Uncategorized - Uganda Self Drives

self-drive Uganda tips & advantages – Uganda self drive safaris

Self drive Uganda tips & Advantages - Uganda self drive safaris

A self-drive Uganda trip is a wonderful way to explore the “pearl of Africa” as the roads are well maintained, they wind through spectacular scenery, and there is little traffic out of the overcrowded Kampala city centre. You can explore entirely at your own pace and drive to the camps and lodges we have pre-booked for you

There’s nothing quite like the freedom of a self-drive holiday, pile as much luggage as you like into the trunk of the car and travel at your own pace. This flexibility is perfect if you want to get a real feel of Uganda and then have the option to stay for as long or as short as you like!

Our travel experts will help you in planning the best self-drive Uganda routes and provide you with all the information you will need for a Uganda self drive road trip. However, when you reach your chosen camps, expert guides with specialist local knowledge will take you into remote areas on foot or in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Whether you plan to see mountain gorillas within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park to spot the world’s most powerful waterfall among the other destinations, a self drive road trip will get you there with ease.

Be rest assured that on your roadtrip in Uganda, you will get a memorable experience unique features where you can enjoy a self-drive Uganda safari as part of your overall trip.

Advantages of a Uganda self drive safari

Contrary to some people’s assertions, a self-drive holiday abroad is not as daunting as you might imagine.

We earmark a few reasons why Uganda is ideally suited and the best place you can consider for a self-drive holiday, as well as outlining some practical considerations.

Why a self-drive Uganda safari:

You decide the overall pace of the holiday.
You have the total freedom and flexibility to get to places off the beaten track, and then spend as much time as you want there.
You can enjoy greater comfort and privacy.
Uganda in general has an excellent road network so getting around should pose no problem.
We can arrange all aspects of your self-drive, including flights, accommodation and car rental. All you need do is turn up at the airport.

Useful information about self-drive in Uganda

Uganda’s roads

Uganda’s main roads have tar surfaces and these have improved over the years. Some of the routes that have been newly constructed and improved include; Kampala to Kasese routes, Fort portal Kabale and north to Masindi and Gulu. The rest of the network is gravel. The gravel roads are well graded and generally in good condition in the dry season.

In the rainy season, however, the roads are slippery. All the gravel roads are well signposted and as there are only a few roads to choose from, it is very hard to get lost. As you drive along, you will find a number of road side restaurants and motels where you can stop over for a roadside snack. Since there’s very little traffic up country, you’ll find you can stop at the side of the road whenever you wish to enjoy the view or take a picture.

Driving distances and time

Distances are large in Uganda and we recommend you set off early in the morning and drive at a leisurely pace, enjoying the journey as you go. By leaving early, you can enjoy the first part of your drive in the cool of the day, and we have often seen animals on or beside the road at this time. You can aim to arrive at your next lodge in time for lunch and then have the afternoon either to relax, explore at your own pace or join a guided activity.

We always recommend that you have a set itinerary that guides on when and where you will need to visit on a particular day.

Cars

It is possible to self drive around Uganda in an ordinary car, but we usually recommend a 4×4 vehicle for a hassle free experience. We will discuss with you what type of car you’d like, taking into account the number of people in your party, how much luggage you have and the route you are taking. In the rainy season, we always recommend a 4×4 because these are strong enough to go through the tough terrains

Self-driving advice & tips

We have been arranging self-drive trips to Uganda for years and offer a few small touches to make your trip easier and more comfortable. Some of the extras you can consider to add on your trip include a rooftop tent, camping gear, an electric fridge and much more.

Planning

All our specialists have driven extensively around Uganda. We will plan a route carefully, taking into account what you’d like to do and keeping an eye on the driving distances and times.

Maps

On arrival in Uganda, you will be given a fully annotated map with your route highlighted and your lodges marked. You can as well use Google maps as this is accurate as well and will get you anywhere you’d like to go on your self drive road trip.

Phones

It is always useful to have a mobile phone and Uganda’s network coverage is improving each year. We will provide you with our emergency phone number as well as the phone numbers for your accommodation, and our ground-agents. It is always worth checking with your mobile phone provider about its coverage in Uganda, and ensuring the roaming function is switched on.

You can as well ensure that you have local SIM Card that you can get upon arrival in the country or from the various network service providers in the country.

Book your self drive roadtrip in Uganda now!

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Guide to self drive in Rwanda

Rwanda is becoming another popular destination among travelers especially those who would want to explore the country’s hidden gems on their own on a self drive Rwanda roadtrip. However, for a memorable experience on the road, there set guidelines things you need to know prior to your self drive in Rwanda adventure.

This East African country that is often referred to as the “Land of a thousand hills” has a number of destinations that you can visit and you will be amazed by so much that you will find over there

Whether you would like to drive to Akagera National Park – the country’s only savannah national park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, the popular Volcanoes National park to have a look at man’s closest relative – mountain gorillas as they roam in the park and more other places, a self drive in Rwanda will get you there. This is the cheapest and reliable option that you can consider as you plan for your visit to this beautiful country.

What you need to know about self drive in Rwanda

First and foremost, you need to have acquired a visa that allows you to legally be in the country. This is accompanied by a valid driving license to prove that in deed you have the desired experience to be on the road. You can as well get an international driving license as you will be required to present it once traffic officers ask you to stop.

Read and understand the car rental contract. This is very important as you need to know whether you are insured and the Dos and don’ts you need to follow to safe on the road.

Unlike other East African countries, while in Rwanda you will need to drive from the right hand side of the road. Prior to your self drive in Rwanda adventure, familiarize yourself with such an arrangement.

Hire a car with GPS or download offline google maps; if you are quite unsure on which road leads you to your final destination or national park, getting a map is the best approach that will help you go anywhere hassle. Offline maps and GPS are right options for you.

The other important thing that you have consider while you self drive in Rwanda is the driving speed limits. While driving in Rwanda, you are expected 60KM/hr while on a highway and in urban centres, 40KM/hr. going against these speeds will lead to a penalty/fine that you will be required to pay.

For travelers crossing from Uganda with Uganda registered plates or crossing into Uganda with Rwandan registered plates, you will be required to have all your travel documents with you and also make sure you purchase insurance for the car to be allowed to cross into Uganda legally.

Road conditions in Rwanda

Rwanda is one of the best countries in Africa with a well-developed road network. A number of roads that connect to the country’s leading destinations are well tarmacked and roads in national parks do have murram to ease your movement.

The east African country also does have well marked road signs that in place to guide you on your roadtrip. These do include traffic signs, roadside signs like humps ahead, zebra crossing and much more.

Where to go on your self drive in Rwanda

Tourism in Rwanda is growing at a faster rate which is because of the commendable conservation efforts. While in the country, you can visit the following destinations;

Akagera National Park

Situated in the eastern of the country, Akagera is Rwanda’s popular destination of what this does have within her boundaries. This is the country’s only savannah national park and the best place where you will be able to spot the big five animals (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos) as they roam through the park freely.

The other species you will see include; zebras, giraffes, several antelope species, bird species, crocodiles and hippos on a boat cruise along Lake Ihema and so much more.

Volcanoes National park

This is one of the most popular destinations in Rwanda and home to mountain gorillas. It is situated in the north western of Rwanda in Musanze provice. To see gorillas in this national park, you must have acquired a gorilla tracking permit from the Rwanda Development Board which can be purchased at $1500 per person. This gives you a lifetime opportunity to spend upto 1hr with these endangered species in their natural habitat. There other primate species you will be able to spot within the boundaries of the park and several species of birds.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

This is the only destination in Rwanda where you will be able to spot chimpanzees as they play, feed and roam on tree branches in the park. There other primate species and birds that you will be able to spot while within the park.

Within Nyungwe forest, you will as well find the canopy walkway – a suspension bridge that gives you a bird view of the forest and on a clear day you may see the Virunga ranges.

Other destinations you can check out on your self drive in Rwanda include Lake Kivu – the largest lake in Rwanda, Kigali city where you can visit the various local markets, the Kigali genocide memorial centre and much more.