Looking for the best car rental Uganda services? Renting 4×4 cars in Uganda can save you a lot of money on your safari because you won’t need a tour guide or pay extra fees to a tour operator. You will drive yourself and visit the places you want.
The self-drive Uganda experience became easier after Google Maps was launched in 2005. You can now check routes and distances online and plan your self-drive safari in Uganda quite well—even if it’s your first time.
For car hire or rental services in Uganda, contact these recommended Uganda tour operators.
If you are a visitor who prefers a self-drive tour in Uganda, there are a few things you should think about.
A self-drive tour is not always the best option. Tour guides have experience, know many routes, and have handled many different situations. They often know what to do when problems come up.
This is not something a first-time visitor should go through. Let me give you two common situations that could cause problems:
The first is flooding near Tangi Gate at Murchison Falls National Park. This gate is on the northern side of the park and becomes very hard to access during the rainy season. The road gets flooded and cannot be used unless you take a big risk.
The number of accidents in the park is also high because the roads are not good. Many drivers who are not familiar with the park have accidents there because they don’t know how to drive on such roads.
The second issue is the bad road to Rushaga Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during the rainy season. The main road floods and cannot be used. The alternative route goes through Nkuringo Sector and back to Rushaga, but only experienced guides know about this.
So the question is, what if you get stuck?
Only book self-drive tours for cities and towns—not national parks. If you want to visit a national park, I suggest you book a full package with a tour operator to avoid problems.
Car Rental Uganda Services
There are many companies in Uganda offering car rental services. Most are tour and travel companies, except a few that are not in the tourism business. You can find some of them here.
The average daily price depends on how many days you are renting the car, how many people are traveling, whether you need a guide, and what type of car you are renting.
You won’t pay the same price for a Toyota RAV4 as you would for a Toyota Land Cruiser. Prices also vary depending on the company and your bargaining skills.
Choosing a trusted company will make sure you get a car in good condition. You don’t want to rent a poorly serviced car that breaks down on the road.
Always rent newer vehicles. The number plate should show a recent registration. Also, ask the company to send you clear photos of the car before you make any payments.
4×4 Uganda Car Hire
Uganda’s roads are not very good, especially outside cities or near national parks. You will need a 4×4 safari car to avoid getting stuck in the mud.
4×4 cars have two powered axles. If the back tires get stuck, the front tires can help move the car forward. These cars rarely get stuck, which is why I strongly recommend them.
Only rent a 2×2 car if you are sure the weather is dry or if you plan to drive only on highways. Still, if the price of a 4-wheel drive car is close to a 2-wheel car, it’s better to go with the 4×4 option.
You can book 4×4 Uganda cars from these Uganda safari companies.
Best Time to Book Self-Drive Safaris in Uganda
When planning a self-drive safari in Uganda, timing is very important. The best months are from June to September and from December to February.
April is usually the worst month to visit because it rains the most.
But sometimes you may have no choice but to travel during the rainy season—maybe it’s a sponsored trip or your only time off work.
The good news is Uganda has one of the best weather patterns. Even in rainy months, you can have several days without any rain.
This is why Uganda is called a year-round safari destination. You can visit anytime, but people choose the dry months to reduce the chance of rain. This helps you avoid missing any activities.
To be safe, always try to book your safari in the dry season.
Wrapping It Up
As mentioned earlier, do not book self-drive tours to national parks unless you have been there before and already know the routes, weather, rules, and other details. This is very important to avoid problems.
Wildlife tours come with risks, and the tourism body will not be responsible for any issues. They have clear rules and procedures. If you ignore them, you are responsible for any problems that happen.
If you have any questions about self-drive tours in Uganda or contact us.
Book your Uganda tours with these recommended Uganda tour companies for a well planned safari. Use the Voucher: UTBlog for up to 25% Discounts on Trips.
