Why not a self drive all the time

      

Creative and informative Driver guides with all the necessary information willing to guide you even beyond can be a good option to relax as you enjoy the pearl of African through the lush vegetation, tropical tree from hills to mountains down in the valley of rivers and lakes for you to just relax and take in day by day of your trip.

Below are some of the tips to take on a guided trip.

1. Time

Getting a driver/guide to take you through Uganda/rwanda for a number of days saves you a lot of time and you get to do all you are activities on time.  A guide knows when the activities are done what time and where saving you from all the time you would have spent driving around looking for a given place given that Uganda/Rwanda is a developing country there are some parts where you will not get internet to help you with the GPS or even being difficult to find it on a map or even asking around. A driver may be a good one in case you’re not so much patient with the above.

2. Reluxing

When planning for a trip you intend to take time off your stressing schedule to relax and enjoy nature by the time you go home to be fresh and ready to take on other activities. All of us know driving is tiring most especially driving in a foreign land that’s why a self-drive is better but a driver guide would be very perfect for you to relax and enjoy the trip the fullest.

3. Getting first hand information

Ever creative and informative Driverguides will give you first hand information to make a lifetime experience for your trip. These guides have got all the information from lodges, best restaurants, good spots to view some animals and time, where to go for just anything, expensive and budget hotels and most importantly guiding. They get the information before all the tabloid you may be with a high chance of finding out that there is a new place to visit before it is even put up for sale or touring

4. Saving

This may sound a little disturbing to save while spending on a driver when you know how to drive. Uganda/Rwanda is a developing country where roads, internet, structures are all developing along with it meaning you may find it hard to use the above to reach your destination you will definitely need a driver to help you through this pearl of Africa. Saving you a lot of money you may have wasted on fuel returning back when you’re lost or sleeping in expensive lodges because you could not find the one you had booked.

5. Safety

Safety comes first in all the things we do or intend to do. When driving in Ugandan/Rwanda roads it will not be a swift path, you will have to be extra careful on the road because you’re driving with people who do not know or know but tend to ignore all the rules of the road, driving recklessly or with people who drive recklessly can cause you your life or major injuries. If you are not so much confident with your driving skills it is much better they drive you to be on a safe side.

5 common mistakes to avoid when driving overseas

Driving in Rwanda is an exciting and memorable experience and real show of your vacation but this does not come that easy as when you mess up it can turn to be a nightmare. However, rectifying the mess up is not rocket science. Here are some of the common mistakes holiday makers make driving overseas and how to avoid them. 

1.Taking travel and car rental insurance for guaranteed

If you do not have insurance for car rental, you are putting yourself at risk of being liable for the damages that may happen to the car while driving it. It is very expensive to repair a car in case of any deformation. It is advisable to get make sure that the rental car has comprehensive insurance from either the car rental company or if you have car rental insurance from your home country then you can use that.

2. Making rush hour booking

When you wish to use a rental car urgently or at the immediate effect, the car hire company is more likely to charge highly as they will take advantage of your desperation of wanting a rental car firsthand. Sometimes, during rush hour booking, you are likely not to get your preferred rental car if the cars are scarce since at that time of need, you are willing to settle for any. It is best to book a rental car in advance so that you have the time to negotiate for the right time and also get the right car.

3. Failing to acquire an International Driving Permit or recognized permit in Rwanda

In Rwanda, one to drive car he/she is supposed to have a recognized driving permit that is an international driving permit or a French or English translated driving permit. However, some people come along with a driving permit in a language that is not used in Rwanda and they are denied to rent a car on a self drive.

4. Not asking about the local road rules

Different countries have different road rules, of which in Rwanda we follow the European standard of driving that is on the left hand but we have some rules that are different like the speed limits and communicating on phone while driving and also some of our road signs are different. But some traveler come here and then hit the road from there and then without familiarizing with our road rules and ending up being road offenders or even causing accidents on the road.

5. Not planning your route thoroughly

Some people just hit the road even before planning for their journey

With modern GPS systems (and even something as simple as Google Maps) it’s so easy to navigate these days, but that’s no reason to become complacent. Make sure you plan your route thoroughly when you’re travelling so you don’t waste time or end in tricky conditions. It’s also worth keeping a physical copy of a map nearby just in case you get lost without a charger.

Have you ever rented a car overseas? What advice would you give? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to hear from you.

AutoRental Rwanda: 7 Costly Car Rental Mistakes

AutoRental Rwanda: 7 Costly Car Rental Mistakes: As various people around the world get their vacation holiday, sometimes they are required to rent a car to tour all different tourism ...

7 Costly Car Rental Mistakes

As various people around the world get their vacation holiday, sometimes they are required to rent a car to tour all different tourism destinations in Rwanda. Car rentals usually bring convenient, reliance and safety while traveling and this is a very tourist’s dream. But at times the associated costs are perplexing and let’s introduce you to mistakes that cost you money and how to go by them.
Purchasing extra insurance you may not need. When you have your own car rental insurance back at your home country, you can as well use it while renting a car in /Rwanda/Uganda and this makes you save money from the expenses that you were going to incur paying car rental insurance. But sometimes people do not look at that they end up paying extra insurance right from the car rental company of which might not be necessary when you have your own car rental insurance back home.

Renting a car from the airport - Usually car rentals right from the airport are so expensive since there is high demand for car rentals from different traveler coming into the country so the car providers take advantage and charge car rental services highly. So it better to look a car rental company away from the airport of which most of the times, these have very beatable price compared to the car rentals near the airport.

Not thorough searching around. Car rental rates always vary from one Car Rental Company to another. It is very hard to find car rental companies in Rwanda charging the same price. It is better to hit the internet look at different car rental companies of different services and prices. Trust me you can get a car rental company with competence and affordable rates. So do not just book with the first car rental agency you land on because it might be more expensive as opposed to the ones you have left out minus looking at them.

Making prepayment for fuel- Paying for fuel beforehand may sound to be a good idea as it brings convenience on the trip as you do not have to remove money from your pockets every time to pay for fuel when it gets used up. However, sometimes car rentals may charge you highly for the cost of fuel as they would want to increase their mark up so it is better you re fill the rental car by yourself.

Paying extra for GPS or baby seat- car rental agencies usual charge their clients extra money for extra tools like gps and baby seats and this normally adds the cost of the car rental services as a gps on car rentals Rwanda is charged 4$ per day. So with this world of technology, if you are going for a self drive tour, it better to use your smart phone GPS or you can carry your won portable GPS or use tourist maps which are normally given out free of charge.

 Hastening through rental car inspection- some people just look at the car and drive off and later on when they return the rental car, they are charged with damages that have occurred on car. Sometimes this brings a disagreement between the client and the car provider as the client may decline that he/she has not caused damage and the car provider may be saying otherwise.  It is commendable to thoroughly inspect the rental car before you take up your expedition to eradicate such misunderstandings. Check its physical and mechanical condition and also take clear photos of it.

Late return of the rental car- Almost all car rental companies in Rwanda charge car rental services on daily basis that is 24 hours a day beyond that you pay for another day. So some car renters return the cars past the time agreed and end up paying more money for the car rental services as fine for late return. So always return the rental car in time and avoid such charges

PAYMENT METHODS AND LIABILITY

When coming to Uganda one thing to do is book cars, drivers, permits and hotel, in most cases some of these are compulsory and need down payments like Gorilla permits. Though most agencies will ask you to pay on arrival the other monies they will tell you to send the money for permits.

Each agency has its own methods of payments like 50% on arrival and the rest at the end of the trip but that’s for a long term agreement like a month.

Sending some money through the companies accounts mostly for booking hotels and permits are they require advance payments. And the balance paid on arrival.

If written acceptance is not received from a client most agencies assume acceptance of the Terms and Conditions they have put on their website as valid even if not read.

Credit and debit cards are used also to pay these services though most agencies do not use credit cards as Uganda is still a developing country it may take long to receive the money or the card be swiped twice that may cause issues with the client and the agency. however not all companies get issues some perfectly use these services well.

 

LIABILITY

Travel agencies in Uganda will claim no responsibility for any loss, damage, accident, injury, sickness or schedule change due to weather, strike or any other cause beyond their control.

Making every effort to safeguard customers and their personal property, but cannot be held responsible for personal events beyond the tour operators control, or to damage sustained by tourists including those occurring outside the touring program. Acting in good faith, and cannot be held responsible for any agent, hotel, tour guide or any other person’s or company’s acts, defaults or delays. 

Therefore you’re advised to have comprehensive travel insurance to meet all contingencies,medical and all the insurance necessary for your travel.

In case of any accidents insurance companies will only compensate the company if you take time to report in time to the insurance brokers given to you and the police near by to validate your statements,other wise you will be forced to pay the whole claim your self.

For small claims like flat tires the companies will give you guidelines on how to go over it as they refund you back. most agencies have a limit on how much dollars or shillings you can use for them to compensate you.

Self-drive in Rwanda

Self-drive in Rwanda

Rwanda is a peaceful country today contrally to what the tabloids say about it after the genocide and the reconciliation process has brought people together that they embrace nature and try to preserve what’s left of Rwanda. Given the fact that God blessed with more and more in nature. The country has made huge changes in terms of education, health, security and influstracture developments and more efforts in nature. 

Visiting Rwanda you may be surprised by little things such as cleanliness of almost all towns around the country, the smiling people and laughter from the children. When visiting Rwanda it’s impossible for one not see and learn about the impact of the genocide against the ethnic group the Tutsi. Two decades down the road have created a moving on to those who lost their loved ones. Inaugurations are held annually to remember the lives of those who lost lives in the massacre and always information are provided to visitors of how the genocide begun and how the rest of the world reacted as if went on A lot of memorial sites were  put in place to help the locals and all those interested in knowing what happened.

On your Rwanda Self-drive tour you will encounter a lot of adventure since you are doing it yourself and not in a hurry. With this kind of vacation you will know where to turn, stop and encounter with the locals as you enjoy the scenery.

Rwanda has many attractions apart from the mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National park; you can visit the Nyungwe forest where thousands of primates made it their home. These include the Chimpanzees which you have 90% chances of taking a glimpse at them. Akagera National park on the other hand is another perfect destination for a Rwanda safari vacation where you will experience much of games in the wild. A safari in Akagera will introduce to you the Savannah elephants, Giraffes, Topes, Water bucks, Warthogs among others. 

Going on a Self-drive in Rwanda, with a a perfect vehicle for each of these destination road map, guide book and all the necessary personal equipment’s you are good to go, Rwanda being a very small country self-drive is the best option on exploring it ,considering that you are not driving for very long hours to reach a destination some of which are so close to the capital city of Kigali.