The main things the travelers should know and avoid for a great Uganda self drive safari. Car hire companies have been arranging self drive holiday trips in Uganda for over 10 years; this means that we are keen when it comes to self drive in Uganda. But you can get too much of a good thing. Below are the tips about what to avoid on a self drive safari in Uganda.
Always avoid too much driving; frequently people plan to drive way too far in one day. Sometime they plan a hectic trip which has them driving too far and way too often. This doesn’t mean that it’s not possible, this becomes more tiring and you should avoid it when on a self drive safari in Uganda. Always have more stops in the towns so as to know the region you are in and relax since it’s a vacation.
Choosing an unsuitable rental car because it’s cheaper; there is a standard entry car which is a sedan. This is a Toyota Corolla or similar. It’s good for tar roads and easy trips. however in case you are planning to do a self drive safari vacation in Uganda, you are advised to hire a 4×4 safari vehicle like the Toyota Rav 4, Toyota land cruiser, and safari land cruiser best for all kinds of terrain. Mostly in the rainfall months, we recommend a 4×4 for extra peace of mind.
Being more adventurous than you should be, or are happy with; Most of Ugandan roads are now tarmac but we there are also gravel back roads, most especially in the safari areas. The gravel roads vary from being pretty good, but still much more tiring to drive than the tarmac roads. In case you haven’t had much experience of driving on gravel roads, don’t be too ambitious but they offer an excellent African massage as you drive through these bumpy roads. In case you break down in a remote area, assistance may not be able to get to you right away. They will need to bring a replacement vehicle from the nearest depot which could take a few hours. You also need to be comfortable changing a wheel. You also need to travel with food or water in case you get stranded for a few hours.
Not knowing where you are going; in case you are planning more adventures self drive holiday or safari in Uganda, you need to be more prepared. The GPS coverage on your rental car might not work in remote areas, or it may be distinctly suspect. You therefore need to have good roads atlas or directions and know exactly where you are going. We would argue, of course, that having the assistance of a tour operator is invaluable here. They can assist you with driving distances and specific directions to your overnight stay. They can also give you tips about the journey. Also don’t over rely on the GPS, always ask the locals for the right directions.
Driving after dark time; this means that we plan our self drive safaris in Uganda so that you get to your overnight stop by late afternoon. Driving after dark is not only risky but also takes more time on the road, this leads to longer driving times as you drive much more slowly on the unfamiliar roads at night. Sometimes you find it harder to find the hotel as road signs or land marks are not so clearly visible. in case you realize that you will be arriving late, it’s always a good idea to ring. Inform the hotel on what time to expect you and where you are now.