travel

Self drive Uganda tips for first time visitors in 2024/25

Uganda has become a popular hub for travelers seeking to discover the country’s hidden gems. From visiting the source of Nile river in Jinja, Sipi falls, the remote Kidepo Valley National Park, to Murchison Falls National Park to see the world’s most powerful waterfall, Queen Elizabeth National park to see the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of the park, and then to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see mountain gorillas as they roam freely in the dense rainforest.

There’s a lot more you will be able to discover on your self drive Uganda roadtrip but to get the best out of your roadtrip especially if it’s your first time visiting the pearl of Africa, we have put together the key tips you need to follow for a memorable experience. These do include;

1. Is driving yourself in Uganda safe?

Safety has always been a major concern for travelers visiting Uganda for their first time but when it comes to driving to the various parts of the country, Uganda remains one of the easiest and safest places. The road network connecting to the different national parks are improved over the years with a number of them tarmacked and some with murram. On the various roads, the road signs are properly labeled for ease navigation.

Apart from the main towns like Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja and more, the rest are sparsely populated which does reduce the risk of accidents. We assure you that as long as you adhere to local and traffic guidelines, you will be safe throughout your roadtrip.

2. Do I really need a 4×4 while self driving in Uganda?

This does depend on where you would like to drive to while in the country. For travelers planning to visit specifically national parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park or more, you will need to have hired a 4WD to get you anywhere with ease. Some of the 4WDs you can check out include a Land cruiser TZ/TX, Land Cruiser V8/VX, Land Cruiser hardtop, Toyota RAV4 among others.

If you are staying within Kampala or Entebbe, you can hire a saloon car and it will be able to get you anywhere within the city with ease.

3. What can i consider for my self drive Uganda roadtrip?

As you plan for a roadtrip in Uganda, you need to know that however much it is a small country, with a proper itinerary, you will get the best out of it. This means that you will need to plan accordingly the driving time between the different destinations. This helps you know the exact number of days you will need to spend on the roadtrip and know how long you will spend driving each day.

Make sure you do have enough drinking water and food especially for your game drives. The fact that you will be visiting remote areas of the country, you need to always need to ensure you do have enough fuel in the car. There are fewer gas stations up country and these are distanced between 50km to 100km.

4. What side of road do I need to be on while self driving in Uganda?

Just like some of the European countries, while driving in Uganda you need to drive from the left hand side of the road and only overtake from the right when it’s safe for you to do so. Unlike Rwanda, the rest of East African countries, drive from the left hand side of the road.

5. Do I need an international driving license while driving in Uganda?

The only essential document you are requested to have on your self drive road trip in Uganda is making sure you have a valid driving license that does prove that in deed you have the desired experience to be on the road. An international driving license will be required if you plan to cross the border into Rwanda or Kenya.

6. What equipment should I carry with me on a self drive Uganda trip?

As a car rental company we do have a number of extras we can avail to you prior to the start of your trip so that you have a hassle free experience and this includes equipment’s like a rooftop tent, wheel spanner, spare tire, car jack, complete camping gear. We always advise you to thoroughly check the car before the start of the trip and make sure everything you requested for is available.

Some of the essentials you will need to consider include a local simcard to reach out to us easily, a satellite phone, a torch, mosquito or insect repellent and proper clothing depending on the time of the year you are traveling.

Frequently asked questions about self drive in Uganda

Like any other traveler visiting a foreign country for the first time, there those particular questions that you will always ask yourself before you go ahead to hire a car. But the good news is that if you are visiting the “Pearl Of Uganda” and would like to self drive in Uganda, we have compiled some of the frequently asked questions on self drive Uganda so that you are able to book with confidence.

Renting a car in Uganda is one of the best ways you can fully explore and discover what this country does have within her boundaries. Some of the questions about self drive in Uganda include:

• How much is to rent a car in Uganda?

The cost of car hire in Uganda for self drive varies and this depends on the type of car you would like to rent, the number of people, the rental period and your destination. At Uganda Self Drives, we have a the best fleet of self drive cars for hire in Uganda that does include small compact cars and 4×4 SUVs best to use on the rugged terrains in the various parts of the country. The more comfortable and strong the car is, the more you are likely to pay for it.

For travelers renting on long term car rental Uganda basis, we have amazing discounts if you hire a car for more than 28 days thus reducing on the cost of car rental in Uganda. For travelers who plan to cross into the neighboring countries, we request that you do inform us days prior to your trip so that we arrange the necessary required documents for you to cross the border.

• What do I need to hire a car for self drive in Uganda?

To hire a car in Uganda, you will need to provide us with a valid copy of driving copy of your driving license, an international driving permit and a copy of your passport for identity purposes. With these documents, we will have the confidence that in deed you have the experience to drive on the road.

• Is it safe to self drive in Uganda?

Your safety is our top priority and we give you the assurance that you will be safe while you drive in Uganda. A number of roads in Uganda are now tarmacked while others are being worked on. Driving in Uganda is quite easy as long as you follow the set traffic guidelines.

In terms of security, Uganda remains among the safest countries in sub Saharan Africa where you can go and have uninterrupted safari regardless of which destination you are visiting. Please note that like any other developing country, you will need to be cautious while going through crowded places like major cities, and traffic jam. Ensure all your car doors are locked and your windows are up as you drive through busy areas.

• Can I hire a car with a driver?

Yes. You can now hire a car with a driver in Uganda with a driver with us. Our drivers are well trained, English speaking and disciplined to give you the best experience as you explore the country. These are well versed with the road network in the country making sure you do arrive at your desired destination on time.

Our car hire in Uganda with a driver allows you to sit back, relax and let our driver take you to anywhere you would like to go within Uganda and beyond.

• In case of a breakdown, what do I need to do?

We have agents all over the country that will work on the car once it breaks down while you are on your trip. We always request you to inform us, tell us the location and our agent will locate you as soon as possible to work on the car so that you continue with your trip.

In cases where it’s likely to take us so long to fix the car, we will be able to send you a rescue vehicle so that you get to finish your trip at no extra cost.

• What type of insurance that does come with the car?

Our cars are comprehensively insured but cases where you cause a damage on the car out of recklessness or ignorance, you will be responsible and accountable to repair that damaged part of the vehicle.

• What is the minimum age required to hire a car in Uganda?

For travelers interested in self drive in Uganda, you need to be aged between 25-65 years. Those who would prefer to rent a car Uganda but are aged below 25 years, you will be subjected to an underage surcharge.

To rent a car in Uganda for self drive you can send us an email on info@ugandaselfdrives.com and our customer care team will be able to take you through the booking process. You can as well talk to us directly  on +256 759 498 123 and our customer care agent will brief you and take you through the booking process.

Whether you are visiting the ‘Pearl of Africa’ for a business trip and safari, rent a car for self drive or car rental in Uganda with a driver is the cheapest and the easiest way to get around the different destinations situated in different parts of the country.

If you are looking for a place to visit and get to have a memorable and rewarding experience, Uganda is a must have on your bucket list. The country is endowed with so much that you can find within her boundaries and these range from the rare wildlife species like the mountain gorillas, tree climbing lions, chimpanzees among others to nature beauties the world’s most powerful waterfall- Murchison falls, crater lakes in the western part of the country, the rolling hills and valleys and so much.

 

While you can choose to use public transport to get to these destinations, most of these buses reach at certain points which makes it hard for you to proceed right from there to the destined and final destination.

However, through renting a reliable car that you will be able to visit any of these places to have rewarding and an experience you will ever look for. At Uganda Self Drives, we have a fleet of self drive cars for hire in Uganda at very affordable and unbeatable rates.

With a car rental in Uganda with a driver or self drive, you will be able to get to any of the national parks or specific destination without worrying about being left behind by the public means of transport you would opt. Many public means like buses and air crafts, have a specific they set off to and from such locations which implies that if you come before or after that time, you likely to suspend your travel. But with car hire Uganda, you can drive to any location at any time and any day.

Renting a car in Uganda also gives you the privacy you need while on a trip, meaning you can take a nap when you want to, get a snack you need or even have endless stop overs in order to capture the different unique features within the country’s boundaries.

On top of giving you the freedom to travel anywhere anytime, car rental is pocket friendly compared to any other means. Imagine traveling from Kampala to Kidepo and then to Murchison using public means, this is costly but when you rent a car you are very sure that you will get to any of these destinations at your own pace. In other words, its cheap car hire in Uganda that will definitely get you to your final destination.

Renting a car is cheap because there are no costs involved like maintenance costs, pick up and drop off fees. As Uganda Self Drives, the only fee you will be asked before you proceed with your trip and right after that, there is no other amount of money you are expected to pay to maintain the vehicle in case it breaks and more other car services. In case a car breaks down while you are still on your trip, we have a number of agents across the country who will handle such a case at no cost expected from you.

Is car rental in Uganda Safe?

Absolutely right. Whether you are renting a car for self drive or car rental in Uganda with a driver we assure you that you will be safe as long you follow the set traffic laws. While driving on Ugandans roads you expected to drive from the left side of the road and overtake from the right only when it’s safe for you to do so.

In terms of security, Uganda remains among the top safest countries in Africa with no record against international travelers or foreigners for about two decades. Making it one of the safest countries you can go to.

How much is renting a car in Uganda?

The cost car rental in Uganda is determined by a few factors and these do include the type of car you are renting, the number of days, the number of people and the destination. The cost of car hire varies given that cars have different engine power and comfort. For example the cost of renting a RAV4 is quite low compared to when you are renting a Land Cruiser TX because the two cars do differ in terms of comfort and strength especially when navigating the different terrains in the country.

When on more than monthly car rental Uganda, expect to get a discount on any of the car of your choice from us. Renting a car per day is quite expensive, however if you rent for more than 14 days or even a month, you are likely to get a discount which does make car hire affordable.

Are you planning to cross the border into another country, we always advise you to inform us prior to your car rental booking to enable us prepare the necessary documents required for you to cross the border and please note when you cross a border to another country, the cost differs as that of 4×4 car rental Uganda.

What do I need to rent a car for self drive in Uganda?

Like any other country, to rent a car for self drive, you will need to avail a few documents that indeed prove that you know to how to drive and licensed. These include a valid copy of a driving license, an international driving permit and a copy of a valid passport. These are required for identification purposes.

Upon receiving these, we will then proceed and take you through the booking process where you can share with your preferred vehicle for rental, number of days and more other details.

Can I self drive in Uganda as a tourist?

Yes. You can drive in Uganda as long as you have the necessary documents and willing to follow the country’s traffic laws while on the road. Traffic officers in Uganda are very friendly and once they ask you to stop, you can do so since this is usually done to check whether you have the right documents to be on the road and the mechanical conditions of the car you are driving.

Once you are found with no offence, you will be set free to proceed with your trip.

Overall car hire in Uganda will get you to any destination of your choice giving you the privacy, comfort and affordable rates you would prefer. To rent a car, talk to us today on +256 759498123 and we will be able to reserve you the car of your choice.