Everyone loves a list. We all do it. Your top 5 films, or Beatles songs, or fast bowlers. Whatever it may be, lists – especially Top lists – are always there. Africa is, of course, famous for one list – The Big 5. It is on everyone’s lips when they go on safari, particularly so the first time they get to don the khaki and trundle off in a 4 wheel drive across the bush. The Big 5 are named so by the old hunters who based their view on the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt – elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and rhino. Those were less enlightened times but the moniker has stuck and safari-goers are proud to make the claim of “I saw the Big 5”.

But there are other lists. By adding the cheetah and hippo you get the Big 7. Or is it giraffe? Or is it the southern right whale and the great white shark? There is some debate and in all honesty, it can probably be what you want it to be. Bringing in the whale and shark leads me to the Marine Big 5 – the two aforementioned plus the bottle-nosed dolphin, African penguin and Cape fur seal. Or it could be something else depending on who you are talking to and what you see.

Then there is the Ugly 5. Do you know these? An easy one to start – the warthog. And then the wildebeest, hyena, vulture and the marabou stork. OK, they are not so cutesy as the others but incredibly striking when you encounter them and fantastic subjects to photograph in the early morning and late afternoon light that it is only possible to experience in Africa.

If it's cute you're after, then look out for the Pretty 5 - giraffe, cheetah, lilac breasted roller, zebra and the gorgeous Thomsons Gazelle.

A final list. Taking inspiration from those that make up the Big 5, how about the Small 5 – elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, red-billed buffalo weaver and rhino beetle.

So whether it is your first visit or a return one, you now have a list of lists to tick off. Just don’t forget to make a list with your packing to remind you to take the lists!