Self Drive East Africa – Kenya , Tanzania , Rwanda & Uganda.
The Territorial Creation of the East African Community has eased the transportation and movement of Tourists from member states to other member states , its the geographical territory block composed of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya , Tanzania, Burundi , South Sudan and the latest member state to be admitted is Democratic republic of Congo. However according to the team of Car Rental Tanzania , it recommends self drive in east African countries of Kenya ,Tanzania , Rwanda, Burundi & Uganda with a reliable strong 4×4 jeep Landcruisers.
Self Drive Guide into East Africa.
Looking for self-drive around East Africa? Explore lake Victoria along other national parks known for wildlife on a self-drive adventure in Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania. Car Rental Tanzania offers ultimate one way car hire services for self drive travelers to visit Uganda, Kenya , Tanzania and end their trip in Rwanda which will reward the traveler of exploring the entire East African Community on a road trip with Self Drive Uganda Limited .
East Africa represents Africa’s beauty with a wide number of untamed wildlife reserves that attracts many tourists all over the world. In Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo, we find the ONLY world’s last remaining population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas, inhabited in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Mgahinga National park in Uganda.
Then when it comes to wildlife watching in the magic of Kenya , Tanzania as well as Uganda and Cultural experiences in Rwanda.
Location of East Africa:
Eastern Africa, part of sub-Saharan Africa comprising of traditionally recognized regions. East Africa, made up of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The recently added countries include Rwanda, the democratic republic of Congo, Burundi and south Sudan.
Eastern Africa consists largely of plateaus and has most of the highest elevations in the continent. Twin parallel rift valleys that are part of the East African Rift System run through the region. The Eastern, or Great, Rift Valley extends from the Red Sea’s junction with the Gulf of Aden southward across the highlands of Ethiopia and Kenya and continues on into Tanzania.
The Western Rift Valley curves along the western borders of Uganda and Tanzania. Between the two rift valleys lies a plateau that comprises most of Uganda and western Tanzania and includes Lake Victoria. The volcanic massif of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, reaches 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) in northeastern Tanzania.
Self Drive Tours in East Africa.
When it comes to self drive tours within the east African countries like Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania , the self drive traveler should expect to secure the best memories of the wildlife watching like the wildebeest migration in Kenya & Tanzania , then the primates of Uganda & Rwanda that encompass the mountain gorilla trekking , Golden monkey and Chimpanzee Tracking in the magical Africa.
When it comes to Self drive tours, we offer most reliable 4×4 land cruisers with rooftop tents and pop up roofs for ultimate Self drive Experiences. Check the 45 Days Self drive across East Africa.
Driving in East Africa.
Car Rental Tanzania recommends the best 4×4 jeeps for self-drive which include Toyota Land Cruiser and we are specialists in Toyota Jeeps. These cars have a great track record and are the most capable and enduring for a 4×4 self-drive in the wild as they have been tasted and proved to be the most reliable in the region.
Driving your own adventure through our unique and sensational national parks in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania in our 4×4 cars without cross border fees from 4×4 car rental Tanzania beats all levels of adventure in Africa.
Just imagine the thrills of waking up in your own private camp, encountering nature’s habitat on your own, and discovering secluded locations in the heart of the African Bush courtesy of self-drive car hire with the best car rental services.
Wildlife Watching in Kenya & Tanzania .
Kenya and Tanzania are famous for the wildebeest migration that attracts thousands of Visitors into Masai Mara National Park in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Book a very reliable car with car rental Tanzania and explore all the hidden treasures of East Africa in a self-guided self-drive adventure.
The essential guide to self-drive in East Africa
Navigating over Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania’s potholes and un-signposted roads is a challenging, but rewarding adventure. Make sure you are prepared for the road in advance for a safe trip.
Do’s and Don’ts while on the Road
Don’t,
- Rush your trip – flat tires and muddy roads are part of the adventure!
- Get angry with the traffic police, a friendly, patient attitude will serve you far better.
- Travel at night as bad potholes are hard to see (nightfall is after 6 pm).
- Forget to carry all license, permits, hire paperwork, passports at all times.
Do,
- Install Maps.me before you leave for safe navigation.
- Carry cash, water, and an extra power bank for your mobile phone.
- Drive below the speed limit (80 km/hr on the highway, 50 km/h in an urban area) and keep below 40km/h off-road for safety.
- Download music, audiobook or media before going on the road as the internet can be intermittent in more remote areas.
- Learn to say happy ‘hello’ in Swahili —“Jambo”— if you want to be popular with both the locals and the traffic police.
Customs on the road
As you’ll quickly find out, cars in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Congo drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Most roads are reasonably maintained, but we strongly recommend you don’t travel in the dark. Hidden potholes, livestock and even people crossing the road can be the cause of accidents, flat tires and in some cases damaged vehicles.
Kenya and Tanzania are both considered safe for self-driving adventures and camping, but you should always lock the car and take your valuables with you when it is unattended.
Be prepared for the unexpected and do not make assumptions that all drivers will adhere to the rules of the road. This is particularly true for people movers, local taxis, buses and many heavy goods vehicles where size of vehicle may be used to dominate a situation.
Driving permits / acceptable licenses
For driving on public roads,
Uganda and Kenya accepts a valid driving license from your country of residence and does not require additional documents if you have held your license for a minimum of 2 years. That said, it’s always best to get an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) if you want to drive in East Africa to avoid problems.
Tanzania requires that you have an IDP with you at all times. If you decide to forgo the IDP and use only your license, you will need to have it endorsed for an extra fee.
National Parks: all National Parks require vehicle drivers and their passengers to have purchased entry tickets at the gate using your credit card and mobile money for the Ugandan national parks.
Make sure you always have at 2 methods of national identification such as your driver’s license and your passport. At all times you should carry your license, permits, hire paperwork (including insurance papers) and passports on your person.
Correct Vehicle selection
It is vital that you select the right vehicle for what you will using it for, and where you will be travelling.
Because of the adverse road conditions, often worsened by heavy rains, we suggest a suitable 4×4 for all self-driving tours outside of the cities. The size of 4×4 to choose depends on the number in your party. For 2 people with luggage, a smaller 3 or 5 door is adequate; for any more than 2 pax, a larger 4×4 such as a Land Cruiser, Toyota Prado .
If you plan on sticking to the city areas and main highways, there are a number of cars from which to choose. However, be mindful of some of the poor road conditions within the city limits.
Hire a driver or no driver?
This is totally up to you, your navigation and driving skills and self-sufficiency. The benefits of hiring a driver speak for themselves – local knowledge, freeing you up for relaxation and watching the countryside. As a suggestion: when picking up your vehicle, ask the hirer about conditions where you are expecting to travel.
What to do when stopped by police
Road police in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya often stop vehicles to perform checks. It’s usually easy to spot them from far away, and they generally set up at major intersections. The traffic police officers will check your car’s insurance, the tires, and if you have a fire extinguisher, traffic triangles and a stocked first aid kit. There’s no need to worry if you are driving a rental car as all requirements are checked out and confirmed by the rental company before you head out.
The general rule of thumb is to be patient and friendly with the police. Have your driver’s license ready to show, and you’ll be on your way shortly. If you did commit a traffic offence, you’ll have to pay a fine either immediately or at the nearest police station (another reason to always keep cash on hand). We find the traffic officers to be friendly and always up for a bit of interesting chit chat.
If a traffic officer asks for a bribe or suggests you buy them a soda before they let you go on your way, it’s best to use common sense or politely decline. Police bribes are never condoned, and if you’re unsure of what to do, give your rental company a call. They’ll be on hand to chat with the police officer and will help you safely navigate the situation.
In the event of an accident
Don’t panic, we offer insurance and roadside assistance. You’ll be provided will all relevant contact details and number before you drive. Emergency services are limited in East Africa, so it is recommended that you have full medical insurance for the duration of your trip, including allowance for medical evacuation.
Useful numbers / contacts
Keep your hire company’s contact details close at hand, or even put them into your phone.
112 is the official emergency number in Tanzania and connects you to the police department.
999 is the official number for emergency services in Kenya and Uganda (ambulance and fire).
