safari

American  

[suh-fahr-ee] / səˈfɑr i /

noun

• safaris
  plural

1. a journey or expedition, for hunting, exploration, or investigation, especially in eastern Africa.

2. the hunters, guides, vehicles, equipment, etc., forming such an expedition.

3. any long or adventurous journey or expedition.

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verb (used without object)

safaried, safariing

1. to go on a safari.

safari British  

/ səˈfɑːrɪ /

noun

1. an overland journey or hunting expedition, esp in Africa

2. any recreational journey or expedition

3. the people, animals, etc, that go on the expedition

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• safaris
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

safari safaris safaried safariing

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 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

Cruisers and industry executives compare an expedition sailing more to a safari rather than what you might get aboard the gigantic ships regularly sailing out of Miami.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026

She was caught after colleagues spotted Facebook posts showing her on safari in Africa, as well as trips to Paris, Tuscany and Dubai.

From BBC ● May 8, 2026

Instead, he went on a safari in Africa with his son Kermit.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

As the debate drags out, the publicity is tarnishing Club Med’s eco-credentials and could make it increasingly hard to sell the resort, which will also offer safaris, as a dream destination to potential guests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

Rarely if ever do these minimum wage safaris net lasting structural change at the companies featured on the show.

From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2026

The Bosnian officer apparently revealed that his Bosnian colleagues found out about the so-called safaris in late 1993 and then passed on the information to Italy's Sismi military intelligence in early 1994.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2025

Her office argues that LaPierre dodged financial disclosure requirements while treating the NRA as his personal piggyback, liberally dipping into its coffers for African safaris and other questionable, big ticket expenses.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2024

The manservant had been on too many safaris not to recognize an animal when he saw it.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Particularly proud of his medical knowledge is Courier Wagner, who has safaried with many a big game expedition through Africa without a single case of malaria or sleeping sickness.

From Time Magazine Archive

In Kampala, Uganda, where the dollar used to bring 10 shillings on the black market, safariing Americans were lucky to get five.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• trek