Uber has taken the safari world by storm with the launch of Uber Safaris, a new service that lets local and foreign tourists book game drives to Nairobi National Park straight from their mobile app.
The ride-hailing giant has teamed up with licensed tour operators to offer tailored safari experiences, starting at Sh25,000 for a daytime drive and Sh40,000 for a night-time tour. The daytime package accommodates up to seven passengers, while the night safari is limited to five.
“This is not just another Uber ride,” said Imran Manji, Uber’s Head of East Africa. “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.”
Using rugged, extended-wheelbase Land Cruisers — the standard for game drives — the service is designed specifically for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts looking for a streamlined, all-in-one safari experience. The vehicles are operated by registered safari companies, with certified guides on board.
“What we have done is take the accessibility and simplicity that people associate with Uber and bring it into this safari space,” Manji added. “The Nairobi National Park, combined with our technology, is what inspired this product.”
Bookings are integrated into the existing Uber app under two options: Uber Safari and Uber Night Safari. Unlike regular rides, users must book at least two days in advance for daytime trips and five days for night tours. Customers can schedule up to three months ahead.
Each trip includes home pick-up and drop-off by the same guide and vehicle, providing a door-to-door experience. Payment is made upfront through the app, but visitors are required to pay the park entrance fees directly to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Uber is teaming up with KWS, the Tourism Regulatory Authority and Magical Kenya to make sure the service follows tourism rules and protects the environment.
The initiative comes as Kenya’s tourism sector continues its post-pandemic recovery. According to the Tourism Research Institute, visitor arrivals rose by 24% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year — with Nairobi National Park ranking among the top destinations.
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