No 3 Zimbabwe

While it may be known for making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Zimbabwe has always been a country that travelers on the ground have raved about. Not only is it one of Africa's safest destinations, it's one blessed with ultra-friendly locals, Big Five-filled national parks, World Heritage-listed archaeological ruins, forested mountains and, of course, the mighty Victoria Falls.

In Africa, the big five game (usually quoted as "Big Five") animals are the African lion, African elephant, African buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros.