the inside scoop on the cats' behavior and on survival issues while closely observing them in the wild. One female from each pride is located by radio collar, and the rest are identified by the unique patterns of their whisker spots. Cost: $1,700, including a donation. Source: Kent Redding, Africa Adventure Consultants, Denver (303-778-1089; kent@adventuresinafrica.com; adventuresinafrica.com).