Safari

Safari ( Zafa ː ri, from Arabic سفر, DMG safar 'journey' ) is the popular term of the Swahili language for a trip of any kind For example, even a simple walk longer be a safari. He found since the colonial period input in the German and English language of the erstwhile colonial rulers and was at that time primarily used to refer to a hunting trip in East Africa, was killed at the usual big game. Later the term was then extended to other parts of Africa and the world, such a rich wildlife areas in southern Africa or in India. Originally Safaris were in this sense only wealthy hunters possible, who could not afford the equipment and the cost of the numerous required support. Famous big game hunter on safari for example, were the two British kings George VI. and Edward VIII, and before them, the U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

In recent years, the concept evolved, and today usually refers to tourism in national parks, where you can see animals in the wild and photograph ( Photo Safari), who is now affordable for less well-heeled travelers. To this end, a veritable safari industry has developed with lodges ( guesthouses or hotels ), firm leaders etc.

In both forms of Safari played and play the so-called "Big Five" - African Buffalo, African Elephant, lion, leopard and rhino - a major role.

The term safari is also used in connection with liveaboards, where the term has prevailed Dive Safari. It is usually made of a photo safari in the sea.

Today's big game hunting

In addition to photo safaris, however, the colonial form of safari in the sense of big-game hunting is not extinct. To date, one can in many areas of Africa, succumbed in part to high sums, big game. This type of safari has become a major industry and is - if ethically - even operated sustainably. In some parts of Africa, presented farmers growing crops or cattle farming, which hardly brought in the always becoming infertile soils profit, on so-called "game - farming" in order. Here, the normally occurring in this region, wild species are protected and imposes only the "overhang" against very large sums of trophies and prestige hunters.

From an ecological perspective, this usage can be quite meaningful and sustainable manner, even if it is well regulated, also contribute to species conservation, as the landscape in which these safaris are organized to be as natural as possible ( minimal intervention into the natural landscape ) and this species not destructive pests are considered as crops, but represent an immense value for the Game -farm operators. Consequently, these animals from poaching, the main reason of extinction in modern times, protected. Which has been found this type of use, for example, the reconstruction of the stocks of the white rhino in Namibia and South Africa.

Some European and Indian big game species survived only in hunting areas that were reserved for the upper classes often noble, such as the wisent in the Białowieża Forest or the Indian lion in the Gir forest. Particularly noteworthy is the ibex, whose stocks had been completely eradicated in the Alps down to the hunting park of the former Italian king Vittorio Emanuele and have been naturalized from there the beginning of the last century in the rest of the Alps again.

Reception

The theme safari inspired many writers and directors to work on, such as the passionate safari -goers Ernest Hemingway to The Green Hills of Africa and the truth in the morning light.