safari
Americannoun
-
a journey or expedition, for hunting, exploration, or investigation, especially in eastern Africa.
-
the hunters, guides, vehicles, equipment, etc., forming such an expedition.
-
any long or adventurous journey or expedition.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
an overland journey or hunting expedition, esp in Africa
-
any recreational journey or expedition
-
the people, animals, etc, that go on the expedition
Etymology
Origin of safari
1885–90; < Swahili < Arabic safar journey
Explanation
A trip to watch wild animals — especially in Africa — is called a safari. If you travel to South Africa to photograph elephants in their natural habitat, you're on safari. In Swahili, safari means "journey" or "expedition." The word has been used in English since the late 19th century to talk about hunting trips to Africa, the clothing these hunters would wear, and more recently, a journey taken to observe or photograph African animals. These days when someone talks about going on safari, they are probably planning to visit an African wildlife refuge or park.
Vocabulary lists containing safari
Travel
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Red Pencil
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He explained that while felines are the biggest prize for each safari outing, guests are constantly surprised by the less heralded wildlife.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
A one-tonne revolving sculpture created "on a whim" by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, has been installed at a safari park in Wiltshire.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
Those major risk indicators are what ushered me into my own cancer prevention safari.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
NAIROBI—A Kenyan court dismissed a lawsuit by a Maasai leader who sought to demolish a Ritz-Carlton luxury safari camp, alleging it blocked a key route of the famous Serengeti migration.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026
A trip, a safari, an exploration, is an entity, different from all other journeys.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
