Car Rental: 25 tips for a Uganda Road Trip

It is common to hear people say that their Uganda road trip is one of their favorite African trips ever, and hiring a 4×4 vehicle was an essential element in their travel program/itinerary. After all, a 4×4 car is highly recommended if you are to drive safely on Uganda roads and in East Africa in general.

For those who have had the opportunity to drive over 5,000km on East Africa’s roads through Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania, their story often resonates with the following tips. To some, they wish they had known about them before they set out for their trip. Here are our top tips for driving in East Africa!

1. Decide on the Car to Use

When renting a car in Uganda, choose the most significant vehicle you can afford if you are traveling for many days. The vastness of East African countries means that you will spend more time on the roads traveling to explore different destinations, thus it is more than worth it to spend a little extra for some comfort.

Four adults in a Land Cruiser Prado is reasonable. The car is perfect for long drives. The boot is big enough for luggage for four people or a family. The tinted glasses are a bonus to ensure that your luggage is not visible. Additionally, the Land Cruiser gives you plenty of legroom during the safari.

4×4 Jeep – Toyota Prado with Open roof

2. Consider a 4×4 Car if you are tempted to go off-road

Most of the interesting places to visit around Uganda and in East Africa require a strong four-wheel drive car due to the nature of the roads in the area. The roads are bad and sometimes impassable, especially in the rainy season. For instance, the impenetrable forests of Bwindi National Park in southwestern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro crater conservation areas, among others, require a four-wheel drive.

4WD Required for Off-road driving

Uganda Driving Etiquette

3. Driving is on the left in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, while in Rwanda and Burundi, they drive on the right.
4. Most travelers generally find Ugandan drivers uncourteous and inconsiderate when overtaking and changing lanes. Be cautious on the road, especially in blind spots.
5. If you are to pass a slower-moving car, indicate to the right, and the vehicle in front will typically give you way when possible.
6. Because most Ugandan roads are hilly, climbing lanes are often available in some areas, and many large trucks and Lorries move slowly. Use climbing lanes to overtake trucks and slow-moving cars when going uphill. Likewise, if your car moves slower than the traffic, move into the left lane to let traffic overtake.
7. Once you pass another driver on highways, a flash of the hazard lights suffices as a thank you. Ugandan drivers are amiable, and a pleasant flash of their headlights usually greets you. It’s a friendly sign, so don’t be afraid when it first happens!
8. Hooting is a definite no-no, except in an emergency.
9. Watch out for the stop signs and other road signs! The stop signs on the main Ugandan roads and through trading centers/towns might surprise you. In some places, road signposts are stolen by local people.

Driving Directions

10. A GPS is essential. You can bring one from your home country or hire one loaded with East Africa maps from 4x4uganda. It will help you with road directions and speed limits.
11. Road Maps are very important. Make sure you get updated travel road maps. These are sometimes offered in a car, or you can buy them from shopping malls and bookshops.
12. Always double-check your route before you begin your journey and get a general picture of it, especially in the southwestern part of the country.

Driving at Night

The number one rule is to avoid driving at night whenever possible. We (4×4 Uganda Limited) advise our clients to move from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. Beyond 7 pm, we do not expect you to be on highways. There are many reasons for this;

13. In Uganda, most highways have no street lights; sometimes, visibility is poor, with only headlamps. Additionally, some Uganda roads, including major highways, have no cats’ Eyes or fluorescent line markings, making driving after dark very difficult because it is difficult to see the road.

14. Some places are not safe at night, with highway robbers.

15. Outside Kampala, there are lots of people walking and running on stiff shoulders after dark, and it is almost impossible to see them with headlamps as they typically don’t wear any reflective gear.

16. Another significant driving hazard is that many animals come out at night. You will encounter herds of goats and cows wandering on the road. Additionally, some highways go through National parks, where we expect animals to cross at any point, including huge ones like Elephants.

Speed Limits in Uganda

Watch your speed while driving in Uganda and East Africa in general;
17. Traffic police are on every highway with speed guns. It will be a bad day if you are caught exceeding the speed limit. The Speed Limit varies frequently. For instance, in towns/trading centers, it’s between 30 and 50km/h, and then 70 to 100km/h on highways.

Road Conditions in Uganda

18: Generally speaking, most highways are very good with good tarmac. However, some parts of the city have murram with much dust, especially during the dry season, such as the road from Masindi through Hoima to Kyenjojo. You will find bad roads in rural areas with dust, potholes, and road markings.

Access to most national parks is complex, and only 4×4 cars are highly recommended, such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, among others.

Gas Station stops

19. Petrol stations are frequently available on major highways throughout the country. The only exception is Kitgum to Kidepo Valley National Park, where you can’t pass a single central petrol station on your drive. If you are going to Kidepo N.P., you are advised to fill your tank in Kitgum town and, if possible, keep some gas in a jerrycan.

Furthermore, gas stations are less frequent in rural areas. Therefore, you are advised to fill up before leaving major towns because you never know where to find the next gas station. Additionally, do not allow your gauge to go below the quarter tank.

20. Don’t fill your car. Throughout the country, there are petrol attendants at all gas stations to fill you up and pay cash. The station attendants can help clean your windscreen and check your oil, tire pressure, and water.

Credit cards are accepted at a few petrol stations in major towns. As tourists, It’s customary to tip a small amount, such as 1000 – 10000 Ugandan shillings, depending on the service offered.

Parking Security

21. Most places have parking attendants to look after your car and luggage. You will always feel very comfortable leaving the rental car and your property in the presence of a parking attendant. A small tip of 1000 – 10000 Uganda shillings is recommended.

22. However, if you don’t find a parking attendant around, you are advised not to leave valuables such as cameras, phones, laptops, and money in the car. Even a visible charging cable increases the risk of a break-in.

23. When you park on streets or in supermarkets, lock the car and never leave any valuables unless you can monitor it from a distance.

Driving outside Uganda

24. 4×4 Uganda Limited and some other major rental agencies allow their cars to be driven into Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C).

25. If your trip goes outside Uganda, inform your rental company in advance or when you pick up your vehicle to get a letter and other documents to authorize you to enter Kenya, Rwanda, or Tanzania with the rental car. These documents are required at the borders.