Yes, Uber apparently runs a safari business in Kenya – for these kinds of businesses will thrive here – but just a year after its launch, it’s failing. Here’s the story.
Uber’s safari business in Kenya
Around a year ago, Uber launched its safari business in this East African country, allowing tourists and passengers to book wildlife tours through the app like how you usually book a ride daily.
They call it as “your wildest ride yet,” but it’s not a safari resort, like a beach resort, but transportation around the safari areas.
“Now, even your bucket-list safari is just a tap away. No one does sun and wildlife quite like Kenya. Imagine ticking off a dream adventure without the hassle of complex planning: spotting the iconic Big 5 in the morning and capturing the Nairobi skyline in the distance,” Uber told RSF. “With Uber Safari, that dream is now your reality. We’re bringing you a seamless, world-class safari experience in the Nairobi National Park. And best of all? You can book it with the same ease as requesting a ride via the Uber app. Picture this: lions, rhinos, giraffes, and zebras roaming freely – with Nairobi’s skyline as your backdrop. Whether you want to soak in the magic of the savannah in golden daylight, or experience the thrill of a night safari under the stars, Uber Safari has you covered.”
Under this, tourists can pre-book their safari experience up to 90 days in advance to as close as five days before the actual tour. The Day Safari costs around $200 per trip, while the Night Safari is around $320 per trip.
Pretty exciting, but Uber recently retaliated, telling ridesharing media that this business is actually failing.
Failures a year after its launch
One of the reasons of its recent failure a year after launching is that tour guides have pushed back versus Uber’s entry into the market, so bookings have tried up. Yes, the competition with the tours is fierce.
“We don’t want to put the driver or the guide in danger, and we don’t want the passengers in any danger,” Uber East Africa general manager Imran Manji said in a statement.
The branding has recently been removed, as this business of Uber in Kenya is struggling to find customers.
However, Felix Migoya, heading the East Africa Tour Guides and Driver Association, representing some 1,000 guides from Nairobi, told RSF the business has actually failed since the first day.
“As far as we are concerned, that thing died the day they launched it,” he told the RSF team, saying word had traveled through the association warning members to stay away from Uber Safari. "Nobody was brave enough to go with Uber stickers because of the backlash from tour guides.”
Then, there are also operational problems.
What’s next for Uber in Kenya?
There’s no other choice, but for Uber’s safari rides in Kenya to retreat. They have retreated already from Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire, and is only operating now in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, and Kenya. But then, Kenya is struggling for breathing.
“If they don’t consider the opinions of the tour guides, it will flop,” a tour guide told RSF.
What do you think? Even if you are not a business expert, you can share your thoughts! Open your account now on RSF! ‘Til then! Play Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams” music video for the added experience!