Uber Technologies Inc. has rolled out Uber Safari, a new service offering guided tours in Nairobi National Park — the only wildlife park located inside a capital city.
Why it matters
Uber is celebrating a decade in Kenya and looking to tap into the country’s $4.3 billion tourism industry, targeting both domestic tourists and business travelers seeking quick safari experiences.
How it works:
- Riders can pre-book day or night safaris through the Uber app.
- Each trip lasts about three hours, with guided tours to see lions, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards.
- The service integrates local tour operators and fleet partners, creating new earning opportunities for those with safari-ready vehicles and guiding expertise.
By the numbers:
- Tourism contributes 10.4% of Kenya’s GDP and 5.5% of formal employment, according to Uber’s statement.
- Uber added 14.1 billion shillings ($109M) to Kenya’s economy in 2023 — about 20% tied to tourism.
The big picture
Kenya’s tourism sector is a vital source of foreign exchange, and Uber Safari positions the ride-hailing giant not just as a mobility service, but as a player in the country’s tourism value chain.
Source: Bloomberg
