The Allure of Safari

The word safari, which derives from the Arabic safar, means “journey” in Swahili.

The hunting origins of modern safaris arose in the 18th century. But it was the 19th and 20th centuries that brought us the classic images of well-healed westerners sleeping in tents, taking leisurely meals under the sky, and walking or riding in jeeps during thrilling searches for exotic African game both large and small.

Kenya is generally regarded as the land where these “proper” safaris originated. But they quickly spread to other countries in East Africa, and southern Africa as well.

So, what is the allure of safari? In the old days, it was about exploring the geography, looking for natural resources, and hunting. The so-called “big five” game animals – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros – were prized for the difficulty of capturing and/or killing them. It’s an antiquated concept that has almost no relevance nowadays, when most people only shoot animals with their cameras and phones.

But seeing the big five up close and personal remains a top priority for many tourists, even though the ultimate goal is to leave them in peace. Besides the big five, there are lots of other species worth observing in the wild. Among our favorites on this trip were giraffes, wart hogs, zebras, jackals, hyenas, and hippos.

For us, though, the allure of safari isn’t only about coming face to face with wild animals that could tear us apart (and surely would, under different circumstances). We also enjoy exploring the countries that host safaris and interacting with the people who live there. With that perspective in mind, we journeyed to the Masai Mara region of Kenya for our second safari. (Our first was in South Africa a few years ago, see here.)

As you can see from the photos, we had an incredible time – with both the animals and the people! Of course, we knew we would. Because going on safari is really just another way to visit new parts of the world and be reminded once again that we are all much more alike than we are different.