Hot Crypt

[Otis]

Back as is, hosting distant expeditions (7)

 

[BigBeachBanana]

Spoiler

Back as is = to reverse "as" -> "sa" but keep "is"
hosting = indicator for inserting
distant = far
expeditions = sa + far + is = safaris (answer).

 

[Otis]

Correctomundo! You're a better solver than I am.

I'd reworded this one because I didn't know whether you're familiar with common crossword abbreviations (like "hotel"=H or "South America"=SA).

 

[BigBeachBanana]

You're a better solver than I am.

I doubt that.

I didn't know whether you're familiar with common crossword abbreviations (like "hotel"=H or "South America"=SA).

I am not.

 

[Otis]

I am not [familiar with common crossword abbreviations].

They trip me up, regularly. Some are not too bad, for examples, "daughter"=D, "ring"=O, "loves"="OO" (from tennis), "vitamin"=BI.

Some are not intuitive for me at all, like "salt"=AB (able-bodied seaman), "artist"=RA (Brits: Royal Academy), "will"=LL and "queen"=ER (who knows).

So, beware …

PS: Original wording was South America is following distant expeditions
$\;$

 

[BigBeachBanana]

like "salt"=AB (able-bodied seaman), "artist"=RA (Brits: Royal Academy), "will"=LL and "queen"=ER (who knows).

I wouldn't be able to get any of these either, but "queen" = "Elizabeth Regina" = "ER"?

PS: Original wording was South America is following distant expeditions

This would've definitely taken me longer.

 

[Otis]

"Elizabeth Regina" = "ER"

Oh, was that her maiden name?
$\;$

 

[BigBeachBanana]

Oh, was that her maiden name?
$\;$

I believe "Regina" is "Queen" in Latin and "Rex" is "King". Those are known as Royal Cyphers.

Edit: Wikipedia page.