The colorful world of ‘Bush Lingo’

Imagine that you’re out in the wilderness on a guided tour when the engine stops, the guide leans casually out of the window, arm resting on the frame, and proclaims to the assembled guests, “So guys and girls, these are impala. We in the business like to call them the McDonald’s of the bush.” Those who’ve heard this one too many times may roll their eyes, but for first-timers, it’s a catchy way to remember how impalas are a common prey species—just like the ubiquitous fast-food chain.

The evolution of a language

The safari industry is rich with such phrases, many of which have evolved into the go-to tools of guides looking to entertain and educate their guests. Some of these sayings serve to highlight interesting ecological tidbits, while others are outright…silly. For the more inexperienced guides, these expressions can serve as a crutch, offering a lighthearted way to engage visitors and create lasting memories. However, even the more seasoned safari-goers might find some value in them, especially when they help weave a deeper understanding of the bush’s rhythms.

The (In)famous sayings of safari guides

1. ‘Flying Bananas’ or ‘Banana Beaks’: This phrase harks back to Rowan Atkinson’s role as ‘Zazu’ in The Lion King, and is used to refer to hornbills. It’s a hit with kids and first-timers, but for the well-traveled, the humor might wear thin.
2. ‘Bush Ferraris’: A playful reference to the tsessebe, the fastest antelope species, reaching speeds of around 90 km/h. With their elongated limbs and sleek, reddish-brown bodies, the comparison to a luxury sports car feels apt. It’s a favorite among those who appreciate the athletic grace of these lesser-known speedsters.
3. ‘The Balance of Nature’: This phrase is often deployed to explain the complex interconnectedness of ecosystems. While the notion of a perfectly balanced nature has fallen out of scientific favor, guides continue to use it to help visitors appreciate the intricacies of ecological relationships. Yet, one look at the challenges of managing growing elephant populations in some parks shows that nature doesn’t always find balance easily, and it’s not as delicate as once thought.
4. ‘Pumbas’, ‘Timons’, and ‘Rafikis’: These Disney-inspired names for warthogs, meerkats, and baboons (or occasionally mandrills) add a touch of familiarity for guests. However, this ‘Disneyfication’ of wildlife can blur the lines between reality and fiction, potentially leading to misconceptions about the animals being observed. For example, Rafiki in The Lion King was inspired by a mandrill, not a baboon, even though he’s referred to as the latter.
5. ‘Well Spotted!’: A clever pun, this phrase is used to acknowledge a guest’s sighting of a leopard, hyena, or any spotted creature, while humorously hinting that the guide perhaps should have noticed it first.
6. ‘Bush TV’: This end-of-the-day expression comes alive around a campfire, where guests gather to unwind after a long day of wildlife tracking. With flames dancing and embers glowing, the guide might quip, “Bush television, am I right?”—a gentle nudge to savor the natural beauty unfolding before them. It’s a phrase that often strikes a chord, as the mesmerizing flicker of a fire can be more captivating than any modern screen.
7. ‘The King of the Jungle’: Despite its popularity, this phrase often elicits a smirk from those who know that lions don’t live in jungles but rather in the savannas of Africa. The origins of the phrase, however, lie in the Hindi word jungli, which means a wild or uninhabited place, not specifically a forest. While technically incorrect, the phrase has endured and is a favorite among guides and guests alike.
8. ‘LBJ’: The abbreviation for ‘Little Brown Job’ is a handy catch-all for small, nondescript birds that can stump even seasoned birdwatchers. It’s a humorous way for guides to acknowledge that they might not know the exact species, adding a touch of humility to their expertise.