‘Epic’ Uber Safari Experience Launches in South Africa. And It’s Less than $300

You’ve never taken an Uber like this. Ridesharing platform Uber is changing the way travellers enjoy the African savanna, offering a “once-in-a-lifetime” safari experience just a short drive from Cape Town. Available exclusively through the Uber app from October 1 to February 1, the Uber Safari experience will take guests on a wild ride through the Aquila Private Game Reserve, providing a rare opportunity to see the big five animals up close. The best part? This unique adventure will set you back less than AUD$300, and you don’t even need to pool.

For travellers lucky enough to snag a booking, the full-day Uber Safari experience will kick off with a pickup in Cape Town in an Uber Safari-branded vehicle. From here, they will be transported from the hustle and bustle of the city to Aquila where they will enjoy a welcome toast and lunch before boarding a traditional safari vehicle with experienced game rangers and field guides. Across a nearly three-hour game drive, guests will be able to catch a glimpse at lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards and rhinos up close before heading back to Cape Town.

“We’re excited to partner with Uber to extend our bucket list wildlife experiences to their customers,” Johan van Schalkwyk, commercial officer of Aquila Collection said. “Uber Safari allows folks to book and enjoy an unforgettable day at Aquila, where they’ll get to experience the Big 5 in an easy and luxurious way. 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.”

The Uber Safari experience is the latest instalment in the ridesharing platform’s ‘Go Anywhere’ series of limited-edition travel products, following the Uber Bubbles activation in Paris, Uber Balloon in Cappadocia and Uber Boat in Mykonos.

“We’ve designed our ‘Go Anywhere’ series to help our customers book bucket list adventures with the Uber convenience they know and love,” Frans Hiemstra, regional general manager of Uber in the Middle East and Africa said. “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.”

Reservations for the Uber Safari season became available in the Uber app on October 1 and will be bookable 24 hours to 90 days in advance. Uber Safari will run on Fridays and Saturdays until February 1, cost a USD$200 flat fee, and can accommodate up to four guests. For more information, check it out on the Uber website.

How to book Uber Safari:

1. Download the Uber app on your smartphone and open the app.
2. Select the ‘Uber Safari’ icon from the home screen.
3. Read about Uber Safari and then choose an available date.
4. Enter your pickup and dropoff locations.
5. Make sure everything looks right and click ‘Reserve Uber Safari.’
6. If your trip is confirmed, you’ll receive an email letting you know. Enjoy!