Tribe Hotel has introduced a new offering for its guests – exclusive night game drives in Nairobi National Park.
Launched in partnership with Wow Safaris, the US$350 night drives give guests a rare chance to witness nocturnal wildlife such as lions, hyenas, aardvarks, civets and servals against the backdrop of city lights.
“Tribe is constantly looking for ways to showcase the best of what Nairobi and Kenya have to offer in a creative and engaging way,” says Shamim Ehsani, Co-Founder and Marketing Director at Tribe Hotel.
The experience begins at 16h30 with a pickup from the hotel in Gigiri. After a 30-minute drive, the safari starts, led by a silver-level guide and two-armed Kenya Wildlife Service rangers.
Around sunset, guests enjoy alfresco drinks and dinner, catered by Tribe’s Jiko restaurant. Guests return to the hotel by 22h15.
“It’s a completely different world at night,” Ehsani explains. “The experience is intentionally kept small and private to preserve its intimacy.”
With Nairobi’s fast-growing status as a hub for global conferences and diplomatic meetings, the night game drive meets a real demand among time-constrained business travellers.
“Many business guests are tied up during the day,” says Ehsani. “This opens up a completely new window for exploration – a world-class safari right after your meetings.”
At the same time, Tribe emphasises responsible tourism. “Ethics and safety are non-negotiables,” Ehsani affirms. “Our guides are trained in animal behaviour and we strictly follow park rules. This isn’t a thrill ride – it’s about connecting with nature respectfully and safely.”
Tribe Hotel’s larger goal is to shift perceptions of Nairobi as just a stopover. “The city has often been seen as a layover en route to the ‘real’ Kenya,” Ehsani says. “We want people to see Nairobi as a destination – vibrant, creative and full of experiences worth staying for.”
Central to this mission is Tribe’s “Chieftain” programme – a bespoke guest services model that curates personalised experiences from art tours and behind-the-scenes culinary events to a private run with marathon legend Patrick Makau.
Future plans include helicopter tours to scenic destinations such as the Maasai Mara, Mount Longonot and the Great Rift Valley along with visits to Kenyan coffee farms and collaborations with local artists and storytellers.
