Simba means lion in Swahili. A lioness is simba jike. These are useful words to recognize when your guide identifies wildlife in Tanzania or Kenya.
How to say lion and lioness
Use simba for a lion. Add jike when you want to specify a female lion. Learning the animal name helps you follow a guide’s explanation, but a sighting is never guaranteed.
Other big-cat words
Chui means leopard, while duma means cheetah. These are different animals, so ask your guide to explain what you are looking at rather than using simba for every large cat.
Using Swahili on safari
You do not need to speak fluent Swahili to learn a few useful wildlife words. Begin with greetings and animal names, then practice with your guide. Our Swahili language guide covers wider travel phrases.
Guide nicknames and movie characters
Guides may use local nicknames or shorthand during a drive. These are not always dictionary translations. A fictional character’s name should not be treated as a reliable explanation of a Swahili word.
Learn about the animal as well as its name
For lion behavior, prides and conservation, read our lion facts. To plan a wildlife trip, compare the route and time available on a Big Five safari in Tanzania. Keep animal sightings as possibilities rather than promises.