Several of us TPG members were in Cape Town this fall and wanted to explore South Africa’s wildlife.
Enter UberSafari.
The shuttle service connects visitors to Cape Town with animal exploration at the Aquila Private Game Reserve, about two hours from the city. The service is offered through January and is filling up quickly, but six of us were able to make a reservation (thanks to our hosts at Uber) and try out Uber Safari.
Door-to-door service picked us up from our hotel in Cape Town in the morning and took us on an all-day adventure before returning us to the city just in time for dinner. The offering is part of Uber’s series of “Go Anywhere” experiences in top tourist destinations around the world. Other offerings include Uber Bubbles, which takes passengers from Paris to Champagne, and Uber Boat in Mykonos, Greece.
“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 for Uber in the Middle East and Africa, said in a statement. . “With Uber Safari, one of our craziest offerings to date, our Reserve technology makes it easier than ever to unlock South Africa’s most iconic travel experience.”
The scenic two-hour drive west from Cape Town flew by thanks to some fun conversation (and a delicious dance playlist) with our Uber drivers, who even joined us on the safari. The experience also includes welcome drinks and lunch at the Aquila Private Game Reserve, as well as the safari, where you will have the opportunity to see the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo.
The incredible surroundings of the Karoo Mountains add an extra wow factor to the photos that will inevitably make your friends jealous when they see your Instagram post. At $200 for up to four guests, the experience is surprisingly affordable, considering some safari experiences can cost thousands of dollars.
The tour of the private reserve takes approximately three hours and guides are available to point out all the animals you will encounter and do their best to make a few passes to encounter harder-to-find animals such as lions. While we didn’t see the full lineup of the Big Five, we did encounter zebras, baboons, giraffes, elephants, and lions (just to name a few). Aquila Private Game Reserve also makes sure guests are comfortable and offers a mid-tour break for bathroom breaks and snacks like sparkling wine or water.
“We are excited to partner with Uber to expand our list of wildlife experiences to their customers,” said Johan van Schalkwyk, commercial director of Aquila Collection, in a statement. “Uber Safari allows people to book and enjoy an unforgettable day in Aquila, where they can experience the Big Five in an easy and luxurious way. It is the perfect combination of modern comfort and natural beauty, while supporting conservation efforts of wildlife that are vital to preserving South Africa’s biodiversity.
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While availability is limited, you can book Uber Safari through January by going to your Uber app and selecting “Uber Safari” on the home screen. Enter your pickup and drop-off locations and click “Book.” If your reservation is confirmed, you will receive an email informing you. Happy exploring!
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