What’s a safari and what is a wildlife safari in Africa like nowadays?

Of course, you've heard about African safaris and seen photos of celebs looking glamorous on safari in Africa. But, what is a safari really? And what is a wildlife safari in Africa like for the regular 21st-century traveller?

Here, we'll tell you all about African safaris and explain what a wildlife safari in Africa is like for most travellers nowadays. By the end of this post, you'll know what to expect on a wildlife safari in Africa today. 

What is a safari?

A safari is a journey.

In the broadest sense, to go on safari is simply to travel. More specifically, a safari is a journey that involves going into nature to watch wild animals.

On safari in Africa

The roots of the word safari are Arabic (and later Swahili), but the modern concept of a safari originated in Africa. Today safari is synonymous with Africa.

Can you only safari in Africa or can you go on safari outside of Africa?

Yes, safari is an African thing. Although you can go on a safari-style trip in places outside of Africa, safaris are essentially African. 

Africa is the home of the safari. This is where the classical idea of the wildlife safari was born and evolved. The safari is firmly rooted in Africa.

What is a safari in Africa?

That said, you can go on 'safari' in Australia, India, Canada, the United States, and other countries. Of course, there are wilderness areas where you can see wild animals, all over the world. But, none of the wild places outside of Africa are quintessential safari territory. Elsewhere you find wildlife expeditions or wildlife tours (safari-style trips).

You can take trips into the wilderness anywhere, but you can only truly go on safari in Africa. 

What is a safari in Africa, then?

A safari is the most famous and sought-after type of holiday in Africa. Going on safari is widely considered the ultimate 'thing to do' in Africa. Usually, a safari in Africa implies a wildlife safari. 

In essence, an African safari is any journey into the wilderness to observe free-roaming wildlife.

This traditional definition of a safari in Africa has expanded over time, however. Nowadays any trip in Africa where you spend some time in nature looking at free-roaming animals can be called a safari. 

Leopard on African safari

In summary, a safari is a journey (or expedition) to look at wild animals, especially in East Africa and southern Africa. 

A safari in Africa is not...

A wildlife safari in Africa is not a trip reserved for khaki-clad bushwhackers and experienced game rangers or scientists. You don't have to be an outdoorsman like Bear Grylls to love your time on safari. Just about anyone can thoroughly enjoy an African safari in the travel style that suits them best.

Modern African safari

A safari is not the same as a tour of a wildlife sanctuary or animal rescue centre. Even in Africa, visits to wildlife havens or shelters are not safaris.

A trip to an African zoo is not a safari. A wine tasting tour in the Cape Winelands is not a safari. A township tour? No. A trip to meet the Omo Valley tribes in Ethiopia? Technically, not a safari. A road trip in Namibia? Also, strictly speaking not a safari - unless you visit a game park with wildlife, like Etosha.

An African safari is still different from a city holiday, beach vacation, historical tour, or cultural trip in Africa.

In Africa, a holiday only becomes a safari when you add an element of wildlife watching in nature. Be it game viewing by 4x4 safari vehicle, boat, canoe, small plane, or on foot, to name a few. Based on this broader definition of safari, boat trips and marine tours are often classed as 'ocean safaris'. 

Walking safari with giraffe

First, let's take a look at the traditional African safari and how it has evolved...

What does the word safari mean? (the origins of safari)

The word 'safari' originates from the Arabic word 'safara' which means 'a journey'. The Arabic word was later adopted by the Swahili of East Africa and adapted to become the Swahili word 'safariya' which means 'journey' or 'kusafiri' which means 'to travel'.

The English word 'safari' originates from the late 19th century. The word 'safari' was introduced into the English language as a foreign language word in 1858 and later adopted as an English word. It is said that the word 'safari' was introduced into the English language in 1860 by the legendary British explorer, Sir Richard Francis Burton. Then, in 1890 the English word 'safari' was added to dictionaries according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.

Today, traditional dictionary definitions of 'safari' still often include a component of hunting:

"...an expedition to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitat, especially in East Africa." and "A trip into any undeveloped area to see, photograph or hunt wild animals in their own environment."

Forget the old concept of a wildlife safari as a hunting trip - that outdated usage is history! 

Safari now refers to an adventure or expedition into the wilds of Africa - with no hunting involved. African safari travel typically provides revenue for local conservation projects and game parks, helping to protect habitats and wildlife, rather than taking them out. African safaris also play an important role in creating awareness about wildlife conservation, as well as benefiting local communities. 

A more modern definition of safari is, simply:

A safari (/səˈfɑːri/; from Swahili safari 'journey') is an overland journey to observe wild animals, especially in eastern or southern Africa. (Wikipedia) 

The history of African safaris

The modern concept of the safari can be traced back to the early colonial era in Africa, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. With the arrival of the first European explorers and colonizers came the first safari-style expeditions. Some of them aimed at exploring new territories, many for the express purpose of hunting animals.

On these early European-led expeditions, big game (large animals) were hunted and arduously lugged overland by a small army of local tribespeople.

Later, US President Teddy Roosevelt popularized the concept in the United States, when he embarked on a safari of enormous proportions, ostensibly with the aim of filling the Smithsonian Institute with African specimens. Some 11,400 Animals fell to the party's rifles, of which 512 were 'big game' - elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, and rhinos, including six white rhinos - rare even at that time.

Fast-forward to today and you will find that hunting is no longer part of most safaris in Africa. Thankfully the primitive pastime of hunting is largely something of the past. It is not the norm anymore and the vast majority of Africa has long moved on from this colonial-era practice.

Elephant walking safari

Note: African Budget Safaris absolutely does not promote or sell hunting safaris, nor do we endorse hunting for sport. If you are contemplating a hunting safari, please consider opting for a wildlife-viewing safari instead.

The modern wildlife safari, making a difference in Africa

These days, most people have left the negative hunting connotations of safari travel behind. The outdated ideas of African safaris as hunting trips have largely been replaced by more modern concepts of wildlife safaris. The norm for a safari in Africa is now a socially and environmentally responsible form of travel. 

Nowadays going on safari in Africa means taking an adventurous holiday and having a positive impact at the same time. Wildlife safaris now play a key role in sustaining African economies and protecting wildlife populations. So taking a safari holiday helps make a meaningful difference.

Wildlife conservation Africa

African safaris have become holiday trips that actually benefit the wildlife of Africa. As opposed to hunting wild animals, visitors get to encounter them and help protect them. Most safari tour companies and lodges either actively support (or run) conservation projects, or help generate tourism revenue which contributes to managing wildlife projects and game reserves in Africa.

African safari landscape

Eco-safaris & eco-friendly safari travel in Africa

As environmental awareness has grown worldwide, African safaris have become more eco-friendly. Many safari lodges and tour companies have become more environmentally friendly in response to the sustainability challenges we face today.

Botswana eco-camp safari

Finding an eco-safari lodge or a low-impact safari in Africa is easier than ever before. Even the camps and safaris that aren't marketed as being 'green' or eco-friendly often are, in at least some important respects. The camps and lodges located in wilderness areas or national parks, for instance, are typically designed to have minimal impact on the environment and be as self-sufficient as possible due to their remote locations, national laws, and park regulations. 

For eco-friendly safaris that reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to environmental sustainability, talk to us.

• More about eco-safaris in Going Green on Safari and Spectacular Eco-Conscious Safari Spots

Socially responsible safari travel in Africa

The modern African safari is a socially responsible journey. Not as an exception but as the norm. Not only does safari travel contribute massively to African economies and provide jobs, but it also helps improve social conditions. 

Local communities across Africa benefit from sustainable tourism through social initiatives created and/or supported by safari organizations - from tour companies and lodges to activity providers, and game reserves. Safari travel also helps sustain small businesses and entrepreneurs selling goods (like local food, crafts, and curios) or providing services (such as guiding and entertainment).

Socially responsible safari

Some safari companies directly support social upliftment projects and provide opportunities to interact with the local people. Others support local communities through the lodges, game reserves, and other companies they use.

• More about socially sustainable safaris in Responsible Safari: how to travel ethically

Safari travel's critical role in social and economic development

Africa's travel and tourism sector (of which the safari industry is an integral part) "employed more than 24 million people in 2019" based on World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reports.

In particular, Africa's wildlife tourism industry, "usually generates $29 billion a year and employs 3.6 million people" according to Bloomberg (2020).

The safari industry generates some $12.4 billion in annual revenues for South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania Uganda and Zambia - Africa’s top wildlife tourist destinations. (Reuters, 2020)

South Africa (which has the second-largest tourism industry in Africa) "relies on the tourism industry to indirectly contribute up to 9.1% of the country’s total employment – 1.5 million people – and 7% of its GDP" (Investment Monitor, 2021).

It is clear that safari travel plays a critical role in social and economic development in Africa. Not only through social upliftment and outreach programs but by producing substantial revenue and employment.

"During the past two decades, the hospitality industry has become vital to many African economies. In 2019 it accounted for approximately 7% of Africa’s overall GDP and contributed $169bn to its economy... according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank". (Investment Monitor, 2021)

In short, safari tourism "helps governments justify protecting wildlife habitat,” and “creates revenue for state wildlife authorities, generates foreign-exchange earnings, diversifies and strengthens local economies.” (Bloomberg 2020).

What African Safaris are all about these days

Today African safaris are holiday trips primarily aimed at watching and photographing wildlife in the bush, for fun.

Safari travel in contemporary Africa still implies game viewing and time in wilderness areas (game reserves, wildlife conservancies, and national parks). A traditional African safari is still focused on seeing African wildlife, but safaris are definitely not limited to game viewing.

In addition to game viewing and wildlife tracking, African safaris nowadays are about:

• the experience of being out in the bush (wilderness)
• exploring scenic places and natural wonders
• encountering the local cultures of Africa (old and new)
• visiting historical attractions and sightseeing
• volunteering and supporting good causes
• participating in adventure and outdoor activities (adventure travel)

Once you're in the wilderness the safari truly begins. You'll spend most of your time enjoying untamed nature at the camps and watching animals in the wild.

Different kinds of safari trips offer a variety of ways to explore the wilderness and look for wildlife and birds. You can choose to explore by riverboat or canoe, on foot or by mountain bike, on horseback (even camelback) or quad-bike. The possibilities are endless with so many specialist safaris to choose from in Africa.

Zambezi canoeing safari

Big 5 Safaris in Africa, explained

The term 'Big Five' was originally coined by big-game hunters to refer to the most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa in the late 1800s.

Today, however, the Big 5 of Africa are the top animals that tourists want to see on wildlife safaris. The iconic African animals of the Big 5 are lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos.

Out of the Big 5 safari animals, only the buffalo is not threatened or endangered. Encountering the Big 5 African animals is now (usually) about the joy of observing them in their natural environment, learning about them, and taking photographs of them. A Big 5 safari is merely a wildlife safari that is focused on seeing and photographing the Big 5 animals of Africa in the wild.

Africa safari sighting

What is a safari now? (in a nutshell)

The African safari has earned a new reputation. By large, the safari has evolved into a socially and environmentally responsible (often beneficial) style of travel in Africa.

Contemporary safaris encompass much more than the unforgettable experience of game viewing and staying in the bush. The 21st-century African safari combines wildlife encounters with a variety of fascinating and exciting travel adventures - from city stays and cultural interactions to beach getaways.

To plan your African safari adventures now, talk to one of our friendly travel experts.

African safari wildlife

Budget African Safaris to the best travel destinations

Southern Africa Safari & Travel Highlights:

• Botswana Safari - Chobe Park, Okavango Delta, Moremi, Kalahari & Makgadikgadi
• Namibia Safari - Etosha Park, Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Fish River Canyon & Windhoek
• South Africa Safari - Kruger Park, Cape Town, Garden Route, Addo Elephant Park & KwaZulu-Natal 
• Zimbabwe Safari - Hwange Park, Victoria Falls, Matobo National Park & Great Zimbabwe Ruins
• Zambia Safari - Victoria Falls, South Luangwa Park, Kafue National Park & Livingstone

East African Safari & Travel Highlights:

• Tanzania Safari - Serengeti Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara, Selous Reserve & Zanzibar Islands
• Kenya Safari - Masai Mara, Amboseli Park, Lake Nakuru, Samburu Reserve, Tsavo National Park & Lake Naivasha
• Uganda Safari - Bwindi National Park, Kibale Park, Murchison Falls, Jinja & Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Madagascar Tours - Nosy Be Island, Andasibe Park, Montagne d'Ambre National Park & Masoala Peninsula
• Malawi Safari - Lake Malawi, Dzalanyama Forest, Liwonde Park & Nyika National Park

Too many African Safari options? Get in touch with us for up-to-date advice from one of our African safaris experts

Elephant on Big 5 Safari in Africa

“If there were one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again.” - Karen Blixen (Author of “Out of Africa”)

[Article updated in May 2022]