Wondering whether self-drive is allowed in Uganda for foreign travelers or not? Adventure Uganda your way by embarking on a self-drive tour and you won’t regret in life. Yes, self-drive in Uganda is 100% safe and allowed for foreign travelers. Few destinations are as safe and secure for self-drive in East Africa as Uganda.
In this article, we are going to look at a number of factors to give insight on how safe Uganda is by looking at important terms such as meals, accommodation, walking in local community and transportation.
How is it like to go Uganda self-drive?
When you think of setting out for a self-drive, a map is a must have. This applies to whether tourists are using a Global Positioning System, Google Maps or hard copy maps. This requires you to be keen on your map reading skills.
Transportation safety
While on Uganda safaris, there are 3 major things every solo traveler or self-drive safari holidaymaker should put into consideration; the self-drive vehicle, road condition and recommended speed. Though speed trackers aren’t available in most of the routes leading to most Uganda safari destinations, the presence of traffic police plays a big role in checking on drivers or travelers speed. There is a price to pay for anyone who disobeys the stipulated driving speed limit on the roads.
Speed limit
There is standard speed limit for every traveler on self-drive tour to observe. A maximum speed allowed to drive on Ugandan roads is 50kms per hour while on urban areas and along high ways, the maximum speed is 100kms per hour. Other than speed limits, there are higher chances to come across other road users who even go against the set speed limits which calls for some carefulness while driving on Ugandan roads. While the biggest challenge most travelers look at when it comes to self-drives is getting caught by traffic police, many forget about the road accident often caused due to failure to observe the stipulated speed limits.
Road conditions
Most of the roads in Uganda have improved and are in their better state as per East African standard. This makes Uganda a safe self-drive destination in East Africa. However, it is possible to come across a pothole in some of the highways. When driving, it is advisable to be careful and always drive slow while on pothole roads. On rough roads, we recommend that you maintain 40km per hour speed. Don’t follow what others are doing after seeing them over speeding, some of the drivers have driven on the same roads for long but this shouldn’t be something to make you over speed.
Car safety
The road safety on self-drive tour in Uganda begins with visitors’ rental car. Car safety is in consideration to braking systems, wheel alignment, steering wheel, car stability and more. These are some of the essential things self-drive vehicle should undergo tests before travelers embark on self-drive tour.
Safety in accommodation
Regardless of where you plan to spend a night- night club, lodge, hotel, car or camping, first, you must understand how safe and secure the accommodation facility you have chosen is. There are several lodges and campsites worth spending a night while on self-drive safari in Uganda and they range from budget to luxury. Get in touch with a ground tour operator to guide you appropriately on which accommodation facility is safe for spending a night. You can also check portals of the accommodation facility you wish to book for overnight stay, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and more.
Meals
Not all places are safe for eating out from. Look for safe places and your ground tour operator or company can guide you on which places are best to visit for eating from while on Uganda safaris or self-drive trips.
Walking at night
Though some people like moving at night, on the other hand, it is never safe whether you are on a self-drive safari or guided safari in Uganda. If your travel destination is far or near, it is advisable that you set off early or let your lodge or hotel management informed of the time you will be arriving. Avoid walking alone at night in urban centers, local communities and most importantly, move with local guide.
