The only downside here is that because of it's popularity there are a lot of people around so if you want to spend time in isolation with nature this is not place to go.

3. South Africa - Kruger National Park

For sheer variety of species no other place in Africa can come close to Kruger Park. And because it is so large (larger than Wales) it has a number of different ecosystems that you can pass through in your search for animals and birds.

It is one of best managed parks in Africa and accommodation and infrastructure is superb.

4. Botswana - Selinda Reserve

Seasoned safari travellers rate this reserve in north Botswana extremely highly and they return to it again and again, drawn by very high concentration of wildlife, high standard of accommodation and service and exclusivity.

5. Zambia - South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa is a diamond in rough, just waiting for enough exposure to bring it to its rightful place in crown of vacations in African wildlife destinations. But for moment it's relative isolation as one of Africa's best kept secrets is part of it's charm.

It has a reputation as one of best places in Africa to see elusive leopard and it is birthplace of walking safari.

If I ever knew French word for sand I’d surely forgotten it long ago. We find a helpful assistant but make no headway. Even after playing usual charade-like game, we still cannot make ourselves understood. I sense increasing frustration all round. Then I remember first piece of useful advice. “Find another way to say same thing”. Sure enough, somewhere safely stored in my head was French word for beach, so we ask for a sack of beach. Although this brings howls of laughter from everyone within earshot – triumph for us – we get sand.

We are now prepared for our visitors but tap in bathroom has started to drip, drip and drip. Happily our DIY skills extend as far as replacing a tap washer. Back to DIY store. Sadly, not only do I not know French word for washer I cannot think of any sensible word as an alternative.

The assistant, helpful as ever, is determined not to be beaten this time by a simple thing like language but after a barrage of totally incomprehensible conversation I try second piece of advice. “Doucement, s’il vous plait” Ah, ah, relief on his face shows us that at last we have made ourselves understood. “Un moment” he says and disappears. True to his word, a moment later he is back, “Voila, deux ciment” and from his laden trolley he produces two sacks of cement!

On our next visit to DIY store we ignore useful advice and take a dictionary instead.