blog

5 Tips for Driving on Rough Roads of Uganda

admin blog , ,

Many travelers in Uganda love driving by themselves while visiting the different tourism destinations but the roads in Uganda are not that smooth like those in the developed countries. Most roads in Uganda are rough, raged and most of potholes and it is very challenging for new drivers especially those that come from the western world who have better roads.

The cause of these raged roads and potholes is the nature of land texture and the water logging that gets on these roads thus leading to the deformation and breaking of the road.

Nonetheless we human beings have a never say die attitude where we improvise and find a way to get the job done. So although most of the roads in Uganda are rough and hard to drive on,  there are ways on how to drive on them successfully.

And we bring to you the tips of driving on rough roads on a Uganda self-drive safari

Understand the Wheel Drive of the Vehicle

Most of the cars hire out to clients are 4 wheel drive cars due to the fact that our roads are rough and raged to drive on and 4×4 cars are very combative and resilient.

Though at a rare occasion the two drive cars are hired out to travelers. Therefore, it is very important the traveler gets to know the wheel drive of the rental car is driving so that he/she can know what its features are and thereby know how to drive when you reach the rough roads.

Get to know about driving on rough roads in Uganda

As soon as getting to the car rental counter or the delivery boy gets to you, you have to tell the person in charge where you will be going and driving so that he/she can advise on how to drive on certain roads. So as a driver it is best to avoid primitive, muddy and rocky roads and use the safer one though they might be longer.

Slowing Down of Car

While driving in road that are rough, ragged and have pothole try to slow down the speed. The speed should be around 40km/hr.  it commendable because any mistake as you hit the pothole or rock on the road while driving at a terrible speed, the car may get a damage or rollover sometimes.

Carry Emergency Equipment

When driving for long distance in Uganda, It is important to have certain tools in the kit so that the strain put on the vehicles while driving on rough roads if causes any problem then, the emergency supplies can be made use of.

Some of the tools in this regard that can be helpful are a shovel, spare tire, tire jack, jumper cables, cell phone, and first aid kit.

Drive in the Fast Lane

It is advisable to dudge driving the car in the right lane on a well streamlined highway since most of the heavy and loaded trucks always drive in that lane thus if there is any mistake on the road, one is more likely to crush or make an accident with these heavy vehicles.

It is best for you as a traveler to use the fast lane to avoid the fore mentioned problems.

Get The Right Vehicle

Ensure that you get the vehicle that can fight and tussle on the rugged roads of Uganda. it is high recommendable to use 4×4 vehicles while going to the remote areas of Uganda.

most of them are gravy roads  yet murram roads are muddy and raged most of the times. It is also required one to get a well modified 4×4 vehicle that can maneuver on the roads.

 

 

The Five Destinations to Visit on A Road Trip Uganda

admin blog

Uganda has numerous tourist places and this makes it  the right destination for you to enjoy a road trip. Below are some of the few destinations to visit while on a road safari to Uganda.

Jinja is the first destination when thinking about having a road trip in Uganda. The town is famous as the historic source of the Nile River, and this town is the adrenaline capital of East Africa. you will get a fix of the white water rafting, Kayaking, Quad biking, mountain biking as well as riding in the natural setting with the colonial architecture.

You will find the Bujagali hydroelectric project that has reduced some rapids on the river. The activities that can be carried out in Jinja include; White water rafting on the Nile and it’s so famous to the travelers since they get to adventure into the great rapids on the source of the Nile.

There is kayaking which is also an alternative to rafting and here you can go solo and kayak through the raging river or take a more leisurely paddle on the flat waters. You can enjoy boating that can be enjoyed on the source of the Nile as you visit the islands along the way.

The other destination for a road trip is the Eastern Uganda; not only the great scenery, eastern Uganda is a must visit destination especially for a road trip safari in Uganda.

Here the mighty Nile begins its epic journey north. You will enjoy mountain Elgon which is famous for mountain hiking as well as the viewing of the Sipi falls. This region also offers a charming and friendly base on the shores of Lake Victoria where the travelers can spend a few days or more as they enjoy the chilled atmosphere.

The main attractions in this region that you will enjoy on your road trip include;  Ngamba Island common for the chimpanzees, Source of the Nile, Mpanga forest reserve, Mountain Elgon national park, Nyero rock painting as well as Makanaga wetland.

The road trip to Uganda won’t be complete without visiting the Northern part of Uganda. This is mainly a journey to the Karamong people who live in Kidepo National Park. This is a two to three day journey that takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in the country

. You get to enjoy the plains filled with tall jagged peaks and fields ablaze with the sun flowers. You will enjoy the karamonjong people. This is the main highlight of the journey for most of the pastoral herders that are known for their traditional dress.

As you drive from Kampala or Kidepo, the best spot to have an overnight is in Moroto which is the biggest and most prosperous of Karrramoja towns, with leafy streets and many NGOs. There are many activity options here like pastoral villages or traditional herder’s camps, the outdoor adventures as well as the great cultural immersion with the Karamajong through the great programs.

You can as well enjoy the guided hiking. Further on is Kotido, a gritty, downtrodden town with a large NGO presence. You can stay at the Kotido Resort, with clean rooms in a secure compound, but it’s best to time it so you can push on. Just outside Kidepo, the village of Kaabong can be an interesting stop to take in the bustling roadside market and perhaps to purchase a plaid blanket to steel you against the chilly evenings of the north.

The western part of Uganda is so great for a road trip, you will get chance to drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park famous for mountain gorilla trekking. The park has got half the world’s surviving park which is one of East Africa’s most famous national parks.

The park also contains famous primates and over 120 species of mammals. you get chance to see the forest elephants, 11 species of primates, duikers, bush bucks, the African golden cats as well as the rare giant forest hog, as well as the many bird species and insect species.

You can as well have a road trip to Queen Elizabeth national park; this national park is always included on the Ugandan itinerary. You are guaranteed to see very many wildlife species including; the giraffes, lions, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, elephants as well as the buffaloes.

The famous tree-climbing lions in the remote Ishasha sector of the park are a fascinating highlight, but many people also come specifically to see some of the amazing 611 bird species that can be found here. Again in the west, you can enjoy Kibale National Park which is famous for chimpanzee trekking, Ssemuliki national park for birding, Rwenzori Mountains for mountain climbing, as well as Lake Mburo National Park.

 

 

 

Hire a 4×4 Rental to Visit the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

admin blog

Gone are the days when tourists would want an all-inclusive tour package. Nowadays, all they do is a hire a car and explore the several tourist attractions on their own.

It is such an adventurous and interesting experience where one hire a car to wander the unrelenting green landscapes enchanted with amazing wildlife by oneself in a foreign land like Uganda. Uganda has so many attractions to visit but what beats the odds are the mountain gorillas.

The mountain gorillas are endangered species of animals that are only found in the east central African regions. These animals are one of the most sought species in the wild by eco tourists and Uganda is one of the only three lucky countries to have them.

In Uganda, the mountain gorillas are found in the tropical rain forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga within the Virunga massif.

Mountain gorillas trekking is wonderful and spicing it up by traveling on your own can make the trip a lifetime experience as excitement is combined with adventure and freedom.

Hiring a car in Uganda has become so much easier since there are several car rental companies in the country. The car rental companies are found in online and online shopping is the order of the day in this day and age generations.

All you have to do is get to google and a book with a car rental company that has the best 4×4 rental that would suit your mountain gorilla trekking expedition. If you are a sole traveler, a Toyota rav4 or a Toyota land cruiser Prado can be your ideal 4×4 rental car for the business.

One might wonder, how you going to acquire a gorilla permit or accommodation for your trip. Most car rental companies in Uganda book gorilla permits for their clients as long as the client sends the money for the permits. They also advise and suggest the ideal accommodation to stay in while in Uganda.

Visiting the mountain gorillas in Uganda on your own is terrific as you are able to encounter various attraction while driving to the southwest of the country. There are wonderful green hilly landscapes to watch that will make a tourists appreciate and enjoy nature.

More to the driving on your own is viewing the mountain gorillas in the wild. It is not being endangered species that makes the mountain gorillas such special animals to watch but also their eye catching social behavior while interacting amongst themselves in the jungle.

Mountain gorillas somehow relate like human beings in their social circle. They have the head of a family in an alpha male called the silverback of which he is the Centre of all the daily works that takes place in the family. The mountain gorilla family normally involves around 10-30 individuals.

The mountain gorillas have the ability to use tools like stones and tree branches while gathering food and also build their nests. These amazing animals also have a very interesting communication sounds that would make the onlooker think that it is some kind of language with a special dialect.

Apart from enjoying their social antics in the jungle, you are also able to take photos and videos of them and also not forgetting the interesting stories about them that you get from the commentaries of the gorilla ranger who guides while trekking.

Therefore when you are out their interested in traveling on your own and you would love to visit the mountain gorillas in the wild, Uganda is the place to be. Just get to www.selfdriveinuganda.com to hire a car, hit the road to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla Park and have a trip of a lifetime.

Car battery Damaging Habits to Avoid on a Uganda Self Drive Safari

admin blog ,

Have ever been in the middle of the jungle and then the rental car jams to move? We all know what can happen right from there, the first thing is to develop panic attacks due to the fact that you may not know how to move of out the jungle where there are no people to come to rescue. As a car rental experts we ascertained the problem being car battery failure. Car battery failure are normally caused by bad driving habits.

Here we try to bring the terrible habits to avoid that can kill the car battery;

Driving with a Loose Battery 

Sometimes car batteries get loose from their clamps and they cannot perform to the maximum potential and in the end weakening. So as a traveler always check on the battery to see whether it is in its right position.

In case your battery is loosely clamped or not properly secured in its place, the vibration, on driving becomes one of the major causes of car battery failure. It gets even worse if it is an uneven terrain you are driving on. It causes damage to the components inside it, resulting in the formation of cracks. The ultimate result is corrosion and failure down the line.

Leaving Lights and Cooling on while the Car is Stationary

This act is one of the most common cause of battery failure in the long term. Leaving radio, lights, air conditioner or electronics charging when the car is not at operation or being driven leads to the drain of the battery and thus killing it in the long run. So you have to ensure that all the systems that use the battery to run are turned off while the car is at station.

Lack of General Maintenance

It is important to check the battery every few months, especially at the time of service. Check whether the level of water is full. Water loss takes place because of the normal gassing caused by high temperatures. Simply go for a battery in which you can maintain the water level, and the battery can last much longer than usual.

Driving only Short Distances

If you did not know about this then it time you know. The car battery charges whenever the car is being driving. Therefore when you drive the car for a short period or distance, the battery does not completely charged. In most cases when the battery is not completely charged regularly and is used, it dies out.

So always make sure that you driving the car for a reasonable distance.

Turning the Headlights on before the EngineI

It is something that a lot of us do without realizing that it can be fatal for the car battery. When you put the headlights on before you turn the ignition on, it exerts extra load on the battery. Though it is incapable of causing battery failure in the short term, it surely shortens the life span of even the best batteries.

When you rent a car in Uganda for a self-drive safari make sure you avoid the above bad habits that may kill the car battery. And when the car battery is dead, there are problems of car breakdown that you are definitely going to face on your trip

6 Road Offences to Avoid While Driving in Uganda

admin blog

Nowadays most tourists who come to Uganda wish to drive on their own to visit the various tourism destinations. However, many of these tourists are foreign to the lands of Uganda and therefore some of the road rules and policies are unfamiliar to them. Many of them have been convicted by the traffic officers for road offences, they clearly do not know about.

We found out the missing gap that many of these foreign travelers we rent cars in Uganda sometimes are not aware that they are making offences on the road. So as a traveler, we bring to you the most common Road Offences to Avoid While Driving in Uganda

Not fastening your belt while driving; This is a common habit among drivers, they tend to forget to fasten their belts. Fastening the belt is not only done for the sake of avoid a road offence . It is also a good driving deed as the belt protects from hitting the sterling or windscreen in case of an accident. Thus sometimes saving from getting severe inquiries. Anyone caught by the traffic officer without fastening his/her seat belt is given a fine of around ugx 10000shs.

Over speeding in settlements/urban areas; the major causes of road accidents in Uganda is over speeding that is normally done in the urban areas.

Many people drive at a terrible speed in areas where people are dwelling and doing their business. there are always people crossing the roads and also building and other stuff just near the road. So in case of any hiccup while driving the driver is likely to run over the people or building or stuff around the road due to over speeding.

The maximum speed of driving on roads where there are settlements or towns is 50km/hr. therefore if you happen to go beyond that it is an offence.

Taking over in corners; this must be a renowned offence worldwide but still drivers still do commit it. Taking over in a corner is a very dangerous act since you may not a clear vision of a car coming from the opposite and hence colliding with it. Traffic officers are always near the corner to curb down offenders who over take in corners.

Driving at the shoulders of the road; Driving at the ending of the road is an offence in Uganda. The space left at the road side is normally for pedestrians but some drivers use the space in order to bit traffic jam which is an offence.

Driving without third party insurance; it is mandatory for every vehicle in Uganda to have third party insurance as this protects the vehicle in case of causing any social hardship like knocking the building, animals or any other stuff.

Driving without a driving license; sometimes travelers tend to carry their driving license while driving in Uganda yet it is the only document that reflect that you are eligible or qualified to drive.  So as a traveler you should always carry your driver’s license when you are going to drive in Uganda.

Why Go to Murchison Falls National Park on Self Drive?

admin blog , , ,

Murchison Falls National Park is located in the north of Uganda and it is the largest biodiversity conservation in Uganda. This wonderful game park has become the power house in Uganda’s tourism industry as it receives hundreds of thousands of tourists to enjoy its attractions.

Of lately tourists love exploring different tourism destinations on their own and this is commonly termed as self-drive expedition. These kind of expeditions are tremendously exciting as the tourists enjoy and explore a wide range of biodiversity without any restrictions.

A Uganda self-drive expedition to Murchison falls national park is very amazing and many travelers who have undertaken have had a lifetime experience and here are the reasons as to why you should go to Murchison falls national park on a Uganda self-drive expedition

Murchison falls national park has one of the most powerful and scenic waterfall in Africa. These powerful falls are a beauty to watch and encounter. As you hike to the top of the falls, you witness the Nile forcing its way out of a narrow path to a loud sound as it settles down at the bottom. Top of the falls is a good place for photography.

At Murchison falls national park, you have the opportunity to see the big five animals except the rhino that are only found at Zziwa rhino sanctuary which can also be visited on your way to the park. So it is best for you to have a stopover at a sanctuary to sum me it all as a big five time.

On the game drive around the park you see these amazing animals grazing, running around while others resting getting rid of satisfaction. There are also some other incredible animals to see on the game drive such as giraffes, elands, warthogs, antelopes and hyenas.

You can also have launch cruise at the Victoria Nile where you are able to see interesting and special aquatic lives. While on the afternoon boat ride feeling the sea breeze, you are able to see hippos, crocodiles, variety of bird species and also land animals mostly elephants and buffaloes at the banks of the river.

Murchison falls national park is one of the kind biodiversity, it is so unique with very special species of animals and plants and also interesting physical features that cannot be found anywhere in the world. It would be a very memorable experience if you would take up a Uganda Self drive Murchison falls national park.

 

 

 

 

4 Ways to Get In and Out of Entebbe Airport Uganda

admin blog , ,

Entebbe airport is the international air gateway of Uganda. This is the only international airport in Uganda and it receives more than a million of traveler using it as air transport terminal.

Entebbe airport is detached from the capital city and other social structures, a traveler has to use a means of transport to travel to his/her designated destination.

Here are the 4 ways to get in and out of Entebbe airport;

  1. Take an airport taxi
    Entebbe airport taxi is one of the main options of transporting travelling in and out of Uganda’s main gateway. There is a reservation desk of the taxi when you get out of the terminal, you can easily get to the desk then request for the services.These are quite expensive due to the high demand from the very many travelers at the airport since they can be easily accessed by anyone at the airport. The taxis have a yellow strip on their body and also an airport taxi sign at the top of the car.
  2. Taking a charter plane
    Charter planes are normally used by luxury travelers who wish to visit the different tourism destinations in Uganda. These charter planes are managed by a company called Aerolink.They fly to most of the major airstrips in Uganda namely Kisoro, Kihihi, Gulu,Pakuba, Soroti and Mbarara. With the charter plane, you book it in advance once you get off the main international air carrier at Entebbe, you get to the charter plane commonly known as Aerolink.
  3. Residents Take Their Own Cars
    Those who reside in Uganda can take their own cars to and from the Entebbe Airport. After all, there are several parking options, which include long stay parking at Uganda and short term parking.However, there is always a fee to pay when you park your car at the airport. In most cases, residents who use the airport use their own cars as it is cheaper than any other means that can get you in and out of it.
  4. Travel with  car rental services
    This is becoming the most popular means of transport of getting in and out of Entebbe airport. There are very many car hire companies in Uganda and offer airport transfer services at an affordable rate of USD 50$ if your destination is within Kampala or Entebbe.All the traveler has to do is to get on the internet and look for your ideal Uganda car rental company to book with and he/she is good to go. The car rental operator normally awaits for the traveler at the arrival point of the airport.

 

Tips for hassle-free holiday car hire Uganda

admin blog ,

Uganda is one of those safari destinations a traveler can experience behind the wheels on his own. It is such a small country and has a very simple Road network that leads to the several major tourist destinations one may wish to tour. This is why very many travel companies have take up that opportunity by offering self drive safari to their clients.

All one has to do is hire a car in Uganda and traverse to his/her preferred tourism destination without the help of a driver guide. Accommodation and tourist entrance booking also can be done by the travel company on behalf of the traveler or a traveler can also do that by himself. Holiday car hire Uganda makes a traveler explore the pearl of Africa on his own and with maximum independence and comfort.

Nevertheless car hire Uganda is tremendously good for a traveler; he/she has to put some tips in check to get car hire services that will give him/her the best experience in Uganda.

Below are the tips for hassle free car hiring Uganda:

Make sure that you get both car rental and personal travel insurance

Any person traveling overseas needs personal travel insurance to safe guard himself from all unforeseen problems that might happen while on the journey like theft of luggage and self physical injuries. This is supposed to be gotten from the home country.

In addition to personal travel insurance make sure that the rental car has comprehensive insurance that makes the traveler less liable of any unforeseen damages that might happen on the car while driving it. This gives the traveler a peace of mind knowing that he/she has shield in case of any problem on the voyage.

Take some time to read the car rental agreement

The car rental agreement is always a written document given to a person wishing to rent car from a company consisting of the terms and condition under which he/she is hiring the car. It is best for a traveler to read each and every clause of the agreement and in case he/she does not understand one ask the company for clarity. Remember if you violate any clause in the agreement, you are likely to pay a fine and thus incurring more costs on the car rental services.

Make sure you’re aware of the road rules in Uganda

Different countries have different road rules so as a traveler one has to know the speed limits, turning rules, overtaking etiquette and also the nature of other drivers on the roads.

This makes the traveler to get full aware of the driving rules and policies in Uganda so that he/she does not fall short of being an offender due to ignorance. Offensive driving in Uganda comes with a premium fine or jail time so knowing the road rules is important for anyone wish to hire a car in Uganda.

Check the rental thoroughly before driving off

This is very important tip to all traveler hiring rentals overseas, it is best to inspect the vehicle you are wish to hire before hitting the road. Endeavor to check for the dents, scratches and also the mechanical condition of the car and take an extra mile to take photos of the rental car. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings between the company and the client over damages after using the car.

Having a valid and recognized driving permit

It is best to have an international driving permit which can be acquired from the driving authorities from your home country or if not make sure that your driving permit is translated in English a language used in Uganda. No traveler is allowed to hire a car without a clear driving license.

Pay any fines or tolls promptly

In case, you get a fine for any driving irregularity, please ensure you pay for it immediately to the authority concerned. The vehicles are always monitored in the traffic system in Uganda and if it defaults to pay a fine it will be confiscated and that will mean another fine in addition to the initial one. It is best to clear the fines at hand to avoid tangling with traffic authorities.

Advantages of Manual Transmission Rental Cars

admin blog, Uncategorized ,

 Automation may have taken over manual machines even in the car world but for Uganda car hire manual cars is more meritorious that an automatic transmission. 4×4 manual vehicles may look to be old fashion but they are very user friendly on a self drive car hire expedition.

Here are the advantages a 4×4 manual transmission vehicle has to offer to a traveler wishing to hire a car in Uganda:

  1. Staying in Control

Manual transmission gives the traveler the opportunity to be in full control of the car that is selecting the best gear for the speed and situation. There is no anticipation or prediction of what to do while driving a manual as the person is in control of the gears and the cars so the driver is able to come up with a solution of his/her own during accident bound situations.

  1. Available for Cheaper Prices

For travelers who are budget sensitive manual cars are the ideal cars as these are cheaper than the automatic cars to hire. There is no doubt about this as the models of automatic cars are newer than the manual cars yet car operators price tag their rental cars in accordance to the model and the size of the car. The traveler is likely to get a big bargain of a cheaper price when hires a manual car other than the automatic one.

  1. Low Maintenance

4×4 Uganda rental cars which are manual transmission are cheaper and are of low maintenance since they have simple machinery compared to the automatic cars that have sophisticated machinery. The machinery found in manual cars is always easy to maintain and their spare parts are readily available in most spare workshops in Uganda.

  1. Better Gas Mileage

Due to the less technology in manual cars, the engines consume less gas to run the system while driving the car and this puts manual cars in a good position to consume less gas than their automatic counterpart that have hi-tech of which it has to use lot of gas to run the driving system.

  1. Advantage of Skill

Manual transmission involves lots of technical know-how as the driver must be well conversant with the wheels. It involves comprehensive manual driving where by the driver has to control the gears and the speed of the car on his\her own which is not the case with automatic cars where by a driver has to only be in position to control the sterling, the accelerator and the brakes and he/she is good to go. With the automatic one becomes very dull and lazy as no skill or brain matter is used to drive the car.

It is best for the traveler to use manual cars for self drive car rental experiences in Uganda since most of the times it involves driving long distances of which manual cars have the best qualities  to martial up the ragged roads  of most of safari Uganda destinations.

Hiring a car for Airport Transfer – Tips to Make It Great

admin blog ,

After a long haul flight, it is everybody’s dream to get a reliable and convenient means of ground transportation to lead him/her to his/her hotel or any other destination. It may not look as simple as it seems that all the traveler needs to do is to book the car rental, there are some criteria that have to be undertaken in order to meet the traveler’s expectation of reliance and convenience.

Remember today the world is liberal as everyone can start up his/her own car rental company and unfortunately enough not all these car rental companies are competent enough to give the traveler the services he/she may want.

So here are the tips to make an airport transfer car rental a smooth experience:

Look at the fleet of cars

Before the traveler books a rental car for an airport transfer, it is very commendable to check the fleet of cars the car rental company is offering to their customers on the websites. This gives the renter the room to choose the best rental car possible for his/her airport transfer.

Normally car rental companies have different kinds of cars for hire that appeal to all sorts of people be it high end, middle class or the economy class of people. The rental cars are categorized by size here in Uganda that is the compact cars, sedans, SUVS and the crossovers. In most cases the big cars (SUVS) come with a big price but with greater services and the compact cars are cheap and with also good services so it is upon the client to know which car best suits his/her budget and then make a choice.

Stick to the same car rental services

When the traveler often travels to Uganda, it is better for him/her to use the same car rental services unless the traveler gets a bad experience by the first time he/she sued them. For that case, the traveler may opt to change. Staying with the same services creates loyalty between the traveler and the car rental company of which comes with great merits.

For example, there are no prediction and surprises and the traveler has the experience of using the car rental services. There is likely to be a reduction in the prices of the car rental at which the traveler hires the vehicles as it is done to keep the customer around for such a longtime. The traveler can also get the car rental services on credit and later pays since they have a mutual understanding with the company. The loyal customer can get a rental car at anytime he/she wants be it at the last minute.

Booking in advance

Anything concerning travel must be done before hand as they are very many people wanting to take up the services. If the traveler is going to a certain destination, he/she must contact the car rental agent and reserve the rental before the date of traveling to his/her destination.

This should be at a month to two weeks before the travel dates. This gives the traveler room to get a rental car of his/her choice without any panic. Furthermore, sometimes the car rental company gives a discount to their customers who book in advance.

Car rental is always the best means of transport for airport transfer services.

 

Need help? Our team is just a message away