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Uber has unveiled a new product in Kenya that allows customers to book guided trips to the Nairobi National Park directly through its app. The service, called Uber Safari, marks the company’s first move into wildlife tourism in the country and is being piloted in Nairobi due to the park’s unique location just minutes from the capital city.
Through the Uber app, riders can now reserve a three-hour safari drive — available both during the day and at night — between 2 and 90 days in advance. Customers are picked up in safari-ready vehicles operated by licensed tour companies. Each vehicle comes with a professional guide, ensuring tourists get a full wildlife experience.
A day safari costs Ksh.25,000 per vehicle, which can accommodate up to seven people. For those seeking a night adventure, the charge is Ksh.40,000 per vehicle, with a maximum of five tourists. The pricing covers the safari car’s entry into the park, driver fees, and the cost of a warden for night tours. However, riders are still required to pay individual entry fees to the park.
Uber says the product is designed to tap into Kenya’s lucrative tourism industry, which contributes around 10.4 percent of the country’s GDP and 5.5 percent of formal employment. Beyond expanding options for visitors, the service is expected to generate new income opportunities for local safari operators who can register their vehicles on the Uber platform and access 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,” said Imran Manji, Uber’s General Manager for East Africa.
The initiative is being launched in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Tourism Regulatory Authority, and local fleet operators. The collaboration is intended to ensure that the rides are run professionally and in line with Kenya’s wildlife conservation standards.
The move also aligns with broader trends in the country, where online travel booking is on the rise. Increased trust in digital platforms and widespread mobile money usage have made it easier for customers to plan and pay for leisure activities online. Smaller safari operators are already embracing digital platforms to sell tours, and Uber’s entry into the space could accelerate this shift.
Uber Safari comes as the company celebrates 10 years of operations in Kenya. It follows a similar launch in Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2023, showing Uber’s growing interest in blending ride-hailing with tourism experiences across Africa.
With Nairobi National Park serving as a natural showcase for wildlife tourism just on the edge of the city, Uber Safari aims to make the experience more accessible, convenient, and digitally integrated for both local and international tourists.