A qUICK GUIDE TO SWAHILI
travel guide
Travel Guide
Using Swahili phrases on a safari in Tanzania can enhance your experience by connecting with locals and immersing yourself in the culture. Using these Swahili phrases will not only help you communicate but also show respect for the local culture. While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, making an effort to speak Swahili can create meaningful interactions and make your safari experience in Tanzania more fun. Here are some common Swahili phrases you can use on a safari.
Greetings
– Hello: Jambo (Response: Jambo)
– How are you?: Habari gani? (Response: Nzuri – Fine)
– Are you okay?: Uko sawa? (Response: Niko sawa – I am okay)
– Good morning: Habari ya asubuhi
– Good afternoon: Habari ya mchana
– Good evening: Habari ya jioni
Farewells
– Goodbye: Kwaheri (for one person, singular)
– Goodbye: Kwaherini (for more than one person, plural)
– See you later: Tutaonana baadaye
– You are welcome again: Karibu Tena
– Have a safe journey: Safari Njema
Polite Phrases
– Please: Tafadhali
– Thank you: Asante (for one person, singular)
– Thank you: Asanteni (for more than one person, plural)
– Thank you very much: Asante Sana
– You’re welcome: Karibu
– Excuse me: Samahani
– Nice to meet you/happy to meet you: Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe
– And me too: Na mimi pia
Basic Communication
– Yes: Ndiyo
– No: Hapana
– Maybe: Labda
– I don’t know: Sijui
– I know: Ninajua
– I don’t understand: Sielewi
– Can you help me?: Unaweza kunisaidia?
– Go slowly: Nenda pole pole
– Let’s go: Twende
– What is your name?: Jina lako ni nani?
– My name is [your name]: Jina langu ni [your name]
Safari-Related Phrases
– Safari: Safari (Referring to your journey)
– Game drive: Kuzunguka Kuangalia Wanyama (Wanyama – Animals)
– I want to see a lion: Nataka kuona simba
– Animal: Wanyama
– Elephant: Tembo
– Lion: Simba
– Giraffe: Twiga
– Rhino: Kifaru
– Zebra: Punda milia
– Bird: Ndege
– Sunset: Jua linashuka
– Sunrise: Jua linachomoza
Conversational Phrases
– Where is…?: Iko wapi…?
– How much is this?: Hii ni bei gani?
– I would like…: Ningependa…
– Can I have…?: Naweza kupata…?
– Food is delicious: Chakula ni kitamu
– Where are you?: Upo wapi?
– Could I please have some more water?: Je, unaweza kuniongezea maji tafadhali?
– Could you take a picture of me please?: Tafadhali, unaweza kunipiga picha?
– Yes I can: Ndiyo ninaweza
– Where is the restroom?: Choo kipo wapi?
– Water: Maji
– Food: Chakula
– Bathroom/toilet: Choo
– Rafiki: Friend
Numbers
– One: Moja
– Two: Mbili
– Three: Tatu
– Four: Nne
– Five: Tano
– Six: Sita
– Seven: Saba
– Eight: Nane
– Nine: Tisa
– Ten: Kumi
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