Here’s everything you need to know about Uber Safari, Uber’s newest and wildest addition to their international e-hailing services, now offering Cape Town riders the incredible — and unbelievable — opportunity to hail an Uber to a Big Five game reserve just outside of the city.
When most people think of Uber, they think of a trip to the mall or a shared ride with friends after a night out, but Uber’s “Go Anywhere” initiative, aimed at connecting Uber users to the top attractions in the top travel destinations around the world, has made booking a South African Big 5 safari an easy and convenient experience with just one tap of a button.
Did you ever think you’d be able to hail an Uber and see lions, elephants, zebras, and more?Offered until the 1st of February 2025, Uber Safari is the latest addition to Uber’s “Go Anywhere” global in-app experiences, with availability limited to Saturdays and Fridays.
5 Things To Know About Uber Safari
1. What Game Reserve Does Uber Safari Visit?
Uber has partnered with Cape Town’s very own Big Five safari, Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa, for the launch of Uber Safari. Located just a short 2 hours’ drive from the city, Aquila is a household name is Cape Town and is perhaps best known for their family-friendly Big Five safari day trips, wildlife conservation efforts, and close proximity to the city.
Aquila Private Game Reserve is Uber Safari’s wildlife destination of choice based on their own in-app data and statistics — and its easy to see why. When one thinks of “Cape Town” and “Safari”, Aquila Private Game Reserve is the first game reserve that comes to mind.
As one of the most requested and highly-rated game reserve destinations in South Africa, Uber’s addition of Aquila Private Game Reserve as the best Big Five in South Africa is a reflection of the pride and service excellence the Aquila Collection brand is recognised for.
2. What Cars are used for Uber Safari?
You’re not going to be seeing elephants and lions from the back of a Toyota Corolla. Uber Safari is a VIP travel experience offering a luxurious and personalised e-hailing service that cannot be compared to the standard “affordable everyday trips” or “Uber Black” options Uber app users are familiar with.
Uber Safari riders can expect to be picked up in luxury, Uber Safari branded SUVs. We’re talking top-class Mercedes and BMWs, each driven by Uber’s top rated (and carefully chosen) drivers. The Uber Safari experience has been designed to impress from the moment you book your trip. Available for up to four passengers per booking, you can expect nothing but comfort and service excellence during your 2 hour drive to the reserve.
3. Where Does Uber Safari Pick You Up From?
The Uber Safari experience is available in Cape Town, South Africa, and riders will be able to choose their preferred pick-up location fro anywhere in the city. As the Uber Safari tour is a round-trip service, you’ll be required to enter your preferred pick-up and drop-off location when booking your ride.
Whether you choose to depart from your Cape Town hotel, AirBnb or accommodation of choice, or you want to do some early-morning sightseeing at Table Mountain or the V&A Waterfront, it’s important to note that Uber Safari trips start at 09h00, and you’ll be expected to meet your driver at your pick-up location on time.
Learn more about Uber Safari: What is Uber Safari? Book an Uber and Go on Safari
4. What Animals Can You See On Uber Safari?
Uber Safari has partnered with Aquila Private Game Reserve, a Big Five safari destination just 2 hours from the city. Led by qualified and experienced game rangers and field guides, Uber Safari guests will be driven through Aquila’s 10 000 hectare wildlife conservancy in an open-air, traditional safari vehicle on a 2 to 3 hour game drive.
Aquila Private Game Reserve is a “Big Five” South African game reserve, and Uber Safari guests will have the chance to see the Big 5 — African lions, African elephants, cape buffalo, rhinos, and cape leopards. Aquila is also home to wildebeest, springbok, zebra, giraffe, ostriches, eland, hippos, meerkats, caracal, cape foxes, and over 150 native bird species, just to name a few.
5. How Do You Book An Uber Safari?
Uber Safari is exclusively available via the Uber app, and will be available between 2 October 2024 – 1 February 2025, and are limited to Fridays and Saturdays, subject to availability. If you want to book an Uber Safari, all you have to do is log onto your Uber app and choose the “Uber Safari” option on the list of rides.
However, Uber Safari is exclusive to South Africa, so international users will have to change their location settings in the Uber app to “Cape Town” or “South Africa” if they want to book in advance. Uber Reserve will let you book your Uber Safari from 90 days to 24 hours in advance. You can also ‘reserve’ your pick-up time and preferred pick-up location too.
Uber Launches “Uber Safari” in Cape Town, South Africa
No one does sunshine, beaches, food, wine, luxury and wildlife like Cape Town, South Africa. From iconic sightings of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) to breathtaking views set against the vast and wild backdrop of the Tankwa Karoo mountains, Uber Safari in partnership with Aquila Private Game Reserve is giving Cape Town Uber riders (and Uber users around the world) the chance to experience an Uber Safari.
The Finer Details
Uber Safari will be available exclusively via the Uber app between 2 October 2024 and 1 February 2025. Safari trips are subject to availability and are limited to Fridays and Saturdays, only. It’s fastest fingers first (first come, first served), so booking your Uber in advance or using the Uber Reserve service is recommended. Riders will be able to book their Uber Safari from 90 days up to 24 hours in advance.
About Uber Safari
The first of its kind in Africa, in an effort to promote wildlife conservation and eco-tourism, Uber Safari’s partnership with Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa, in Cape Town, South Africa, promises the a day trip safari experience that combines the service excellence, trust and luxury the Aquila Collection brand is known for.
