Animal names in Kiswahili
Buffalo at Mdonya Old River camp in Ruaha
Leopard in Ruaha - photo by Gerard Desroches
African wild dogs in Ruaha - photo by Gerard Desroches
If you are thinking of visiting East Africa soon, we thought that this list of Swahili names for some of the most prominent wildlife might be useful.
Kiswahili names for East African fauna
Aardvark - Muhanga
African Wild Dog - Mbwa mwitu
Ant – Sisimizi/Chugu/Sungusungu
(Flying) ant - ngumbi
(Safari) ant - Siafu
Baboon - Nyani
Bat - Popo
Bat-eared fox – Mbweha masikio
Bird - Ndege
Blue Monkey - Kima
Buffalo - Nyati / Mbogo
(Lesser) Bushbaby - Komba
Bushbuck - Pongo / Mbawala
Butterfly - Kipepeo
Chameleon - Kinyonga
Camel - Ngamia
Cat - Paka
Cheetah - Duma
Chimpanzee - Sokwe
Civet - Fungo
Colobus (Black and white) - Mbega mweusi mweupe
Colobus (Red) - Mbega mwekundu
Colobus (Zanzibar Red) - Kima punju
Cow – Ng’ombe
Crocodile - Mamba
Deer - Paa
Dikdik – Digidigi
Dragonfly – Kereng’ende
Duiker - Funo
Dog - Mbwa
Dolphin - Pomboo
Donkey - Punda
Eland - Pofu
Elephant - Tembo / Ndovu
Fish – Samaki
Fly - Nzi
(Cat)fish – Kambale/Kambare
(Tiger)fish – Kange (in Selous)
Flamingo - Heroe
Gazelle - Swala
Genet – Kala/Kanu
Giraffe - Twiga
Goat - Mbuzi
Grant's Gazelle - Swala Granti
Guinea fowl - Kanga
Guinea pig - Sili
Hartebeest - Kongoni
Hippo - Kiboko
(Rock) hyrax – Pelele/Wibari/Kwanga/Pimbi
Horse - Farasi
(Spotted) Hyena - Fisi
(Brown) Hyena - Fisi kahawia
Hyrax - Pimbi
Impala - Swala pala
Insect - Mdudu
Jackal - Mbweha
Klipspringer - Mbuzi mawe
(Greater) Kudu – Tandala mkubwa
(Lesser) Kudu – Tandala mdogo
Leopard - Chui
Lion – Simba
Lizard - Mjusi
(Monitor) Lizard - Kenge
Mongoose – Nguchiro/Kimburu
Monkey – Tumbili
Mosquito – Mbu
Moth – Kipopo/nondo/dege
Mouse – Panya mdogo/puku
Oribi – Taya
Oryx – Choroa
Ostrich – Mbuni
Owl – Bundi/Babewana/Babewatoto/Vumatiti
Pangolin - Kakakuona
Pig – Nguruwe
Porcupine – Nungunungu
(Rock) python - Chat
Rabbit - Sungura
Rat - Panya
Reedbuck - Tohe
Rhinoceros - Kifaru
Roan antelope - Korongo
Sable antelope - Palahala / Mbarapi
Scorpion – Nge/Ng’ge/Kisusuli/Akrabu
Serval - mondo
Sheep – Kondoo
Snake – Nyoka
Spider - Buibui
Suni antelope - Paa
Squirrel – Kindi/Kidiri/Chindi/Sindi
Thompson's Gazelle - Swala tomi
Topi - Nyamera
Vervet Monkey - Tumbili / Tumbiri
Warthog - Ngiri
Waterbuck - Kuro
Wildebeest - Nyumbu
Zebra - Pundamilia
If you think any of these names are wrong or want to add something please contact us at info@safariadventures.club