06/10/18

F.A.Q: Self Drive Rentals In Uganda

The Frequently Asked Questions About Self Drive Rentals In Uganda

A self drive safari also famous as self guided safari is a remarkable road trip that involves some one to hire a vehicle to help him or her transverse through Uganda’s roads on own his or her own without any guide but with a GPS and  may be guide/travel books / Maps. The freedom and privacy the self drive safari gives visitors is exceptionally one of the remarkable adventures that come once in a lifetime. This gives opportunity for you catch a glimpse of abundant wildlife and indigenous tribes within a shortest time possible. They range from the rare mountain gorillas, the big five game to the stunning tropical rain forests, landscapes and several water bodies, and if you are adventure enthusiasts and nature lover, Uganda is such a remarkable destination that is worthy visiting. Prior planning a self drive tour in Uganda, we have listed a number of questions that commonly asked by various visitors in their initial planning states;

 How old do I need to be to hire a vehicle in Uganda?
Provided that you are above 20 years with a valid driving license /permit, you are free to rent a car for self drive trip in Uganda. At least have about four years driving experience in case you need to get on the road on self drive to catch a glimpse of many tourist attractions in the country.

How do I book a vehicle?
Booking a car in Uganda can be done through online by filling in the short form or simply send an email directly and the other alternative is for you to book by visiting the company’s office itself.

What is the cheapest vehicle for self drive in Uganda?

A self drive safari in Uganda is best when you take a 4×4 safari vehicle that can navigate through the terrains and all kind weather conditions in the remotest areas where most attractions are found in the country. You can make your choice along Land Cruiser Prado, Safari Land Cruiser, Toyota Rav4, Nissan Patrol, Super Custom and Safari Minivan.

Why go on self drive trip in Uganda?

A self drive tour in Uganda gives visitors that total freedom, flexibility and convenience to make any decision on where they want to visit and what they wish to view and explore at their own time.

Can I pre book or book a car up on arrival?

By pre booking a vehicle for safari you stand to get some benefit of purchasing power. Rates for self drive car hires are minimal and fit within the visitors pocket range. It is better to pre-book in advance to avoid disappointments at the last day.

Do I need an international driving permit?

An international driving permit is a proof that you have a valid license in your home country at the date of issue of the IDP. This should come along domestic driver’s license.

Do I require any travel insurance?

You need to take travel insurance and it better for safari holidays in Uganda. This will cover issues of accidents or theft of the cars.

Where do I pick up the rental car?

Visitors can pick a car rental at agency offices, airport or any other specific place that will be agreed upon booking. A driver and representative from car hire company will deliver the vehicle within the shortest time possible and once you land in, you simply walk in and you will be handed over the keys to start your ride.

Can I drop off the vehicle at different location?

Yes, you can drop the car to another location but must be agreed on with the car rental company, and some times, this happens at a fee. For example, if you started your trip in Kampala and you want to drop the car in Mbarara, you will be charged for fuel and driver to return the car to Kampala. This fee is negotiable between the hirer and car rental agency.

What car hire fuel types are there?

We have petrol and diesel fueled vehicles and you choose the one which is best for you. The rates also differ based on the fuel type.

What is the fuel policy for hiring the vehicle in Uganda?

Most car rental agencies like 4×4 Uganda Ltd and Rental Cars Uganda Ltd offer quarter tank vehicles and expect it to be returned to us in the same way and if the vehicle is brought back when it is less than quater tank, you will incur an extra cost to repay for the missing fuel capacity. And there is no refund for unused fuel. Self drive cars offered depending on unlimited mileage meaning that you visit the area provided you incur the cost of fueling the car yourself.

What if I brought back the vehicle late?

In case you brought the vehicle some hours late on the last day, you won’t be charged by most car rental companies in Uganda but in case you make a mistake of bringing it a day after, then expect an extra cost for the similar amount that you paid each day. We encourage our visitors to always contact our reservations group and let them aware about your interest the number of car hire days as you may even get some discount on it.

In conclusion, when it comes to car hire services for self drive safaris in Uganda, we offer variety of cars within visitors travel interest and we able to respond to any other inquiries a visitors would like to get clarification. Enjoy your trip.

01/19/18

Tips to Book A 4×4 Safari Car in Uganda

Are you planning to go for a self drive or a guided safari in Uganda and you do not know where or how to get the best car to hire for your trips? Guided tours for long have become the most sought after experiences by most tourists on safari in Africa as most of them have a feeling that it is a safer and comfortable way to travel but due to changes in demand, self drive safaris have also picked up as it offers visitors with adequate freedom, privacy and flexibility while on safari to any destination.

Uganda features a number of Car Rental Agencies and they all offer variety of services and vehicles at varying prices. While planning your safari in Uganda, you will need that reliable and trust worthy Car Hire Company to help you get the best and comfortable car that suits within your pocket and travel needs.

There are many ways that you can rent a car and to help you get the best choice, below are some of the sources that you should consider if you plan to hire a car for a self drive or guided tour in Uganda

Online: Most car hire services in Uganda are accessible through online as most car rental companies have websites with details about variety of cars for hire. You will find a wide range of cars especially sedan, 4×4 safari jeeps, mini vans and luxury bridal vehicles as well as brief info and travel plan on national parks and any attractions that you may need to explore. Turn on the Wi-Fi or simply visit internet café and Google out more about car rental with reputation, reviews and reliability. Type any car services for instance self drive, airport transfer or car category especially the sedan, Rav4, Land Cruiser in Uganda. The website features most contact details including the agency email, mobile and telephone number and office address but the best feature is the contact form that gives you opportunity to send your inquiry directly to the agency email.

Social Media: This is another best source for you to rent a car in East Africa. The most famous social media platforms include twitter, facebook, instagram and many more. Many car hire agencies and clients advertise their products, services and up to date news via shared posts on these platforms which are views by millions of users beyond boundaries. Type in any vehicle that you need to rent or service you in need to use in Uganda in a search box of facebook, twitter or any other social media and you will get results of pages and accounts that can give you what you need.

Office: In case you are within Kampala, Uganda, you would simply give yourself time and pay a visit to the Car Hire Company’s office after all the address, telephone contacts are all displayed on the website. The perfect thing with booking a car in person is that you can always be in position to negotiate with the staff and get the best rate, you don’t need to wait for an email reply and you deal directly with the agency that offers you more authority.

Friend/Relative: You can also book a car through some one; it can be a friend, family member or even absolutely unknown person. Get first hand information on a car hire agency and what is entailed in renting a vehicle in Uganda from the previous visitors as this will guide while making the best choice at a pocket friendly rates.

In conclusion, in case you have any plans of visiting Uganda for safari to the national park, city tours, business or leisure holiday and you wish to rent a vehicle with or with no driver; then you need to consider the above tips can guide you.

 

10/21/14

Gorilla Valley Lodge Rates, Bwindi Forest in Uganda

Gorilla Valley Lodge- Bwindi Gorilla forest-Uganda

gorilla-valley-campGorilla Valley Lodge is strategically located on the Southern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park on a hill near Rushaga, close to Rushaga Uganda Wildlife station. This is one of the Lodges with excellent services provided to all visitors.

The Lodge has 12 excellent rooms with spacious private bathrooms, Toilets, Dining/Waiting area beautifully situated in lowland evergreen Forest allowing breathtaking views of the African Eden, rich with wildlife, and at a close distance the majestic Virunga Volcanoes.

Every room has been lovingly furnished with twin beds and decorated in a modern retro style to suit the ecosystem. Bwindi Impenetrable National park holds the country’s tourism sector by hosting the chief tourist attraction of Uganda- Mountain Gorillas. To that note, therefore, there is no doubt, Gorilla Valley accommodates a large number of visitors.

Gorilla Valley Lodge is a slice of wilderness paradise far from the madding crowd; a place of renewal and reconnection with the natural world. And trust, one could never get closer to Bwindi! While at the Lodge, lucky visitors can be visited by the gentle giants of the forest- Gorillas and can be seen at your veranda while seated in your chair taking tea.

On the highest part of the hill is the location of the main building with a restaurant and bar. From here the view is amazing! In our lounge, you can relax by the fire but you can also make yourself comfortable on the veranda. In the restaurant, we offer the best of two worlds: an international buffet prepared by a professional Ugandan chef.

beds-gorilla-valleyActivities while at Gorilla Valley lodge include, Gorilla trekking, Nature walks to waterfalls, birding in the forest, cultural exploration in the Batwa community, Biking through Bwindi community, chilling off, and Gorilla Habituations.

Proposed Itinerary for 3 days Uganda gorilla safari with 2 nights at Gorilla Valley Camp/lodge

Day One: Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Breakfast at your hotel around Kampala or Entebbe, leave by 8:00 AM to western Uganda with a stopover at the Equator for photographs, en-route lunch in Mbarara Town, dinner, and overnight stay at Gorilla Valley Lodge in southern Bwindi National Park

Day Two: Mountain Gorilla Tracking Adventure

Heavy breakfast followed by a briefing from the park headquarters about mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, the trek is quite strenuous and takes between 2-7 hours in the forest. This will depend on how the gorillas move in their natural habitat as they search for food. The evening can be for a community walk or forest walk, or drive to Lake Bunyonyi.

Day Three: Departure

Breakfast and drive back to Kampala / Entebbe Airport (8 to 10 hours drive). Or we can cross the border to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, this is only 3 to 4 hours drive. This marks the end of your safari.

gorilla-valllye-lodgeCost of the 3-days gorilla safari with 2 nights at Gorilla Valley Camp

This will cost 1095 US Dollars, based on 2 persons and it includes a gorilla permit per person (600 US dollars each), private transport from Kampala and back, en-route meals and bottled mineral water for refreshment, 2-night accommodation at Gorilla Valley Lodge with meals, services of a professional English speaking driver/tour guide. Excluded are flights, accommodation in Kampala, and other personal expenses like tips for staff. If you are on a tight budget, you can choose not to book a guided trip and take a self-drive safari to Bwindi forest to see the gorillas. In this case, you can rent a 4×4 car in Kampala cheaply from tour operators on Kampala from US$40 per day (Toyota Rav 4) and US$70 per day Toyota Prado. For more information about escorted and self-drive safaris, send an email to info@cheapgorillasafaris.com.