Self Drive in East Africa - Affordable 4x4 car rental Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda
Undertaking a self drive in East Africa doesn’t mean merely driving all through East Africa, but also involves getting immersed in the beauty of everything from the people to the wildlife there is and booking activities to do at different destinations during your self-drive safari in the different countries. This can be accomplished with the best car rental companies (Your Drive Kenya you book with from any part of the world.
Self drive in East Africa is one of the most prominent and prestigious undertakings one can do when they choose to take a trip to Uganda and the East African Coast (Kenya, Tanzania), and Rwanda.
Why do a Self Drive in East Africa?
Road experience: A self-drive safari in East Africa gives one the opportunity to experience some African roads but in a 4×4 rental vehicle. You get to navigate some areas with rugged terrain, and then feel the 4×4 do its job, making one’s trip memorable.
Affordability: This is the most affordable car rental service as it helps the tourist to enjoy their adventure in East Africa but at a low cost with enjoyment.
Flexibility: As a tourist, one can always make their own travel plan and alternate it according their whim. Therefore, they have the opportunity of doing whatever, wherever and whenever.
Exploration: Being a wide region to explore, there are many unsounding tourist attractions that one can discover during a self drive in East Africa. For example, one can choose to explore Rusizi National Park that is a home for hippos, in Burundi, a gem not common.
Adventure: With self drive in East Africa, one can easily get submerged in their experiences, making them memorable.
Self Drive Destinations in the East African Countries
Uganda: This is one of the best countries you can do a self-drive safari in as there is a variety of must go to places in this beautiful country. Such as
Murchison Falls National Park– located in north-western Uganda, 305 km from her capital, a 4-6 hour-drive. It is famous for Murchison falls, Cape buffalos, African elephants, Rothschild giraffes, different bird species, among others.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – This park is situated in south western Uganda 512 kilometres from Kampala, 9-10 hour-drive. Mountain gorillas are the main tourist attraction here in the 4 sectors such as Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Ruhijja.
Kidepo Valley National Park: It is the furthest park in Uganda in north eastern, 571km, 10-11 hour-drive, depending on the route used. The savannah grasslands are one of the major attractions, accompanied by elephants, burchell’s zebra, leopards and lions and bird species.
Kibale National Park (primate capital)- This can also be an interesting designation during a self dive in East Africa that famous for harbouring a great number of the world’s chimpanzee population.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: This park is located in western Uganda, 389 km from her capital. A 7 hour-drive and is famous for the tree climbing lions and large walking mammals such as buffalos and elephants.
Best time to visit Uganda during a self drive in East Africa
The best times to visit the Uganda is in the dry season, June- September and late December – February. This is because the roads are less slippery and can be easily navigated through.
The wet season (March- May and October- December), is also an interesting time to visit. A 4×4 vehicle highly recommended so as to easily you can easily navigate through the rugged terrain and also view the animals during their gestation period.
Kenya
Fort Jesus – here one can see local ruins from the Gede and Uguana and also artifacts excavated from the Fort. It is also a historic site because it is an example of the 16th century Portuguese military fortifications
Nairobi National Park: to view white rhinos, elephants and hippos among others. You also get to experience the safari walk, Nairobi animal orphanage and the ivory burning site
Masai village: They are unique individuals as they have a traditional pastoralist life style, vibrant attire, unique culture.
Lake Nakuru: to view flamingos and other wildlife such as rhinos and the big five.
Best Times to Visit Kenya
It’s during the dry when one can enjoy Kenya- that is in the months of June- September and December- February.
March-May and October to December (wet season) are also interesting times to Kenya, as there is a lot of rainfall, so visitors can watch animals during their gestation period.
Tanzania
Tangire National Park: Here one can always site the legendary baobab trees, large mammals such as elephants and other wildlife such as lions, giraffes and leopards.
Mikumi National Park- has a variety of wildlife such as buffalos, elephants, giraffes, and lions among others.
Serengeti National Park- it’s known for its annual land mammal migration and high concentration of wild life, the big five inclusive.
Mountain Kilimanjaro- This is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and the highest peak in Africa.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area- a place with rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife in a breathtaking environment.
Best Time to Visit Tanzania
Tanzania’s dry season is in the months July- August and December- February, making it a good time to visit her. This is a good season to do game drives since animals are readily out and are large in number since most females species have just birthed young ones.
Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest National Park- is known for its primate population particularly chimpanzees.
Akagera National Park- is famous for savannah vegetation and rich biodiversity.
Kigali Genocide Memorial- It’s a place to honour the 250,000 victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
Excellent time to visit Rwanda
The June to September (dry season) is favourable for sighting mountain gorillas and also favourable for hiking.
Best vehicles for self drive in East Africa
Toyota RAV4
This is a compact SUV with a fuel consumption of 1 litre per 10-11 kilometres. Has a seating capacity of four for the two door models and 5 for the four-door model.
The vehicle has fully reclining front bucket seats and a versatile split rear bench seat that can fold forward for extra cargo space.
Hiace Safari Van
Traveling with a group of friends or family and looking for a reliable car to take you around, count on the Safari Van.
Has a fuel consumption of 8 litres per 100KM depending on the engine type (diesel or petrol), transmission (manual or automatic) and driving conditions for a better game viewing experience
Land Cruiser Hard Top
A Land Cruiser Hardtop has a fuel consumption of 10-14 litres per 100 kilometres depending on the engine and driving conditions. It further has a fuel capacity of 90-130 litres depending on the model.
They have a seating capacity of 5-12 passengers depending on the model.
Safari Land Cruiser Extended
It is a spacious 4×4, most popular vehicle for luxurious group safaris. Its incredible spacious interior is a must go for as it accommodates 7-8 passengers including the driver. Its raised suspension on the tyres makes it reliable for navigating through tough terrain.
It is usually equipped with pop-up roofs for a better game viewing experience. It has a fuel consumption rate of 16 litres per 100 kilometres.
Land Cruiser Prado
Self drive in East Africa can be interesting with a reliable vehicle to take you around visiting the various destinations of your choice. This is a 4×4, with a fuel consumption capacity of 1/8km with a capacity of 90 litres.
It has a spacious and practical design with options for both cloth and leather upholstery, depending on the trim level, thus providing comfort for those in it. When the third row is folded or removed, the cargo area expands significantly.
Planning for that adventure through Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda or even Tanzania, rent it today
Add on Services for Self Drive in East Africa
Cross border services: Our company offers cross border services i.e. using our vehicles to cross the borders such as from Uganda-Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, for tourism purposes. The company provides the client with a crossing confirmation letter and a car log that are often asked for at the borders of the other countries.
Airport transfers: Our company drivers can pick up our clients from the airport on their arrival to the country. They can also be taken back after the trip, according to one’s convenience.
Permits: Gorilla tracking and habituation permits, cycling, sport fishing, nature walk permits among others can be purchased on behalf of our clients and delivered to them when going for their trip.
Pop-up roof: This is a camper-van roof that can be raised to create more head room, especially for those doing game drives.
Roof top tents and camping gear: The care can be hired with a roof top tent, that can be used for sleeping. The camping gear includes, cutlery, 45 litre fridge, electric cooler box, gas cylinder, camper chairs, camper tables, sleeping bags, water proof tent, among others.
Prerequisites for Self Drive in East Africa
Cross border permits: These are essential for crossing borders as they often asked for at borders so it is incumbent of the visitor to acquire one. Your Drive Uganda usually provides its clients with confirmation letters for border crossing.
Valid International driver’s license: One must acquire a temporary driver’s license to drive through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Car registration documents: Your Drive Uganda usually provides the clients with car log books to help them identify with the cars and to make their trips easier.
Authorization letter from the car rental company: the visitor needs to have an authorization letter allowing them to cross certain border points and without it, its forbidden to cross them.