Month: September 2023

Know this Before Going on Self-Drive in Rwanda

Renting a self-drive car is prevalent in western countries, but in Rwanda, it is on the verge of gaining the limelight status. Having a vehicle offers a great opportunity for convenience when traveling around Rwanda. You can move at your own speed, stop anytime you want to take photos and enjoy the amazing scenery and still, you can reach to different places that can’t be accessed by public transport.

Be that as it may, putting these things in mind before hiring a self-drive car in Rwanda will save you a lot of money, time, and even a big travel headache.

  1. Reviews about the self-drive car company

Why not browse the internet and look for some reliable car rentals company before finalizing one? Car rentals market is expanding with more and more adding to the list. However, if you look at the reliability, not all car rental companies are maintaining a high-level quality. Looking for reviews and ratings before booking one is essential. You can even enquire with your friends who often hire a car for their weekend gateway.

  1. Know the insurance Policy

Most of the car rental companies in Rwanda have a comprehensive insurance cover for their Vehicle and this contains, collision damage waiver, car theft and third party. The client is advised to Know how the insurance cover will protect him/her against the liabilities in case of an accident.

  1. Valid driver’s License

Travelers must have a valid driver’s license to drive a car in Rwanda. The rental operator will request the license before he hires the car to you. Any country’s driver’s license is accepted but the international one is most preferred. It must be valid for not less than three months.

  1. Minimum age Limit

The minimum age of driving a car in Rwanda is 18 Years but hiring a car is 21 years.

  1. Ask all the details about the car

We positively didn’t deny on your familiarity about car models and how to drive them, but the things that you don’t know is, about the renting car’s mileage, oil levels, age of the vehicle, petrol or diesel vehicle, availability of road support, and more. Try asking questions about that particular car that you are going to rent and acquire all the required details.

  1. Cross the border with the rental Vehicle

Some car rental agencies in Rwanda may not allow you to cross with their vehicle to other countries and some have a list of countries where their vehicles are not allowed to go and the common countries on most car rental agencies lists include; The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and others. However, the list always changes according to the company.

  1. Make Sure you have all the papers you need to pick the car

On the day of picking the car from the car rental agency, they will ask for your driving permit and any other means of identification from your country of origin. Having an international driving permit/license doesn’t mean that you should not carry your driver’s license or passport, the international driver’s license is just a supplement to the passport and the driving permit this means you should have both of them.

That means your passport, driver’s license are the common documents you need to be with when going to pick up the vehicle from the car rental agency and even if you requested the car rental agency to deliver the vehicle to your hotel, the agent will need to see them before he gives you the car keys.

  1. Read the contract thoroughly before you sign

Don’t go easy on this part. You need to study the fine prints of terms and conditions also analyze their tariffs then choose. Some companies renting a self-drive car rental by limiting the kilometers according to the number of days you are renting. Some might ask for security or caution deposit and some come with hidden charges. It all differs according to the car renting company that you choose, so look for kilometer limit, cancellation policy, fuel charges, caution deposit, types of payment accepted, process while returning and fees for the delay, you can even check for discounts and refunds.

  1. Take a better look at any damages

Take a walk around the car and also peep inside for any damages. You do not want to take up the responsibility of the last person’s reckless driving. Isn’t it? It is just going to take a few minutes to check the car for the damages. If you find any, ask the car rentals company to make a note of it on their paperwork. Why not click few pictures in your smartphone to have evidence? It helps you when you are surrendering the car and if your rental company is charging for the damage.

  1. Check for the Fuel levels

The car rentals companies deliver the car with a full tank fuel. However, while collecting the keys, ensure the fuel levels to verify whether it is on a full tank.  Some companies offer, with or without fuel package whereas some covers the fuel cost in rental charges. Whatever be the package you are using, it is better to check by yourself the fuel levels to avoid any hiccups while returning the vehicle.

Guide to Climbing Kilimanjaro Mountains

Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain. Located in North-East of Tanzania, this magnificent beast can be seen from far into Kenya and Amboseli National park.

75,000 people climb Kilimanjaro per year so it is not the most remote mountain, neither is it the most arduous, but it is certainly a test of one’s abilities with altitude sickness being the main reason for climbers not to summit. Although it has become a ‘must-do’ in on most traveller’s lists and the experience slightly busy with other climbers, we still highly recommend it for anyone with a vague interest in mountaineering.

Kilimanjaro represents a powerful life force for the local Chagga people and all those who have made their lives around this mountain, providing rich volcanic soils for agriculture and an endless source of pure spring waters.

One of the most amazing aspects of the mountain in the present day is the accessibility of its peak to climbers with no mountain climbing equipment or real previous experience of scaling such heights. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain that regular tourists can climb, although it remains a considerable feat of human endurance!

Fuel Efficiency Tips That Save Money on a Road Trip

Top Fuel Efficiency Tips That Save Money on a Road Trip in Uganda

The price of fuel isn’t the same every day not only in Uganda but across the world while people’s incomes seem to be stagnant. There is no uniform price tag for fuel in Uganda and once you head to the remotest part of the country, do not be shocked by the new prices displayed by the petrol stations. Not to take you by surprise and avoid any incidences of you getting stuck on your road trip, we have come up with a complete list of tips to help you save money on a road trip in a rental car in Uganda.

Accelerate gently –is it your first time to drive? Did you know that the harder you press the accelerator, the more fuel your car consumes? This is true but simple; you can simply press the accelerator pedal with gentleness. Try as much as you to familiarize yourself to soft and smooth acceleration.

Use a well-maintained car – not all cars are in their better mechanical condition. If you are considering traveling to any part of Uganda for a vacation, we recommend that you embark on the road trip using a fully serviced rental car.

Maintain a constant speed when driving – while there is the likelihood of excitement hitting a road using your dream rental car, your speed limit also matters when it comes to fuel consumption. Always try to keep a constant/stable speed limit while behind the wheel.

Don’t over speed – what is the rush for when you could actually save a lot on fuel consumption? The best way to save on your fuel is by maintaining a relatively low speed. Choose a car with a good record of fuel consumption rate including vans, station wagons or trucks. These categories of rental cars have had a significant record of being fuel efficient –capable of traveling 50km/h and 80km/h. Beyond this speed limit, the more fuel they tend to consume as they take off a bit faster.

Reduce the use of air conditioning –While some of you enjoy the air conditioning, on the other hand, your fuel tank could also be doing you an injustice. You can make the best use of your AC where it is only required and always level it down otherwise the higher the level, the more it consumes your fuel.

Maintain good tyre inflation – before you take off to your preferred destination in Uganda, first, check through the tyre to be sure that the tyres are well inflated to the required pressure level. Well inflated car tyres often reduce on fuel consumption rate by 5 percent.

Keep your windows closed – while on a road trip, your windows should be closed. The windows can be kept down if you are driving at a low speed of 50km/hr.

Reduce the weight – any excess weight should be removed from the vehicle. Carry only essentials and dispose of anything from the roof rack or from your boot. What you carry in your rental car should be what you plan to use on your vacation. It shouldn’t turn to be your store otherwise the fuel consumption of a small vehicle tends to increase by about 1 percent for each 25km of weight it carries. The less the car carries when moving, the less fuel consumption it can record.

Drive less –drive your rental only when it is necessary. If you plan to go deep in the busy areas, especially hard to find parking, then you have no need to go in your rental.

Plan your road trip ahead – planning your trip early enough is important as it will help you ascertain when and where to refuel again. When in need to refuel, know the fuel stations with favorable fuel rates.