Swahili: All the Basics for your Tanzanian Safari
"If we were meant to stay in one place, we would have roots instead of feet." ― Rachel Wolchin
There are so many places to explore in this beautiful world of ours. Picturesque destinations, from iconic cityscapes to snow-capped mountains, beautiful beaches, and vast savannahs. Traveling far from home, we meet people of different cultures, hear different languages, and feel excited about the unknown. And to see nature and wildlife writ large, what better place than Africa?
The continent of Africa is as diverse as it is vast. Each year, millions of visitors from around the world visit its ancient treasures, iconic deserts, beaches, forests, and wildlife destinations.
With 54 countries on the continent, each so distinctive from the other, it's not surprising that up to 2,000 languages are spoken (75 of which have more than one million speakers). Arabic, French, English, Swahili, Zulu, and Hausa--to name a handful--are spoken by millions of people, Swahili dominant among them across eastern Africa.
And for those who seek to experience abundant wildlife on safari, gorgeous beaches, and/or the heights of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania is a favored safari destination.
Swahili and Tanzania
Swahili is the national language of Tanzania. The overall number of Swahili speakers on the African continent, native or second-language speakers, is estimated to be approximately 200 million. Tanzania itself has great language diversity, with over 125 different languages spoken. English is used widely throughout the country, and as an English speaker, you have a good chance of easy communication wherever you go. The locals are warm and friendly and will want to help you out, but it will further your cause greatly if you know a few basics.
We've put together a short list of basic words and phrases in Swahili to get you started. A little familiarity with the language will, at the least, improve the quality of your interactions as you move about the country.
English to Swahili Guide - The Basics
Swahili is a free-flowing language and is fun to learn. Its pronunciation and tone make it relatively easy to speak, learn and understand. Of course, as with any new language, it will feel a little awkward until you're more familiar with the vocabulary. But there are lots of language pronunciation aids on the internet that you can use to practice before your trip.
Greetings
Greetings are always a good place to start. And especially important when meeting someone for the first time or looking for help navigating an unfamiliar town!
Let's start with "hello." In Swahili, any one of the expressions hujambo, jambo, mambo or habari works for “hello." Where "habari" is a more formal term used to greet elders, "hujambo" or "jambo" is used for a more informal greeting. If you're approaching someone to ask a question, we recommend using the more respectful "habari."
Or if you want to offer a polite good morning, good afternoon, or good evening to someone, say "Habari za asubuhi," "Habari za mchana," or "Habari za jioni."
Since you'll have trouble understanding much of a reply, we recommend sticking to basic words. But if you're asked "Habari Gani?" (How are you? ), you can answer with a "nzuri" (good) or "poa" (cool).
To thank someone, say "asante." You can also use "asante sana," which means "thank you very much." And when someone thanks you, you can reply with "Karibu" which means "You're Welcome."
Asking for Something
When visiting a market, a local village, or having a meal out, you're bound to have some questions. You'll be able to convey information if you can preface a word, like bus or sandwich, with "Naomba," meaning the phrase opener, "I would like." Or conversely, "Sitaki" for "I don't want." And when you want to know the price of something, you can ask, "Ni shingapi?"
When getting to know someone and you want to know someone's name, you can ask, "Unaitwa nani?", and "Unatoka wapi?" for "Where are you from?". And an informal way of referring to your guide or other friendly locals is "Rafiki" for "Friend."
It could come in handy to learn some basic question words, such as "Nini" (What), - "Lini" (When), "Wapi" (Where), "Kwa nini" (Why), "Nani" (Who), and "Gani" (Which).
And to ask for something from someone in a very polite way, use "Tafadhali" for "Please."
Food
You'll taste lots of local dishes and hear lots of names for what you're eating. And one word you'll want to have ready is "ladha," for delicious! English will probably be spoken if you're dining in restaurants, but if you'll be out and about, grabbing a bite in local cafes, a little more Swahili would be helpful.
Start with "Naomba" for "I would like," and then add on what you want to eat or drink. For example, if you want a drink of water, say "Naomba maji" or "Naomba kahawa" for coffee.
Here's a short list of common food and drinks, from English to Swahili:
food - chakula
coffee - kahawa
tea - chai
beer - bia
maji – water
drinking water - maji ya kunywa
milk - maziwa
meat - nyama
chicken - kuku
fish - sumaki
beef - nyama ng’ombe
fruits - matunda
vegetables - mboga
Asking for Directions
On a safari, you'll have your personal guide with you who will be fluent in English. But if you're traveling solo or taking a side trip anywhere, knowing a few directional words will come in handy.
The best place to start is with the Swahili for "Where is...?" Easy enough, just ask "...ni wapi?" For example, if you want to know where the market is, you can ask, "Soko liko wapi?" which means "Where is the market?"
Here is a short list of places you might ask to find:
bank - benki
market - soko
toilet - choo
bus stand - bas stendi
train station - stesheni ya treni
post office - posta
police station - kituo cha polisi
Animals
For most of us, a trip to Africa would only be complete when we have the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Once again, communication on safari will be easier to follow if you're familiar with the most common words you're likely to hear.
So what you can expect to hear repeatedly is "angalia," meaning "to see" or "look." Listen for it. Your guide might say, "Angalia, tembo," meaning, "Look, an elephant." Or, "Angalia, simba," for "Look, there is a lion." And while elephants are pretty easy to spot on your own, you won't want to miss a simba!
Here are the English/Swahili terms for the Big Five:
elephant - tembo
buffalo - nyati
lion - simba
rhino - kifaru
leopard - chui
And to add to your vocabulary:
giraffe - twiga
cheetah - duma
hippo - kiboko
hyena - fisi
warthog - ngiri
wildebeest - nyumbu
zebra - pundamilia
Other Common Phrases
In addition to the phrases mentioned above, here are a few more terms and phrases to help keep you and your guide on the same page while enjoying your Tanzanian safari:
To say "Yes" or "No" in Swahili, use the words "Ndiyo" or "Hapana," respectively.
If you agree with someone, nod your head and say "Sawa" for "OK." And it's always good to know "Sielewi," which means "I don't understand".
When greeted by someone with "Jina lako ni nani?" or “unaitwa nani?”, you can tell them your name. If they ask, "Unatoka wapi?" you can say, "Natoka (I'm from)...," and tell them where you're from.
Wrapping Up
Investing just a little time and effort in learning what you can of the beautiful Swahili language will greatly enhance your enjoyment on safari. Not only could a few words help get you pointed in the right direction, but we also guarantee it will bring a smile to someone's face when you give Swahili a try!
Fortunately, you'll be able to manage well on a Tanzanian safari whether or not you have a talent for the language. At Sababu Safaris, our local guides will always be there to assist you with any questions, necessary translations, or other guidance.
So, what are you waiting for? Feel free to contact us to create your own customized safari today. We will listen to each detail of your safari preferences and expectations and plan your adventure together. Be it a family safari, a honeymoon with your beloved, or a solo adventure, we will be happy to assist.
Related Reads:
A Brief History of Tanzania: A Traveler's Guide
Tanzania Culture, Traditions And Customs: What You Need To Know