We offer Self drive 4x4 safari Land cruiser cars for hire in Kampala Uganda Rwanda, Self drive 4x4 safari vans hire services in Kampala Uganda, 4x4 RAV4 self drive car hire in Kampala Uganda as well as Rwanda.
Companies Uganda is un-doughtably thought the best destination for self-drive, the more improved roads, the improved road signs, you behind the wheels and driving at your own pace. We at Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd a wide range of affordable cars including 4x4 Station Wagons like Land cruisers, 4 seat Saloon cars like Corona, Corolla and Caldina, 7 seat, 10 seat vans and 12 seat 4x4 Omni buses, 50 up to 60 seat coach buses as well as 25 and 28 seat Costa buses, which are equipped with air conditioning, a sliding roofs, swivel seats, and plenty of leg-room for the guest’s comfort. We are will to hand over the car keys and set you off experience the pearl of Africa.
Uganda Self-drive Information, advice & tips
According to East African standards, Uganda’s main roads are generally in good condition. Surfaced roads radiate out from Kampala, running east to Jinja, Busia, Tororo, Mbale and Soroti, south to Entebbe, southwest to Masaka, Mbarara, Kisoro, Kabale, northwest to Nakasongora,Gulu among other district.
As a matter of fact, Uganda’s unsurfaced roads tend to be very changeable from one season to another, with conditions likely to be most difficult during the rains and least so 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 pot-holed 4×4 track into a road navigable by any salon car.
Driving in Uganda is interesting but a bit more challenging than other East Africa and Southern Africa countries. Therefore, you definitely need to be a defensive driver and when on the road, Just drive defensively when busses 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 120km/h – keep an eye in the rear-view mirror and if necessary pull of 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 say come experience it. 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.
Some drivers in Uganda are very assertive and can keep you on the edge of your seat. What to note is that driving in Kampala Capital City is much more intense than in the rural areas. If you do plan to drive 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 petro and slightly less for diesel. If you are arriving overland its worth stocking up before you enter the country.
While driving in Uganda the following documentation are 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 is allowed self-Drive, with Full Comprehensive Insurance.
We at Prime Safaris and Tours agree with visitors and other foreign drivers that Ugandan drivers are bit aggressive in Kampala, but you pretty much won’t encounter any traffic outside of the city, except the crazy bus and minibus drivers that you can easily avoid.
Having the above in mind, a coasting speed of 80k/h in the open road would be comfortable without being over cautious, 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, 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.
In town especially Kampala, you are just centimeters from other vehicles, traffic laws exist but 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-drive is a test of nerves....tom.
We encourage out potential clients take out Personal Accident Insurance inclusive of Medical Repatriation, from the 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 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.