Should I Book a Guided or self-drive Tour in Uganda?

Known as the pearl of Africa, it is one of the most beautiful countries to visit on planet earth. Uganda is gifted by many things but the most attractive thing that one shouldn’t miss before living planet earth is to go gorilla trekking in Uganda’s national parks of Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. Not only gorillas, the country is well-known for a wide range of bird species, wild animals and in them it harbor’s  the rear type of lions that do climb trees found in the ishasah sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The country is also good for cultural tours, good scenic grounds, beaches and a city where people never sleep with night clubs.

With all those gifts she owes, many people all over the world would like to have a visit to this beautiful country but many people find it hard to decide whether to go on a guide or self drive Uganda tour.  Would I like to travel with a guide or by our self? It is important to make an informed decision. Here are the differences between guided and self-drive trips, making it easier for you to decide what to choose. Please bear in mind, however, that choosing a self-drive trip doesn’t mean that you are completely on your own. Our office in Uganda is available to assist you at all times and, even on self-drive trips, a lot of the activities recommend by us such as game drives in parks are guided, in order to give you the best possible experience.

1. A self-drive trip is cheaper because you don’t pay a daily rate for the guide or for his/her accommodation and food. Your choice of vehicle will also make a difference in the overall cost of a self-drive trip. While guided trips can be more expensive as you will have to pay for the guide but the overall cost per person depends on the number of people included in your party. For example, a guided trip will be more expensive for a one to two persons than for a group of six people and above.
2. On a self-drive trip you drive yourself. This might sound appealing but remember that the one who drives has to keep his/her eyes on the road and can’t enjoy the scenery and he will get more tired than the rest. While on a guided trip, everyone in your group is free to relax and enjoy the scenery as your guide drives you around
3. On a self-drive trip you don’t have the luxury of asking a guide to explain certain things, animals or birds, leaving a lot of questions unanswered. While the main advantage of a guided trip may be the fact that you can, at any time, ask your guide questions, allowing you to learn a lot about this amazing country, its beautiful nature and interesting culture here in Uganda.
4. You may think you’ll have a lot more privacy or ‘together time’ on a self-drive trip. This will undoubtedly be the case, however, even on a guided tour we can schedule enough ‘alone time’. While it is a misconception that guided tours grant you no privacy. Our guide also needs this! Therefore, we always try to strike a balance. Basically, the guide is at your disposal when required but he will at regular occasions allow you to enjoy an evening of private dining at a restaurant or an afternoon to yourselves.
5. It is equally a mistake to think that you have no guide during your self-drive trip. Most of the activities we recommend and book for you are led by a guide. In your quote, we will clearly indicate which activities are guided and which are not. Remember, however, that we cannot guarantee the quality of these guides. Some of these guides are very good but some, unfortunately, are disinterested, unintelligible, don’t speak proper English or simply do not know very much. While on a guided tour, even if you undertake guided activities organised by the accommodation establishment and with a local guide, our guide is available to offer additional explanations, which with no doubt guarantee the quality of your experience. Hence once again you will be in the perfect position to enjoy and learn optimally about the culture and nature.
6. On a self-drive trip you are at some destinations responsible for your own game drives. This means relying on your own skill, as well as luck. This could result in either not seeing many animals or seeing an animal but not knowing what it is or what it’s doing. You can arm yourself with books for your self-drive trip, this increases the cost as well as your luggage. While another major advantage of a guided trip, particularly on game drives, it is his expertise when it comes to wildlife. You simply have a much greater chance of seeing more animals with a guide than driving through the park by yourself. Our guides know where to find certain animals, what to look out for, are able to recognise and follow tracks, detect sounds, and so on. And when the guide has found an animal, he can tell you a lot about it. But this should be put in mind that national parks are not like Zoos were you will just find the animal I the cadge. So if you miss out seeing some animals do not complain..
7. Finding your way around while on a self-drive trip is not a problem because with Tailor Made Safaris you not only get a detailed itinerary but we also supply you with a TomTom satellite navigation system at an additional cost for the duration of your trip. All destinations on your trip are pre-programmed into the system, making driving around by yourself easy and hassle-free. This service puts Tailor Made Safaris head and shoulders above its competitors! While it goes without saying that on a guided trip you do not have to worry about finding your way around. Your private guide ensures that you always arrive at your destination on time and without rushing, taking into account your wishes along the way. If you want to stop and take a picture of the scenery on the way, that is possible too! After all, this is your tailor made safari!
8. On your Uganda self drive trip there’s no need to worry about keeping in touch. Tailor Made Safaris includes a Ugandan SIM card for the duration of your trip, allowing you to easily make cheap phone calls as and when you need to. As part of our service to self-drive guests, we regularly send you text messages with advice, or to make sure everything is to your liking. All part of the Tailor Made Safaris service… For the guided, our guides take care of your safety during a guided trip. There is always a very small chance of something going wrong; a double booking on site, a defect in the car, or you ate something bad; anything is possible. In the unfortunate event of something like this happening, you can always rely on the expertise and responsibility of your guide who will take care of the problem.

With this information or differences, one will be able to decide whether to take a self drive or guided tour in Uganda.

Top Holiday Activities for Uganda Visitors

When you live in foreign African country for long, you really have to learn to survive the set duration either on holiday, work or business. In East African countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, spending a few days expose you to the great warm weather each day, friendly people, and meeting up with foreign nationals on business and holidays. People are always outdoor working and moving from one direction to the other especially in business centers. Internet cafes, restaurants and bars become active in the evening hours as many leave work for home. Public transport works 24 hours though not highly recommended for foreign tourists at night. The weekends become long and boring if you don’t embark on short trips to see the other beautiful side of the country.

Many vacation safaris are run across the region for groups and sole individuals depending on one’s interest. Those in love with wildlife Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are the most visited for Africa wildlife holidays. While exclusive primate trips take place in Rwanda and Uganda especially those interested in seeing mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Make your Africa visit special and wonderful by signing up for a short trip to any place or park of your interest. Backpacking is open if you want to cut costs as well as budget holidays or group safaris.

First thing first if you have a day off in any capital city is to have a look at the city’s best known attractions which are always in close distance. Some are walk-able and don’t need any transport expenses. For Example if one wanted to visit Kampala city, the business center only can fill up your day because there is really a lot to see, learn and explorer. Kigali same as well as Nairobi but would recommend foreigners to move with local guides that live within the city for easy identification of places and attractions.

If religion is your hobby a number of churches welcome you in without hesitation and here peace and joy reigns.Checking out different retail and wholesale shops on different city buildings and streets is free of charge in all East Africa cities. Find out the city trendy latest designs in clothes and goods. If you have plans of becoming a country’s inventor use the opportunity to identify the best field for investment. You seriously can’t walk more than a few blocks without spotting a bank or ATM machine in case you run out of petty cash. Don’t forget to pick up something that will remind you of your cool day city tour in one in Africa.  Also go on nightlife adventures as one of most Africa city highlights. Nightlife in Africa is fun and sets out as soon as darkness pops in and road security lights start lighting up the city.

After about hours, you will find every night club, bars and restaurants busy and you will be surprised. Many spend hours eating, chatting and drinking until time to go back to their residing locations. The whole experience is one of those fantastic moments where you just have to pinch yourself deep inside whispering that am really here in Africa.

Why not go and relax at one of the best beach close to the city and get your mind set by the lake cool winds. Beaches are very popular spots for all week days due to favorable conducive warm weather that feels up the most Africa countries. There is a lot to engage in while there and boredom is one of misplaced moments of Africa beaches.

Islands are located close with nice dinning and affordable accommodation for all year guests to the countries. Are you tired of the city noise? A number of Africa beautiful islands like Ssese need only ferry crossing to your next relaxing ambience in Uganda. You can plan this treat with friends for a delicious meal at restaurant set close to sand and water. The island also has great nature walks, perfect beach setting plus the lovely foods. The ferry sets off every day from Entebbe at 2.00pm one of Uganda cities and leaves the island next day in the morning at 8.00am.Therefore, you should catch up with its schedules’ if you to travel.

5 Best African Countries for a Family Safari

Considered the second largest continent in the world, Africa is the dream continent for every traveler surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea along the Sinai Peninsula to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies, and revenues from tourism and tremendous opportunities exist to further expand tourism across the African continent

The continent has 54 countries all which have developed tourism but the rate of growth and development depends on the unique natural, cultural, historical and man-made features in these countries. Marketing, and transport infrastructures such as airline connections, roads and railways in addition to open borders, and improved marketing to niche sectors such as adventure and eco-travelers determine the level of tourism development in each African country. The top African family vacation trips among others include:

 South Africa

Not only having the natural attraction, South Africa has it all that a family on a holiday would want. The country is blessed with lots of city fun, Trip packed resorts, beautiful beaches and Big 5 safari parks. South Africa is home to legendary wildlife preserves and national parks among which include the Kruger National Park and a range of malaria-free game reserves.  The safari lodges in South Africa offer interactive children’s programs some of which include animal encounters mostly liked by children to remember for decades. A lot of adventure sorts like cycling, hiking and horse-riding plus widely available Wi-Fi to keep teens in touch with their friends back home as well as adults in touch with their business partners and family friends and relatives.

The Cape Town and the coast in South Africa provide the family with the chance to see favorites such as Mountain, the Cape Wine lands and the penguins of Boulders Beach. If you take a road trip along the Garden Route, families also explore a very scenic stretch of coast, dotted with quaint villages and exciting activities that range from whale watching to bungee jumping. Sun City is Africa’s top family resort with plenty of entertainment for grown-ups and children alike. All these fantastic features make south Africa a tourism destination in Africa for every family to visit.

Botswana

Drifting down a papyrus-lined waterway, passing bathing elephants and shy antelope, is an absolutely unforgettable safari experience for families of a holiday in Botswana.

The game viewing is superb and activities include game drives, nature walks, and canoeing, boating and even elephant back safaris. The true wilderness enables the family to learn bush-tracking and survival skills and camp out wild in the bush – the best way to travel across the African plains.

Botswana is a home for more elephants than any other country in Africa; Botswana is one of the greatest safari destinations. In the north lies the world famous Okavango Delta, one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes which attracts a myriad of birds and large concentrations of wildlife, and Chobe National Park, famed for its enormous elephant population. Families should not miss out Botswana for the greatest travel experience.

Kenya

Located in East Africa, the magical Kenya delivers safe and rewarding family safaris in world-renowned Big 5 game reserves, beach holidays on the country’s dazzling coastline and Indian Ocean islands and the greatest wild life spectacle which is the Masai Mara wildebeest migration.

Families spend an unforgettable safari in Kenya tracking big cats on game drives on a Masai Mara safari; drifting over vast plains on a scenic hot air balloon flight; going on guided bush walks led by red-robed Maasai warriors and hand feeding giraffe at the well-known Giraffe Manor.

Kids normally join the junior ranger programs packed with unforgettable experiences such as learning to shoot a bow and arrow, making fire with sticks or casting animal tracks in plaster. Wildlife-rich game reserves, white sand beaches, Maasai warriors, once-in-a-lifetime activities and all the atmosphere of big game Africa are so interesting. Therefore, each family should endvour to visit Kenya for a greater memorable experience.

Tanzania

Tanzania is a well established safari destination delivering great wildlife watching holidays for families, the game viewing at Serengeti and Ngorongoro craters give a family a clear view of the big five along with cheetahs, African wild dogs, lovebirds and vultures. A family can also witness the incredible annual wildebeest migrating.

The Ngorongoro Crater known as ‘Africa’s Eden’ offers amazing wildlife viewing with over 90 lions along with leopards, rhinos and a lake at the centre  inhabited by hundreds of flamingos. Also, being located at the coast, a relaxing stay by the sea enjoying the beautiful sandy beaches and beach activities such as swimming, boat cruising, sunbathing among others enjoyed by the family is of great experience.

Uganda

Though Uganda is most known for gorilla safaris, it offers great opportunities to travelers with families. The wildlife parks such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo National Park offers urivalled game viewing to travelers. You can also enjoy horseriding in Lake Mburo National Park, and Jinja, the adrenaline capital of Uganda has much to offer for those seeking adventures in Uganda.

In conclusion, Africa is a beautiful and diverse continent where travel choices abound when it comes to game-viewing for families with kids of all ages.  Many destinations in Africa offer kids’ programs with age appropriate activities so that little ones in the family get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience and adults as well. Families planning a trip should choose Africa for greater and memorable experience.

Go Gorilla Trekking For a Better Purpose.

Mountain gorilla tracking in the areas of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo has gradually improved the lives of the local people. It doesn’t matter whether someone is near the national park where gorilla trekking takes place but what matters is that the whole country as a whole gains from the activity. Since there are only 900 estimated gorillas left in the world, these three countries which happen to harbor them have gained a competitive advantage over the others and this is because tourists especially primate lovers go there to have a glance at the gorillas. Uganda and Rwanda are the best destinations for tracking the primates and this is why some people prefer going for a combined Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking experience.

But the big question here is; – how do the local people gain from gorilla tracking yet they don’t go and view the primates? Well, there are numerous ways through which both the government and the local people can gain from this wonderful activity and below is a list of them;-

• Gorilla trekking creates employment opportunities to the local people. As you may well know that while moving through the thick forests searching for these primates you always move with a guide, these are mainly local people who are trained to be guides and they earn from doing this. Some nationals go for training to become guides in the various national parks where gorillas can be found and from this they can earn a living and also support their families. Also the various tour companies which are setup to offer gorilla tracking packages to tourists create jobs for the local people. The lodges where tourists sleep on their tour also have workers who benefit from the activity by earning money. Not forgetting the drivers who drive tourists to the various destinations on their safari. These also earn money from this and it’s because of gorilla trekking that they are able to get people to drive. In the longrun, the whole process leads to creating jobs for the unemployed people in the countries where these rear primates are found.
• Through attracting people from different parts of the world, gorilla trekking has also built a link between the local people and the foreigners. Amongst these foreigners are those interested in helping the needy especially the children. On their safari to where these primates are found they end up meeting the local people including those needy local people. Therefore the needy nationals get that opportunity of getting help from these tourists. Also various charity organizations get funding from the visitors and this money is used to improve the lives of the local people.
• The government taxes the various institutions or companies which deal in tourism and this money is channeled to improving the lives of the nationals. This means that tourists who come for gorilla trekking contribute to these taxes and indirectly improve the wellbeing of the people in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC where mountain gorillas are found.

Through the above ways, the local people have been touched by the hands of tourist indirectly and they have managed to survive as a result of improved standards of living.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda volcanoes national park

Track mighty mountain gorillas on an exclusive private guided safari to Rwanda, taking you to the misty Virungas Volcano rain forest. Rwanda has five volcanoes, twenty- three lakes and numerous rivers, some forming the source of the river Nile. The country lies 75 miles south of the equator in the tropic of Capricorn.

Rwanda with a land area of 26,338km and is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to east, Burundi to the south, and the democratic republic of Congo to the west. One of the largest cities in Rwanda, Musanze is a bustling city hosting almost all tourists visiting the world famous mountain gorillas.

Musanze has been the base point for gorilla visit and is cradled against a stunning backdrop of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes. The city is rich with cultural tourism opportunities, caving, birding and fishing on the nearby lakes. The city is also only a 45- minute drive away from Gisenyi and the stunning Lake Kivu.

Price of a Rwanda Gorilla Permit
Non Residents – $750

East African Residents – $450
East African Citizens – $300
Rwandan Residents – &375
Rwandan Citizens – 30,000

Proper preparation is important in terms of dressing and equipment’s. Please bring the following items with you,

• Long trousers/ pants- to avoid stinging nettles the trousers must be strong enough to withstand occasional pulls from thorns.
• Long sleeved shirts/ t-shirts. To avoid stinging nettles
• Gloves- These are required to avoid injury to your hands. Remember the grounds are wet and slippery.
• Hiking boots- Please bring average waterproof sturdy walking boots reaching ankle level not mountain climbing boots. Something light and hardy will do.
• Warm cardigan- Volcanoes can get extremely cold. A warm cardigan is required to keep off cold.
• Long sleeved Rain Coat or anorak -it can rain anytime in Volcanoes National Park even on hot days, its among the reasons why Volcano Gorilla safaris rank high in Africa. The downpours are heavy and extremely cold.
• Water proof container for your cameras. Yes I know there are waterproof cameras but even they to be sure just put them in a waterproof container. When you are slipping and falling in muddy grounds you do not want your precious photos damaged.
• If you desire headgear (hats), a baseball cap is recommended as gorillas are familiar to them.
• Enough water- minimum of 2 liters of drinking water to avoid dehydration. Carry four just in case the hike proofs longer than expected. Sometimes it can be 8 hours.
• Film Camera- A film camera for domestic use is recommended.
• A camera
• If you are interested in birds, you can bring Field guide to birds of East Africa and a pair of binoculars.

On the day of your gorilla trek

On the day of your gorilla trek, you’ll set off very early in the morning after your breakfast to track to the gorillas from the edge of the forest. Your driver/guide will pick you from your lodge and will drive you to the park headquarters. The guides here speak excellent English and are very good. They will be taking you to a specific group of ‘habituated’ mountain gorillas, which they know well and are used to human visitors. You’ll be divided into 8 people and after a briefing on safety and gorilla trekking etiquette; you’ll be driven to the start of the trail to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your guide will then lead you along generally clear paths up into the forest, in radio communication with the trackers that stay with the group so that they can be located. Often the gorillas will be spread around a small area of dense vegetation. They’ll continue with their feeding and interactions, nonchalant about their visitors, though watching you with interest. Occasionally one, often a playful youngster, will approach you with curiosity sometimes coming so close that you’ll have to move away. The various groups and their locations will obviously change from time to time: mountain gorillas often climb higher in the dry season and descend during the rains, they might move on due to pressure from wild gorillas and individuals will often join other groups. When tracking gorillas, it’s possible to request to visit a specific group once you are at the park headquarters, but this can never be guaranteed.

Other activities in the park

Other activities in the park are Golden monkey tracking, hike to the Dian Fossey grave site, tour to the twin lakes of Burera & Ruhondo, mount Karisimbi volcano hike, hike of Bisoke volcano, Cave tours in Musanze, bird watching and community ecotourism in Iby’Iwacu cultural village.

Using A 4×4 Self Drive Car On A Trip To Uganda

Do you know that driving yourself on a safari to Uganda is one of the easiest ways to explore Uganda’s secrets, most of Uganda’s natural wonders are hosted in very remote areas deep in the village and they can be easily reached when driving your self-car. Uganda is also known as a pearl of Africa due to very many incredible wonders the country houses. Uganda has very many car hire companies renting cars of different types and many has been in operation for over 10 years with experienced staff and well experienced driver who are knowledgeable with each and every part of the country. You can hire a car in Uganda either for self-drive or with a driver depending on your interest. if you are okay with driving in a strange country and having the requirements like a driving permit you are okay to book a self-drive, however if its okay with you to set at the back and leave it to the driver to navigate you through the all safari. However, many of the travelers according to the TripAdvisor prefer using self-drive, as it gives you the freedom to drive on your own pace and you are free to go whenever you feel like and stop at any interesting place. If you book a self-drive with our company Uganda self drive, you are assured of a good and comfortable vehicle that meets your dreams and not only that we go ahead to advise our clients on some of the best places to visit if a client is renting a car for a safari, we hire our cars according to the destination the client is going whether business, safari, function or any other. We create good relationship with our clients before and even after their safaris that’s why we have very many return clients. We offer personal help and fast response to all our clients’ needs. Whether you contact us via email or phone, our reservations team is always ready to help you in any way possible answering to all your inquiries as soon as possible to make sure you get what you want when you want it. If you want to hire a Toyota Rav4 we offer it at usd 45 per day without a driver and usd65 with a driver. It carries up to 4 members and it can navigate the marram road of Uganda with a lot of easy stopping at any interesting places around. However don’t get surprised to hear the local people on the way calling ‘’Muzungu’’, it’s a local word people use to refer to foreigners, and remember that Ugandan people are hospital so you will find many waving at you.

Depending on your safari destination we also have Toyota land cruiser short and long which can carry from 5 to 7 people, for big groups from 7-9 we have a supper custom and a Van and from 20-30 people we do have a coaster for hire with a driver. All our cars are well maintained and can navigate each and every part of the country. Some of Uganda’s incredible attraction include, mountain gorilla safaris in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga forest national park both located in the south western part of Uganda, chimp tracking in kibale national park, wildlife safaris in kidepo valley national park in the north, Queen Elizabeth national park in the south of Uganda, Murchison falls national park in the northeastern, lake Mburo among many others, mountaineering safari to hike Mt. Elgon and Rwenzori , Jinja for white water rafting, visiting the local communities among others all these places can make your safari to Uganda a memorable one and you can visit each of these places on one safari with the curtsey of our vehicles, a guide is always available to drive you around in case you are not ok with driving in Uganda. Just book your self-drive tip with us everything will be kawa for you and you will have a most breathtaking safari ever since before. Don’t forget to send us an inquiry on info@ugandaselfdrive.com we will get back to you swiftly

Self Drive Tips : Cars To Book On A Safari In Uganda.

When going for a safari to either Uganda or Rwanda, one needs to decide which type of car he/she wants to use. In most cases tourists ask us this question when they inquire for their safaris to either Uganda or Rwanda or even both and we go on and advice. But it’s always a good practice to make your own choice so that you can have the best experience on the safari without any inconveniences related to the car used. Choosing the type of car to hire depends on what type tourism activity you are going to do and the number of people you are travelling with. Sometimes clients inquire with us and they want small cars yet they are many in number. We always advise them to go for bigger cars like vans which can accommodate their number. It’s always good to travel with a classic touch and freedom other than travelling while congested in a small car. Small cars like saloons and small Benz’s are suitable to use if clients are 2 or 3 but not more than that as it would mean to squeeze yourself which is not good.

The distance to be travelled and the destination that you want to go to is also important while selecting the type 0f car to hire in Uganda. If you know that you are travelling for longer distances and to places which are challenging with undulating topologies and hills, then the best type of car to hire is that with a 4×4 wheel drive system. This is because 4×4 cars can penetrate through muddy roads and hills without any problem and without getting stuck. Sometimes people make wrong choices and they go with cars which are not full time 4×4 and they end up getting stuck in muddy roads forcing them to hire another towing car to remove them from the mud. This is bad as it leads to increase in the expenses. The only way to avoid this is by hiring a 4×4 wheel drive car which cannot easily get stuck in such conditions.

It should be noted that both Uganda and Rwanda have some places with bad roads and this is common in national parks especially in Uganda where there are animals to be viewed. Such parks require 4×4 cars for a game drive experience .safari vehicles like 4×4 land cruisers with a popup roof are the best cars to use for a successful game drive. In case one needs to go for a town-running (driving around the town) then he/she can book these other cars which have no 4×4 system because roads in all urban places kin both Uganda and Rwanda are in good conditions and no threat is imposed to the user.

When you book with us we always ask you what you intend to use the car for and we give advice when it comes to choosing the type of car to use. Some clients seem to be complicated and ignore our advise because they think roads in Uganda and Rwanda are like those in their home countries and they end up making mistakes which are regrettable. And at the end of their safari they regret why they ignored our advice.

In conclusion, you should always put in mind two factor before selecting which type of car to use and that is;- the destination you are going to and the number of people you are travelling with.

Try A Self Drive Safari With Us In Uganda.

It’s always good to go on a safari and come back when satisfied, why not this time enjoy your safari by hiring a self-drive car from us? Those who have done it find it magnificent; they still have memories that will last forever. When driving yourself you have a lot of freedom and you are free to drive at your own pace, and you are free to stop at any area of interest. So this time explore Uganda in style with a genuine car rental company contact us on (info@4x4ugandacarhire.com).   Let nothing stand on your way, navigate the beautiful pearl of Africa which is gifted with 10 national parks and a number of game reserve each with unique incredible wildlife. We have a variety of vehicles that can fit your budget and the number of people you are traveling with at a very friendly price including a Toyota Rav4 suitable from 1-4 members, we hire it at USD$ 50 per day without a driver,  supper custom and van with a pop-up roof  good for big group like 8 members we hire it at $95 per day with a driver suitable for wildlife viewing ,  Toyota land cruiser, we have short which can carry 5 members  we hire at 100 per day without a driver and a Toyota land cruiser extended can carry up to 9 members including a driver we hire them at USD $150 per day this with driver comfortably and have enough leg space and leg room, plus enough luggage space. For a big size from 25-30 members, we have a coaster. All our cars are well maintained with air conditioners, enough space for luggage, cooler box, camping gears and GPS if requested. We are located at Najjanamkumbi opposite Kenjoy supermarket.

We let you enjoy your-self depending on your itinerary and the number of days you wish to stay on safari , however if you need a driver we have them and they are well experienced and they know each and every corner of the country. Either you rent for a safari, cooperate meetings, parties, at 4×4 Uganda car hire we have a variety of cars that fits your destination.

Ounce you hire a car for a safari Uganda has a number of things to see, you can track/trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi national park, wildlife is also superb, you can view wild animals in Queen impenetrable national park, Murchison falls national park or lake Mburo and Kidepo valley national park. Or you can trek the primates in kibale forest national.  Birding safaris are also rewarding. Why not white water rafting at the source of the Nile, or mountaineering at the Mount Rwenzori and Elgon, so enjoying one of these activities on a Uganda safari on a self-drive safari won’t leave you the same. Ounce you book with us we can also advice you on the best car to use depending on your destination and the number of people you are travelling with and also we can also help you in drafting your safari itinerary to make you enjoy effetely.

What to Know about Lake Kivu in Rwanda

Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes lying on the boarder of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo with in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika.Lake Kivu is found in the Northern Province of Rwanda and can be visited on Honeymoon Adventures.

As well as boasting a number of delightful beach resorts, this beautiful lake is also a great place to cycle the Congo–Nile trail.

Running along the Congolese border for 90km, the 2,370km² Lake Kivu is one of a string of ‘inland seas’ that submerge much of the Albertine Rift floor as it runs southward from the Sudan to Zambia. It is very a beautiful lake, hemmed in by steeply terraced escarpments containing several peaks of 2,800m or higher, including the smoking outline of volcanic Nyiragongo in the far north, and it has long served as a popular weekend getaway for residents of this otherwise landlocked country.

Kivu has a smaller surface area than the two most expansive Albertine Rift lakes, the more southerly Tanganyika and more northerly Albert. Nevertheless, a maximum depth of 480m and total water content of 333km3 places it among the world’s 20 deepest and 20 most voluminous freshwater bodies. In addition, the 285km² Idjwi Island, which falls entirely within Congolese territory, is the second largest inland island in Africa and tenth largest in the world.

A shallower and larger incarnation of Kivu probably formed about two million years ago as a result of the same tectonic activity that created the Albertine Rift and other associated lakes. Back then, Kivu would have been contiguous with the lower-lying Lake Edward on the Uganda.  About 20,000 years ago, however, a natural dam created by lava from the Virungas isolated Lake Kivu from Lake Edward. As a result, Kivu’s surface rose to its present-day altitude of 1,470m, the Rusizi River which had formerly drained out of Lake Tanganyika into the southern tip of Kivu reversed its flow, and the lake became part of the Congo Watershed.

Kivu supports an impoverished fauna by comparison with other large Rift Valley lakes, as a result of an unusually high level of volcanic activity. The geological record suggests that the release of methane trapped below the lake’s surface has resulted in regular mass extinctions every few thousand years. As a result, fewer than 30 fish species are known from the lake and, while this does include 16 endemics, it pales by comparison with the many hundreds of species recorded from Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika.

High methane levels probably also explain the complete absence of hippo and croc, and are also cited by those who claim that the lake has no Bilharzia. Kivu’s attractively irregular shoreline, with its verdant slopes and sandy beaches, is served by three main resort towns. The most northerly of these, Rubavu/Gisenyi, has the best tourist facilities, partly because of its proximity to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park .

Karongi/Kibuye, further south and with the advantage of being far closer to Kigali, also has a few decent lakeshore hotels. At the southern end of the lake, overlooking the exit point of the Rusizi River, Rusizi/Cyangugu can easily be visited in conjunction with Nyungwe National Park and Huye/Butare, and has recently gained its first hotel meeting international standards.

Keeping Healthy While Traveling with Food Alergies & Intolerances

Travelling to different countries entails discovering the other part of the world that your country never offers and the difference in these countries you head to. You probably are used to the foods you have back home and yes some strange foods in other countries may not be good to your health. However on the other hand, some foreign foods are worth a try that is a trick of adventure.

When travelling to Uganda, whether on self drive car rental or guided trips, keeping our clients healthy during their trip is a priority at Auto Rental Uganda, but as you know safety comes first you keep yourself safe as we do our best on keeping it up. Most of the people from western countries are either Vegans, vegetarians’ or both which is not the case here in Uganda. We mix all the foods and eat it at the same time. Have you tried the African traditional LUWOMBO with Auto Rental Uganda? I would definitely say you are missing out something about the real Uganda

Good thing to do you should inform your service provider about your diet and how you want it to be. We may be able to eat all the beef, sea food and veggies but we still consider people’s choice and command and if someone does not take it we take the liberty to give you that choice  that perfectly suites you.

Beef is the delicacy in Uganda. You find it in most restaurants you go. Mixed in different soups, dried, BBq and snacks, chicken, nuts, beans and veggies are the most seen soups in restaurants.

Our team are trained in how to shop and cook for those travelling with food allergies or intolerances. Just in case you go camping alone, packing some food that stays longer is a great idea however Uganda is gifted with lots of fresh food that you absolutely can buy along the way. Who on an adventure wouldn’t love interacting with the food sellers and visit the markets? Wouldn’t that be an added advantage to go shopping in the markets? Alternatively you can buy everything you need for camping and you don’t need to stop shopping. It will save you time but you definitely will miss something interesting about these African markets. Talk to our Uganda car rental reservation team and they will push to help you with the shopping in and around the malls and markets so you be set on your self-drive in Uganda or guided tour.

Here’s  some facts to follow when shopping.

1. If in doubt about what is stated on a label DO NOT buy or use it
2. Wherever possible avoid local restaurants even if there clearly menu items that meet the dietary requirements due to cross contamination issues. Use specific restaurants recommended to you. You can make special orders just if you’re allergic and can have the exact meal for you.
3. When shopping and buying food products always ask if something has gluten or any other thing you may or may not want. Alternatively read carefully on the food packs.
4. Keep it fresh and unprocessed.  In Uganda we usually eat fresh, try it out and see. Enter the market and buy only fresh food that you can be sure off. Good thing is you find many markets around Uganda as you travel up-countries. And yes, you can use it as an opportunity to visit the local markets which everybody raves about
5. There are certain items that are easily contaminated like jars of jam, mayonnaise, butter, jellies and other spreads.  Make sure you keep them clean for those with allergies and intolerances.

To be on the safe side while camping or eating in restaurants be clear on what you want, or ask for assistance on shopping before you start your trip. One of our team members at Auto Rental Uganda is more than happy to help you find and shop for just the right food stuffs.