What to Avoid When Renting a Car: To some people car renting is regarded to be very expensive, however, there are some things you have to do or follow to save some money on car rentals.
First of all on your next holiday if you happen to take up a self drive in Rwanda make sure that the car hire is fully covered with insurance or make sure that back home you have a car rent insurance whereby while driving in Rwanda you are not liable to any damages that may happen to a car in case of an accident or theft. Because you are more likely to pay for the damages whereby you will spend more money to repair the car if you are not covered of these damages.
This is usually a common mistake among travelers who hire cars in Kigali where by the car hire provider gives you a car with a half or full tank of fuel to start up your journey by going to the hotel or any destination and you return it with less fuel. Please always return the car with the exact amount of fuel as it was given to you because if you fail to do so, you are more likely to pay a big fee/fine to make up for the fuel you used first time.
Always tell the car hire provider all the extra services in the car hire package pricing other than charging them separately. In most cases if extra services like the baby seat for family drive and gps for self drive are charged separately, they come with higher prices than when charged with in the entire car hire service package.
Before you take up a car hire for your vacation, make sure you inspect it with the car hire company so that you can know the condition of the car and also take photos of the car that act as evidence when you return the car. This makes you know which damages you are to be accounted for when you return the car top the car hire company.
Always check on in your agreement if there is early return rule and follow it. When the latter is in the agreement you have made with the car hire company please endeavor to return the car in the earliest time possible. Try to leave the destination you have been touring early so that you can return the car with in time. Because you may be charged for returning the vehicle at a later time than what was agreed.
Always try to put the above into account so that you can save some money on your car renting.
What to Do If Your Rental Car Breaks Down in Rwanda: Crystal Car Hire gives you the freedom to travel where you want at any time, and the best part is you travel in a very nice car that you cannot even afford but at a relatively less high price.
However, some problems you may face on the road, like car breakdown, can frustrate you. But these problems were foresighted by the car hire companies, they can be taken care of, and you also have to do something for the company to help you. Here are tips to help you prepare for a breakdown during your trip.
Before a Breakdown.
What to Do If Your Rental Car Breaks Down in Rwanda
1) Check Your Insurance Policy.
Crystal Car hire provides insurance coverage for car breakdowns and accidents. If you rent a car, know exactly what your insurance covers. Some policies cover damage to your car’s interior, while others cover exterior damage like dents and scratches. Make sure your policy includes roadside assistance and accidents. If yours doesn’t, ask our agent whether they offer additional coverage.
2) Find Out About Roadside Assistance.
Roadside assistance is important because sometimes repairs take longer than expected. For example, if you break down on the side of the road, you might need someone to tow your vehicle out of harm’s way. This could mean calling a local repair shop or getting towed to a gas station. In either case, make sure your policy includes roadside help; Crystal Car Hire will help arrange for a tow truck or repair team to come and repair the rental car.
3) Know What to Expect If Your Rental Car Breaks Down in Rwanda.
When you call for roadside assistance, you should expect to wait. Depending on your location, it might take an hour or two for a tow truck or repair team to arrive. While you’re waiting, you’ll likely get updates on the status of your vehicle. Remember that the tow truck driver or repair man won’t be able to work on your car until after he arrives at your location.
4) Have Cash on Hand.
It’s always good practice to carry Cash when you travel. If you run into any problems with your rental car, you’ll need money to pay for repairs from the local repair shop. This might be faster than waiting for Crystal Car Hire team to provide the necessary help. Even if you have roadside assistance, you might still need to buy parts and supplies. Extra Cash also makes finding a hotel room or restaurant reservation easier.
5) Be Prepared.
It’s not uncommon to encounter unexpected issues during a trip. Don’t let this discourage you from renting a car from Crystal Car Hire. We help you prepare ahead of time by packing a few items in your trunk. These include:
A first aid kit
An emergency phone charger
Extra windshield washer fluid
6) Leave a Note.
You never know when something might happen, so leave a note with a Crystal Car Hire agent explaining your trip details. Include your contact information, the location you are taking for your trip, and where you are staying. Also, write down the name of the person who will be picking up your car.
After a Breakdown.
1) Call the Rental Company.
First thing’s first—call your agent at Crystal Car Hire. The agent will arrange for a replacement car to pick you up and also repairs for the damaged car. If not, they’ll tell you what steps to take next. If you’ve broken down on the side of a highway, call the police, who can offer you protection.
2) Get Help from Local Repair Shops.
Crystal Car Hire might send a representative to your location, depending on the distance. If not, you’ll be advised to hire a local repair shop to fix the damaged car. The shop will charge you for their services. Once they finish working on your car, they’ll give you a receipt detailing everything they did. You can then submit this receipt to us along with a copy of your bill.
3) Pay Your Bill.
Once you receive your bill, check to see how much you owe. Then, compare it to the amount listed on your receipt. If there’s a difference, dispute the charges. Call your agent to help you negotiate repair costs with the repair shops. This will prevent them from taking advantage of you because of language differences.
4) Find Another Car.
If you don’t want to drive around town without a spare tire or broken car, you’ll need to rent another car. Contact your agent and ask them to arrange for a new car to pick you up at your current location.
5) Return Your Old Car.
Once you return your old car, you’ll no longer be covered under your insurance plan. Make sure you keep all of your receipts as proof of payment.
6) Call for Nearby Help.
If you’re stuck somewhere overnight, try calling local hotels, inns or bed & breakfasts to see if they still have rooms for you to sleep for the help. Some will provide you will transport to the location.
Tips & Warnings
1) Avoid Driving During Rainstorms.
Rain is one of the most common causes of breakdowns. When driving in the rain, make sure you slow down and use caution. If you break down while traveling through heavy rainfall, stay off the road until the storm passes.
2) Check Tire Pressure Regularly.
Tire pressure plays a vital role in preventing accidents. If you notice that your tires are low on air, stop and adjust them before continuing on your journey.
3) Keep Your Vehicle Clean.
Keeping your vehicle clean helps prevent damage caused by dirt and debris. Our team cleans the cars prior to you renting them; it’s better to keep the car clean during your trip.
4) Carry Cash.
When renting a car, always carry enough cash to pay for any repairs or additional costs like fuel. This way, you won’t get stuck paying for a damaged car.
5) Be Prepared.
Pack a first aid kit, extra windshield washer fluid, and an emergency phone charger when renting a car. These items will help ensure that you’re prepared if you experience a breakdown.
6) Don’t Drink and Drive.
Drinking alcohol lowers your reaction time and makes it more difficult to control your vehicle. If you drink and drive, you could cause serious injury to yourself or others.
7) Know Where to Go for Repairs
Before leaving home, find out which parts of your car require maintenance. If you don’t know-how to perform basic maintenance tasks like changing tires, our team will help teach you how to perform this simple repairs.
8) Stay Hydrated.
While driving, you should consume plenty of water. Drinking water keeps you alert and prevents dehydration.
9) Keep An Eye Out for Road Hazards.
While driving, watch for potholes, cracks, and other hazards on the road. Slow down when approaching these obstacles so you don’t hit them head-on.
10) Have A Plan B.
Have a backup plan ready if something goes wrong during your trip. In the event that you encounter mechanical problems, contact your agent and the police. They may be able to offer assistance.
11) Take Care of Your Rental Car.
After returning your rental car, take care of any damages. If you rented a luxury model, wash the seats and carpets with warm water and detergent.
12) Ask About Insurance Coverage.
Ask about the coverage provided by your insurance policy. Some policies cover roadside assistance, but not all do.
What to Do if Your Rental Car Needs a Quick Fix.
If you’re renting a vehicle and it needs some work done, there are ways to deal with the problem yourself without having to call a tow truck. If it’s just a flat tire, you can fix it yourself. But if you find out that your battery died while driving down the highway, you’ll want to contact a local auto repair shop. And if you run out of gas, you can either wait for help to arrive or use a fuel pump to get more gas into your tank.
Who Pays for Rental Car Repairs after Car Breakdown?
Suppose repairs are necessary due to an accident. In that case, the Crystal Car Hire pays for the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle depending on the amount of damage incurred and the cause of the accident. This includes damages caused by vandalism, theft, fire, collision damage, and even wear and tear.
However, sometimes there are ambiguous situations where the problem might be the fault of the renter or due to a common mechanical issue. For example, did you forget to put gas in the tank? Or maybe the airbag didn’t deploy properly? Was the battery dead because it was old or just because you left a light bulb on inside? Was the renter driving restlessly or drank? Maybe you hit something while driving and damaged the front bumper. Is it covered under the manufacturer’s warranty?
You’ll want to check with your insurance policy to find out what happens if you’re involved in an accident. You may be able to deduct the repair costs from your deductible amount. If your insurance doesn’t cover the full cost of the repair, you may be responsible for paying part of the bill.
What happens if I get in an accident on a car rental?
If you’ve had a car accident while driving a rental car, it’s important to notify your agent immediately. You’ll want to make sure that your policy covers damage caused by another driver, and that you’re covered under the terms of the contract. If you don’t think you are covered, contact the Crystal Car Hire to find out how much coverage you actually have.
Regardless of who’s at fault — whether you hit something, ran into someone, or got sideswiped by some idiot — you’re legally required to inform the rental company of the incident. In addition to informing the rental company of what happened, you’ll want to call the police department where the crash occurred. They’ll likely ask you to file a police report, and that’s good practice regardless of who’s at fault.
Crystal Car Hire and our Insurance Company will usually dispatch a representative to inspect the damaged vehicle. This is part of the process called “claiming.” When claiming, representatives look for damages such as broken windows, dents, scratches, etc., and they check to see if anything is missing from the vehicle, like keys, wallets, phones, GPS devices, etc. Once the claim is filed, we send a repair estimate to the renter.
Once the rental company receives proof of ownership, it will often assign responsibility for the damage to the renter. Depending on the type of damage, the cost of repairs, and the amount of coverage offered by the rental company, the renter may be able to recover costs from the rental company.
In conclusion, if you ever end up stranded somewhere without transportation, you’ll want to know exactly what you should do. Fortunately, the answer is pretty simple: call Crystal Car Hire Agent. We’ll send someone right over to help you out. But if you’d like to save a bit of Cash, here are some alternatives:
You can ask a local gas station attendant for directions.
Talk to the locals, they will help you connect to a tow truck company and repair shop.
You can flag down a passing car and ask them for help.
Car the police for safety
While these options aren’t quite as convenient as calling Crystal Car Hire, they won’t break the bank either. So, pick whichever option works best for you and keep moving forward!
Thousands of people choose to hire vehicles while traveling in Rwanda because of the benefits one gets like Self Drive and the freedom and independence of traveling alone, you also travel in the car of your choices and also travel at your own pace at anytime. Self Drive Car Hire Rwanda also make your travel very comfortable and convenient. The latter benefits have made car hire in Rwanda so popular in such a way that any visitor in Rwanda would like to use car hire services.
However there are things you have to put in to your mind to have a successful car experience in Rwanda and also not so expensive.
Check if insurance is included in the price quotation of the car hire package. Competent car hire companies in Rwanda will include your insurance premium in the car hire pricing. If it is not included you may have to pay excess in case of any damage or accident while travelling. So it is better to read the agreement carefully and make sure that the insurance cover is included in the agreement and the fees sure be clearly be indicated.
Take note of the extra charges that may apply like early return, local taxes, limited mileage, and full tank among the common ones. It is important to take a keen eye on the extra charges because most of the times make you incur more extra costs and making car hire services more expensive than you expected.
Make sure that the prices you encounter on the internet are the same prices charged on the actual ground. Some car hire companies upload prices on the internet to entice more customers to take up their car rental packages yet in actual sense they charge highly when you book with them due to the extra charges they may not indicated on the internet.
Choose a car that fits in your budget. Choose a budget that will not affect your pockets. Always look for affordable cars. There are a variety of good looking cars at your display but do not get carried away and choose an expensive car that will dent your pockets and end up cursing the services. If you are two people going for a vacation, choose a compact car as they cheap cars to hire.
You must check if the car hired to you is full tank or half, this is done by most companies hiring cars for self drive in Rwanda to make sure that you drive to your hotel or any other destination without first time going to a fuel pump. However by making you check the fuel tank make you know what amount of fuel you will return the car with.
Agree on a favorable payment plan with the car hire company. In case you are going to use the car for long distance traveling and for longer hours then you choose the per day payment plan and if you are going for a short trip around town for a short time then choose per hour payment plan. These tend to be more favorable than one another in the prevailing situation as discussed above.
It is essential to check if you can add an extra driver in your agreement with the car hire company. Some company can fine you in case they get to know if you used another driver who is not you yet sometimes you may need one if you are on a self drive in Rwanda for long distance. Since you will need some rest to rejuvenate some energy and also by using two drivers you do not get tired so much and also enjoy your journey.
Are you planning for a family holiday, business meeting or self drive in Rwanda? You will need a car rental to give the freedom and independence you want while traveling. However there are important factors you have to put into considerations to finding good car rentals in Rwanda. One thing you should know that car rentals are not the same in the way they offer their services differently that is they have different fleets of cars, charge different prices and have different terms and conditions on their cars for hire in Rwanda.
The first important aspect to put into consideration is to choose your car wisely. Car rentals offer a fleet of cars to their customers from small vehicles to SUVs and also large passenger cars. It is good to choose a car that perfectly suits your needs and the nature of your travel. If you are only two people willing to hire a car then you should choose a compact car since you will one be with a few luggage that can fit in the car and it will also offer you affordable solutions and if you are taking a safari tour you will need an SUVs because on a safari trip you are more likely to find rough and slippery roads and also you may need to carry large luggage like camping tools.
Choose a car from a reputable car hire company in Rwanda. This will give reliable and best services of car rentals since they have enough knowledge and experience in the business and this can give a peace of mind of not worrying about the airport transfers, safari tour drive and also any city tour or business tour as you know everything in line of transportation is handled with experienced and professional personnel. You can find the company’s reputation by looking at the customer reviews about it.
Find out what items are included in the price quotation before making a firm booking with the car rental company. You have to know that there companies that offer flat pricing with intention of attracting customers but in the end the clients pay highly due to the extra charges that may not be indicated in the genera; quotation like local taxes, early return fees, toll both fees to mention but a few.
Ensure you contact the car rental company directly through a phone call or email. Make your intention of wanting to book with them. This will build a good rapport between you and the company and at the end of it, there might be room for negotiation of the prices charges and you may get a discount out of it.
Try to know the insurance policy the car rental is covered with. a good car rental must have a comprehensive insurance that covers all the damages and even theft of the car. They should have road assistance in case of car breakdown that can immediately attend to you.
Find a car that has the easiest/convenient mode of payment for the car rental service in Rwanda. The car rental should have various means of payment like paying by cash or credit card or visa card system. This makes your payment so easy as you choose from any mode of payment that best suitable for you.
Ways to get in and out of Kigali international airport: Kigali international is the main hub of air transport in Rwanda. It is located within the capital city of Rwanda Kigali city. Many people who come to Rwanda pass through Kigali air hub terminal. These come for business, political reasons while others come to have a good time touring Rwanda at large as they look at the various tourist attractions in Rwanda. However, all these need airport transfer to reach their destinations or hotel. There are very means of ground transportation used to get in and away from Kigali international airport since it is within the capital city.
Here we are going to go through the different means of ground transport used to get in and out of Kigali international airport in Rwanda
Traveler can use car hire services in Rwanda as this has become the most popular means of airport transfers due to fact there are lot of car hire companies in Kigali that are offer cars for rent at affordable rate with remarkable services. Many people prefer using car rental in Kigali because they are convenient, safe and reliable.
Furthermore, there are fast and very comfortable as there is always a professional driver on the wheels who knows every route in Kigali and Rwanda at large. These are always available at any time of the day as they operate 24/7. This is the best travel option for one’s airport transfer.
Other ways used to get in and out of Kigali international airport.
Airport taxis are one of the means that are used for airport transfer in Rwanda. These are always around the airport waiting for the traveler to get out of the terminal to take them to their various destinations. All you need to do is agree on the price for the airport transfer with the driver then you are good to go. However, these are expensive as they are always on high demand by very many travelers.
There are also public buses in Kigali which are always passing by the airport leading their way to Lemera town. So as one gets out of the airport he/she can embark on one but these are not reliable as one has to wait for them to pass by the airport to embark on them and they do not operate 24 hours. One can mostly use them during day. If one is getting in to the airport then he/she will have to get to the public transport park to board one to take him or her to the airport.
Some people use motorbikes for airport transfer. These are also called boda-bodas and they have certain stages around Kigali or some are found while moving but these are not as safe as they are always threatened by the big vehicles while on the road.
Some people use residential car in particular the nationals of Rwanda who live in the country. They are always picked up and dropped to the airport by their relatives.
However with all the above options of airport transfer, car hire services in Rwanda are the best since they offer the traveler with safety, convenience and reliance which are every traveler’s dream after a long haul flight or before it.
The rise of self drive Car rentals in Rwanda has helped Rwanda grow a number of Rwanda car rental companies ready to offer clients whichever type of car they wish to use while on safari holiday or business trip in Rwanda has made Crystal Car Hire the Best Car Rental Company. Finding a trusted and reliable car hire in Rwanda for Self Drive is not an easy task as you have to scroll through a long list of both registered and unregistered companies operating in Kigali to get the best Car rental services at the best rate that suits your budget and personal needs. At Crystal Car Hire we make sure you get comfort as value for money with professional driver guides at rates that fit your planned Rwanda Car rental budget . You could be traveling alone, as a couple, family or group, just make sure you make the right Car hire choice before landing at the airport.
Reasons you should choose Crystal Car Hire as your number one Rwanda car rental choice.
Crystal Car Hire Reviews.
When you go online searching for the suitable company, you should take time to know what customers say about the company’s services. Are they reputable, reliable and most importantly can they be trusted. You can check Kigali car rental reviews on our site or through other popular sources like Google Business, Trip Advisor to find out how these clients have reacted to the services offered by the company you choose to use when on tour to Rwanda.
Rental Cars offered.
Crystal Car Hire the Best Car Rental Companies In Rwanda offers a wide range of cars for hire catering for all types of customers including Individuals in search of Self drive in Rwanda , Groups on tour, families, business travelers as well as loved ones looking for stylish cars to hire for special events like weddings, video shoots, birthday parties. Whether you want to rent a safari or sedan car, we can get that for you at the best price. It may be a 4X4 Toyota Rav4, Safari Van with pop-up roof or saloon, just know Cars 4 Hire has it.. Our Car rental in Kigali Rwanda remain unbeatable, with a Cars 4 Hire or Self Drive Rwanda ranging from US$ 40 to 150 per day depending on the type of car you choose All the Rwanda car rentals we offer are well serviced, clean with comfortable seats and adequate space to ensure our clients get the best road trip experience in Rwanda.
Is it your first time to go on a business trip in Uganda? Are you a business traveler looking to getting around Uganda? These Car Rental Tips for Business Travelers to Uganda will help you. With so many rental cars in Uganda to choose from, finding the best rental car for you is not that easy. We want you to have a stress-free booking experience and hopefully our tips below would help you with the procedures.
It is important to familiarize yourself and do some research before you travel. Here are some things that every business traveler, or personal assistants that book a vehicle for their boss, need to consider when hiring a car in Uganda.
Find out if the vehicle comes along with the GPS system or not. This will save your time looking for directions to different places within Uganda. You can easily hire a GPS from us at just US$5 per day. It is advisable to use a Garmin or Tom Tom Map given that they are more updated.
Save some money by booking your rental car early enough. This will save you airport transfer costs. Once you pre-book your car, we will arrange your pickup and drop off at no extra cost. Please note that for bookings outside Kampala, you may need to pay an additional fee to cover fuel costs so that a car can be dropped at your house door.
Fueling: Make sure to refuel at a local gas station. The price per gallon can be two or three times more expensive if they charge you full tank upon return of the vehicle. Please note that gas prices may be high in areas that are outside Kampala. Within the national parks, fuel costs can even be double. Therefore it is advisable to carry with you enough fuel!
If it’s business and there are several drivers, some rental car companies do not charge for additional drivers.
If the company booked the vehicle for you, check with them to see if insurance is included in your contract. If it doesn’t, then ask them if your personal or corporate credit card can cover the insurance.
Read your company’s travel policy to check what they will cover so you will be aware of the extra costs.
Drivers under the age of 25 may pay an additional fee so better check out.
Make sure to keep the number of your company’s point person in case anything goes wrong or if you have questions regarding the car rental agreement.
Have a stress free business trip in Uganda.
These Car Rental Tips will help you in your preparations for car rental in Uganda.
Are you planning a holiday adventure or long trip and you need to bring your pets along for the ride too. In Uganda, we understand that your pet is part of the family and will therefore be joining you on your travels. Are Pets Allowed in Rental Cars?
Pets can be allowed in rental cars as long as you adhere to their terms and conditions, largely related to keeping the car clean and looked after. For the majority of responsible pet owners this is not a problem.
The best advice is, when making your booking to check with the specific agent’s terms and conditions. The main concern a rental agent will have is in relation to the cleanliness of the car and an additional fee could be applied if the car requires more than a reasonable amount of cleaning after your rental. Be aware that if your dog, or any pet, caused unreasonable damage to your hire vehicle then an excess would need to be paid and you would be liable for any costs to repair the car. With that in mind we have compiled some top tips to help look after your vehicle when travelling with a pet.
Use a seat protector, or a blanket, to stop excess dog hair getting over the seats.
Be careful when getting the dog in and out of the vehicle to avoid damaging the paintwork
Make sure your dog is carefully strapped in a safe position in the boot, or a crate. Smaller pets should also be placed in a suitable transportation box.
Thoroughly vacuum the car after use
Ensure the car smells fresh for the next user.
The best advice is to treat your rental car as you would your own new car and take care when travelling with your pets. You will have no trouble with anyone.
Traveling independently/Self driving in Uganda?
Most visitors who come to Uganda travel around in a package safari tour, in small groups and with a local driver. This makes sense and offers a certain level of comfort but let us tell you: It’s definitely less of an experience! What most people don’t know.
Even though Uganda is not as developed in terms of tourism and infrastructure (as South Africa, for example) and there is no “backpacking trail” catering to the needs of independent travelers, you can definitely explore it on your own without a group, guide or driver. You can either rent your own car via specialized rental companies such as Roadtrip Uganda, or travel around using public transport.
Public transport vs. Self driving in Uganda.
Most Ugandans can’t afford a car so public transport is very important. The local means of transport are „matatus“ (mini buses that run frequently between towns and villages) and „boda-bodas“ (motorbike taxis, to be found almost anywhere). There are also some bigger buses (coaches) running regularly between Kampala and larger towns.
However, the matatus are often overcrowded with passengers and we often came across matatus that had broken down on the road. They tend to drive fast (quite dangerous on the washboard/dirt roads) and to pull over and stop at any moment (usually when there’s a passenger flagging it down at the side of the road or if someone wants to get off). The motor bike taxis are fun but also very bumpy and not very safe, either. (And you won’t be able to carry a lot of luggage on them).
Using public transport in Uganda is an interesting, fun experience but comparing the two, we recommend you travel around in your own rental car. Why, you may ask?
Uganda is one of the best countries to rent a car and explore its nature, culture and its untouched beauty. At the beginning of May 2015 we took our visiting friends on a self drive safari to Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. We reassured ourselves that self drive safaris are the most awesome adventures to do! Driving on your own through the parks gives a great sense of adventure and excitement. Below are my tips for driving in national parks to keep it safe and make your time in Uganda unforgettable.
Tip 1: Go for bush camping in Uganda.
In my opinion, bush camping is the true safari experience. You won’t be able to get more immersed into the wild than going on a bush camp within in the National Parks. In most parks, there are two options: either use the facilities of designated UWA campsites (of varying quality / cleanliness), or find your own spot in the wilderness with the guidance of an UWA ranger.
The UWA, Ugandan Wildlife Authority, is the governmental arm that protects and manages the flora and fauna in the National Parks.
Bush camping in the complete wilderness is possible with the guidance of an UWA ranger. You can arrange this at the entrance or headquarters in the parks. You need to bring your own food and water. It is polite, even expected, that the ranger can join you for the meal. The UWA ranger will help you to find a great spot to pitch your tent, make a fire, and will safeguard your tent at night. Rest assured, no toilets, shower or other guests. It’s you, a campfire and jungle. Steve Irwin, eat your heart out…
During our friends’ visit we went bushcamping in Lake Mburo. Upon arrival, the hippos in the lake welcomed us with their mouths wide open, and as soon as the sun set, we could hear a cacophony of strange noises from the surrounding bushes (we were quite sure it was a leopard). After dinner, we took a good nightcap to ensure some sleep, but still we could hear the hippos standing besides the tent flapping their faeces around. Exhilarating!
Tip 2: The early bird catches the worm.
If you thought that going on a safari was a good opportunity to catch some sleep, think again! Safaris are very relaxing, but ideally they require an early morning lifestyle. You will increase your chances of spotting hyenas, lions, leopards and other wildlife in any national park in Uganda if you are among the first at the gate (the parks open at 7AM). Most lodges are used to the early morning habits of their guests and serve breakfast from 5:30 AM onwards. On our safari with our friends we were lucky enough to spot five hyenas in Queen Elizabeth National park before hitting 8:00 AM.
Tip 3: Drive Mpola Mpola.
‘You have no idea that you have been rushing all your life until you arrive in Uganda’… – Myself
Coming from crazy rushy London, it took some time for me to adjust to the tropical pace of life. We bazungu (foreigners) are used to rushing from one place to the next, but really during a game drive in the park, you see most if you are driving not faster than 15km/h. You hardly have to hit the gas pedal at all in my opinion. What’s the rush? And besides, when you go slowly, you have the chance to distinguish whether that brown heap in the grass is an ant hill or a lion.
Tip 4: Get yourself a Ranger Guide.
Yes, just the two of you in a Landcruiser on the wide savannah plains is pretty amazing and I can surely recommend you go into the park by yourself. However, it’s advisable to also take an UWA guide with you on one of your game drives. These rangers know every corner of the parks and can lead you to the best places to spot predators such as lions. You can book an UWA ranger/guide at the entrance gate of the park, and they will accompany you in your car and guide you through the plains and bushes. They are worth every penny of the $20 fee you pay for this service.
