While planning an African Safari, forget not to learn a few words and phrases to help you feel prepared – let’s call them Safari Lingo. Here are a few Safari lingo or terms you should know before you go;
- Safari
In Swahili, the word Safari means Journey or Expedition and has been used in English to mean trips to Africa to observe or photograph African animals. - Walking Safari
an alternative to the game drive! A walking safari is a slow-paced way to experience wildlife by trekking, tracking, or walking with expert guides. In simple terms, it is a way of satisfying the adventure urge on foot. Tracking gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, walking the beautiful Mana pools National Park and bird-watching excursions across the continent. - The Big5
Before Safari in Africa, some people used to visit to hunt wild animals- an activity called trophy hunting. Many animals were hunted but five animals were most dangerous to hunt and these fetched even bigger trophies. These were called the Big5, and they include Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, and Rhinoceros. This Itinerary will lead you to see the Big 5 in Uganda. - Conservancy
A wildlife conservancy is land managed by an individual landowner, a community or group of owners, a body for purposes of wildlife conservation and other compatible land uses to better livelihoods. Conservancies provide connected landscapes that complement national parks and reserves while enabling local communities to benefit from wildlife management. When you hear the word conservancy, just know communities or communities have been placed at the center of wildlife conservation in the area of question.
Conservancies include Lewa Conservancy, Laikipia nature conservancy, Ol Pejeta Wildlife conservancy, Melako Conservancy (the largest community conservancy in Kenya), and many more.
- Endemic
This means plants and animals that are restricted to a specific place. There are a few animals that are endemic to Africa such as African Penguins, Grevy’s Zebra, and Hartebeest. Some national parks or countries do have endemic species too. - Guide/Field guide
A person whose profession is to help others navigate the African wilderness. Field guides accompany guests on safari expeditions around reserves, conservancies, and national parks as they offer educational insights and interesting info about all elements of nature. - Game drive
This is the most common way to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Game drives are mostly done in a 4WD safari vehicle, specially designed for wildlife viewing – big windows, pop-up roofs, and in some places like southern Africa completely open sides. A game drive may take 1 hour to longer depending on one’s program. In our itineraries, you can choose to have full-day drives or half-day drives. - Bush breakfast
Every single moment on Safari is remarkable, but some do stand out! - Sundowner
Simply put; a sundowner is a happy hour during an African sunset over the African bush. There is no better way to round up an adventurous day or afternoon than with a sundowner. Watch the sunset with some drinks and in good company. - Bush
This is one of the most common words used in Africa, and it is a loose term used to describe the open savannah or grassland commonly inhabited by wildlife. When you go down to Southern Africa, bushveld means the same thing. - Charter Flight
Forget the big birds that fly from continent to continent- a charter flight is a light aircraft that is usually scheduled just for you or a small group of people. These small planes make for extraordinary experiences as you soar over the African wilderness, taking in picturesque views down below. They are also used to connect distant national parks, especially for guests that are not so keen on driving long distances. - Safari Lodge
There are several accommodation options and this is one of them. A safari lodge is an accommodation that consists of permanent concrete, stone, or wood structures. They are usually bigger and provide more amenities than their safari-camp counterparts - Safari Vehicle
Game driver safari vehicles are generally large 4×4 vehicles that have been modified according to a country’s safety regulations to ensure the safety of clients. They can handle any terrain which means they must be well-maintained, comfortable, and reliable. In Southern Africa, open4x4 vehicles are common in countries like Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. - Tracker
Ever seen a guy sitting pretty on a suspended chair on a safari vehicle? Now, that is a tracker. The success of an African safari depends on many factors, but the guide is central. N experienced tracker uses spoor to find the game. They follow footprints and paw marks to know where the wildlife is then.
Dust Absolut Safaris is a tour operator in Uganda offering guided group & private tours, Safaris, and Customized tours with flexible rates. We, therefore, recommend learning a few words (Safari Lingo) to help in designing a life-changing itinerary for you.
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