Uber launches limited-edition safari experiences in South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – Uber, a ride-hailing company, has launched Uber Safari in South Africa for riders in Cape Town, allowing tourists to access wildlife through its app. It is its latest travel experience to be introduced as part of Uber’s ‘Go Anywhere’ series.

Per the company, Uber Safari will offer a full-day wildlife trip from Cape Town to the Aquila Private Game Reserve in an Uber Safari-branded vehicle to see South Africa’s big five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos).

The offering will be available for four months, from October 2024 to February 2025, on Fridays and Saturdays.

The ride will cost a flat fee of US$200 (around R3,000) and can accommodate up to four guests. Bookings can be made up to 90 days in advance.

The Uber Safari experience in South Africa includes pick-up in Cape Town, a 2-3 hour game drive at Aquila Private Game Reserve, lunch, a welcome toast, and drop-off back in Cape Town. The booking cost will also cover the entire experience.

However, if the driver cancels, riders will be refunded, but confirmed reservations can be cancelled at no cost up to 60 minutes before pick-up time.

Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager of Uber in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), commented that the company designed its ‘Go Anywhere’ series to help users book bucket-list adventures with Uber. 

“With Uber Safari – one of our most wild offerings to date – our Reserve technology makes it easier than ever to unlock an epic South African travel experience,” Hiemstra mentioned.

Johan van Schalkwyk, Chief Commercial Officer of Aquila Collection, expressed excitement about partnering with Uber to extend its bucket-list wildlife experiences to Uber’s customers. 

He added, “It’s the perfect combination of modern convenience and natural beauty, all while supporting wildlife conservation efforts that are vital to preserving South Africa’s biodiversity.”

Additionally, riders requesting a trip must be 18 years or older. This means users with teen accounts can not request Uber Safari. 

In April 2024, Uber South Africa launched a teen account, allowing users between the ages of 13 and 17 to create teenage accounts. These accounts need to be set up by a parent or legal guardian.

Creating an Uber account typically requires users to be at least 18 years old, but with this new development, people under 18 can request rides through an account set up by a parent or guardian, but cannot request Uber Safari.

Its tourism push follows its first global operating profit in Q2 2023, with a net income of $326 million, compared to a US$713 million loss the previous year. Cost-cutting measures have driven this profitability. 

Revenue grew by 14% year-on-year, reaching US$9.2 billion, while costs increased by just 2%. Growth outside the U.S. and Canada has also been key to profitability. 

Entering Europe, Africa, and beyond, its travel arm could become a vital revenue stream, especially in markets where tourism is a major economic driver.

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