safari

The word “safari” means a trip into the wild to observe, photograph, or hunt animals in their natural habitat. In plain terms, a journey to see or hunt wild animals in their own environment, usually in Africa.

“Safari” is pronounced suh-FAHR-ee (/səˈfɑːɹ.i/ in IPA).

Here is “safari” used in a sentence: “They booked a two-week safari in Kenya to see elephants and lions up close.”

“Safari” is a noun.

The word “safari” comes from Arabic. From Swahili safari ("journey"), itself borrowed from Arabic safar ("a journey" or "travel").

“Safari” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Safari” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a trip into the wild to observe, photograph, or hunt animals in their natural habitat.

A safari specifically refers to a trip into the wild to observe, photograph, or hunt animals in their natural habitat, while an expedition is a broader term for any organized journey undertaken for exploration, research, or a specific purpose. All safaris could be described as a type of expedition, but not all expeditions involve wildlife.

No, safari can also describe any expedition undertaken to track down something new or collect prizes, extending beyond wildlife-watching to other kinds of adventurous, goal-driven trips. This broader sense keeps the spirit of exploration and pursuit central to the word's meaning.

A safari traditionally involves observing or photographing wild animals in their natural habitat, commonly in African savanna or bush environments, such as lions, elephants, and giraffes. The core idea is experiencing wildlife in the setting where it naturally lives, rather than in captivity.