At a Glance
- Uber launches Safari rides in Nairobi, eyeing Kenya’s $4.3 billion tourism market
- Partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service boosts local safari operators and businesses
- Uber Safari offers cashless bookings, licensed guides and Land Cruiser tours
Uber Technologies Inc. has launched Uber Safari for trips into Nairobi National Park, the only wildlife reserve located within a capital city, as part of its 10-year anniversary celebrations in Kenya.
The global ride-hailing giant, which entered the East African market in 2015, is now looking to tap into Kenya’s $4.3 billion tourism industry.
The company says the service is designed for both international visitors and business travelers who often have only a few hours to spare during short stays in Nairobi.
Partnerships to support local operators
Uber is rolling out the product in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Tourism Regulatory Authority and local fleet operators.
The model is intended to strengthen, not compete with, Kenya’s existing safari ecosystem.
“By opening the platform to local tour operators and fleet partners, Uber Safari creates new earning opportunities for those who already have vehicles and expertise in guiding safaris,” said Imran Manji, Uber’s general manager for East Africa. “Land Cruiser fleets will soon be able to sign up their vehicles on the app, gaining direct access to Uber’s rider base and booking technology.
This helps generate new demand while ensuring value flows back into local businesses.”
Manji added that the service highlights Uber’s commitment to building products “that matter” as it marks a decade in Kenya.
How the service works
Uber Safari must be booked in advance through the app’s Uber Reserve feature. Customers can choose either a day or night safari, with pick-up arranged in licensed Land Cruisers operated by accredited tour companies.
Each trip includes a licensed guide and about three hours of wildlife viewing in Nairobi National Park.
The rides are priced competitively with existing safari operators, but Uber says its platform offers the added benefit of cashless payments, transparent pricing and trusted driver-partners.
Technology meets tourism
Kenya’s safari market has long been one of the country’s biggest draws, attracting millions of visitors each year.
By blending its technology with one of the world’s most famous natural attractions, Uber hopes to expand its role in Kenya’s economy while giving travelers a new way to experience the park.
“With Uber Safari, we’re bringing together the convenience of ride-hailing with the wonder of the wild,” Manji said. “It’s about making safaris more accessible while supporting the people and businesses who make this industry thrive.”
