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Where does the word "safari" come from? It comes from Arabic safar, passing through Swahili before entering English (1860s).
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Where does the word "safari" come from? It comes from Arabic safar, passing through Swahili before entering English (1860s).
Safari’s story begins in Arabic: safar meant “a journey.” Denoted any journey or expedition, not specifically to Africa. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Swahili as safari. Used along East African trade routes for an overland expedition. It reached English by 1860s as safari. Arabic 'safar', journey; Theodore Roosevelt's 1909 African safari popularized the word. Today, safari means an overland expedition to observe or photograph wild animals, especially in Africa.
- Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval safar "a journey", denoted any journey or expedition, not specifically to Africa.
- Stage 2 · Swahili · 1800s safari "journey, expedition", used along East African trade routes for an overland expedition.
- Stage 3 · English · 1860s safari "an expedition to observe or hunt wildlife", Arabic 'safar', journey; Theodore Roosevelt's 1909 African safari popularized the word.