Essential phrases include: "Jambo" (hello), "Habari?" (how are you?), "Nzuri" (good/fine), "Asante" or "Asante sana" (thank you / thank you very much), "Karibu" (you're welcome), "Pole pole" (slowly, slowly - a useful safari mantra), and "Hakuna matata" (no worries).
For wildlife enthusiasts, knowing animal names in Swahili adds to the experience: "Simba" (lion), "Tembo" (elephant), "Twiga" (giraffe), "Kiboko" (hippo), and "Chui" (leopard).
Your guide will likely teach you phrases during the safari. Tanzanians are warm and patient with language learners, and your efforts to speak Swahili, however imperfect, are genuinely appreciated.
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