Travel tips

Best 5 Rental Cars in Uganda

Uganda is one of the most stunning destinations in Africa and it is amazing place to explore in a comfortable rental car. In your rental car, a Uganda safari involves exploring the country’s magical destinations, landscapes and you get a chance to engage in a number of exciting activities.

Rental cars are the best option travelers can get to the remotest part of Uganda to spend their holiday. Most of the national park, reserves and many leading tourist sites in Uganda are found far from Kampala city center. Most parks are found in western Uganda as opposed to Eastern region but each region has some unique for you to explore.

Considering the nature of the routes that connect up to the remotest destinations, a well-serviced Uganda car rental should be a must-book. We have variety of rental cars that are suitable for all kinds of trips whether self-drive or guided. They are perfect as they are capable of navigating through all kinds of terrains.

Our fleet ranges from saloon car rentals suitable for special events, airport transfers and comfortable 4×4 safari cars including Safari Vans, Toyota Land Cruisers, Nissan Patrol, Toyota Super Custom, Toyota Rav4. Today, we bring you the best 5 rental cars in Uganda for your road trip this coming holiday.

Toyota Rav4

4×4 Toyota Rav4 cars are among the most famous rental cars suitable for small groups, city tours, family tours, self-drive safaris, business trips. They are the best among the SUVs rentals and they are a preferred choice for most travelers due to their economic consumption rate when it comes to fuel unlike other rental cars. We have a fulltime 4WD Toyota Rav4 for hire with capacity of 4pax, adequate room for relaxing the legs and to pack luggage.

Safari Van

Safari Vans also famously called Mini Vans are available in fulltime 4×4 wheel drive and can be rented by budget group visitors on Uganda safari. They are available with capacity of 7 to 9pax with adequate room, comfortable seats, air conditioner.

Super Custom

Toyota Super Custom is an ideal rental car for family tours, small group travelers on Uganda safari. It is available in fulltime 4×4 wheel drive and suitable for business, wedding, introductions, conferences, guided safaris in the parks and others. We have comfortable Super Customs for hire with pop-roof for you to enjoy clear view of wildlife.

Safari Land Cruiser

If it is a group tour you plan to embark on your next holiday in Uganda then hiring a Safari Land Cruiser is the wisest decision you can made. We have fulltime 4WD Safari Land Cruisers extended with capacity of 7-9pax, enough space, air conditioners, pop-roof for your excellent game viewing in the savannas.

Land Cruiser TX

Land Cruiser Tx is a preferred choice among rental cars especially by travelers on group tours, family safaris. This is available with capacity of 5pax, adequate room for cargo, capability to navigate through the remote side of the country with no tarmac routes.

The 5 Things to Keep Away from on Uganda self drive

The car hire companies have been arranging self drive holiday trips in Uganda for many years and this means that they are so keen when it comes to self drives in Uganda. Below are the tips about what to avoid on a self drive safari in Uganda.

Always avoid too much driving

People usually plan to drive to far in only one day and some plan a frantic trip which has them driving too far and away so often. This also doesn’t mean that it’s not possible, this makes you more tired and you should avoid it when on a self drive tour n Uganda. Have more stops in towns so as to know the region you are in and relax since it’s a holiday.
Choosing a car rental in Uganda which is unsuitable because it’s cheaper; In case you are planning on having a vacation in Uganda when self driving, you are advised to hire a 4×4 safari vehicle like the Toyota RAV 4, Toyota land cruiser and this is the best for all the kinds of terrain in Uganda. For the low season months in Uganda, we recommend a 4×4 for extra peace of mind.

Wanting to be more adventurous than you should be, in Uganda, most of the roads are tarmac but there are those that are gravel back roads, especially in the safari areas. The roads vary from being good but some are so tiring to drive than the tarmac roads. In case you don’t have enough experience of driving on these roads, do get scared but these offer a good African massage as you drive through the bumpy roads. In case you get a break down in remote areas, your car will be replaced with another from the nearby depot which could take a few hours. You need to have some knowledge of changing a wheel and need to be with enough water and food.

Not knowing your next direction

In case you are planning more great adventures of a self drive holiday in Uganda, you need to be prepared. The GPS in the car might not be working, you need therefore to have a good road atlas or directions and know exactly where you are going. Tour operators in Uganda can help in providing the necessary information about the directions to specific tourist destinations. More so, you can always ask the locals for the right directions.

Driving after dark time

This also means that when planning yourself drive in Uganda, you need to need to be at your overnight stay destination by afternoon. Driving after dark is so risky and takes time on the road as you drive slowly with the unfamiliar roads. You can even find it hard to get lodge or a hotel for an overnight stay as the road signs and land marks are not clear. Always find time to communicate to the hotel and inform them about your time of arrival.

Why You Need to Drive Slowly on Uganda Roads

Individuals often seem to give in to impatience or absent-minded speediness when behind the wheel of an automobile. If you’ve decided to drive more slowly, whether for road conditions, enforcement, safety in general, or for better fuel economy, here is how to go about it in Uganda. With the growing trend on renting 4×4 cars in Uganda for road tripping, it is very important to be in the know of how you can travel around Uganda easily.

Allow ample time to get where you are going. Forget preparation time. If punctuality is critical, aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early, or more. This extra time will allow for unforeseen circumstances, and if you do arrive early, it will give you time to collect yourself and your belongings before proceeding.

Assess conditions that might make faster driving hazardous. Driving slowly makes it easier to stop if roads are slippery, and gives you more response time if visibility is reduced. Think about the many times a person involved in an accident mentions that they were “doing the speed limit” as if that should have prevented it. The reality is that the speed limit is a guide for normal conditions and does not account for less safe driving conditions.

Practice accelerating and decelerating gently and gradually. Press the pedal lightly and your moves will be gradual. This will save on fuel, improve traction in slippery conditions, and help you maintain a slower overall speed.

Except in poor driving conditions, do not accelerate very slowly – keep up with traffic overall, at least the slower or more carefully driven vehicles like trucks and minivans. Accelerating too slowly leaves you in potentially dangerous areas such as intersections for periods unexpectedly long to others, can cause dangerous speed mismatches in merges, and can otherwise interfere with traffic patterns.

Braking gently saves wear on the brakes and it is less likely to cause you to skid. To brake gently, leave additional space between you and the car in front of you, and anticipate upcoming braking, such as corners, stoplights, and slow traffic ahead. Driving slowly helps maintain that space and gives you more time to react.

Be patient. It’s neither a race nor a time for zoning out. The objective is to get where you are going safely, staying alert and in control.

If you feel as though driving is a waste of time and you find yourself speeding just because you want to get the drive over with, see if you can reduce your commute -try driving earlier or later than usual when traffic lessens, or take public transportation.

Drive the speed of traffic, provided it is safe for conditions. As noted earlier, the speed limits themselves do not indicate the perfect speed for poor conditions and you’ll need to use your common sense for that. However, if the traffic speed is reasonable and is setting a comfortable pace, this can be a soothing and safe speed for driving and can help remove your desire to drive too fast. If your speed tends to inch up when you’re not paying attention, follow behind someone who is going a suitable, even speed. Keep a generous, constant distance.

Give others the space to pass. If the road you’re travelling has more than one lane in each direction, be courteous and use the lane going closest to your speed. If a narrower road has turnouts, use them to let anyone travelling faster behind you pass. You’ll know because they’ll be almost tailgating you!

If a narrow road does not have turnouts, find somewhere safe to stop, perhaps every fifteen to thirty minutes, to allow other cars to pass if you’re driving very slowly or many vehicles are accumulating behind you.

Use lower gears and let the engine slow the car when descending longer hills. This is easier on your brakes and it gives you more control.

Time traffic lights correctly.

A series of traffic lights, such as on a city street, is generally timed so that a batch of cars can travel through at about the speed limit. The best way to drive through these, where your abilities and traffic allow, is to accelerate promptly from any stop to the speed limit and to continue at that speed–no faster.

Please note that Uganda has got rules and regulations to follow on the road. There is no offense if you drive slowly but you will fall victim if you over speed on the Ugandan roads. Please be careful!

How To Become A Pro Traveler With Car Rental Uganda

Uganda safaris do not entirely mean chilling and relaxing, but to explore the destination in depth and at the end of day you are thrilled by wilderness experiences. And to make this a success, a car rental in Uganda is preferably the best option for anyone intending to visit this incredible destination. For your safaris, we have wide range of car hire and our visitors are presented with options to make their best choice that suits within their travel needs in the destination. They range from 4 wheel safari cars, corporate, coasters, minivans, to wedding cars. Depending on what your interests are, you can rent a car plus a drive or simply embark on purely self drive adventure.

To be a pro traveler in Uganda, we have provided some of the tips and we believe that they guide you enjoy your safari.

Get off the usual environment

While there are many transportation means in Uganda, most of these may not take up to the deep areas where tourist attractions are located especially the public transportation like taxis or buses which usually stop in big towns. Most of national parks in Uganda are situated in remotest areas which public buses and taxis do not reach and the best option is hiring that comfortable and reliable safari car that can help you navigate through all kinds of roads despite the season.

Whereas getting lost is at times part of visitor experience in a new destination, you will need to have a GPS to help you find directions otherwise things can become more challenging as you get deeper and deeper to remotest and unknown places.

You will need picnic lunch, note that not all destinations in Uganda provide food along the way meaning you will need to pack some a picnic lunch for your Uganda road trip. There are so many local products for you to pack in your car and you won’t stay hungry while on your self drive otherwise you will yarn throughout the journey and things can turn to be boring.

Take as many photos as you can. A trip without photos isn’t nice and offers no evidence that you went for vacation meaning you will need a better camera for you shoot incredible photos that you will leave a memory in you and also amaze your friends and relatives back home.

Be time conscious. To maximize your experience in the destination, you have to be patient enough and you will be amazed by remarkable views of distinct wildlife species. This means that you have to be at the visitor center or your tourist site earlier enough.

Observe the travel tips, Uganda trips aren’t only viewing wildlife but also for you to get in touch with local residents in adjacent communities at the park and your experience will entirely be amazing. And to have exciting safari, you have to observe the travel tips other travelers offer. You may not be the first person to travel to the same destination meaning the advice from the previous travelers is very vital if you are to also enjoy your holiday in Africa. This requires you to have enough time to search for the most thrilling experiences to engage while on safari.

The best way to realize all this is basically by undertaking a trip using your own ride or alternatively by taking a self drive tour that offers flexible safaris and you have opportunity to do things at your own pace unlike guided safaris where there can be differences in travel interest and hence limiting you from realizing your dreams.

Be spontaneous, while on safari in Uganda whether you have limited time or not, you will need to hire that perfect car that offers you flexible and comfortable adventures and at the end of the day, you would have realized your dreams.

In conclusion, to be a pro traveler while on Uganda road trip, the above tips have to be followed and you will be thrilled by incredible experiences in the wilderness. To be on safer side, you have to rent that perfect car that will offer you total comfort and relaxation while on safari in destination of your choice.

Tips For Traveling In Uganda By Car

Is Uganda your dream destination? Are you planning to use a car while on safari in Uganda? Do you some of the things to follow while traveling by car in Uganda? There are several ways in which visitors travel in Uganda. Most tourists prefer traveling by safari cars whether on self drive or guided tours up to the national parks or other interesting areas. While on the way to areas of interest, there are many incidences that come and need to be avoided. To be on safer part, below are some of the tips that you need to take note of while traveling in Uganda by car.

Prior driving a car in Uganda, it is advisable that you do some safety check. Life is very precious and we do not wish you to come and at the end return with injuries, which is why you need to cross check if the car you are to use will take you safely to and from the destination of your choice.

Turn on the lights and walk around the car to make that all the lights are perfectly working and that they are in better condition. Some of the national parks in Uganda are far from Kampala city centre and there are chances that you can reach late especially if you set late from the city centre for instance Kidepo Valley National Park, Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. While driving, make sure that the headlights are on because a vehicle is seen for about four times the distance with its headlights on even during daytime hours.

Check if the blinkers are really in better conditions.

Make sure that there are no cases of fluid leaks or things hanging from the car to be used while on safari in Uganda.

Cross check if the tyres are in a better condition and if they are inflated. It hurts getting to the road and after some distance the tyres start disturbing. In most cases, a spare tyre is worthy having while traveling in Uganda and for longer distances and many days, at least have two spare tyres.

Once you get into vehicle, make sure that all the mirrors and seats have been adjusted prior fixing the key in the ignition. To adjust the left mirror well, make sure that your head is against the left window and adjust the mirror such that you can view the left part of the vehicle. The right mirror, can be adjusted by moving your head towards the centre of the car and adjust the right mirror in the same way. When you are sitting well in the driver’s seat, you won’t be in position to view the car well but your blind spots will be highly minimized.

You are encouraged to always put on your seat belts. This can save you in one way or another. Take note that if you do not have seat belts, it is a traffic offence.

If you are parking at the stop sign, make sure that you feel the car rock backward and spell STOP to yourself prior continuing.

Make sure that you turn your to see the left and then right, straight ahead and then left once again prior continuing.

While you are at traffic lights in Uganda, once a light changes green, look left, then right straight ahead then left again prior continuing through the light. Make sure that all cars and that there is no one else who is going to run the light.

Maintain the eye movement and see what is happening on the sides of the road and check behind you through your mirrors each 6 to 8 seconds.

If you are driving on a two road which permits parking on the right, remain at the centre line to give space in case someone else is to open their door to exit their cars in front of yours. In case there is no parking space on the road side, position the vehicle towards the right to give more space between you and on coming traffic.

While traveling in Uganda, you need to expect that other drivers are bound to make mistakes and think what you would do in case it happens. Be prepared to react in case it doesn’t stop. Do not cause accidents on purpose even if a pedestrian or another car fails to give you way.

A rear facing baby seat must not be fitted into a seat protected by an active frontal airbag as in a crash it can result into severe injuries or even death to the child.

Avoid driving when you are tired as this brings higher risks of collision. Make sure that you are fit to drive or else give the colleague to also take over. A minimum break of about a quarter hour after each 2 hours’ drive is allowed in case you become sleepy stop in a safer area and give yourself a rest.

Take note of your vision. You should be in position to read a car number plate in daylight at a distance of about 20 meters. In case you need to put on glasses to help you on this, make sure that you put on them at al times while traveling in Uganda.

In conclusion, with the above tips, we believe that your self drive safari in Uganda will be successful. For self drive safaris or guided tours in Uganda, simply contact our trusted Car Hire Company and we shall be of great help to you.

How to Avoid Hidden Charges on Car Hire in Uganda

After looking at that and ask yourself “have I really rented or purchased the vehicle?” Well, that’s what’s happening with most consumers who rent a car for self drive in Uganda. Unlike airfares, where taxes and fees are mentioned upfront, car rental companies in Uganda can bury the extra costs in the fine print. Therefore, this may end up causing you actually pay more what you had been quoted earlier. So, ensure that you are aware of hidden charges levied by that specific rental company and how to avoid them!

People actually choose rental cars for self drive tours in and around Uganda, Kampala, when they are transferring from the air port of Entebbe, Kampala International airport to their destinations (Airport transfers) sometimes knowing that their rent would include taxes or fuel charges as well. But sometimes, they payment obligation may not be over. There may be other, less-visible and add-on fee charges that can drastically increase the overall amount you will have to shed. Some of these charges include authorization hold, insurance charges for damages, toll booth fees, extra driver and early return fee.

Reducing these worrying and hidden charges when you rent a car is quite easy, especially if you clear the terms beforehand, for instance, making sure that you opt for a car rental company that has a singular charge for its cars. A company that claims ‘No Hidden Charges’ on its range of services will not burn a hole in your pocket and make suffer unexpected and planned financial consequences.

When choosing between a fleet of cars to use especially for business conferences or for family vacation especially in Kampala, prefer a vehicle that corresponds with the weight of your pocket. This price charged is actually VAT inclusive at 12.5 percent accordingly before selecting a vehicle. Always prefer rental cars that actually include fuel prices in its tariff. Such cars are meant to be so reliable since such car can be provided within limited kilometers and fuel capacity can actually go to prescribed time.

It is recommended that before you take up any deal with any car hire or rental, first ask a company representative personal about any other apparent charges, such as early return fee or vehicle licensing fees. Ensure that you also enquire about car comprehensive insurance and third party insurance policies to avoid paying thousands of francs in damages.

Renting a car without requesting for security deposits is kind dangerous however much any reliable rental company in Uganda will actually refund it fully once the vehicle is returned in good conditions. However, some companies in Uganda especially in Kampala may actually deduct a particular portion of the amount before return hence helping you to ascertain whether there are hidden charges involved in charges hence enabling you to calculate an overall estimate of rental charges for self drive.

The above tips are so simple and try to follow and implement them up next time when you are to rent a car in any car rental company in Uganda . This actually will ensure a free and comfortable self drive experience without going above your expected expenditure