Renting a car is a great way to explore the Pearl of Africa at your own pace and to access some of the more remote areas that may be difficult to reach by public transport. You can travel in Uganda in your rented car in two different ways. Either on self-drive or with a driver.
However, the self-drive option is more common and the most preferred as it offers a higher level of privacy, flexibility and money saving on top of other associated advantages. There are several rental companies in Uganda that offer car rental services. It is important to choose a reputable company that provides well-maintained vehicles and reliable service. For new travelers to Uganda that wish driving themselves around for a vacation road trip, here are some things to keep in mind first;
Driving Requirements:
To rent a car in Uganda, you must have a valid driving license from your home country or an International Driving Permit. You must also be at least 18 years old for SUVs and Midsize Cars such as Toyota Rav4s and Land cruisers especially the Prado TX, TZ type. Since Uganda is a developing country, expect to encounter bad roads and drivers as well, therefore at least two years of driving experience on the road would be an added advantage.
Know about the Insurance:
It is important to have insurance when renting a car in Uganda. Most rental companies offer insurance packages that cover the vehicle and third-party liability. Here, our cars are comprehensively insured but our policies do not protect passengers. It is important to review the terms and conditions of renting the car and insurance policies before renting a car.
Vehicle Type
At Primate Wildlife Safaris, we advise and offer our car rental clients vehicles that suit their travel needs. If you plan to travel on rough terrain such as one that can do game drives and access remote roads in the countryside, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. If you plan to drive in urban areas, a smaller car may be more practical.
This is the reason as to why we offer a long fleet of vehicles right from compact cars such as Toyota Vitz, Premios etc, Standard Utility Vehicles (SUVs) such as Toyota Rav4s, Land cruiser Prado TX, Land cruiser V8 and GX among others as well as customized Safari jeeps from 5 – 7 seaters. For larger groups, we have Safari vans that can accommodate up to 9 passengers as well as Toyota Coaster Omnibuses that can carry up to 28 passengers.
Road Conditions and Petrol Stations
While Uganda has a good road network, some roads can be challenging, especially during the rainy season. It is important to be prepared for rough roads and to drive cautiously. All our fleet is 4wd and driving with a little care, expect no stuck related challenges.
Those intending to rent cars from us should also be aware of the Fuel stations are that available throughout Uganda? However, it is important to plan your route and make sure you have enough fuel for your trip. Our quotations do not include fuel during and throughout the rental period. We recommend Shell and Total for fuel and other oils. It is also important to note that fuel prices can vary between regions.
Navigation:
Since you are to drive your first time in a new country and new roads, you may need something to direct you. GPS navigation systems are available for rent. But it is also a good idea to have a map or to download offline maps on your phone. Google maps are also 90% accurate on different locations in the country.
Renting a car in Uganda can be a great way to explore the country, but it is important to be prepared and to follow local driving regulations.
Vehicles available for Rent
TOYOTA RAV 5 AT $45 PER DAY
- 3 passenger seater, 4wd, 4 big suitcase space
This is a midsize car most popular in couples and budget travellers opting for selfdrive. The Rav4 has a powerful engine that can take you to any place in the country. It comes in a 5 and 3 doors versions but the former are the most common. Prices, fuel consumption and agility on the road is all the same in both versions. Its charge is $45 per day in Uganda and if ypu want to extend your vacation to Rwanda, the price goes for an extra of $20 per day to make it $65.
However, there are discounts to up to 15% associated with this car especially to long term rentals (starting from weekly rentals).
LAND CRUISER PRADO TX AT $65 PER DAY
- 3 Passengers, 4WD, Pop up roof, more comfortable
This is the most popular SUV for those willing to go to safari parks. It’s bigger, more comfortable and powerful that the Rav4. It’s not economical in fuel consumption however. The land cruiser Prado comes with and without a pop up roof for game viewing but this doesn’t affect its $65 per day standard quotation in Uganda.
It is a 4 passenger seater but one passenger will miss a chance of the window seat. Its fulltime 4 wheel drive with an extra 4 wheel gear in case of hard terrain to navigate.
LAND CRUISER V8 AT $80 PER DAY
- Best option for double rooftop tents, Luxurious
This is slightly a bigger version of the Land cruiser Prado Tx but more powerful and comfortable on the road. Its a luxurious vehicle and one of its top disadvantages is the high fuel consumption. The big engine and lost of additional preferences make it expensive to rent. Some versions are not available on self drive.
However, when it comes to rooftop camping of more than 2 people, this is one of the best vehicles to trust with two or family rooftop tents. It rate goes from $90 and with addition of a rooftop tent, it could go up to $110 and $130 per day for single and rooftop tents respectively.
TOYOTA SAFARI VAN AT $70 PER DAY
- 9 Passenger seater, fulltime 4wd, pop up roof
This is a 9 seater mini van common for groups wishing to explore the country together. It comes with a pop up roof and 7/ 9 seats are window seats. Its cost starts from $70 per day but can go higher or lower. Safari vans are most common in manual transmission and if you only drive automatic, its better you reserve one earlier.
The newer version of the Safari van is called a Hiace Drone and comes at a slightly higher price. It is not always available on self drive due to its complicated electrical issues while on very bad roads.
SAFARI LAND CRUISER FROM $140 PER DAY
- Not available on self drive (price fully caters for the driver)
- Available in 5 seater and 7 seater (Extended Land cruiser (From $180 per day
This is a customized hardtop wagon best for African roads. All its seats are on the window, comes with a pop up roof and an electronic fridge. Its not available on self drive. It comes with 5 passenger seats and quoted around $140 per day with the driver. Its 7 seater variant is also known as stretch or Extended Land cruiser purely African made from normal Land cruiser Lx pickups. It goes for $190 per day with a driver.
Other Cars Available For Hire
We also have other car types available for rent including Toyota Coaster buses for larger groups of 20 – 28 passengers from $140 per day, Landcruiser with rooftop tents (single and double), Family cars such as Supercustoms, Toyota Alphard and Wish among others.
