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

Then came the exclusive safari holiday - he said he'd booked it and Helen paid him back.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

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

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

In 1935, when Charles organized a five-month African safari, Marcela eagerly enlisted in the adventure.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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

He runs beginner shoots at Hogganfield and other lochs in central Scotland, advancing to island tours and even international safaris.

From BBC ● Dec. 30, 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

I got the roasting heat and the crocodiles and the snakes and the long safaris up-country, selling Shell oil to the men who ran the diamond mines and the sisal plantations.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

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