3 Days Gorilla Trek in Bwindi
If you are still unsure of which destination to trek the Gorillas amongst the three Gorilla destinations in Eastern and Central Africa, certainly Uganda stands to be more satisfying. Dubbed the Pearl of Africa by Sir Winston Churchill, this hub of natural wonders in East Africa invites a number of travelers including those who are more enthusiastic about Gorilla encounters.
Uganda country offers Gorilla trekking in two destinations i.e Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
It awards travelers the chance to choose for their favorite place to go, though sometimes it is a hard task for first timers. To our recommendation, Bwindi is beyond its counterpart when compared. Whether variety, accessibility, or others sceneries, it is unbeatable.
For those who have less time but interested in the Gorillas, this should not be a worry provided that you have more three or four extra days in the country. The best customized package for you is a 3 day Gorilla tour in Bwindi Forest National Park.
Getting to Bwindi Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is tucked far away in the South western part of Uganda, just set along the border with Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Part of the park’s area is occupied by a thick forest that is why it is only accessed by foot.
The Impenetrable Bwindi Forest is one of the oldest Forests in Africa, ever moist and so thick that it can only be accessed by foot.
Bwindi hosts the biggest percentage of Uganda’s Gorilla population in its four sectors (Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Nkuringo sector). Apart from Mountain Gorillas, this park provides habitat to a range of other wildlife species such as primates, reptiles, and varied bird species.
You can easily get there from Kampala by road; it takes about 8-9 hours for the scenic drive via the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway. Time taken usually depends on speed used and stopovers included.
If you are take the three day Gorilla tour, expect to take one day for a transfer from Kampala to the Park suburbs, one night there and then day three is for a return drive.
Other than road transportation, there is a possibility of arranging private charters from Entebbe up to Kisoro airstrip; this is quite time saving and more suitable for those who are averse to long distance drives.
With the three day Bwindi tour, the main highlight is Gorilla trekking. It is started early in the morning after a short briefing conducted to guide trekkers on to behave in the Jungles.
Gorilla Tracking Experience
No time is estimated for this experience, but usually the time taken and distance covered in the Jungle depends on where the Gorilla family spent the last night. Gorillas spend most of their time feeding during day; you will be allowed to be in their presence only for a period of one hour.
One of the 20 habituated Gorilla families in Bwindi Forest.
That’s enough to experience their behaviors; see them feeding, laughing, playing and as well take photos of them.
After beautiful and memorable moments with the Gorillas, travelers are ordered to start the jaw dropping journey back. This goes to any trekker; remember to come along with drinking water and packed from your place of stay.
Trekking Permissions
Adding to costs of other Safari logistics such as transportation, guiding fees and more, the trekking requires a must have permit. This permit is valid for use by only one person respective to the dates booked. Only issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority, a Gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 USD per person starting 1st June 2020 though before that it’s at $600 for Foreign Non residents.
Gorilla Trekking Restrictions
To add on that, Gorilla trekking is not open to everyone, there is limit on minimum age. For anyone to be issued with the permit, you must not be less than fifteen years.
Other Trekking Requirements
You have a lot to pack, but to keep the luggage lit choose first for the essentials including the protective wearing gears. Travel documents are often the first in your pocket or pack them in the suitcase.
The list of things to pack on your three day Gorilla tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include strong hiking shoes, long sleeved shirts and trouser, sunglasses and capes, gloves and head shocks, insect repellents, water proof bags and jackets.
On that, you can add on snacks, leisure time devices like mobile phone, personal computer and more, enough pocket money, back up medicine, first aid kit, a good quality camera, extra lenses, storage cards and charging appliances.
With all that put into account, this short three day Gorilla tour in Bwindi will reward you with endless things to embrace.
Read MoreExperience the Rich Culture of Uganda
The Pearl of Africa embraces the lover of tourism with its mesmerizing nature and rich resource. The endless tourists destinations spread across the country to enjoy your holiday in India. So, if you are planning to relax on your vacation then Uganda safaris offers you with a special tour to the Pearl of Africa. Uganda Tour has a special charm of its own to provide you with an unforgettable holiday experience ever!
The Pearl of Africa is witnessed for its exotic beauty, unique culture, lush green forests and plentiful opportunity for wildlife tourism. On your vacation to the Pearl, Tour operators take you to an ultimate tour experience of the Pearl of Africa.
One of the most beautiful and popular place in Uganda are the National Parks as they are the land of delightful greenery where one can feel the presence of evergreen nature. A green landscape covering rolling hills, along with dense tropical forests, hazy mountain peaks and deep valleys provide the most beautiful scenery that attracts tourists from all over the world.
The Pearl has lot to offer for food lovers: the local restaurants are medley of spices and the taste suddenly carries away and reaches the peak. On a Holiday in Uganda, it is difficult to avoid the delicious food of the place with a wide range of dishes. The food is quite tasty with plenty of local spicy added to it. Tour Operators in India alleviate you with best tour packages for your tour to India.
Moreover, The Pearl has more than 60 tribes that a living as a. Its culture is showcased through Music, dance and drama. The diverse flora and fauna holds and also plays a very important role in the survival of the local people.
Tour packages to Uganda take you to this exquisite state of history, and the, temples, mosques, and churches making it a great place to explore when on a cultural or city tour.
Now that you know what awaits you in the Pearl of Africa what are you waiting for , all you have to do is to just pack your bags and contact your Indian tour operator to have an exciting holiday experience of the earl of Africa that is truly beyond compare.
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Uganda Safe Driving Tips for Bad Weather
Driving in bad weather can be scary and very dangerous. It’s best to avoid it altogether, but if you happen to find yourself in a heavy rainfall, these tips will help.
How does the weather affect your driving? Bad weather affects your ability to see, which is very limited in adverse weather conditions such as rainfall and dust. Not only does cold weather and precipitation can change your driving pattern. You also should be aware of high temperatures, sun glare and high winds. Here are some tips to guide you while driving in Uganda during times of bad weather;
Heavy Rain
- If you need your windshield wipers on, you also need your headlights on in rain. It will help your visibility and also help other drivers to see you.
- Double or triple the space you normally leave between you and the next car in wet weather. You’ll need even more space to stop on slick roads.
- If it’s raining too hard for you to see, try to find a safe place to pull over until the worst of the rain has gone.
- Don’t use cruise control in wet or slippery conditions. The cruise control may apply more throttle if the drive wheels start to slip.
- If you see a tornado coming your way, find shelter as fast as you can. If that’s not possible, get out of the car and find a ditch to take cover in, protecting your head and neck.
- Avoid tailgating.
- On the highway, leave about 100 yards about the length of a football field between you and the car ahead of you to give you plenty of room to stop in case that person brakes suddenly. Still, it’s close enough to use his headlights to see what’s up ahead.
Slow down by at least 5 or 10 miles an hour. At certain speeds, your car can hydroplane, lifting off the ground, and you will be driving on a layer of water. If that happens, don’t panic; just slow down until the car feels normal again.
- Avoid driving through flooded areas. It will be difficult to gauge the water’s depth. This is dangerous in itself. And if water gets sucked into the air-intake valve and then the engine, the car will probably shut off.
- Feather the brakes after you’ve driven through a puddle. And make sure you take your foot off the gas. This creates heat and friction, which will help dry the brakes.
- Don’t break during a turn.
To avoid a spinout, gradually start turning the steering wheel and feathering the brakes lightly before the curve. Then coast through the turn with your foot off the brake and off the gas, so as not to gain speed. When you have your foot on the brake, the wheels stop turning. That’s when the car loses control and goes in any direction that momentum decides to take it, like a toboggan.
- Turn into a skid.
Remain calm, take your foot off the brake and the gas pedals, and turn the car in the direction the car is skidding. For example, if you’re sliding to the left, gently turn the steering wheel to the left. This cancels out the skid. The car corrects itself and goes straight. If all else fails and you have the option to do so safely.
If You are driving in foggy conditions especially up country or national parks.
- Turn on the fog lights.
There’s usually a switch on the dashboard or on the same lever that controls the turn signal, but you can also use low beams in a pinch. The lights are yellow, which cuts through fog better than white lamps do, and they’re low to the ground so the beams illuminate the road well.
- Pump the brakes before entering a fog bank. This alerts the cars trailing you to back off. If you wait to apply the brakes until you’re in the thick of it, you could get hit from behind.
- Slow down before a hill. Be extra-cautious driving over the crest of a hill because you won’t be able to see if there’s another car stopped there.
How to prepare yourself for bad weather
- Inspect windshield wipers.
Replace any that have cracked rubber.
Clean headlight covers. When they sit in the sun, they eventually turn yellow and cloudy, and that cuts the amount of light coming from your headlights.
- Check tire treads.
- Stock an emergency kit. Include road flares, a blanket, a shovel, a flashlight, jumper cables, a tow rope, an air compressor, duct tape, and an ice scraper. You may also want to add dry food, water, toilet paper, and warm clothes.
- Listen and obey national and local radio/TV announcements and warnings regarding road and weather conditions for your journey.
- Do not attempt to cross at a river crossing where the road has been closed – no matter how big your vehicle is!
- Buckle Up! – Be sure you and your passengers wear seatbelts at all times. Not only is it the law, it can also save lives, especially when driving in bad weather.
- Look out for signs warning of adverse conditions – including fixed signs, such as those warning of exposure to high-winds, and variable message signs on motorways that warn of fog, snow and which may display temporary slower speed limits.
- In the event of journeys of a necessary nature inform family/friends of your estimated time of arrival and carry a mobile phone.
- Ensure your mobile phone is charged and have a car charger ready – you may get stranded and need to call for help.
- If you are to be prevented from driving further – be prepared to get off the road.
5 Popular Water based Adventures in Uganda
Are you in Africa for a safari or holiday and yearning to enjoy exhilarating water-sports? Uganda is known for several water-based tourist activities in addition to the usual tourism activities that most tourists visit for. All sports activities that you would find in the whole of Africa can be enjoyed in one country, which is Uganda.
This is the kind of tourism developed and conducted on the water bodies-Rivers and Lakes. However, these interesting kinds of activities are still not developed in Uganda much as there are hopes of developing them by the Government so that more tourists can visit the country to participate in these invigorating activities.
Unlike other activities conducted on land, water-based tourism activities in Uganda are conducted on mainly the Rivers and Lakes (not Oceans because Uganda is a land-locked country) and the popular ones to enjoy include boat cruises or trips, which are apparently the commonest in Uganda. Others are canoe rides enjoyed by tourists who visit Lake Bunyonyi, Bungee jumping conducted at the Nile in Jinja district, swimming in the Lakes and white water rafting which can all be enjoyed by tourists on Uganda safaris hence increase on the revenues of the country.
River Nile, found within the “Pearl of Africa” is a perfect destination for developing most of Uganda’s water-based tourist activities because it has a wider and deeper surface to conduct these fascinating activities. Nile is the World’s longest River and is ideal for mainly white-water rafting which is the main and most enjoyed activity by tourists who visit the country for Uganda Safaris. Besides that, other activities include boat trips/cruises, bungee jumping, swimming and many others.
Beside the Nile River, there are other water bodies in the country that support water-based tourist activities and they include Lake Victoria, which is the main water body, Lake Bunyonyi, the Kazinga Channel, Lake Edward, Lake Mburo and Lake Kyoga among others. These freshwater Lakes provide the best surface for the development of water-based tourism in the country hence promoting water0based tourism in Uganda.
Besides the water-based tourist activities, Uganda is known for other interesting activities for visitors on Uganda Safaris and these include Mountain gorilla trekking that allows tourists to meet up-close with the Giant Apes, Chimpanzee tracking to meet mankind’s closest relatives, Golden monkey tracking, bird watching to sight some of the 1061 species of birds that call Uganda home, Volcano/Mountain hiking (Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabinyo), wildlife viewing or game drives to encounter the Big five animals (Lions, leopards, elephants, Rhinos and Buffaloes), Rothschild giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, Antelopes (such as Topis, Common Elands, Defassa waterbucks, Oribis, Impalas, Uganda Kobs), nature walks and cultural tours (encounters) among other interesting activities
In conclusion, Uganda is not only a destination for African wildlife safaris but also a great place to enjoy a number of water-based tourist activities that include swimming, whitewater rafting, swimming, launch or boat cruises, canoe rides, Bungee jumping which have increased the country’s revenues. These activities can be enjoyed within Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, the Nile River (with majority of the water-based activities), the Kazinga Channel, Lake Edward and George among others.
Read MorePrimates Watching Safaris in Uganda
When we talk about primates, expect many species such as the closest relative of man (chimpanzee), the mountain gorilla, golden monkeys and many more. Uganda host 14 different primate species.
Primate tracking is known to be one of the most famous and sought after activity in Uganda and Africa at large. All these primates stay in some of Uganda’s national parks. The most popular destinations for primate safaris are;
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the most visited park in the country as well known for famous endangered Ape that is the gorillas with eleven habituated families namely; Rushegura, Habinyanja and Mubare situated at the Buhoma region of the park, the Oruzogo and Bitukura groups are to be found at Ruhija and other 5 groups that is Nshongi, Kahunge, Busingye, Mishaya and Bweza are found at Rushaga and lastly is the Nkuringo group in the Nkuringo region. Each region offers a different gorilla safari experience and would advise visitors planning for to go gorilla trekking twice, to track from different sections of the Bwindi forest.
- Mgahinga National Parks is known for golden monkey tracking with one remaining group of gorillas. This less known park is one of the best places to see both the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
- Kibale Forest National Park, a primate capital of the world with over 13 primate species including the Chimpanzees.
There are also other various places where viewing chimpanzees is very possible in Uganda.
- You can visit Budongo central forest reserve (part of Murchison falls national park)
- Kyambura gorge, part of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a home to orphaned or rescued chimpanzees in Uganda. Run by the Jane Goodall Institute, this home is located at the little known Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria.
More so there are other active activities that Uganda provides in tourism. There are many opportunities for mountain climbing, hiking and nature walks.
The Rwenzori Mountains, which are found at the border with the DRC, include the snowcapped Margherita Peak (5109 m), the highest Mountain Range in Africa and also one of the highest peaks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also includes three peaks, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhavura, the highest peak in the national park.
Mount Elgon, located in Eastern Uganda, can be used for hiking and climbing, and also has one of the largest calderas in the world.
At the Nile river in Jinja, there are many activities done such as water rafting, bungee jumping, Kayaking, boat rides as well as fishing. These have attracted large numbers of tourists that come to visit Uganda. Once you are here, you get to know that surely Uganda is the peal of Africa. The best way to catch a closer glimpse of the Nile is by taking up a Nile cruise, you will see all the hidden beauty of the different countries and the experience will be more exciting than you have ever experienced. As you plan for a tour to Africa, the Nile must be one of the places to visit before you go back home.
Participating in these kinds of activities require physical fitness since they involve moving up and down in the slippery hilly areas of the Parks within the thick tropical rain forests of Uganda. One can only participate in the activity after making a booking for the permits in advance from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Staying with a chimpanzee for the whole day is something one can never miss out as long as he is still alive.
Read MoreTop 10 Adventure Activities to Do in Uganda
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Uganda. At the same time, travel service becomes a very important fact for Ugandans to consider. Accommodation service plays a great role. Luckily, Uganda offers visitors from budget to mid-range accommodation, and up to the luxurious setting. No matter which one you choose, you can relax yourself. Share the convenient travel service to your friends who is going to visit Uganda.
Currently, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage and the Uganda Tourism Board provide information along with statistics concerning tourism for the country. There has been increased investment in tourism, particularly in travel accommodation and related facilities; this has enhanced tourist’s experience in the country.
Adventure tourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism are being developed. About three-quarters of Uganda’s tourists are from other African countries. Kenya, that borders Uganda, is the biggest source of tourists to Uganda, making up almost half of all arrivals into the country. The number of visitors from Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan is a bit low.
As Uganda is a landlocked country, it depends so much on connections through Kenya for most of its transport. International travelers sometimes prefer to fly into Nairobi before connecting to Uganda’s capital city Kampala as this is often cheaper. More so, Uganda has a very diverse culture, landscape, flora, and fauna.
Gorilla Trekking
This is the most popular adventure to take in Uganda. Travel to South Western Uganda and meet the great apes in their natural home. You can go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, two homes that ;protect the endangered apes. Encountering the great apes is one of the best primate watching safaris that bring tourists to Pearl of Africa.
Game Viewing
Game viewing is one of the most popular tourist activity in Uganda. Wild animals like lions, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, elephants are common in Uganda’s ten national parks. Uganda is one of only ten countries where it is possible to visit endangered gorillas. Mountain gorillas are Uganda’s prime tourist attraction. The vast majority of these are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a few found in Mgahinga National Park both located in southwestern Uganda. In Bwindi, visitors have been allowed to view the mountain gorillas since April 1993. The development of gorilla tourism and the habituation of gorillas to humans is proceeding very carefully because of the dangers to gorillas, such as contracting human diseases.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the tree climbing lions. Lions do not normally climb trees, except when chased by another lion group or wild buffalo. However the tree climbing lions found in QE-NP intentionally climb trees and rest on them in the afternoon, when the sun is high. This is a truly unique phenomenon. There have only been rare similar sightings of this in Lake Manyara National Park of Tanzania.
Bird Watching
Birding is remarkably one of the most famous experiences in Uganda. About 1078 birds are all confined in Uganda, representing over 60% of all the birds in Africa and 11 percent of the world’s avian species. The tourism sector again improved around 2010 with over 956000 international visitors on record and 2016 was Uganda’s most exceptional year in the whole of East Africa with more than 1.4 million tourists and $1.4 billion was generated. Currently, Uganda Tourism Board targets to attract over 4 (four) million annual international visitors by 2020. Previously, there has been a steady increase in national park visits. Based on Uganda Wildlife Authority data, there was an increase in visitor arrivals in protected areas from 108678 in 2006 to 245725 in 2016 nearly half of them non East African residents.
Boating and Water Sports
With its prime location in the African Great Lakes region, Uganda has a variety of water bodies that are popular spots for tourism. White water rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the rapids near the source of the Nile at Jinja.
Boating which is commonly done on Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga Channel, and River Nile is a perfect way of exploring the buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and a wide variety of bird species that inhabit the banks of these water bodies. Sport fishing is another favorite tourist activity. Fish like the Nile perch, and tilapia can be caught in designated areas of Lake Mburo and the banks of the Nile. Canoeing can also be done at Lake Bunyonyi.
Hiking and Mountain Climbing
Uganda has many opportunities for mountain climbing, hiking and nature walks. The Rwenzori Mountains, which are found at the border with the DRC, include the snow-capped Margherita Peak (5109 m), the highest Mountain Range in Africa and also one of the highest peaks. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also includes three peaks, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhavura, the highest peak in the national park. Mount Elgon, located in Eastern Uganda, can be used for hiking and climbing, and also has one of the largest calderas in the world.
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Roof Top Tent Camping Benefits on Self-Guided Safaris in Uganda
Why need a roof-top Tented Vehicle on Your Self-Guided Camping Trip in Uganda
Roof-top tented vehicles have become a popular option for self-drive Safaris in Uganda. They are normal safari vehicles mainly Land cruiser brands of TX, TZ and GX fitted with a tent on top of their roof, thus the name roof top tent. The rooftop firmly fits on the roof rack that is built like a tank or rigid metallic panel on the car top.
Rooftop tented vehicles are mostly preferred by tourists that ought to go for Self drive Uganda camping trips. Therefore if you are planning to rent a car in Uganda and other camping gear for your next camping experience, here are some of the reasons why you should look into consideration of a roof top tented vehicle first.
Flexibility
There’s nothing worse than struggling your way through setting up a camp especially when you are on extended trips that are largely on the move. However, hiring a rooftop tented vehicle for this case would be more beneficial to you. It is much flexible with your needs. A roof top tent is very easy to set up and time saving. Zipping it on and pegging the corners require not more than a minute.
A roof top tent is easy to set up, and enables ca,ping any where at any time.
We all know that there’s nothing worse than having to un-make your bed every morning when you pack your tent up! With the roof top tent, that’s a thing of the past. You can secure your sleeping bag and pillows up in them while they’re folded away. That makes setting up and packing up camp even quicker and keeps your storage space inside your vehicle free for other things.
The flexibility of these tents also makes them ideal for those doing overland trips through rough terrain and high alpine areas. For example, in Eastern Uganda, most of the interesting spots such as at Sipi Falls on the slopes of Mountain Elgon, camping in a ground tent would be annoying to find a good flat ground for a tent. With the ease of setup and take down of roof top tents, camping in the roof tented car would be get you out of such.
Weather Proof
You will never worry about the unlikely changing weather conditions if you have a roof top tented vehicle. Car top tents are prone to any weather condition. They would be perfect for poor camp grounds that are prone to being affected by nasty weather since you are always lifted up from the ground. This also secures you from packing or moving with a dirty tent for instance when it has rained or been pitched on a muddy ground.
These tents are always tested to withstand winds in excess of 50 mph. This also assures you of being safe from being blown away as many would assume at first since Uganda’s winds are always below that.
Comfort-ability
Rooftop tents create a flat surface to sleep on, and you will wake well rested compared to the ground-tent. The heavier materials of the roof rack allow for thick mattresses and great weather protection.
Another reason where the rooftop tents hits the mark is about their dramatic system that allows you more space in the vehicle such as that of the car trunk that would have been used to carry the tent itself and other bedding like mattresses.
You can always carry your beddings inside a top roof top
Some claim that rooftop tents affect fuel usage and vehicle handling but this isn’t true. They do neither! As long as it is fitted correctly to the rear of the vehicle and on its rack, it’ll sit down nice and protected out of the wind buffer zone. You won’t notice any difference to vehicle fuel consumption as well as handling.
In conclusion, if you haven’t used a rooftop tented vehicle for a camping trip to Uganda, better do. After just one night’s camping, you’ll never want to go back to any other type of campsite accommodation! From the ease of setup and pack up, how comfortable they are, the flexibility and just how good a night’s sleep you get, you’ll fall in love with this style of Self-drive safari camping.
Read MoreBest Ways for Using Car Rentals in Uganda
Car hires in Uganda is so good since it brings car rental services close to you. A self drive holiday in Uganda is a very unique adventure since it gives you a chance to drive at your own pace. Car renting in Uganda is so complicated and it requires some foresight and there are some things you should take into account when planning to use on for your safari.
Using public transport is part of the course in Uganda and using car rentals is a good way of ensuring that your vacation is so smooth and to guarantee that you get to see the sights that you want to see when you want to see them. There are some tips or ways when choosing to visit some destination with a hired car in Uganda.
The police men are everywhere on the roads and it’s an obligation of the drivers to respect these officers as they drive through the country. There are some Uganda car rentals are represented in many towns in the country and you are able to pick your rental car at one center or airport and then drop it off at any different location. These officers are there to provide direction to the moving vehicles in order to avoid accidents.
Fuel stations are not of self service and the attendants will offer to check your oil and water as well as cleaning your wind screen, however the rental cars are fully serviced and there is no need for checking oil and other things. Car hire vehicle companies in Uganda always make sure that they offer the best vehicles to their clients.
The distances and speed limits are signs posted in Kilometers and are the speedometers in the cars are well known for the maintain ace of road network. You need to note that the distances between the towns can be large but plan your trip carefully, always keep your eyes on the petrol gauge and don’t pass up the opportunity to fill up.
Always understand the insurance policy when hiring a car; it’s usually more expensive to buy a collision damage waiver through the rental company. You need to avoid this and instead arrange insurance waiver through a different provider. Always look into what coverage your auto policy and the credit card might offer. You might be covered for and collision damage as well as personal liability.
Always pay a high deposit; many of the rental companies require a fairly steep deposit, which will be returned to you when the car is brought back in the same condition you found it. The deposit is usually between $100 to $250 and its calculated based on the value of the car. This money is normally held on the credit cards of the clients, which renders the money unusable until the car is returned.
Always respect road signs as you are driving on Ugandan roads. This will save you the many accidents that might impact reaching your final destination on your safari.
Read More10 Things to Know When Hiring Cars in Uganda
Getting the best safari car for your vacation is something that is challenging and given that there are many car hire companies offering the same service, car renters even get more confused. If Uganda is your dream destination there is need for you to pay keen attention to specific features while hiring a car for your vacation.
First, know the size and the type of car you intend to car
Uganda has very many car hire companies which are widely found in most of its major towns and all of which offer different cars for hire at different prices. The number of travelers determines the kind of car that you would like to use for your vacation in Uganda. If there are many people with the same travel interest then a minibus, coasters are the best for you to consider renting as they accommodate from 15 to 30 visitors or even more.
Insurance cover
Most Car Hire Companies have comprehensive insurance which covers costs on damages and if the company doesn’t offer this, then you are bound to incur the cost yourself. This means that you have at least to look for car hire companies whose cars have comprehensive insurance as this will help you save some money from extra charges.
Car tool kit
A safari to a new destination is ideally something challenging and worse of it when the car encounters mechanical problems and yet it is something that you can also fix yourself. This means you will need a car tool kit. While on you are road trip in Uganda, make sure that you have packed emergency tool kits to help you fix minor mechanical conditions. Whereas most of car rentals are frequently inspected, your personal inspection is also worth as anything can go wrong or even could have gone bad in the previous trips and the cost will be transferred to you.
Car fuel policy
Most Car Rental Companies almost have the same fuel policy. Cars are given out to clients with full fuel tank and visitors are also expected to return it with full fuel tank as given otherwise failure to do so, there will be a penalty fine.
You need a valid driving permit
Prior hiring a car in any car rental company, you will be asked to present a valid license. You will also be required to have photocopies of the permit and passport and you are required to observe all road traffic laws and regulations at all times.
Inquire if there are special discounts
Before you visit any car hire company it is important that you check if that company gives clients some discounts based on number of days or season, number of cars to be hired and number of traveler. Find out if there are discount offers for weekend getaways.
Check out the validity of car registration forms and license
Pay keen attention on registration certificate, valid insurance, all Uganda permit, motor third party and the driver’s license before you deal with any Car Hire Company. You will need an international or Uganda valid driving license if you are interested in self drive adventures.
Number of people and enough room for cargo
Note that each car hire comes with its size and space for luggage. Toyota Rav4 is the best for one to hire self drive tours or if you want to travel as a couple. This type accommodates from two to four visitors and for visitors who want to save some money then renting a premio is the perfect alternative and other bigger vans or minibus for family or group tours. Other things that you need to look out include if the car hire has a pop up roof as this is the best for those who are interested in wildlife viewing, air conditioner, spare car tyres and many more.
The destination
It is important that before you visit the Car Hire Company you get to know the destination that you intend to spend a vacation in which will determine the kind of car to rent in Uganda whether a Rav4 or 4 by 4 wheel drive for safaris to Uganda’s national parks.
Check for hidden charges
Most Car Hire Companies tend not to disclose some costs. Make sure that you share such information with the company especially fuel costs. You may also need to know if there are costs for hiring a GPS tracking system, camping bags, travel map and many more.
Go through the previous testimonies online
Search on internet and find out more about what others said about the similar Car Rental Company. Find out how urgent companies take to get back to visitors’ questions. Car Hire Companies have websites where they post information and you can Google out reviews.
In conclusion, if you are planning to travel to Uganda and you are interested in renting a car for your vacation, make sure that you take note of the above tips and you will have the best car deal.
Read More10 Amazing Trips to Take in Uganda
Uganda is one of the most beautiful tourism destinations in Uganda. The country is composed of various amazing landscapes. There is also a variety of wildlife within the different national parks in Uganda. Here are the best 10 trips that you can enjoy in Uganda;
A trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is one of the best places in Africa which protects a big number of wildlife and birdlife due to its diverse ecosystems which include sprawling savannah, shady forests, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands plus the fact that it has a gentle and fine landscape.
The most amazing thing which drives many tourists to make it to Queen Elizabeth national park is the tree climbing lions which are always seen climbing and playing on the branches of the big trees in the shady and humid forests of the Park. The landscape of Queen Elizabeth National Park is such a brilliant one due to the Kazinga channel which is situated in the middle of the Park and a variety of wildlife is seen from there including elephants, buffaloes, leopards which are regular residents plus the hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds which are permanent residents in the Kazinga channel.
The Park protects the hugest number of bird species compared to other national parks in Uganda. Over 600 bird species are found in Queen Elizabeth national park plus chimpanzees are also seen in the humid forests of Queen Elizabeth national park.
A trip to Mountain Elgon National Park
The park will reveal another amazing landscape of Uganda because the landscape of the Park is mostly hilly and this is why many mountain hikers make it to Mountain Elgon National Park. Besides the fact that mountain hiking is the main activity in the park, there are also other activities which take place in the Park including bird watching because it protects over 300 bird species.
Wild animals like small antelopes, forest monkeys, buffaloes and elephants are seen along the sides of mountain Elgon National Park. The park is made up of the Sipi falls where spot fishing activity takes place from and you will enjoy the flowing of the highly pressurized waters of the Sipi falls.
A trip to Murchison Fall National Park
The park is the oldest and largest conservation area in Uganda which was first gazetted in 1926 as a game reserve and later turned into a national game park. It is bisected by the Victoria Nile which forms the dramatic Murchison Falls which give a brilliant view to the tourists who make it to Murchison Fall National Park and they will enjoy the movement of the highly pressurized waters which run rapidly. Here you will see the regular visitors at the Murchison falls which include giraffes, buffaloes and elephants plus the permanent residents which include crocodiles, hippos and aquatic birds.
A trip to Kibale Forest National Park
It is the best place in Uganda for chimpanzee tracking because it protects the highest number of chimpanzees compared to other places which protect chimpanzees too such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and then the Budongo forest and Ngamba Islands Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Though chimpanzee tracking is the main activity in the park, the park also protects other wildlife such as monkeys, butterflies and over 300 bird species.
A trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
It is such a better place all over the whole world because it protects almost half of the world’s greatest apes ‘’the mountain gorillas’’. It protects over 400 mountain gorillas compared to the total population of over 900 mountain gorillas in the whole world.
Though gorilla tracking is the main activity in the park, the park also protects over 340 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, 120 species of mammals, chameleons and geckos. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is conducted in four sectors; Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija and Buhoma whereby in all the four sectors you will come to know the beauty and the landscape of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Uganda as well.
A trip to Semliki National Park
This is regarded as the true birders haven due to the fact that the park protects more birds than any other thing in the Park. Birding is the main activity in the Park and it is one of the most national parks best for birding activities next to only Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. Birders who make it to Semliki National Park will get to see almost every best African bird types and species and it is the reason as to why it is called the true birders haven and it is absolutely the best place for the birders who want to view the best of African bird species.
A trip to Lake Mburo National Park
This is the closest national park to Kampala city and it is the Park which connects to all western national parks. It defines the beauty and the landscape of Uganda since it is best place for tourists who want to view the gigantic eland, impala, zebras and acacia associated birds.
It also protects mammals such as warthogs, buffaloes, Oribi, Defassa, water bucks, reed bucks and the eland antelopes. Leopards and hyenas are also present plus the lions who have also returned to the Park recently after the years of poaching and near extinction. The Park consists of five lakes which attract hippos and crocodiles while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus and the Park still protects over 330 species of birds.
A trip to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park will also define the reason as to why Uganda is the ‘’Pearl of Africa’’ because it protects one of the greatest apes and primates in the whole world for it protects almost half of mountain gorillas. It is one of the few Parks in the whole world which inhabits mountain gorillas. In Uganda there are only two parks for gorilla tracking including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park itself. The park also protects over 300 species of birds plus some other primates such as monkeys.
A trip to Kidepo Valley National Park
It is one of the most destinations for birders because it protects almost 500 species of birds and it is the second national park in Uganda to protect the highest number of bird species next to only Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You will come to enjoy the landscape of the Park where you will see the Narus valley in the Park and mountain Morungole thus the Park being suitable for mountain hikers too. In the park you will be able to view different mammals such as buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, leopards and many others. The sandy landscape of the Park is one of the things which describe how photogenic this Park is and it also contributes to its being that it is the most photogenic Park in Uganda and East Africa.
A trip to Rwenzori Mountain National Park also reveals the beauty of Uganda’s wildlife and its landscape. The snow capped peak of Rwenzori Mountain is one of the few pristine and spectacular things in the world and it is also one of the most things which attracts many tourists to visit the Park.
The ranges of the Park are scenic with pristine and spectacular landscape that comprise of waterfalls, hot springs, blue cirque, lakes, snow clad peaks and stratified vegetation.
The Park also inhabits 18 species of mammals, 217 bird species, 9 species of reptiles and 6 species of amphibians. Elephants, Warthogs, bush bucks, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, Leopards and buffaloes are all present in the Park though rarely seen.
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