Swahili for safari — 40 words that transform your Tanzania trip

Swahili is the official language of Tanzania alongside English. But unlike what many travellers think, you don't need to speak fluent Swahili to make a real difference. Ten words, sincerely spoken, open more doors than any guidebook.

I am Jonas. I have worked my whole life with people from across Europe, and one thing is always true: the moments most remembered are not the big wildlife sightings — they are the small human connections. And language is the key to those.

Here are the 40 Swahili words I teach everyone before they board the plane.

The basics — start here

*Hujambo / Jambo* — Hello (formal / informal). Jambo is the tourist version, hujambo is how locals greet each other.

*Habari* — How are you? Literally "news" — ask this to your guide every morning.

*Nzuri* — Good / beautiful. The answer to habari. Or use it for anything you find beautiful.

*Asante* — Thank you. The word you will use most.

*Asante sana* — Thank you very much. Add "sana" (= very/much) for emphasis.

*Karibu* — Welcome / you're welcome. The answer to asante.

*Ndio* — Yes.

*Hapana* — No.

*Tafadhali* — Please.

*Pole* — Sorry / gently. If you bump someone or something falls.

Safari words

*Twende* — Let's go! Say this when the game drive starts.

*Simama* — Stop. Say this when you see an animal.

*Pole pole* — Take it easy / slowly. One of the most beautiful Swahili expressions. Zanzibar lifestyle in two words.

*Haraka haraka* — Quick quick. The opposite of pole pole.

*Mzuri sana* — Very beautiful. Use this for everything from a sunset to a meal.

*Shida* — Problem. Hopefully you never use this.

*Hakuna shida* — No problem.

*Sawa sawa* — Okay / everything is fine.

*Bado* — Not yet / wait a moment. Heard by the waiting 4x4.

Animals in Swahili

*Simba* — Lion. Yes, that's right. The name of our company.

*Tembo* — Elephant.

*Nyati* — Buffalo.

*Chui* — Leopard.

*Kifaru* — Rhinoceros.

*Twiga* — Giraffe.

*Punda milia* — Zebra. Literally "striped donkey".

*Kiboko* — Hippopotamus.

*Fisi* — Hyena.

*Ndege* — Bird.

Food and daily life

*Chakula* — Food. Ask "chakula liko wapi?" = where is the food?

*Maji* — Water. Essential.

*Chai* — Tea. The Tanzanian guide drinks this all day.

*Tamu* — Delicious. Say this after every meal.

*Nyumba* — House / accommodation.

*Duka* — Shop.

*Pesa* — Money.

Expressions you must not miss

*Hakuna matata* — No worries. Yes, The Lion King took this from Swahili. It is genuinely said, daily.

*Safari njema* — Safe journey. Say this at departure.

*Tutaonana* — Goodbye. Literally "we will see each other".

*Mungu akubariki* — God bless you. Heard at farewell.

*Karibu Tanzania* — Welcome to Tanzania. The first thing you hear when you land.

My advice

You don't need to learn all these words. But write them on index cards and practise them on the plane. When you ask your guide "habari" in the morning and answer with a smiling "nzuri sana" — believe me, the tone of your whole day changes.

Tanzania is a friendly country. It becomes friendlier still when you speak a few words of its language.

Pole pole. No rush.