safari
Americannoun
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a journey or expedition, for hunting, exploration, or investigation, especially in eastern Africa.
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the hunters, guides, vehicles, equipment, etc., forming such an expedition.
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any long or adventurous journey or expedition.
verb (used without object)
noun
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an overland journey or hunting expedition, esp in Africa
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any recreational journey or expedition
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the people, animals, etc, that go on the expedition
Other Word Forms
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
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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.
The few times he appeared outside those safe spaces came off as safari expeditions in a mysterious city the 42-year-old lifelong Angeleno obviously didn’t know.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
He scaled up aggressively at what was then called Barn Hill Preserve, adding a safari park and animal encounters like swimming with otters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
As the number of cats has grown, so has a burgeoning safari trade.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
He described how the safari has changed over the years, with upgrades for the places where the giraffes and lions sleep, and the amount of freedom and comfort all the animals now have.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Others played by simply lounging on a virtual beach or enjoying a virtual safari.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
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.
