Journeys that change us for the better

The science of awe explained

For those of you who haven't listened to Dr. Keltner speak, in a remarkable conversation on Krista Tippett's incredibly insightful podcast, On Being, he opened up the science behind awe. Dr. Keltner's deeply researched insights show that awe isn't just poetic language but a scientifically measurable state of being. Awe isn't merely a feeling reserved for grand landscapes or rare moments — it's a neurophysiological state that reshapes us for the better.

When people experience awe,

• Their nervous and cardiovascular systems synchronize, reducing stress and quieting the internal chatter of the brain.
• The vagus nerve activates, calming the body and opening the heart.
• The part of the brain associated with self-centred thinking quiets down, making you feel part of a greater whole.
• Biochemical changes occur that can reduce inflammation and heighten physical wellbeing.
• Most profoundly, people report an urge to connect with others, share stories and deepen human bonds.

From my own experience I can tell you this: nowhere on Earth is this kind of wild, transformative awe more abundant than in Africa.

Wild awe in Africa

Our Journey to Awe Safari amplifies the awe intrinsic to this kind of trip amid the pristine, ancient, peaceful vastness Mount Kenya’s sacred foothills. The endless plains and long grasses remind us that we are not machines to be optimized but mysteries to be lived.

This is your invitation to awe

At a time when so much of life is measured in routine, screens and schedules, our 2026 Journey to Awe safari with Dr. Keltner, surrounded by the comforts, top-notch service and warm Kenyan welcome of Segera – truly one of the best properties and largest rhino sanctuary in all of Africa – offers something radically different: restoration through immersion, connection through shared awe and transformation through exposure to the vast mystery of life itself.

I invite you to join a small, curated group of explorers and discover how the science of awe — nature's most powerful emotion — is waiting to embrace you on the plains of Africa.