SAFARI

Map of Africa 1890

A 'safari' (IPA pronunciation: ) is an overland journey. It usually refers to a trip by tourists to Africa, traditionally for a big-game hunt and in more modern times to watch and photograph big game and other wildlife as a safari holiday. There is a certain theme or style associated with the word, which includes khaki clothing, belted bush jackets, pith helmets or slouch hats, and animal skins — like leopard's skin.

Etymology

Entering the English language in the late 19th century, the word ''safari'' means 'journey' in Swahili language. Originally from the Farsi سفر (safara) meaning ''travel'' ^[1]
The verb for "to travel" in Swahili is "safiri", the noun for the journey is "safari". These words are used for any type of journey e.g. by bus from Nairobi to Mombasa.

Photo of Lion taken while on Safari in Kenya

Touristic usage

Although the word safari came to popular usage in reference to hunting and touring expeditions in East Africa, it is now used generally to mean any long or adventurous journey or expedition, eg. whale watching safaris, photography safaris, eco-safari etc.

As a cinema genre

The safari provided countless hours of cinema entertainment in sound films from Trader Horn (1931 film) onwards. The safari was used in many adventure films such as the Tarzan, Jungle Jim, and Bomba the Jungle Boy film series up to The Naked Prey where great white hunter Cornel Wilde becomes game himself. Safaris were parodied in the comedies Road to Zanzibar and Call Me Bwana both with Bob Hope. An instant 15 minute helicopter safari was shown in Africa Addio where clients are armed, flown from their hotel and landed in front of an unlucky and baffled elephant.