Uber has rolled out a new service that allows customers to book guided safari trips to Nairobi National Park directly through its app.
The service, known as Uber Safari, lets riders reserve a three-hour day or night safari between 2 and 90 days in advance.
Customers are picked up in safari vehicles run by licensed tour companies, with each trip including a professional guide and a three-hour game drive. According to Uber, a day safari costs Ksh25,000 per vehicle and can carry up to seven people. A night safari goes for Ksh40,000 and accommodates up to five tourists.
The charges cover the vehicle’s park entry, driver fees, and the services of a warden for night trips. However, each rider must still pay their individual park entry fees separately.
Uber said the initiative aims to tap into Kenya’s tourism sector, which contributes about 10.4 percent of the country’s GDP and 5.5 percent of formal jobs.
The company also noted that the service will create new revenue streams for licensed safari operators, who can now list their vehicles on Uber’s platform and reach a wider customer base.
“Tourism plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy, and with Uber Safari, we are unlocking new ways for people to connect with wildlife while creating earning opportunities for operators,” Uber General Manager for East Africa Imran Manji said.
The launch of Uber Safari coincides with Uber’s 10th anniversary in the Kenyan market. The ride-hailing giant is running the product in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Kenya Wildlife Service, the Tourism Regulatory Authority, and local fleet operators.
Uber’s entry into safari tourism marks its first step into Kenya’s wildlife sector. Nairobi was chosen as the pilot location because of the city’s rare advantage as the only capital to host a national park within its borders.
