The word Safari like many others in Swahili, the major lingua franca of Eastern Africa, has Arab origins. In classic Arabic the verb, safara, means to enter upon a journey or to make a discovery. The noun, safariya, is a voyage or an expedition.

Arab traders, ivory hunters and slavers, traveled extensively in Eastern and Central Africa from the 14th century until slavery was abolished in the 1870s. Many used Zanzibar, which became part of the Sultanate of Oman, as a starting point and sold their slaves and ivory in its markets. A safariya was a major undertaking, Tippu Tip, perhaps the most remarkable of the Arab traders and explorers, led expeditions some 4,000 strong into the interior. He helped Stanley and other European explorers and was familiar with a wide tract of territory in Eastern and Central Africa.

More recently the word has become associated with hunting expeditions undertaken by the settlers in East Africa, in particular Kenya. The great safari period, when game was very plentiful lasted from the 1840s to the 1930s, when the notion of National Wildlife Parks to protect dwindling game was first mooted, often by the hunters themselves.

Nowadays the word is more associated with short trips made by tourists with cameras and binoculars to view the flora and fauna. Few words conjure up such magical images as safari.

Khaki

A word, which is synonymous with safari clothing. Few self-respecting safari tourists will not have at least some of their vacation clothing dyed in this color. It's origins, however, are not on the African continent at all and are not much in keeping with traditional African dress, which tends to be very colorful.

The word started on the North West Frontier of Imperial British India in the nineteenth century, a hot, uncomfortable posting for any young English upper class officer. At that time the British Army was issued, wherever they were stationed in the Empire, regardless of climate, thick woolen or felt, high-collared jackets. An English officer, resplendent in the hot red uniform, decided to experiment with lighter materials. He, so the story goes, took his pajamas (another Indian mode of dress), made from light imported cotton and dyed them a tawny brown. This color in the Indian Hindu language was called "Khaki". Thus the fashion statement began.

Animal Encounters

It is unlikely that you will come face-to-face with a dangerous wild animal during your stay in camp or at a safari lodge, but if you do here is some well used advice, some safari lore:

• Whatever the encounter, don't panic, don't turn your back on any animal and never, but never run away. Remain motionless, avoid staring into the animals eyes, watch the animal and give it room to move off in whichever direction it wants to go.
• Never get between an animal and it's young or the rest of the herd.
• Don't corner an animal so it feels trapped.
• Never get between a Hippo and water and if on a boat or canoe give wallowing Hippos advance warning that you are there, banging with the oars on the side of the boat works well. Keeping to the shallows, allowing the Hippos to go into deeper water, which they prefer is also sound practice.
• Face-to-face with a lion or hyena - don't panic and never run. Instinctively if you do they will treat you like prey and they are much stronger than you are. Stand upright, make yourself as large as possible, use a stick, if handy and hold above your head, shout aggressively and then back away slowly watching the animal all the time. If a lion charges hold your ground. In almost all instances the animal will run away.
• Buffalo can be quite dangerous if encountered on foot and you are best advised to seek shelter up a tree.
• Elephants are perhaps the most likely animals that you will encounter close at hand on your safari. They are best left well alone, don't be tempted to get that wonderful picture. Lone bulls will often mock charge, but you will get some warning, normally ear flapping, noisy trumpeting for example - this means back off, so back off! Males in musth (sexually active), have large stains around their faces, which are clearly visible and may drip urine. They are to be avoided as they become very aggressive. Females with calves are also best left to feed as they generally don't mock charge! A serious charge is signaled by the trunk being tucked under the chin. If charged, run.

Many lodges have water holes to attract the animals and few erect fences, camps are often pitched in open ground, so do listen to what your camp manager or guide tells you. The most likely time for the animals to be at or around the lodges and camp is in the early morning or at night. For your peace of mind most lodges and camps post night-watchmen. Use common sense and:

• Make sure your tent zippers are securely fastened. If broken or not working properly get them fixed. Never leave the tent flaps open, it is an invitation to hyenas in particular.
• Do not keep foodstuffs in your tent. Elephants go wild for certain fruits and will be determined to get them!
• Do not leave out any food for any wild animals.
• Ensure that all windows and doors in a vehicle containing foodstuffs are secured. Elephant trunks are amazingly versatile and can lever down windows from the smallest gap.
• Go out walking only with a guide.
• Don't wander about at night nor leave the tent or lodge room for any reason.

To make the noises you will hear during the night more enjoyable, ask your guide to imitate and identify them for you, then at least you know what is out there. Lion calls often sound close, whereas in reality they can be three miles away. With all flaps secured you are pretty safe in a tent and animals cannot and will not try and get in - so don't worry!

If you want to see what has been around during the night then ask your guide help you identify the tracks.

If you have children with you it is a good idea (and policy in some places) for you to sleep with them. They have very fertile imaginations and will be frightened by the noises at night. Helping them identify them and being with them will make the memories fun.