You might desire to drive around Kampala city or catch a glimpse of Uganda’s finest wildlife in any of the 10 remotest national parks and yet you have no means of transport. Well, don’t become stranded, check out for our unbeatable car rental services in Uganda and achieve your long time dream. We provide our clients with the best choices based on their budget and travel needs in a destination. Renting a car with us in Uganda will help you get moderately affordable prices compared to others and yet also comes with extraordinary customer care. Remember that hiring a car for a tour, business or any leisure safari is the most tiring things in life as you may need that comfortable car that meets your travel needs. For safe and non-regrettable travel experiences in Uganda, simply contact us and your dreams will be achieved. It is great deal to have valuable tips to guide you while hiring or renting a car for a safari in Uganda that is why we bring to you some of them which include the following:

Identify a creditable car hire agency or company:

There are countless car hire companies and travel agencies in and around Uganda. This variety means that you have a wide area to make the best choice possible. These companies are reachable, licensed and authorized to deliver these services for traveler. However, be mindful of other competitors who may want to take advantage of travelers who want cheaper cars and you end up regretting. We encourage you to consider our services to help you realize your dreams in the pearl of Africa. The best way to get reliable Car Rental Company or agency is simply to go through traveler’s reviews and past experiences and they are accessible online. You can Google out the services or the kind of car that you feel can help you during your safari and it from there that you will get notable companies to hire a car.

Pick a comfortable rental car:

Before you hire a car for a safari, it is better that you know the number of people who are going to travel with you and the kind of routes where you heading for safari or tour. Get a car that accommodates the exact number of people for instance a 4 door saloon car is convenient for two to five people and for a mini bus or van and coaster are more comfortable and convenient for larger travelers’ especially family safaris, schools and conferences. In case your interest is to visit the parks or any remote destination in Uganda then the best is get a safari car or tour van at least a 4 wheel drive with a sun roof for you to get a glimpse of Uganda’s wildlife.

Research and compare company prices:

This is very important in travel always as it helps you to come up with the best choice. Different companies charge different costs for their services based on the category of car that you wish to rent and how long you are to use the car. It is advisable that you first check out on the list of companies before you make your reservations. This can land you into low priced car rentals or enjoy discounted services that are provided by other companies. After going through various company prices, you feel free to make your last decision.

Choose a self drive services:

Travelers can take the option of self drive hire services and travel with either a driver or enjoy the private ride on Uganda’s roads. This can help you save some additional costs like hiring a driver. You can drive to any part of the country and return. A self drive is one of the most flexible means of transport for travelers who want to have privacy in travel.

Make sure that you place your reservation demands as early as possible:

This is another significant car hire tip which won’t run away from. Just like any safaris, travelers are always advised to arrange their bookings early enough to avoid disappointments that is why with car hire it is important that you also book for your desired car in advance at least two weeks or a month prior your arrival at the destination. Booking you car early enough will relieve you from stress and rush hours to get the best car for a safari. You need to avoid rush hours that is why you need to book your car early enough and enjoy splendid experiences in Uganda.

In conclusion, travelers can get the best cars for hire in Uganda by weighing various options right from prices to kind of cars that are available for renting. We hope that once you follow these tips you will make the choice for yourself. Enjoy your journey with us in Uganda.

While most travelers consider booking for Mountain gorilla trekking safaris through tour operators, others take the risk (of course as many people consider it) to book for the safari by themselves. It is not a risk as it is perceived but rather cheaper than booking through a tour operator. However, planning a gorilla trekking safari yourself needs a lot of legwork because you will need to book for a gorilla permit in advance by yourself, you need to get information on the transport means from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park (where the mountain gorillas are tracked from)  and what hotel or safari Lodges to book with. You will therefore need to keep calling and following up in order to confirm your accommodation, transport and gorilla permits which is not the case when you plan through tour operators, where you will just inquire with them and specify what you desire and everything will be done for you.   Your duty will only be to pay and turn up for the Safari. This discourages majority of gorilla trekkers from booking by themselves because of the perceived challenges.

Nevertheless, this article will provide all the necessary information you need when planning for a gorilla trekking safari yourself in order to make it easier and faster for you hence have a memorable gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda.

Booking for Gorilla Trekking Permit

The first thing you need when planning for a Rwanda gorilla safari is a permit that has to be acquired at least 6 months in advance. A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person for all tourists and can be booked directly from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) reservation office by calling +250 57 6514 or send an email to reservation@rwandatourism.com or visit their website on www.rwandatourism.com/ for inquiries on availability of permits for the day you wish to track. Once you confirm that a permit is available, you will then make payments and a scanned copy of the gorilla permit will be sent to you and you will be good to go.

What to Pack for the Gorilla Trekking Safari

Another very important thing to consider when planning for a gorilla trek is what to pack/carry for the life changing activity. One of the recurrent mistakes intending gorilla trekkers make is packing or carrying the wrong things-for example packing as if they are going for a picnic. The habitat of the mountain gorillas where you will be tracking them from is found in an area of high elevation, with of dense vegetation that experiences unforeseeable weather conditions, rugged terrain, slippery hiking trails and is very cold which therefore needs proper planning and packing. For that reason, the following are the must-pack items for the safari; Sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long sleeved shirts, long trousers, a hat and sunglasses, a backpack, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a rain jacket, a sweater, long socks and garden gloves. On the day of tracking, make sure to carry a walking stick, hire a porter and carry enough drinking water and packed lunch/snacks and be sure of having an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.

Booking for Accommodation

Just like the gorilla tracking permit, accommodation must also be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. This should be done immediately after confirming the availability of the gorilla permit and eventually paying for it. There are accommodation facilities near and others far from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters but it is better to book for accommodation facilities near to Kinigi Park Headquarters and the best choices of accommodation include Sabinyo Silverback Lodge (luxury Lodge located 15 minutes drive to the Park Headquarters), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (midrange Lodge near Kinigi Park Headquarters), Kinigi Guesthouse (budget accommodation facility situated on the Foothills of Sabinyo Mountain and is just 7 minutes walk to the Park Headquarters) and the best option is Villa Gorilla (found in Kinigi, about 500meters/5 minutes walk to the Park Headquarters). You can also opt for lodging facilities far away but the nearer to the Headquarters the better because you will be expected for briefing by 7am. In most instances, the road from the briefing point to the trailhead/starting point is rough and muddy during rainy seasons hence 4WDs are recommended. You can contact the accommodation facilities to confirm availability and make bookings (make deposit) for the days you will be within Volcanoes National Park.

Transport from Kigali International Airport/City to Volcanoes National Park

For transport from Kigali City, you can opt for private or public transport means but the former is slightly expensive and depends on your bargaining power. It is just 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali to the Park. By public means, you can use local buses from Kigali town to Ruhengeri/Musanze and bus tickets can be booked from Nyabugogo National bus/Taxi Park. Ticket prices vary depending on the Bus Company, but Virunga Express Bus charges about 2000 francs/3 dollars per passenger. However, these buses only stop at Musanze and do not proceed to the Park Headquarters meaning you will need another means to complete the journey. It is 15-20 minutes drive from Musanze to the Park Headquarters and special hire taxis and local buses charge from 300-500 francs per person depending on your bargaining power, but you can opt for transport by a motorcycle if you are in a rush and you will be charged about 2000-4000 francs depending on how you are able to bargain.

Nevertheless, some hotels/safari Lodges provide Airport transfers (at an extra cost) for their guests from Kigali to the Hotels which is certainly the best option.

Therefore, much as planning for a gorilla safari by yourself is considered a big risk and involves a lot of legwork; it is cheaper because you can save the money (even up to $500) that you would have used to pay the tour operators to book for you.

Uganda is a safe peaceful travel country in Africa that position many travelers to explore it as their favorite tourist destination. With its warm comfortable weather, stunning attractions, landscape, rich culture, the country is ever ready and set for tourists daily. In Uganda there is too much to discover and enjoy but a walk in the city of Kampala exploring the markets, business centers, mega malls on a free day will make you love the country even more. Another amazing thing is that there are short safaris in Uganda that make sense and value for money within a duration of 1-3 days best done before or after your safari in Uganda. Truly have never seen a country in Africa that demands attention like Uganda due to presence of amazing great tourist attractions. See bellow why you should also check it out.

1. Highest Mountain Gorilla Concentration

Less be straight to the point, out of the 780 mountain gorillas living in the world shared among Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda has the highest number of mountain gorillas that live in Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Whether you track gorillas once or twice, the grantee of seeing these rare primates is 98% and the experience is great creating memories for life. Get amazing moments with several forest habitants including birds, mammals, primates, trees, butterflies etc.

 2. Multi-Culture Traditions

With different cultures and tribes across the country, Uganda is a place where one can celebrate the past in the present in different ways and beliefs. Every tribe celebrates culture and tradition differently and for tourists every tradition looks trendy and entertaining. Uganda cultural tours take you deep to the life local Ugandans hence making you enjoy the day today life of a real Ugandan. They are hardly missed because even those on short gorilla treks use the afternoons after the trek to explore the Batwa culture an ancient group of people that still live in the ancient world. Remember these are the people of the forest who sacrificed their happiness and ancestral home for gorilla conservation the most world unique wildlife encounter in Africa.

3. Sun, Sea and Sand

Looking at great travel destinations in the world, Uganda should be ranked best because of sun, sea and sand. With sunshine all year making the country warm even in the rainy season, Lakes and Rivers  that provide comfortable sand grounds and beaches with multiple examples on Lake Victoria one of the largest in Africa and Lake Bunyonyi the most deepest in Africa. Why not chill and relax in Uganda the best Africa country for beach holidays, great weather and water adventures like boat cruise, kayaking, white water rafting, swimming etc.

4. Tourist Capital of East Africa

Uganda is a home to a wide range of attractions that tourists enjoy from wildlife, primates, scenic views, rich culture offering only amazing holidays for those that chose to visit. Looking at other countries in the region, most of them sound for only to two particular attractions but Uganda is the opposite a home to many great attractions and adventures. A visit to Uganda sums the visit to multiple countries seeing one attraction at a time yet all that can  be found here in the pearl of Africa.

5. Bunyonyi Island

A famous island for honeymoon holidays and couple gateways in Uganda found in Kabale district a second thought destination for many tourists on Uganda gorilla trekking tours. The island is also a home to several islands, lakes, birds and scenic views surrounded by beautiful hotels and lodges that offer comfortable stays all through.

Looking to organise a budget safari? Not all safaris have to cost you an arm and a leg, so this article runs through a few pointers on how to bag a more budget Uganda safari to spend a little less on the whole safari experience:

1. Self drive

Look to do a safari where you can drive yourself around, rather than having to pay for a driver and/or guide. Some of Africa’s best safaris – including Queen Elizabeth  Park (Uganda), allow you to take your own car and guide yourself. Bear in mind that for some safari destinations you’ll need a 4WD car to have full access and get the best out of it. Also, guides are in business for a reason – a good one will know the terrain and help you with spotting wildlife, what it’s all about!

2. Think about accommodation

Whilst safari accommodation is often at the luxury end of the scale (with prices to match), there are a couple of options which can help reduce the cost of safari accommodation:

• Most national parks in Uganda have one or more camp sites. For some you’ll need your own tent, but some parks also rent tents. Camping of course also gives you the option of taking your own food and self-catering. However, in some places, perversely, camping with your own tent is actually more expensive than the accommodation on offer, so make sure you do your research.
• Staying outside the national park you want to visit and arriving early for a full day in the park will more often than not mean a wider choice of accommodation and prices. Also, some national parks charge both an entrance fee plus concession if you stay over night in the park, so staying outside the gates means you won’t incur a concession.

3. Go to source

If you can make it to your desired safari destination – and have the time to wait a day or two – you’ll have a better chance of finding a bargain. There are often cancellations or people changing their dates, meaning safari companies have last-minute places to fill. You can take advantage of this by heading to the closest town to the national park and doing a tour or safari companies, explaining what you’re after and giving them your contact details. You may also be able to find others who are looking to do a safari and share vehicle hire/guide costs with them.

4. Food & drink

Restaurants in safari lodges are notoriously expensive (if you’re not doing the all inclusive thing), and it’s fairly standard for there to be no shops for supplies in many national parks. As such, it’s well worth taking at least some water (and perhaps something alcoholic for a sundowner!) with you, as well as some snack-type food. If you’re camping then you can do the whole thing self-catering, and stock up before you enter the park.

5. Negotiate

Whilst park fees, guide fees & vehicle fees are non-negotiable, hotels and tour companies are often open for negotiation. Having a group of people (3 or more) means you’ll may have some bargaining power…if you don’t ask you don’t get!

6. Think about the season

If you’re planning on using a tour company or agency to arrange your safari, you’ll find that the time of year you go will effect the price – in some cases quite dramatically. For some national parks safari companies have big discrepancies in costs between season usually lower during

7. Be flexible

Some national parks are a lot cheaper to access and visit than others, and the activities you choose to do there will also effect the cost. If you’re flexible about the animals you want to see – and ideally the countries you want to see them in – you’re more likely to find something at the lower end of the price spectrum.

Travelers have those days adopted to cruising themselves to their places of interest. This has statured a self-drive to be the most inquired package of traveling. Guests only require about hiring a 4×4 car and handle the rest concerning their tour on their own tunes.

Tanzania is known for being such a great and top safari destination in Africa. So, because there is one of the highest influx of travelers, and now also a certain big number of travelers have shifted from the vintage mode of fully guided travel to this trendy of a self-guided tours through the Tanzania plains.

A self-guided tour in Tanzania is among the most rewarding as far as safari tours are concerned. The country boasts over hosting the highest number of National Parks of which some have scooped positions of being the most interesting safari destination in the world. Parks like Serengeti National Park which is famous for the great migration event, Ngorongoro Crater Reserve one of the unique places in the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park the highest mountain on the African continent. Other parks like Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Nyerere National Park among others are all great rewards.

Self-drive is amazing for travelers who tourist who really need the real adventure. Through all national parks and national reserves in Tanzania, self-drive is allowed throughout. So, when option to undertake this adventure, then need to understand some aspects which will limit the space of disappointments.

We bring you these 5 tips which will be a guideline on what to do right from the inquiring about the vehicle until the last minute when boarding your flight back home. In Tanzania, self-drive is real and the tourists have to prepare some essential information/ tips that can be very helpful during the trip so as to avoid some misfortunes and keep their trip a very pleasant and memorable trip ever.

1. Use a Trustworthy Car Rental Agency

Car rental operation is a bit wide, there a number of rental agencies of which some offer for special town services, others for events like weeding, and there those who have particularly concentrated on renting 4×4 safari rental. Vehicles for tours are customized to particularly doing safaris that they can maneuver through all terrains.

Drive East Africa is one trustworthy rental agency that offers you with genuine services for your successful self-drive tour in Tanzania. It’s important to look for a good company that provides cars with good standards that will suit your trip with no problems. Drive East Africa rental services are particularly concentrating on safari experiences with cars of standard quality, help in planning for your tour itinerary, and prepare bookings for your accommodations. The offers here can include a rental with a driver, rental for self-drive, rental with a rooftop tent, and rental with pop-up roof and all are 4WD.

2. Have some Cash and Recharge your credit cards

While driving in Tanzania it’s necessary to be prepared well for any incidence as far as making payments are concerned. When paying for fuel, accommodation, souvenirs, food, and tips you need to have both cash and wire transfer possibilities. So, you should consider always to have enough balance in your bank accounts, especially when some of your services are not paid yet like the Park entrance fees, Campsites, food and water and other extra stuffs.

It’s also important to understand that your credit card must be either a VISA or MASTERCARD.  This can help you to access the bank services anywhere in the country. And maintain enough cash enables you to access any extra activities and services that have not to be included in your tour plan.

3. Have an International Driver’s license

There is no way you can have a rental vehicle for self-drive without you having a driver’s license. An international driver’s license is the interpretation of the domestic license into the some common understandable language. The international driving license will help a tourist get access to hire a car for self-drive to cruise through Tanzania National Parks and other Conservation Sites like the Controlled areas and Game Reserves.

International Driving Permit is a legal document that validates your license internationally and can allow you drive in foreign country. It can be acquired from your home country and it has a validity of 12months.

4. Have Some Driving and Mechanic Skills

Knowing how to drive because you have a permit is not enough when opting to drive in Tanzania. A self-drive through Tanzania untamed landscape means longer hours of driving almost every day. Even route connecting to different tourist destinations like national parks are demanding characterized by potholes, which demands some skills of driving. As well, because you’re driving from these rugged roads, anything can happen with the vehicle like experiencing a flat tire and have to fix it. Should have some basic mechanical skills, and driving skills that can maneuver the vehicle through the rough roads without experience major mechanical breakdowns.

5. Ensure Health and Safety Measures

Safety first before anything, Tanzania is known to be a safe place as far as security is concerned. The country has not experienced a life of dirty politics like it neighbors Uganda and Kenya. So, shouldn’t have to worry over anything when embarking for a self-drive in Tanzania. Before embarking your safari it’s important to be assured that you are in good condition. Never forget to take your basic medications and the first Aid Kit with all necessary tools that can help you treat yourself with minor treats or injuries like scrapes and cuts. Also the correspondent company needs to prepare you medical insurance before you take your trip, This will help you get the medical assistance anytime you need and anywhere around your trip destination.