Go on a Road Trip in Uganda
Two vehicles have become household names when it comes to hiring vehicles for any journey especially in visiting the various National parks in Uganda. These vehicles are none other than the Rav 4 and the 4×4 Land cruisers that are the best vehicles for self drive in Uganda and Rwanda. But the one million dollar question is what do these two vehicles have in common and what makes them every ones choice when it comes to chauffeuring tourists all over the country.
When you chose to drive the 4×4 Land cruisers across the undulating terrain and topography of Ugandan roads to the different national parks that are located very many miles away from the city with all roads linking them mostly in sorry state, you will not regret since it can endure all the hard times that you can encounter. This is a vehicle that can complete a journey of over 400 km a day without any disturbance. That means it drives you from Kampala to the gorilla tracking National park of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the western region of the country unlike the Rav 4 which can not go that far since it can not endure such hard times.
The Rav 4 has been designed specifically for not driving long distances; hence it is the perfect mode of transportation to challenge your inner rebel. You can expect periodic breakdowns which allows for ample interactions with the locals, frequent opportunities to run out of gas which allows for hour long visits with the staff at gas stations, and the Rav 4 is semi-open also allowing for spontaneous interactions with pedestrians or other motorists.
As mentioned, the 4×4 Land cruisers has a functioning Air Conditioner that makes the occupants life very conducive since they can adjust the kind of heat they want. When hired from self drive Uganda, a reputable car hiring company in Uganda I guarantee you that it will be in good conditions, well maintained with an insurance that covers only the vehicle excluding the occupants, a top up roof that can be lifted up in the park for easy viewing of animals during game drives be it at day or during night game drives in Semuliki national park. Yet this might not be the case with a Rav 4 which does not possess this top up roof so viewing is limited to only windows. The charming wiper is powered manually. And when I say manually, I mean the driver twists a knob located within the Rav 4 at the base of the window while driving.
Your top speed on a straight away depends on the driver when in a 4x4Land cruiser since it hits the road either manually or automatically. Which can as well make even short distances seems distant and distant locations seem short. This speed could easily drop and increase as the driver pleases twisting across the cork screw roads of the mountains we climbing since many Ugandan roads leave much to be desired. Asphalt covered roads are often asphalt-less. Deep potholes battle to shear off the front wheel of the Rav4. The law of the jungle rules Ugandan traffic. The biggest vehicle has the right of way. Giant lumbering Lorries and speeding buses brush smaller vehicles to the side. The narrow roads serve as a battle royale as pedestrian and animals wrestle with tractors and while buses and trucks lord over the scrum. It is not for the faint of the heart.
When travelling in the Rav 4, the route will allow you to see a vast subsection of Uganda. Did you know that yyou can also enjoy a <a href=”http://www.rwandaselfdrive.com”>self drive in Rwanda</a>, Kenya and Tanzania after your tour in Uganda? Don’t forget to explore a combination of several countries on a safari holiday though Africa. Book your self drive rental and hit the road on a trip of a lifetime on a self drive trip!
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Essential Items to Carry on a Uganda Self Drive Safari
A self drive safari is when a traveler hires a car and travels on his own around different tourism destinations in Uganda which comprises of national game parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries, historical and cultural sites, lakes and rivers as well as resorts. Traveling by yourself gives you the freedom to discover natural beauties in Uganda at large. As you are preparing for yourself drive safari in Uganda, below is the list of this to carry along with you.
Water and the oil lubricant; Uganda has a warm climate which means it receives some hot spells. when this happens , the traveler needs to have water for cooling up the engine in case it over heats and also the oil since the engine in case it over heats and also the oil since the engine uses lots of energy to run and thereby friction being too much inside, oil is needed for lubrication and reducing the friction.
The basic mechanic tools; these include Jake and the spanner, these tools help the traveler in situations of replacing the damaged tyre in case of any puncture. The spanner helps in tightening up of any loose part of the car.
The first Aid box; this is a must to have with the first aid tools as these help the travelers in treating themselves in case of any minor injuries while driving. The box should have some basic medic items like the bandage, blade, methanol spirit, cotton, plasters, and the pain killers.
Fire extinguisher; this is very vital since you never know what might happen on the way, you might find a fire outbreak in the car and you will need to put it out.
The Insurance cover; the rental company should have comprehensive insurance that covers the damages for the third party damages as well as the physical damages of the rental car.
Below are the personal items to carry for the self drive safari in Uganda that will make your trip not only exciting but also memorable.
Get enough clothes; as you go for the self drive safari in Uganda, you should carry enough clothes for the trip as sometimes you might not get time for laundry. There is laundry services at the lodges but come with a fee. You should carry light clothes due to the hot climate of Uganda but these shouldn’t be so skimpy in order to respect the culture of Uganda. Remember to carry a coat for the cold weather in the evening and a rain jacket in case it rains. Carry sun glasses and hut for the sunny days.
Drinking water and snacks; self-driving involves moving for long distances and most places that lead to national park or other tourism destinations are remote whereby finding a decent snack or drinking water is a challenge. It’s good for the traveler to carry some snacks and drinking water to get rid of the minor anger and dehydration while driving before the main meal sessions reach. Drinking water is so important to avoid dehydration that may be caused by the hot climate of Uganda.
The insect repellent and jellies; the country is a tropical country which harbors very many insect so you have to carry the insect repellent to avoid insect bites and for jelly, it’s used to control and protect your skin from sun burns.
Identity Card and the driving permit; one should always carry a driving permit when driving in Uganda to avoid criminal offences. There are always traffic officers alongside the roads checking for valid driving licenses. It’s vital to carry an identity card which may be a national identity card or passport so that you easily identify yourself.
An emergency number and Mobile phone; carry a cell phone for easy communication with the car rental company in case of any problem or with family to know about your safety in Uganda. Have an emergency numbers for the police and also for the health centers.
GPS (Grind position system device); the traveler’s map and the baby seat in case you are traveling with a young one. The GPS and the maps help in identifying the bearings and the routes that lead to the tourism destinations you are intending to tour. These should be well updated.
The Medication; it’s vital for everyone to carry some basic medications like the pain killers and orals. You should also be immunized against yellow fever its best if you get agreed malaria tablets.
Always carry extra money; even though you might have prepaid your car rental, accommodation and tourism activities fees, you are supposed to carry extra money to take care for other needs and emergencies.
The personal travel insurance; when you are traveling, it’s also important for one to acquire travel insurance to protect her/ him from any unforeseen disasters that may happen. For instance in case one gets an accident, the insurance will always be there to cover for his/her treatment bills.
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How to Pack for a Road Trip in Uganda
A road trip safari on a self-drive is one of the best options one should go for; as it gives you an opportunity to enjoy more due to the freedom it give you. You are free to drive at your own pace and stop at any area of interest without any one stopping you. However one can hire a car on a chauffeur, all chooses are good but what matters most is to go on a safari and come back when satisfied. With Uganda self drive, you are guaranteed both choices depending on your interest and we have a variety of car fleet that can meet your satisfaction and we do hire them at a friendly price. They have enough space for luggage, with air conditioner. To drive and came back when satisfied is attributed to very many factors, more of it and more important is how to pack for your road trip depending to the number of people you are traveling with. Below are some of the rules that make packing easier.
Backup Kit
Don’t forget to pack using items like mobile phone and a charger is a must pack, make sure that its well packed before you start off with your drive, a phone is very important as in case of anything you have to communicate back to the car hire company. Other useful emergency items include a first-aid kit, warning triangle, torch, and jump leads, if you have children a plastic bag, tissues are also necessary. If these are packed well your road trip will be a memorable one.
Travelers
Passengers should sit in the right position that they feel very comfortable, those who are sick should be able to sit at the window to see out of the windscreen, and for any passage sited in front- should be allowed to do so and should not forget to tie a seat belt, so sitting in the right position will give you a chance to travel safer.
Baggage
The luggage packed is determined by the capacity of the car. Always endeavor to put the heavy items as far forward and as close to the floor in the cargo area as possible. Don’t over load the car you may end up damaging it. Avoid loading stuff up to the ceiling that you cannot even see out of the back window, you may end up not seeing from behind. Anything you think very important on your trip don’t leave it out like a jacket, bag, among many others should be stored within easy reach to avoid wasting time looking for them.
Pack DVDS and CDS, music or movies that will entertain you along the road trip to keep you not bored and you will not realize the long distance covered. However most of the hired cars have music but you may be interested in your music, so bring music that will not bore you on your safari, however make sure that everyone knows how to share.
Fuel/gas
Before starting your road trip make sure that your car is well fueled to enable you drive for a distance calculated. In most of the remote parts of the country, it’s very hard to find petrol stations something that will give you herd time once your car get out of fuel. Ask the car hire agency to advice you on the amount of fuel you should use before setting off to your destination. It pains a lot if your car gets stuck on the road due to shortage of fuel in an area where there is no petrol station. This will ruin your safari.
If possible pack your food/snacks especially if you are going to drive for a long journey to avoid eating in un trusted restaurants or shopping for junk food. Pack your fruits, snacks, or you can decide to prepare a panic lunch if possible to avoid unhealthy meals along the road. Although very many restaurants are situated on many big towns along the road you can buy from there if you’ve not packed your food.
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Common Car Rental Traps to Avoid in Uganda
Of recent developments, It’s a normal practice and yes as you really know that car rental agreements are as common today in Uganda due to most of the tourists and visitors being foreign visitors to Uganda, as buying an air ticket and remember how really badly the airline treat you whenever your booking offline by undermining customers rights daily.
These problems as well for some reason are often happening in the car rental industry in Uganda go unnoticed. The main reason as to why most people fall victims of the car hire trap is for basically being first time car renters which this makes them a little bit ignorant of the procedures and tricks of renting a car in Uganda. Most of the car rental customers sometimes appear careless and don’t mind about most important things and this ends up costing them through loss compensation and ends losing business trust among the car rental companies in Uganda.
Remarkably, some independent flexible travelers renting cars in Uganda have frightening stories to tell; about how their car rental resulting in severe financial loses. In Uganda, it’s the same story. Others remember being turned away from the car collection or giving point, without the car that they supposedly have booked many weeks earlier.
It is obvious that some incoming car rental companies in Uganda will try to give you “something” to drive off that may not be exactly the same as what you booked by telling you that your booking can not be realized. We have run out of cars in your preferred class. Please accept our apologies, and agree to a car that is available.”
Seriously you may end up taking up a car that may not fit in preferences and ends up complicating your vacation or tour by repeated breakdowns leading to multiple inconveniences. Worse still, the reception staff may not even say “Sorry!” With the pay the service desk clerks receive, little doubts, they don’t feel very enthusiastic about their customers.
They will give you a car that has numerous dents and scratches, only to demand that you pay for the paint job, to rectify the damages that you haven’t done. Unless, you have checked the vehicle thoroughly, before signing the rental agreement which is something you should really do before taking on your car rental in Uganda and a habit practiced by some quack car rental agencies in Uganda.
Actually, another common trap in car renting service is to give you the keys to the car that is not road worthy. If the engine stalls somewhere 100 miles from the car yard, you’ll have to engage an expensive towing service, normally not covered under the car rental agreement with smaller car rental agencies. On some occasions, you may even be blamed for causing the breakdown, and asked to contribute to the repair costs. If you think in advance, you can reduce chance of any of the above happening to you, and enjoy the time spent behind the wheel of a great car, for a greater reason avoid very cheap and too attractive rates from car rental agencies.
You may end up thinking that big car rental companies in Uganda actually have issues with their services and you opt for small car rental companies hoping that you will be provided with good service where you will end up being disappointed. Some fly-by-night operators set out to scam innocent victims, who put too much faith in the integrity of small business owners.
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9 Ways You Can Save money on Uganda Car Rentals
Wondering about how you can get cheap car hire in Uganda? The ideas below will help you get a good bargain and save you some pennies that you can use on a variety of other expenses. These tips are shared by experts on car hire as well as past travelers who have used car hire while in Uganda.
- Book in advance
When you book online in advance you will almost always get a better deal than at the counter. And it’s easier and quicker. The last thing you want to do after a long flight is deal with rental car companies at the airport and negotiate a deal.
Be sure to take all your documents with you as proof of hire and your rates to avoid any hassles -scan and save in your email account.
- Check prices frequently
Just like when you search for flights it pays to check prices frequently as they do change – different days can have different rates especially in the peak and low seasons.
And compared to flights, the great thing about renting a car is that reservations often times can be cancelled and re-booked without fees, and in most cases your credit card doesn’t get charged until you pick-up the car.
So if you do book early with no cancellation penalties and the price drops before you pick up your car you can always cancel and re-book. Sometimes car companies will drop their prices just before a weekend if they have excess stock.
- Adjust Pick-Up and drop-off times
When searching for cheap rental cars online, the pick-up and drop-off times are typically in half hour increments. Try tweaking these times and see if it affects your rates.
Sometimes tacking on an extra day to that weekly rental, or even adding a couple of hours to extend it over a weekend, can actually lower your rate. This strategy takes advantage of lower prices aimed at leisure travellers who are more likely to travel on weekends. Weekend rates are great, but weekly rates can be the best of all.
- Book the smallest vehicle you’ll need
Think carefully about what type of vehicle you need. Sure it might be tempting to go for the big SUV or the fancy sports car, but always think fuel consumption and the practicalities of your car.
Being comfortable is important so you enjoy your road trip. Don’t go small and cheap if you are crammed in like sardines.
Book the lowest class vehicle you’ll comfortably need, and chances are you might get a free upgrade at the counter, which often happens to us! Just make sure you can afford the increased fuel costs of an upgraded bigger car!
- Avoid the airport
Off-airport locations are typically cheaper than airport locations because they tack on fees. Look in nearby neighbourhood locations to save money. Just make sure the downtown branch is not on the outskirts of the city limits meaning a long and costly taxi ride.
This strategy is best applied in cities that have efficient and affordable public transport to get you to the dealer without hassle.
You can’t beat an ‘on-airport’ pick-up for convenience, but an ‘off-airport’ pick-up with a shuttle bus can be much cheaper!
- Save on a day’s rental
If you don’t need your rental car immediately, take the complimentary shuttle to your accommodation and book a car for the next day. You’ll save a day’s rental and should pay less being an off-airport location. And do the same at the end of your trip.
- Be wary of one-way drop off fees
Obvious I know, but one-way drop off fees can be huge and make it difficult to find cheap rental cars. Where possible plan your trip so that you return your rental car to its original location.
- Check for unlimited mileage options
Make sure your rental includes the unlimited mileage option and you can take your car where you need to go. The last thing you want to worry about is getting stung for any excess miles.
- Check the fuel policy options
Some rental car companies will require you to return the car with the same amount of fuel it had in the tank at pick-up. Others operate a fuel policy where you, the renter, must purchase the first tank of fuel and may drop the car off empty – in which case, there may be no refund for unused fuel.
Where the car hire company charges for fuel, the cost may be higher than it would be at a local petrol station.
- Age requirements
In most locations, the minimum rental age is 21 years. Additional fees can apply with certain car rental companies for drivers aged under 25 years or over 65 years. They are defined as more at “risk” drivers.
If you’re not yet over 25 years but are travelling with a companion tell them. Have them be the designated driver to save on this cost.
- Additional driver fee
Extra fees typically apply for additional drivers. However in some states and countries spouses are mandated additional drivers by law. But you MUST add the additional driver’s name to the contract to make any necessary insurance claims valid. Again, if you can get by with having only one designated driver you’ll typically save. Of course, NEVER run the risk of driver fatigue, a few extra bucks is nothing when it comes to your safety and that of others on the road!
- Additional state taxes and fees
Be aware of additional state taxes and fees that may apply if you cross state borders or enter another country. And don’t lie about where you are taking the vehicle, because if you have an issue you probably won’t be covered by insurance!
- Decline the GPS (Navigation system)
If the car navigation system is an extra add on, skip it and use the Google maps app on your phone to save per day.
- Save on Insurance
If you use a certain credit card to pay for your rental car, you may not need to pick up the insurance, as the credit card company does that for you. Ask your card carrier before you travel, and you must use that card to book the rental.
Also, check with your current insurance company to see whether a rental car abroad would be covered under your current policy. Again, call your insurance provider to see if extra insurance is even necessary. NEVER just assume you’re covered!
But there’s no reason to pay for coverage that you already have!
- Don’t use your debit card
Book using your credit card. Not only for added consumer protection and rewards points if it’s a rewards card, but rental companies tend to hold a larger deposit for use of debit cards and the hold on your deposit may take days to be returned.
- Bring your own child safety seat
If you’re travelling with a little one, is it practical for you to bring your own child safety seat to save yourself some coin?
- Ask about specials
Do you qualify for senior citizen, discounts or add-on offers? These discounts can all add up and help you with finding cheap rental cars
- Inspect your car before driving away
Do a thorough inspection of your rental car before driving out of the lot. If you find any damage fill in the documentation -get a copy and take pictures with your phone so you have a time & date stamp. You don’t want to be held liable for damage from a previous driver.
- Check your credit card statement
Once you have completed your rental, double check your credit card statement to ensure any extra charges or fees weren’t added that you didn’t ask for or receive. This can and does happen.
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7 Things to Know Before Hitting the Road on a Uganda Road Trip
Self drive or road trips are increasing becoming popular among travelers visiting Uganda and want to rent a car for transportation convenience. Whether you plan to explore the city, visit an upcountry destination like a wildlife park , there’s definitely no better way to do like when you behind the driving wheel. The control, freedom and privacy you get on a self drive safari in Uganda will give you the ultimate adventure experience you always dreamed of.
Before you get the car keys, you need to know what to and not do when out there on the road on your own. We have put together 7 major safety tips that will help you get where you are going comfortably and safely.
Tip #1- Inspect the car – Endeavor to check the condition of vital car parts both inside and outside. Basic parts include engine water, oil, headlights, Air conditioner functionality while you can’t overlook the cleanliness of the interior including seats, dashboard and windows.
Tip #2 – Get a GPS – if it’s your first time driving in Uganda, then you will definitely need to rent a Global Positioning System to avoid getting lost along the trip. This gadget will show you which route to take indication distance and time taken to get there plus showing raod side attractions, restaurants among other establishments.
Tip #3- Fuel Up– You should ensure you fill up the fuel tank before you leave town or lodge to avoid unwanted breakdowns. You can carry an extra 2 to 3 fuel jerrycans as back-up.
Tip #4- Follow traffic rules – For a safe and comfortable self drive trip in any country, you always have to obey the traffic rules if what to avoid any penalties or even worse, an accident that could injure or kill passengers.
Tip #5- Avoid driving at night – For safety purposes, we recommend you completely abandon the night drives as it’s risky. You might bump into highway robbers and if you are driving through a park, you might collide with the wild animals which wouldn’t be a good scene.
Tip #6- Abide by park rules – All national parks offering game drives have specific rules set-up to avoid disturbing the wild animals and also avoid accidents. Some of the rules include no littering the park, driving at 40 km per hour or less, not littering the park, keeping on the game track provided , no blwing the car horn among others and each comes with a different penalty by UWA.
Tip #7- Don’t overspeed – This is by far the most important item among the tips as it can lead to fatal accidents and injuries. Try to drive at considerable speed most especially when on the high way, WHAT’S THE RUSH ? There are traffic officers stationed along popular road stretches ready to give you a speed ticket if you go beyond the expected limit.
Planning to take a self drive safari in Uganda and want to hire a car for your independent travels, simply send us an email to info@selfdrivinguganda.com or call us now on.
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Fuel Policies from Uganda Rental Companies
Fuel refill policy is a rule put up by Car Hire Company on which way the client supposed to refill the fuel tank on the return of the car after using it. Fuel-refill policy has become a very common term in car hire business. This is because without fuel a car can never operate. It is the means which can make a vehicle move. Fuel does not come with a cheap cost due to its usefulness and scarcity in the world and also it gets used up easily so the expenses of fuel on car hire are recurring.
Various car hire companies in Uganda conduct different fuel-refill policies as agreed on with the client in the car hire agreement and they are as below;
This policy is normally conducted by big car hire companies in Uganda where the client is hired a car with a full tank to commence your journey. The client is supposed to return the car with a full tank fuel or in case the client gets business and does not find time to refill the tank, he/she must communicate earlier and he/she pays the exact amount of money for a full tank fuel. But if the client violates this policy he/she is more likely to a very big premium fine for not refilling the tank as agreed on in the car hire agreement. It is advisable to always follow the policy other than incurring meaningless costs on your car hire services.
There is also a policy where by the car hire companies hires the client a car with little fuel that is supposed to drive the client from the airport or the car hire company premises to his/her hotel or next fuel refilling station before he/she real sets off for the real expedition. In return of the car, the client is supposed to refill the fuel tank with the same amount of the fuel. This is the most popular fuel refill policy among the car hire companies because it is very easy to conduct and also to comprehend.
The other fuel refill policy on car hire services in Uganda is the client refilling a full tank of fuel before starting his/her tour. With this fuel refill policy, the client is expected to leave any amount of fuel but he/she is not refunded the money for the fuel left in the tank on return. This is the most convenient policy as you just have to go the airport or the point where the client is supposed to return the car minus going to the gas refilling station where at times there are delays as the client waiting on the refilling station for fuel. This in turn can bring some panic and worry of missing the flight.
So different car hire companies in Uganda use the above fuel refill policies and all the client needs to do is follow other than violating them because he/she might end up paying a fine. With a fine in the client’s hands he/she is more likely to get frustrated which is not good for both parties as they will be bad blood. Any client willing to hire a car in Uganda please obey the above fuel refill policy if any is used by your car hire company in order to have a very nice and peaceful travel holiday in Uganda.
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