We offer the best 4x4 self drive car hire Uganda services. Our affordable self-drive 4x4 car rental Uganda offers 4x4 safari Land Cruisers, 4x4 minibus vans and 4x4 Rav4s.
We are one of the best 4x4 self drive car hire companies in Uganda. Self-drive car rental in Uganda is undoubtedly popular due to:
- The improved quality of self drive cars for rent in Uganda and availability of professional self-drive car hire companies in Uganda
- Improved good road networks
- Road signs
- Availability of Google GPS system that can direct you to most popular places
- Availability of accommodation in every major city/town
- The wide spread network of fuelling centers
We at Prime Uganda Safaris and Tours Ltd. have a wide range of affordable Uganda self drive car hire options, including:
- 4x4 station wagons like 4x4 Land Cruisers,
- 7-10-seat 4x4 safari vans
- 4x4 RAV4s
Our 4x4 self drive car rental Uganda fleet is equipped with
- Air conditioning
- Sliding roofs
- Swivel seats
- Plenty of legroom for your comfort.
We are ready to hand over the car keys and embark on a journey to discover the beauty of Africa.
Self-drive Car Rental Uganda Information, Advice & Tips
According to East African standards, Uganda’s main roads are generally in good condition for 4x4 self car drive hire in Uganda. Surfaced roads radiate out from Kampala, running east to Jinja, Busia, Tororo, Mbale and Soroti; south to Entebbe; southwest to Masaka, Mbarara, Kisoro, and Kabale; and northwest to Nakasongora and Gulu, among other districts.
Indeed, Uganda's unsurfaced roads exhibit significant seasonal variations, peaking in difficulty during the rainy season and diminishing towards the end of the dry season. Even in this generalization, an isolated downpour can do major damage to a road that was in perfectly good condition a day earlier, while the arrival of a grader can transform a potholed 4×4 track into a road navigable by any salon car.
4x4 self drive car hire in Uganda is interesting but a bit more challenging than in other East African and Southern African countries. Therefore, you definitely need to be a defensive driver and when on the road, just drive defensively when buses and minibus taxis are around, as their drivers are crazy.
These are now the main hazard on Ugandan roads aside from unexpected pot-holes. Minibus-taxi drivers in particular have long been given to overtaking on blind corners, and speed limits are universally ignored except when enforced by road conditions.
As a big threat as minibus taxis these days are the spanking new coaches that bully their way along trunk routes at up to 120 km/h—keep an eye in the rearview mirror and if necessary, pull off the road in advance to let the closing loony past. Other than them, you won’t see much traffic outside of Kampala, except on the road to Jinja and the Kenyan border.
We at Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd. encourage you to come experience Uganda 4x4 self drive car hire!! You will meet lots of very friendly and helpful people. If you are unfortunate enough to have a puncture, remember to get out of the way of the rush of local people wanting to help change the wheel for you.
Certain 4x4 self drive car hire Uganda drivers possess a strong assertiveness that can keep you captivated and engaged. What to note is that driving in Kampala Capital City is much more intense than in the rural areas.
If you do plan to have a 4x4 self drive car rental Uganda trip, definitely have someone go with you for the first few drives, as driving on the left side and amidst tons of minibus taxi’s and motor scooters is crazy. Overall, the people are welcoming and helpful if you do happen to need help.
If you rent a decent car, you probably won’t have any breakdown problems, fuel is available all around the country, and there might be an occasional roadblock, and you will probably be waved straight through, but they might ask what you have in the back. No one will try and solicit a bribe from you, unlike some other countries.
Fuel in Uganda is affordable but prices keep on changing—the equivalent of around US$1.4 per liter for petrol and slightly less for diesel. If you are arriving overland its worth stocking up before you enter the country.
While on your 4x4 self drive rentals Uganda, the following documentation is required at all times: the vehicle registration book (a photocopy is acceptable; ensure it’s a recent one with the most recent vehicle license entry recoded on the back page); a minimum compulsory Third Party Insurance Coverage Certificate—sticker; and a driving license.
Your own domestic license is acceptable for up to three months; only those with a valid international license, 23 years old and holding a valid full driving license for a period of more than 2 years, are allowed to self-drive with full comprehensive insurance.
We agree with visitors and other foreign drivers that Ugandan drivers are a bit aggressive in Kampala, but you pretty much won’t encounter any traffic outside of the city, except for the crazy bus and minibus drivers that you can easily avoid.
Having the above in mind, a coasting speed of 80 km/h on the open road would be comfortable without being overcautious, and it’s not a bad idea to slow down and cover the brake in the face of oncoming traffic.
In urban situations, particularly downtown Kampala, the right of way essentially belongs to he who is prepared to force the issue—a considered blend of defensive driving tempered by outright assertiveness is required to get through safely without becoming bogged down in traffic during your 4x4 self drive car hire in Uganda.
In town, especially Kampala, you are just centimeters from other vehicles; traffic laws exist but are to be ignored. People pass on any side of you, boda-bodas (motorbike taxis) bob all around you. If you are a visitor, you are simply not equipped to handle a vehicle in traffic where anything goes and where the biggest vehicle wins. For visitors, self-driving is a test of nerves....tom.
We encourage our 4x4 self drive care hire Uganda potential clients to purchase personal accident insurance that includes medical repatriation from their point of departure. This is because this is not covered under the vehicle’s insurance coverage.
All our fleet of vehicles has full comprehensive insurance coverage and the client is liable to a charge depending on the car for any damage sustained by the vehicle during the hire period in case of self-drive.
Only those with a valid international license, 23 years old and holding a valid full driving license for a period of more than 2 years, are allowed to self-drive with full comprehensive insurance.
We still encourage our potential visitors to hire a vehicle from us with a driver for the first couple of weeks because this is probably the safest way to understand Kampala and Uganda driving and to get around.