safari
Americannoun
plural
safaris-
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
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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.
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
He said when he heard the sculpture would be in the safari park's secret garden, he was "very excited" as the location was "perfect for it".
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
Hajime Nakae, professor of emergency and critical medicine at the Akita University Hospital, said the frequent bear sightings made him feel like he was "living inside... a safari park for bears".
From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025
It was as though we were on safari, for we encountered all manner of animals, including a battalion of sprightly baboons, which I followed for some time, admiring their military-like organization and movements.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
