Self drive Uganda presents travelers with a lifetime opportunity to explore their favorite destinations with ultimate freedom. Renting a car is the first step anyone with plans to visit Uganda for a self-drive tour must take.
Besides hiring a car for a self-drive Uganda tour, there are other essential things you should keep at the back of your mind. They include safety on self-drive Uganda safaris, self-drive guidelines and more.
To ensure that you have a hassle-free process to hire a car for your successful and memorable self-drive tour in Uganda, we have put together everything you need to know before you rent a car.
Things to look at before you rent a car in Uganda for a self-drive tour
Rent a car through a recognized car hire company
The first step anyone with plans to go on a self-drive tour in Uganda needs to do is to find a credible and fully registered car hire service provider/company to deal with. Be aware that hundreds of companies exist in different parts of Uganda but some may not be registered. This can be risky dealing with such a company, but to save you a lot of time, we are a few registered car hire companies in Uganda. Feel free to contact our reservation team to book your self drive rental car in Uganda for your road trip.
Requirements for hiring a self-drive car
There are essential documents the car hire company will require you to present to rent a car. Before you walk in or talk to the car rental company reservation team, ensure that you have valid documents. Among the essential travel documents to have are a valid driving license/permit, passport, and more. On renting a car, ensure that you have a receipt for your rental car, a car hire agreement signed, an authorization letter from the company –especially for border crossing, up-to-date insurance cover, vehicle’s fitness certificate and more. These and more need to be checked thoroughly to ensure that you have a smooth and memorable road trip.
Hidden charges
Be aware of some car hire companies’ hidden charges. Ask if the company you intend to rent the car with does have extra/additional/hidden charges to avoid being taken unaware/by surprise at the last minute. The areas to take a look at include security deposit, accidental insurance, accidental damage fees and more. These often impact the final cost of a rental car.
Fuel type
When hiring a car for any road trip, it is always essential to know the kind of fuel the vehicle uses. This should be ascertained before you hit the road. It will help you know the quantity as per the vehicle’s engine, and also the fuel type it uses to avoid messing up when refilling the tank with the wrong fuel type while en route.
The kind of car to use
There are several types of rental cars to consider but always choose one that fits you and if you are not sure of which car is best for you, the car rental Uganda service provider will help you by asking you a few questions about where you will be going and the number of people you are traveling with. We have plenty of self-drive rental car options including a comfortable 4×4 Toyota Rav4, Toyota Prado or hire a self-drive vehicle with rooftop tents, etc.
Book the car in advance
Do not wait till the last minute to hire your self-drive vehicle. The demand is usually very high for rental cars in Uganda, especially during the peak season. The best is to have your rental car booked early before you visit Uganda to explore any destination of your choice.
Choose the self-drive friendly destination
There are multiple places to visit in Uganda but try as much as you to choose the one that is friendly to self-drive tours. By having an idea about the destination, it can guide you on the kind of car to rent to get there. Some destinations require full-time 4×4 self-drive vehicles, not the Corolla type. Places like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are best accessed using 4×4 rental cars.
What your interests are in the destinations
Everyone has reasons/purposes for traveling and if your area of interest is game viewing or wildlife safaris in savanna parks, then use a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. These provide you a chance to enjoy excellent views of wildlife, especially the Big Game in the wild, especially in places like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth game park and Kidepo Valley National Park.
Additional tips
Know the traffic rules
- Drive carefully and within the set driving speed limit. In urban areas, maintain a speed of 50km/hr and generally to be safe on the road, keep the speed limit at 80km/hr. This can allow you to respond to things like animal crossing, potholes, pedestrians, and more. When driving in the national parks, try to keep the speed at 40 km/hr.
- Do not be tempted to drive when drunk. You can be arrested and penalized as per Ugandan laws. Avoid this as it can ruin your road trip memories.
- Keep left when driving on Ugandan roads regardless of the location.
- Report any road accident when it happens and ensure you have contact with the car hire company reservation team or reach out to the nearby police station.
- When driving, avoid any distractions like the use of the phone. Wait till you park to use your phone.
- Always consider wearing your seat belts for safety on the road.
- Avoid driving at night –try to get to your destination as early as possible.
- Observe and respect the road signpost on a self-drive tour to your destination.
- Be aware of sharp road edges and avoid turning at high speed.
Is it safe to visit Uganda for self-drive?
Not every destination is safe to visit for self-drive but luckily, Uganda is one of the safest places to visit. Not only is Uganda safe and secure for guided safaris but also for self-drive tours.
What are the roads in Uganda like?
Generally, the standard of Ugandan roads has improved with connectivity to the remotest places like parks now possible. The road network in Uganda, especially in urban areas mainly has tarmac and remote areas like parks do not have good murrum. Some parks have been crossed by tarmac, especially Kibale National Park.
