The story follows three cousins, Emilia Rose, Isla Mae and Audrey Jane, who use their dream lives to explore and experience Southern Africa. Along the way they get some help from a friendly fever tree, witness some wised-up weaver birds, march along with the ambulatory ants, avoid a grumpy puff adder, find an irritable and scruffy secretary bird, discover a brawny dung beetle, are overtaken by a speedy shongololo, meet a cranky legs daddy long-legs spider, spend time with a dazzling dragonfly, and learn about Ubuntu. They are inspired by the stories their Papa told their dads about being famous explorers in Africa and decide to set out on an African elephant expedition of their own. They begin their journey on a cold Alberta winter's day and escape to visit the elephants in the dusty, sunny African heat. The cousins use their dream lives to experience South Africa in a magical and adventurous way.