What language should I learn for an East African safari?

Swahili is the most useful language for East African safaris, spoken widely in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Even basic greetings like "Jambo" (hello) and "Asante" (thank you) will be warmly received by locals and safari guides.

Do I need to speak the local language on safari?

No, English is widely spoken by safari guides and lodge staff across Africa. However, learning a few basic phrases in the local language shows respect and often delights the people you meet. Even simple greetings can transform interactions with local communities.

How do you say "thank you" in Swahili?

Thank you in Swahili is "Asante" (ah-SAHN-teh). For a more emphatic "thank you very much," say "Asante sana" (ah-SAHN-teh SAH-nah). This is one of the most useful phrases you can learn for an East African safari.

What are the most common safari languages in Africa?

The most commonly encountered languages on safari are Swahili (Kenya, Tanzania), Zulu and Afrikaans (South Africa), Setswana (Botswana), Kinyarwanda (Rwanda), and Shona (Zimbabwe). English is widely spoken as a second language in most safari destinations.

How do you say "lion" in different African languages?

Lion is "Simba" in Swahili (Kenya/Tanzania), "Ibhubesi" in Zulu (South Africa), "Tau" in Setswana (Botswana), "Intare" in Kinyarwanda (Rwanda), and "Shumba" in Shona (Zimbabwe). Learning animal names adds excitement to wildlife sightings on safari.

Language Guide

Safari Travel Phrases

Essential phrases in Swahili, Zulu, Setswana, Kinyarwanda, and Shona with pronunciation guides. Connect with local communities and enrich your African safari experience.

5 languages8 phrase categoriesPronunciation guidesPractice mode

The most widely spoken African language, Swahili is the lingua franca of East Africa. Learning even basic Swahili phrases will open doors and hearts across Kenya and Tanzania.

83 phrases

Greetings & Basics

(12)

Hello

Jambo

JAHM-boh

Hello (respectful)

Habari

hah-BAH-ree

Goodbye

Kwaheri

kwah-HEH-ree

Please

Tafadhali

tah-fah-DAH-lee

Thank you

Asante

ah-SAHN-teh

Thank you very much

Asante sana

ah-SAHN-teh SAH-nah

Yes

Ndiyo

n-DEE-yoh

Hapana

hah-PAH-nah

Excuse me

Samahani

sah-mah-HAH-nee

How are you?

Habari yako?

hah-BAH-ree YAH-koh

I am fine

Nzuri

n-ZOO-ree

My name is...

Jina langu ni...

JEE-nah LAHN-goo nee

Safari-Specific

(11)

Look there!

Angalia pale!

ahn-GAH-lee-ah PAH-leh

Lion

Simba

SEEM-bah

Elephant

Tembo

TEM-boh

Buffalo

Nyati

NYAH-tee

Leopard

Chui

CHOO-ee

Rhinoceros

Kifaru

kee-FAH-roo

Giraffe

Twiga

TWEE-gah

Zebra

Punda milia

POON-dah mee-LEE-ah

Bird

Ndege

n-DEH-geh

Beautiful

Nzuri sana

n-ZOO-ree SAH-nah

Hippo

Kiboko

kee-BOH-koh

Numbers

(10)

One

Moja

MOH-jah

Two

Mbili

mm-BEE-lee

Three

Tatu

TAH-too

Four

Nne

n-NEH

Five

Tano

TAH-noh

Six

Sita

SEE-tah

Seven

Saba

SAH-bah

Eight

Nane

NAH-neh

Nine

Tisa

TEE-sah

Ten

Kumi

KOO-mee

Dining

(10)

Water

Maji

MAH-jee

Food

Chakula

chah-KOO-lah

Delicious

Tamu

TAH-moo

The bill please

Bili tafadhali

BEE-lee tah-fah-DAH-lee

Vegetarian

Mboga tu

mm-BOH-gah too

No spice

Bila pilipili

BEE-lah pee-lee-PEE-lee

Coffee

Kahawa

kah-HAH-wah

Tea

Chai

CHAI

Meat

Nyama

NYAH-mah

Fruit

Matunda

mah-TOON-dah

Directions

(10)

Left

Kushoto

koo-SHOH-toh

Right

Kulia

koo-LEE-ah

Stop

Simama

see-MAH-mah

Nenda

NEN-dah

Where is...?

Iko wapi...?

EE-koh WAH-pee

How far?

Mbali kiasi gani?

mm-BAH-lee kee-AH-see GAH-nee

Slowly

Pole pole

POH-leh POH-leh

Straight ahead

Moja kwa moja

MOH-jah kwah MOH-jah

Near

Karibu

kah-REE-boo

Far

Mbali

mm-BAH-lee

Emergency

(10)

Help!

Msaada!

mm-sah-AH-dah

Hospital

Hospitali

hoh-spee-TAH-lee

Police

Polisi

poh-LEE-see

I am lost

Nimepotea

nee-meh-poh-TEH-ah

Call for help

Piga simu ya msaada

PEE-gah SEE-moo yah mm-sah-AH-dah

I need a doctor

Nahitaji daktari

nah-hee-TAH-jee dahk-TAH-ree

Fire!

Moto!

MOH-toh

Danger

Hatari

hah-TAH-ree

I am sick

Mimi ni mgonjwa

MEE-mee nee mm-GOHN-jwah

Medicine

Dawa

DAH-wah

Shopping

(10)

How much?

Bei gani?

BAY GAH-nee

Too expensive

Ghali sana

GAH-lee SAH-nah

Discount?

Punguza bei?

poon-GOO-zah BAY

I will take it

Nitachukua

nee-tah-choo-KOO-ah

No thank you

Hapana, asante

hah-PAH-nah ah-SAHN-teh

Money

Pesa

PEH-sah

Shop/Market

Duka/Soko

DOO-kah / SOH-koh

I want

Nataka

nah-TAH-kah

Big

Kubwa

KOOB-wah

Small

Ndogo

n-DOH-goh

Polite Phrases

(10)

Sorry

Pole

POH-leh

No problem

Hakuna matata

hah-KOO-nah mah-TAH-tah

You are welcome

Karibu

kah-REE-boo

Well done

Hongera

hohn-GEH-rah

Cheers!

Maisha marefu!

mah-EE-shah mah-REH-foo

Friend

Rafiki

rah-FEE-kee

Good morning

Habari ya asubuhi

hah-BAH-ree yah ah-soo-BOO-hee

Good evening

Habari ya jioni

hah-BAH-ree yah jee-OH-nee

Bless you

Mungu akubariki

MOON-goo ah-koo-bah-REE-kee

Welcome

Karibu sana

kah-REE-boo SAH-nah

Language Tips for Safari Travelers

Start with greetings — a simple "hello" in the local language can transform your interactions.
Learn animal names — your guides will be thrilled when you spot a "simba" or a "tembo."
Do not worry about perfect pronunciation — locals genuinely appreciate the effort.
Print the phrase card for your destination — it makes a handy quick-reference on the road.

Ready to Use Your New Phrases?

Now that you have the language basics, explore our curated safari tours across East and Southern Africa. Your guides will love hearing you try the local language!

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