Uber has rolled out Uber Safari, allowing users to book wildlife tours in Nairobi National Park directly through the ride-hailing app. The service launches as the company marks its 10th anniversary in Kenya.
The new feature offers day and night safari options in the world’s only national park located within a capital city. Users can pre-book through Uber Reserve and get picked up in licensed Land Cruisers operated by tour companies, with each trip including a guide and three-hour wildlife experience.
“Tourism plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy, and with Uber Safari, we are excited to be unlocking new ways for people to connect with our incredible wildlife heritage,” said Imran Manji, Uber’s General Manager for East Africa.
The service partners with Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism, Kenya Wildlife Services, and the Tourism Regulatory Authority. Uber says it contributed KES 14.1 billion to Kenya’s economy in 2023, while tourism accounts for 10.4 percent of the country’s GDP.
Rather than operating its own safari vehicles, Uber is opening the platform to existing tour operators and Land Cruiser fleets. This approach seeks to create new income streams for local tourism businesses while giving Uber users access to established safari expertise.
READ: Kenya’s Tourism Sector Grows as Travel Gets Easier Across East Africa
The company facilitated KES 2.7 billion in additional tourism value in Kenya last year, supporting what it calls “millions of tourist journeys.” Uber drivers in Kenya earn 37 percent more than their next best alternative, according to the company.
Uber Safari is the company’s first tourism-focused product category, utilizing technology as a bridge between urban transportation and Kenya’s wildlife tourism sector. The service is available exclusively in Nairobi National Park for now.
