Lessen Your Expectations: Things to Forget Before Renting a Car in Uganda
Uganda attracts thousands of foreign travelers each year for various reasons, including tourism and business. To explore the Pearl of Africa, many opt for car rental services. However, travelers’ expectations often vary depending on their country or place of origin and personality. As a result, some visitors are fully satisfied with the services they receive, while others feel they were misled or overcharged for their rental car experience.
When considering a car rental service in Uganda, it’s important to understand that expectations should be adjusted to align with the realities of driving in a developing country. While Uganda is a beautiful and vibrant country, it is very different from the smooth roads, timely services, and polished cars you might experience in Europe or the States. Therefore, it’s essential to set your expectations accordingly to ensure a positive and smooth travel and holiday. Many may not be immediately obvious particularly if you’re used to the level of service and infrastructure found in more developed countries.
Here are some things to adjust to so that your Uganda self-drive experience turns out more enjoyable and less frustrating.
Forget about Fancy Cars
If you’re used to driving sleek or brand-new cars, the reality of renting a car in Uganda may come as a bit of a surprise. A few rental agencies offer newer models, many cars on the road in Uganda, especially those available for hire, are older. This is due to the high costs of importing new vehicles, limited availability of spare parts, and the lack of mechanics trained to work on the latest car technologies in addition to high maintenance costs. This means you may find yourself driving a well-used car that’s still quite reliable, but not necessarily a shiny, luxurious model.
Remember, you’re not heading to a car show – you’re heading into the wilds of Uganda, where the journey might involve dirt roads, bumpy rides, and unpredictable weather. The goal is to have a dependable vehicle that gets you from point A to point B safely, even if it’s not the latest model on the market.
Driving in Africa is Not Always Smooth Sailing
In western counties, road travel is often smooth, with well-maintained roads, clear signage, and a generally reliable infrastructure. Generally, Africa particularly in Uganda, while major roads between cities like Kampala, Entebbe and main highways are decent, the same can’t be said for many rural areas or off-the-beaten-path locations if you are on a safari holiday. Expect a bumpy ride, especially when traveling to the national parks, where the roads may be unpaved or poorly maintained.
Furthermore, Uganda’s weather can be unpredictable, with heavy rains and flooding, particularly in the rainy season. Recent floods in Kampala cut off major roads exiting the city, making it difficult to reach some destinations quickly. Emergency situations can arise unexpectedly, and even in the most developed countries, these types of disruptions happen. Patience, flexibility, and preparedness are key when driving in Uganda.
Roads are Not Built for Fast Travel
While it’s tempting to think of zooming across Uganda’s roads at high speeds , the reality is that Uganda does not have an extensive network of highways designed for fast driving. In fact, you’ll find speed limits rarely exceeding 80 km/h, even on major roads. For instance, the Kampala – Gulu highway that seems to be so straight is a bit risky to drive on high speeds due to its narrowness while over taking and overpassing another vehicle of any size. It’s only the Entebbe express highway that allows 100km/hr. In addition to that, most car rental terms and conditions in Uganda advise not exceeding 80km/hr on highways and 40km/hr towards trading centers and through National parks.
Not all roads in Uganda are well paved, expect to find a number of muddy and dirt roads too. This route is from Kotido to Moroto and the advised maximum speeds are not beyond 50km/hr
The road quality and traffic conditions often dictate slower speeds. Expect to encounter many obstacles on the road, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorbikes the infamous boda-bodas especially within a radius of 60km from Kampala. Other drivers may not always adhere to the rules of the road, which can be a cause for concern for you a first-time driver in the country especially on Kampala – Masaka and Masaka – Mbarara Highways. Safe driving in Uganda means being prepared for these conditions and staying within the advised speed limits for your own safety.
Embrace the saying of Old is often good
The desire for a new car when hiring a vehicle is understandable, but in Uganda, you’re likely to be driving older models. This is simply because of the reasons earlier explained under ‘expecting fancy rides. Most car rental fleets in Uganda may not be the latest models but are still perfectly functional and capable of handling the local terrain.
In addition, older vehicles are often more reliable for driving in Uganda due to their simplicity, ease of maintenance and adaptation to the weather and climatic conditions that do not often favor the fragile newer models. The less complex the vehicle, the easier it is for local mechanics to perform repairs when necessary.
Swift Assistance: Remote Areas, Longer Wait Times
Roadside assistance in major car rental agencies in Uganda is available 24/7, but it may not be as swift as you’d expect. In close locations to trading centers and National parks, help may be quick, but in remote areas such as Kidepo national Park, assistance can take longer due to the vast distances involved for the mechanics to reach out from their respective bases.
So always be prepared to wait for roadside support in respective times as advised by your rental agency. It’s always a good idea to keep a mobile phone with you for emergency situations, and be aware that the assistance team may not arrive as quickly as you would expect.
Driving a Car Rentals isn’t 24/7
In most developed countries, car rentals are available around the clock. However, in Uganda, rental cars typically stop operating after 7 p.m and start at 6am. Respective staff especially mechanics return home at around 7pm and this means that if you encounter any issues after dark, you may have trouble getting assistance immediately.
Uganda’s roads also have very few streetlights, which can make nighttime driving particularly dangerous. For your safety and convenience, plan to return your rental car or complete any necessary travel by early evening. If you need help after designated hours, it may take some time for a team to assist you, and in the event of an emergency, it’s best to have your car securely parked and await morning.
Instant Change of Cars
If your car breaks down during your self-driving adventure in Uganda, it’s important to understand that you may not be able to simply swap it for another car immediately. Roadside assistance is available, and mechanics can often fix minor issues, allowing you to continue your journey. However, if the issue is serious enough to require a replacement vehicle, the process can be time-consuming and you should adhere to the delays.
The availability of another car depends on how far you are from the rental office, and if a new car needs to be delivered to you, you will be responsible for the cost of fuel to transport it. Car rental Uganda agencies do their best to provide a replacement vehicle as soon as possible, but you may experience delays depending on your location.
While renting a car in Uganda provides the flexibility to explore this beautiful country at your own pace, it’s crucial to have realistic expectations. Infrastructure and services may not match the high standards you’re used to in your home country, but with a bit of patience and understanding, you’ll be able to enjoy your travels and navigate the challenges that come with driving in Uganda.