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Want to know how to say hello in Swahili? WeGuide African Safaris lists the 25 most useful local phrases for travelling in Tanzania right here!
Do you know how to say hello in Swahili?
It is one of the very first questions our expert travel guides at WeGuide African Safaris get asked by clients when they arrive in Tanzania. And honestly, it is a great question to ask.
Being able to greet local people even in the simplest way transforms your travel experience instantly. It opens doors, sparks smiles, and shows genuine respect for the culture you are stepping into.
In Tanzania, Swahili (also known as Kiswahili) is the first language of most locals. Your WeGuide Safaris guides always speak fluent English, and the majority of people working in tourism do too. But making the effort to learn even a handful of Swahili words goes a very long way.
So let’s get started.
The very first Swahili phrase you will likely hear upon arriving in Tanzania is:
Karibu Tanzania! — Welcome to Tanzania!
Warm, friendly, and immediate. But how do you respond?
Here are two words to learn before anything else:
Most words in Swahili are pronounced phonetically, which makes them much easier to pick up than you might expect. A guide like the Lonely Planet Swahili Phrasebook is a handy companion for breaking down trickier words into simple, digestible pronunciations.
Even if you mispronounce half the words — and you probably will at first — locals will always appreciate the effort. It signals curiosity, warmth, and respect.
A few manners go a very long way. Start here.
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| Hello | Habari |
| How are you? | Habari yako / Habari gani? |
| (Very) fine, thank you | Nzuri (sana) / Poa / Safi |
| Please | Tafadhali |
| Thank you (very much) | Asante (sana) |
| Welcome | Karibu |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri |
| Good night | Lala salama |
| OK | Sawa |
Pro tip: Asante sana (thank you very much) is one of the most appreciated phrases you can use. Say it often and say it warmly.
Getting around Tanzania is much smoother when you know a few practical phrases. Here are the most useful ones.
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| Left | Kushoto |
| Right | Kulia |
| Front | Mbele |
| Behind | Nyuma |
| Up | Juu |
| Down | Chini |
| Let’s go! | Twende! |
| Hotel | Hoteli |
| Car | Gari |
| Where is the shop/supermarket? | Kiosk/supermarket iko wapi? |
Twende! is a favourite among travellers. You will find yourself using it constantly — especially on safari mornings when excitement is high and the animals are waiting.
No trip to Tanzania is complete without a safari adventure. And what better way to connect with the experience than knowing the Swahili names of the iconic animals you will encounter?
The Big Five — the five most celebrated wild animals of East Africa — are a highlight of any Tanzania safari. Here is how to say their names in Swahili.
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| Elephant | Tembo |
| Buffalo | Mbogo |
| Rhino | Kifaru |
| Lion | Simba |
| Leopard | Chui |
Yes — Simba really does mean lion in Swahili. Tanzania has that kind of magic.
Congratulations! You now know how to say hello in Swahili, navigate your way around, and even name the Big Five in Kiswahili.
That is a fantastic head start for your Tanzania adventure.
Ready to start planning your custom vacation? Get in touch with WeGuide African Safaris today and let our expert guides bring your dream trip to life — one Habari at a time.
Karibu Tanzania. Welcome to Tanzania.
