Uber has expanded its services in Kenya with the launch of a new product that enables users to book game drives to the Nairobi National Park directly through its app, marking its entry into the safari tourism market.
The service, branded Uber Safaris, is currently available only in Nairobi.
A daytime safari, which can accommodate up to seven passengers, will cost Sh25,000, while a night safari for a maximum of five people will go for Sh40,000.
The product has been incorporated into the existing Uber app but will rely on extended-wheelbase Land Cruisers operated by licensed safari companies.
Imran Manji, Uber’s Head of East Africa and Head of Business Development for Africa, said the company has partnered with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Tourism Regulatory Authority, and Magical Kenya to make the service possible.
It has also enlisted established safari operators and certified guides to deliver the experience.
“Nairobi is one of the only cities in the world that has a fully-fledged national park within the city limits. That is what makes it unique, and we saw an opportunity to tap into that,” said Manji.
He added that the aim was to merge Uber’s technology and user-friendly model with Kenya’s safari offerings.
“What we have done is take the accessibility and simplicity that people associate with Uber and bring it into this safari space. The Nairobi National Park, combined with our technology, is what inspired this product,” he said.
Unlike normal Uber rides, which use a wide range of vehicles, Uber Safaris will operate strictly with safari-ready Land Cruisers.
Customers will be able to pre-book safaris up to three months in advance, with a minimum of two days’ notice required for daytime trips and five days for night bookings.
Once scheduled, the same vehicle and guide will pick clients from their homes, drive them through the park, and return them after the tour.
Manji said the intention is to provide a seamless process for visitors, explaining that users will simply log onto the app, choose Uber Safari or Uber Night Safari, and schedule their experience just as they would request any other ride.
