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Best 5 Safari Cars for Self Drive in Uganda

Are you looking to a self drive safari in one of Uganda’s national parks? Are you interested in self drive adventures but you do not know which car is the best for you to drive while on vacation in Murchison Falls National Park? Whereas self drive tours have become one of the most sought after experiences in Uganda, getting the best car for one to use while on vacation is entirely something that requires adequate planning and time for you to search.

With our best car rentals, there is no need to worry about what type of car to get you around Uganda as we have variety that covers all travelers’ interests when it comes to African safaris. Getting to and from Uganda parks requires that excellent 4 by 4 wheel drive car that can help you navigate through the remotest routes in Uganda. We offer variety of car rentals and hiring one will certainly make your safari successful. Our fleet of car rentals for you to grab for self drive in Uganda include;

Toyota Prado

Toyota Prado features as one of the best car rentals that you should consider hiring to make your self drive adventure a success. Toyota Prado is one of the most famous 4 by 4 wheel drive cars in Uganda that are worth renting for your self drive safaris. It comprises of categories like Prado TZ, GX, TX and 3 liter turbo. The Toyota Land Cruiser accommodates about 5 visitors plus driver. You can hire this type even without a driver and it is good when it comes to consumption. It features luxurious space for you to pack your cargo and camping gadgets. It is the best for one to hire while on road trip to any protected area including Murchison Falls National Park.

Toyota Rav4

Toyota Rav4 features as one of the most excellent compact SUVs when it comes to self drive adventures. This comes in both manual and automatic transmission and it has 3 or 5 doors with engine of 1990cc and it does well despite weather pattern. It is the best given its low maintenance costs and come with excellent fuel mileage. The rear can as well be folded down and more room can be created for visitors’ cargo packing. It is best for couples or even if you are planning to travel as five people.

Super custom or Hiace or Minibus

These categories are best to be hired for bigger groups and family safaris and they accommodate up to 14 travelers. It come adequate space for cargo but this depends on the number of travelers and how many days you intend to spend while on vacation at the park. Long safaris require more cargo unlike shorter tours. They also come in manual and automatic transmission with a pop up roof or sun roof, air conditioners and many more.

You may also opt for Nisan Patro and this is a diesel car, 4 wheel drive car and accommodates four visitors with adequate room for cargo packing.

Customized Jeep

This safari car comes with freezer and uses diesel. It accommodates up to 3 travelers and features adequate space for cargo packing.

There is also customized Jeep S which equally uses diesel and has freezer, charging system, accommodates about seven travelers and features adequate room for visitors’ cargo.

Safari Land Cruiser:

Safari Land Cruiser comes as a 4 by 4 wheel drive car and it is commonly used by tourists who are interested in guided safaris and camping experiences in Uganda. It accommodates about 8 (eight) visitors and it comes with a sun roof for you to catch a glimpse of wildlife and surrounding areas.

In conclusion, there are several car rentals that are available for you to hire for your self drive adventures in Murchison Falls National Park. This protected area features as Uganda’s largest national park and it is credited for the big four of the big five game in Uganda, birds and several savanna grassland as well as forest wildlife species. With the above listed cars we believe that you will have the best choice to make and your vacation will have a very memorable.

Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Uganda

As a tourist to Uganda, you will have your amazing safari well planned. This however can only be successful when you have rented your own car. For you to have a successful car successfully rented, a number of considerations have to be taken into account. First and foremost, you should ensure that your safari has to go on very smoothly. This therefore calls you to rent a car which suits your travel needs. Often, when you are the road, you will want to feel that you cooked through by the time you reach your travel destination.

Always keep a distance from your traveling in mind. In most cases, when you are travelling for an extended amount of time you may want to invest more of your travel budget into the car rental. This is because it is very comfortable and in the case of passengers and the driver, is essential on long trips. Usually, a larger vehicle is a better choice if you are travelling far from home. You will have more space and a better presence on the road which will increase your safety when travelling in the dark. Then on the other hand, when you plan to rent a car to get around once you have reached your destination, a zippy little number may be a better option. For this case, the Toyota Rav 4 is very ideal for shorter travel distances and very the budget is very friendly. Usually, you will get all the comforts of a beefier car, including space for four passengers and a CD player – with the added benefit of easier parking.

During you safari with a rented car, do not let the weather put a damper on your travel. Do not just rent a car in Uganda that will adjust to your travel plans instead of slowing you down. When taking road trip in Uganda’s Upcountry or the built-up cities and towns, always choose a car the has the features you need to stay comfortable. For this case therefore,  a 4×4 car in highly advisable for a successful road trip in Uganda.

In order to have a successful safari, you need to note the number of days you are staying on your vacation or safari in most cases, you will need a spot of extra space for luggage, or a few more travel companions. Therefore, choosing a vehicle with a towing feature can improve your experience. Note that not only will you have more space for loads of luggage for an extended stay,  but also you will have more room for those you choose to share you travel experiences with. You should avoid car rental Nightmares during your Uganda Vacation, it is achievable if one gets in contact with the most reliable and convenient rental company in the country.

Once you have rented a car and you are doing the driving yourself, it will become economical and you will avoid nightmares. Booking well in advance is one way of avoiding car rental Nightmares. You must ensure that booking is actually done, before commencing for a tour or safari in the country.  In most cases car rental prices tend to hike as it is getting closer to the pickup date, not down. Usually, these prices actually work on a simple supply and demand system and they go up as availability goes down.In case you are traveling during the holidays most especially during Christmas season, in this way one will have the best chance of getting a car at a normal and affordable price.

We will be more than delighted to organize for you a rental car of your choice and also your safari and tour in the pearl of Africa.

Nsenene (Grasshoppers) – A Local Delicacy in Uganda

In our coverage of Bizzare Foods that people enjoy around the world, today lets look Nsenene, the long horned grasshoppers. Known as Nsenene in the local Kiganda Language, one of the local dialects the most spoken in Uganda, these grasshoppers are a great delicacy enjoyed mostly within the central and south western region of Uganda. The Nsenene has been a delicacy for centuries and among the Baganda Tribe, it is one of the 52 clans.

These grasshoppers are common in the wet seasons – April to May and November to December. This is the time when they are known to swarm. Within these months, you will find people employed to catch and collect these flying insects. During these months, the buzz around Kampala about their capture, sale, distribution, preparation and culinary enjoyment.

Nsenene are flying insects and do like lights. The local people trap these insects using large metal pans and lighting systems and then collected for sale in local markets. Today it is a business for many people in the central region to trap these insects and sell them.

Most of the sales are within Kampala, the capital city of Uganda and Masaka Town. Grasshoppers are also imported from areas as far as Burundi by the Ugandan traders and a great source of income.

How they are Prepared

Raw Grasshoppers Ready for Boiling or Frying

Nsenene can be prepared in various ways. Most preparations involve boiling or frying these insects. To give a great taste grasshoppers can be fried with onions and salt while others enjoying adding raw onions or garlic cut into small pieces to the already boiled or fried nsenene. Before they are boiled or fried, the legs and wings are plucked off.

For long the local Baganda used to eat these insects and the neighboring tribes could laugh at them! However these days, with the mix-up of tribes in Uganda, you will find that almost all locals including the non Baganda enjoy these grasshoppers. Even the Bazungu Tourists who are free-minded have tasted these grasshoppers. I was surprised to learn from a Mzungu who enjoyed these insects and said there were “crunchy and delicious”.