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  • Writer's pictureTerri Watson,Photographer

The Etymology and Evolution of Safari

Updated: May 23, 2020

A safari /səˈfɑːri/ is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists in Africa. In the past, the trip was often a big-game hunt, but today, safaris are often to observe and photograph wildlife. Today the negative hunting connotations are rapidly being replaced by more modern associations with socially and environmentally responsible travel.


First Arabic: The term originally comes from the Arabic word safara, meaning 'a journey'.

Then Swahili: The Arabic word found its way to East Africa where it was adapted to the Swahili verb kusafiri which means 'to travel' and the noun safari.

And then English: The Swahili word was first used in the English language in 1860 as a foreign word and then made it into dictionaries in 1890 as an English word.

And then Apple : As a web browser for Apple products in January 2003 ... a new journey!


A Terri Watson Safari is to stop, observe, and photograph wildlife while being socially engaged and environmentally responsible on your journey; i.e. A Trip of a Lifetime.



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