Kenyan technology start-ups are developing artificial intelligence tools to improve travel planning and tourism operations, targeting challenges ranging from discovering local experiences to preparing quotations and managing bookings for safari operators.
Among the ventures is Tukai, a Kenyan-built website and mobile application that uses AI to recommend places and activities based on users’ interests. The platform allows travellers to explore restaurants, outdoor activities, wellness services and events, while also providing a marketplace for organisers to list experiences.
Tukai co-founder George Ralak said the idea emerged after he and his friends struggled to find a single platform that could help them discover activities while visiting Watamu. The founders subsequently built a service intended to bring travel information and local experiences together.
The platform lists more than 3,000 places, which are identified and verified by a dedicated team. Users can select their interests, receive recommendations and save activities they would like to try. The company also allows users to book selected experiences through the platform.
By September 2026, Tukai had recorded about 5,000 sign-ups and up to 8,000 weekly visitors, according to reporting by Business Daily. The founders are considering paid subscriptions for advanced AI functions, including personalised itineraries and booking assistance.
A second venture, Twiga.ai, focuses on the operational needs of safari and adventure travel businesses. Its software uses AI to interpret hotel contracts and help calculate prices, while also supporting itineraries, customer records, vouchers and accounts.
Founder Manjunath Gowda said the technology is intended to reduce the time operators spend preparing quotations. The platform combines AI with a mathematical engine to process pricing rules, helping businesses respond more quickly to enquiries from prospective travellers.
Twiga.ai reported having 20 customers in Eastern Africa and more than 100 users, with customers paying about Sh5,100 per month, according to the report. Faster responses could help operators manage enquiries and potentially convert more of them into bookings.
The start-ups are targeting different parts of the tourism value chain. Tukai focuses on helping travellers find activities and experiences, while Twiga.ai aims to make the work behind organising and selling trips more efficient.
Their growth also reflects wider questions about the use of AI in tourism, including the accuracy of automated information, the need for human oversight and the potential impact on employment. Twiga.ai says it uses manual checks to review AI-generated outputs.
If these tools gain wider adoption, they could help travellers discover destinations beyond the most familiar tourist sites and enable operators to handle enquiries more efficiently. Their long-term success will depend on repeat usage, the quality of recommendations and whether businesses can turn improved technology into sustainable revenue.
