Things to know before renting a car in Uganda
Things to know before booking a car rental in Uganda: Planning a trip to Uganda is quite important because there are a lot of sights and activities to choose from. Without proper planning, it is nearly hard to cover everything on your itinerary. In simple terms, renting a car to move about is a part of this strategy. The best way to see all of this stunning country’s hidden treasures is to rent a car, either with a driver or on your own.
Unlike public transportation, which has set schedules, renting a car allows you to go at your own speed and leisure. Additionally, renting a car is less expensive because you may divide the expense with friends or family, making it more reasonable over time.
However, the problem is that different countries have different traffic laws and car rental policies, so even if you have rented a car in several different countries, your experience in Uganda might differ. This guide bares some of the things you should know before renting a car in Uganda.
Choosing a reputable company: There are a lot of firms that provide automobile rental services, so picking one can turn out to be quite challenging. What do you do, then?
Look around! Since everything is accessible online in our digital age, all legitimate companies have a respectable internet presence. Check out websites, social media, and travel websites such as TripAdvisor or Booking.com, and read reviews left by past clients. You will read through them and select one of your own.
Furthermore, there are a lot of scammers in this industry, so taking these steps aids in selecting a trustworthy organization.
Choosing the right car: This is another crucial yet challenging factor to take into account, particularly when booking a car rental in Uganda. Despite the fact that Uganda’s road system is generally excellent, there are some areas with rough, uneven roads that are full of pebbles and potholes.
Do some research on the places you want to visit before deciding which vehicle rental to choose. 4×4 vehicles have long been thought of as the best rental vehicles, particularly for safari excursions. This is due to their excellent ground clearance and traction, which enable them to handle even the most difficult roads. However, depending on the type of safari you what, no of people travelling you will be able to select the exact car that suits your safari.
Ask for the Insurance coverage: One of the most crucial factors when renting an automobile is an insurance policy. There are two forms of motor insurance that are required in Uganda. The third-party insurance that, in the event of an accident, covers injuries to third parties or damage to their property.
Comprehensive insurance is an additional option to think about since it provides broader coverage for things like theft, fire, natural disasters, and damage to your own car. In the event of an accident, it also pays for your passenger’s and your own medical bills. The majority of car renters prefer this kind of insurance due to its additive advantages.
Prior to making a reservation, first read and comprehend the insurance policies and plans offered by various vehicle rental businesses.
Ask for a car rental agreement: Make sure the company you are booking with offers a car rental agreement. This is one of the basic requirements during the booking process and it usually entails the rental price, period, pickup and drop-off terms, fueling policies, cross border policies, payment methods, among others. Make sure you read, understand and do not violate the company’s terms and conditions because you could get slapped with fines and in the worst cases, a law suit.
Self drive or chauffer driven: When hiring a car, you must indicate whether you want a driver or plan to drive alone. The best option is usually to have a driver because they bare local expertise of the destinations and they know to navigate traffic with in cities. Additionally, it adds an extra degree of ease and safety by absolving you of any traffic infractions.
Rental costs and requirements: If you do not have a valid driver’s license, a valid passport, and your credit card information, no automobile rental company will let you use their vehicles.
Depending on the type of vehicle and length of hire, Go Further 4×4 Car Rentals charges prices ranging from $45 to $150. Keep in mind that if you rent our cars for a longer period of time and outside of the June to September peak season, you have a better chance of attaining discounts compared to the exact price.
Always remember to have all the necessary paperwork, be kind to locals, and abide by traffic laws for a hassle-free vehicle rental experience in Uganda.
Fuel and Maintenance: Please consider the fuel costs in mind while you are booking a rental car in Uganda. Depending on the type of the car you have selected, each car takes its own portion of fuel.
Fuel type: Most rental cars use petrol while the 4x4s use diesel.
Fuel prices: The price of a liter of fuel costs approximately UGX 4500–6,000 per litre (check current rates).
Filling stations: Widely available in towns however quite scarce in remote parks so always fill up your tank before driving in far destinations. Some of the fueling stations to seek for include Total, Shell, Rubis and stabex.
Maintenance: You are usually responsible for daily checks (oil, water, tire pressure). However mechanical issues should be reported to the rental company immediately and they provide assistance to you.
Be mind ful about Traffic guidelines: With assistance from the World Bank, Crossroads, the Uganda Road Fund, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the Uganda Road Sector Support Initiative (URSSI) has been working tirelessly over the years to improve the road network, with notable improvements, particularly in urban areas and highways.
Deeper into the countryside, you’ll come across earth roads, which are distinguished by mud in the rainy seasons and dust in the dry ones. You need to be select a car that you will use to penetrate these areas well.
Speed limits: The speed limits are as follows: 80 kph on roads, 50 kph in cities, 40 kph in national parks, and 30 kph in residential and school zones. Before embarking on an extended safari journey, you might want to become acquainted with the fact that driving in Uganda is done on the left side of the road.
Driving license: You must be older than eighteen and possess a current driver’s license in order to drive in Uganda. In order for foreign visitors to drive safely in Uganda he/she must get an International Driving Permit (IDP), which must be given by their home country. After three months of driving in Uganda with your home driving permit or IDP, you will need to obtain a Ugandan driver’s license.
Border Crossing with a Rental Car.
One of the relevant requirements to have in mind especially to those planning to visit neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, or Tanzania is the boarder crossing requirements.
Verify from your company whether it bares and provide the necessary requirements asked from you. Some agencies permit it with prior arrangements and extra insurance.
Here are some of the requirements you need to have.
A COMESA Yellow Card (regional insurance cover).
Letter of authority from the rental company.
Valid passport and visa for entry.
Best safari vehicles options to rent in Uganda with their prices.
| Vehicle option | High Season | Low season | Camping Gears | Car with a driver |
| Rav4 4-Doors | $50 | $45 | $5 | $35 |
| Camper Van | $140 | $130 | $5 | $35 |
| Landcruiser TZ/TX | $90 | $80 | $5 | $35 |
| Nissan Patrol | $78 | $70 | $5 | $35 |
| Landcruiser Safari Extended | $200 | $150 | $5 | Included in the price. |
What is the best time to rent a car while in Uganda?
Booking /renting a car in Uganda can be done at any time of the year however there is the best time of doing this activity.
Dry season (June to August, Dec to Feb.)
The ideal or best time of booking the car is mainly in the dry season. This is because during the dry season there are less or little rain pours thus making the roads dry thus easy navigating of the roads even when you are visiting remote areas. Adding to that this period is an excellent period for those renting cars in order to embark on safaris since wildlife viewing is easy due to the weather being sunny.
Tip: Advance booking is highly recommended in order to avoid circumstances of limited availability and higher prices.
Wet season (March-May, Sept to Nov)
On the other hand, you can still book your car rental in the wet season. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy a discount on the car price since few people are renting the cars.