Kenya is looking for avenues to grow its tourism numbers to 5 million by 2027 and encourage more consumption. This new distribution platform helps the tourism industry, writes Muthuri Kinyamu, founder of Accessible Travel.
If you are new to Nairobi, you can already request an Uber taxi from the airport, grab an Uber boda to navigate Nairobi traffic during the rush hour, and now Uber has said you can experience the wild side of Nairobi with Uber safari.
This entry has attracted all sorts of opinions from the travel industry. For Kes 25,000, you can book a Tourist service 4X4 safari Land Cruiser with up to 7 passengers sharing the ride and park entrance fees payable through KWS directly.
Tour driver guides are up in arms already, tour operators are a worried lot, and the vehicle owners are curious about the pricing and commission structure. As a tour operator, I will not dwell on that but rather explain why Uber Safari is welcome to the chat.
Our focus should be on crafting unique, high-value experiences and working with knowledgeable professionals who deliver exceptional service that keeps clients coming back to your niche. That’s the real differentiator.
It is a Thursday evening, and after a long week of meetings in Nairobi, conference delegates are looking to spend their per diem on a recreational activity before leaving. The first point of call is to check the hotel travel desk, then scan online for comparable services or ask their new Kenyan friend to get them a good deal. At this point, like all group trips, out of the initial ten that had expressed interest, half will drop out last minute, others will opt for other experiences, such a cultural immersion, go out shopping, experience Nairobi nightlife, or opt to sleep in and rest before departure.
As the number reduces, the cost per head increases, and the guests now ask if they can be combined with others going to the park. The tour operator they contacted makes a few calls to see if there’s a group going to the national park to plug the remaining guests. By the time availability is confirmed, they have all cancelled the plan and leave Kenya without going to the national park. Technology fixes that without any calls. Just Uber the safari.
- •Payments, no shows, and cancellation policies.
Kenya is a global leader in mobile money, but card payments are catching up.
Most inbound clients either pay cash or card. If you confirm the last-minute clients mentioned above, sometimes the driver guide doesn’t have a PDQ machine or a secure payment link to swipe their card. Due to the last-minute request, the tour operator sometimes has to meet the client to pick up cash, run the card, or send a link for the discounted trip.
These payments cost between 3-6%, which reduces your margin, takes up your time, logistics, and customer service. Again, with a tap of a button, that client can book a safari and go to the national park. If they don’t show up, Uber has their card details, and if they are unhappy with the service, they will address it through the platform. If the driver fails to keep time or show up, you can take it up with Uber. Fixing for trust.
- •Go on an urban safari all year round
The tour transporters have seasonal pricing for the Land Cruisers due to varying demand between low and peak season, and therefore, pricing has never been standardized, which, to some, is very steep or never transparent.
By working with licensed tour operators, fleet owners, and registered driver guides, they can give predictable rates all year round. What is not guaranteed is the service quality because guiding is very different. The second element is that tour operators can focus on multi-day and other unique experiences to offer variety and upsell these Uber clients who will now be looking forward to something else next time.
- •There is more to Nairobi beyond the park
While Nairobi has the uniqueness of being the only city with a wildlife park in its precincts, the green city under the sun has a lot more to offer.
I would urge my industry colleagues to apply the knowledge, network, and experience built over the years to create new and unique experiences. As it is currently, travellers are booking their flights on one platform, the train to Mombasa on another, accommodation on another, or directly; vehicles can now be booked separately.
While the regulator can weed out the rogue players, it is our respective unique services that will attract customers and grow the numbers. The safari product is already unbundled, and thus Uber Safari is a welcome guest to join the party.
Muthuri Kinyamu is the founder of Accessible Travel, a specialized travel firm offering inclusive transport and disability friendly tours. [email protected]
*The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of The Kenyan Wall Street.
