Kalema Lawrence
Uganda is an incredibly jaw-dropping country that appears on many travelers’ bucket lists, especially for African safaris. We have you covered with our guide to car hire in Uganda. Regardless of the affordability of long distance bus travels, hiring a car is one of the most stress-free ways of exploring the Pearl of Africa (as it is fondly known).
Car hire is almost required for Uganda’s top destination like Murchison fall, Bwindi Impenetrable, Sipi falls and Mount Elgon National Park, Kidepo Valley, Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Parks among other. Sadly, most Ugandan Car hire Companies are infamously dubious hence it is advisable to go with eyes open to avoid being taken advantage of. This post therefore brings you the essential guide to car hire in Uganda.
Always book online
The best Car Hire prices can be found online when using TripAdvisor instead of the Company’s website and while you are at it, find information on how the selected Company uses in case you need roadside assistance in case of mechanical failure or shortages.
Read through the Company reviews
Prior to zeroing down on a particular car Hire Company in Uganda, first check out the available views on TripAdvisor, Facebook and Google. Don’t risk booking with a Company with consistent negative feedback or reviews.
Avoid overpriced insurance charged by some Car Hire Companies
Insurance when hiring a car is crucial, especially if you are planning to drive through a foreign country like Uganda. However, you can go for the Collision Damage Waiver to cover any damages to the Car and Third Party Liability for other damages. It is therefore important to travel prepared to avoid being charged overprice insurance. All in all, you might be a good and one of the extremely careful drivers the World has ever known but you never can tell when things don’t go as planned.
Properly conduct checks on the car at pick-up and drop-off
One of the avoidable yet commonest frauds in self drive Uganda offers is paying for damages that you have no idea about. For this reason, it is important to thoroughly check the car (interior and exterior) for any damages then take photos of any damages to avoid extra charges for damages you didn’t cause.
A letter of authorization from the Car Hire Company is required when driving out of Uganda so that the vehicle receives the appropriate insurance (third party) to cover any eventualities in another country.
Is Car Hire in Uganda safe?
Having gone through the essential guide to car hire in Uganda, you might be wondering whether it is safe to hire and drive a car in this beautiful country. The answer is yes although it is important to remain cautious by: not leaving valuables in the car, not driving at night, avoiding isolated places and avoiding drunk driving among others.
