Speak Safari -
Your ultimate guide to the wild lingo of Africa
Your Safari ABC
Common Safari terms every Afrimine Tours adventurer should know
(A cheeky, stylish, and wildly informative guide by Afrimine Tours)
You’re heading off on your very first African safari – adventure boots polished, camera charged, khaki game strong. But wait… what’s a “kopje”? And why are people getting excited about “sundowners”?
Before you hop into your safari vehicle, it’s time to learn the lingo! From “The Big Five” to “Khaki Fever,” this playful safari ABC will make sure you sound like a seasoned explorer – not a confused city slicker.
Safari Speak - The Wild Ones
The Big Five
Once the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt, today they’re the most thrilling to spot. Say hello to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – Africa’s mighty legends.
The Little Five
Tiny but mighty! These miniature marvels mirror their giant namesakes: ant lion, buffalo weaver, rhino beetle, leopard tortoise, and elephant shrew. Keep your eyes peeled – they’re easy to miss but fascinating to find.
The Ugly Five
Beauty is in the eye of the wildebeest! Meet the scrappy survivors: wildebeest, warthog, hyena, marabou stork, and vulture. What they lack in glamour, they make up for in grit.
Crepuscular, Diurnal & Nocturnal
Crepuscular: Active at sunrise and sunset (lions love this schedule).
Diurnal: Daytime doers like cheetahs, chasing under good light.
Nocturnal: Night owls such as leopards and bush babies, best seen on after-dark drives.
Endemic vs. Indigenous
Endemic species live only in one region – Tanzania’s kipunji monkey says hi!
Indigenous species are native to an area but may appear in several countries.
Tuskers & Bush Babies
Tuskers: Elephants (or boars) with magnificent tusks — true ivory royalty.
Bush Babies: Tiny, wide-eyed nocturnal primates that leap through the treetops like fuzzy ninjas.
Places you’ll hear about on Safari
Boma
A traditional Maasai family homestead made of mud, sticks, and soul. Inside the boma, people and livestock share space and safety under the stars.
Bush
A word that simply means “the wild.” If someone says, “We’re heading into the bush,” they mean the adventure begins now!
Conservancy / Game Reserve / National Park
Each one is a safe haven for wildlife – some managed by communities, others by government. Together, they protect the beating heart of Africa’s wilderness.
Hide & Kopje
Hide: A secret lookout near waterholes where you can spy on wildlife (shh!).
Kopje: A rocky hill rising above the plains – a perfect lion throne and photographer’s dream.
Midden
Yes, that’s the polite word for a dung pile – used by rhinos to mark their territory. Think of it as nature’s message board!
Savanna
Golden grass, endless sky, and scattered trees – the classic African landscape where drama unfolds daily.
Seasons & Spectacles
Dry / Peak Season
Animals gather around waterholes, grass thins out, and game viewing is spectacular. The Great Migration often steals the show!
Green / Wet Season
Lush landscapes, baby animals everywhere, and fewer crowds. Bring your camera — the colors pop!
Shoulder Season
That in-between time when it might drizzle but you’ll score epic deals.
Rutting & Calving Seasons
Rutting: April–June — wildebeest males battle for love and glory.
Calving: December–March — thousands of calves are born daily in the southern Serengeti.
The Great Migration
Nearly two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle travel in a circular, 1,800-mile quest for greener pastures — nature’s grandest road trip.
Game Drives & Safari Styles
Guide / Tracker
Your guide knows the bush like a best friend; a tracker reads footprints like poetry. They’re your safari expats.
Khaki Fever
The uncontrollable attraction to khaki-clad rangers and rugged adventurers. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!)
Nature Walk / Walking Safari
Trade wheels for feet – feel the earth beneath you and follow animal tracks with your expert guide.
Night Game Drive
Spot glowing eyes and nocturnal mysteries come to life under the stars.
Add ons to your safari itinerary in Tarangire or Ruaha Nationalpark.
Private Safari
A private safari gives you your own guide, your own vehicle, and your own rhythm, allowing you to choose when to head out, what animals you want to focus on, and how long you stay at a sighting. It’s more flexible, more intimate, and perfect for couples, families, or anyone who wants a truly exclusive wildlife adventure.
Star-Beds
Sleep under a mosquito net beneath the glittering Milky Way. Nature’s lullaby included.
Sundowner
A sacred safari ritual: gin, tonic, and sunset views. Cheers to another wild day well spent!
Horseback & Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Ride across the savanna or float above it. Either way, you’ll see Africa from a breathtaking new angle.
Photographic Safari
It’s all about the perfect shot. Your camera will get a workout – from elephants at dawn to flamingos at dusk.
Urban Safari
Even cities like Arusha and Zanzibar have wild hearts! Wander markets, taste Tanzanian dishes, and soak up the local rhythm.
Communication is the Key
A few Swahili words will take you far:
Jambo! – Hello
Asante! – Thank you
Safari njema! – Have a good journey
When you know the language of the land – and the language of safari – every conversation with your guide becomes a story worth telling.
Final Word from Afrimine Tours
At Afrimine Tours, we don’t just take you on safari – we take you into the story of Africa. Our expert guides, starry-night lodges, and off-the-beaten-track adventures are designed to awaken your explorer’s spirit.
Whether you’re chasing the Big Five in the Serengeti, drifting over the plains in a balloon, or raising a sundowner to the sunset – your journey starts with one word: Safari.
Safari njema, adventurer!
Safari is about the beauty of the land, the thrill of the chase, and the spirit of adventure woven into the fabric of the African landscape