6 Tips For A Successful Self Drive Safari in Uganda

0
565

Having a successful self drive safari in Uganda will be the best thing you will never forget about your Ugandan safari. It is very interesting and awesome to have as elf drive in Uganda most especially when the car is in good condition.

Book in Advance

The first thing for you to have a good successful self drive safari in Uganda is to book for the car you shall use in advance. This is considered very important most especially if you   are travelling in very high seasons. These high season include the period of Christmas days which is usually through the month of December and Easter days. Booking the car in advance will make you have a high bargaining power before you finally  start yourself drive holiday in the country- Uganda. When you book the car in advance, it will make you choose the best and perfect accommodation options which will be based on your interests and your savings.

Book the Right Car

Usually you will receive different quotation from different accommodation facilities and it will be up to you to choose the best alternative in regard with your budget or savings. For you to choose the right car, it will depend on the destination you wish to travel that is where you wish or want to go. It will also depend on the number of days you are going to spend during your holiday and the number of people you are travelling with in a group. This may be a family or any group which may not necessarily be a family group.

In case you are travelling within the cities of Uganda, you may not necessarily need a 4X4 to tour around these cities. Here any car is recommended for you to travel with in the cities of Uganda since most the roads within these cities are in good condition. However in case you are travelling or where your safari is upcountry  which may include visiting national parks within the country, here the best recommendation is to hire a powerful or strong car. This powerful or strong car must have a 4X4 wheel drive and will help you drive   through the roads within the national parks of Uganda. These parks may include; Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Mburo National park and Elgon national park.

Obey Traffic Rules

When you are driving, you should avoid driving in late  hours or at night. You may not very well know the conditions of the roads in this country thus for you to be on the safe side, you should not risk yourself by driving at night. Within the country, most of the roads do not have street lights and this means that it becomes very easy for you to miss a lodge sign post. Remember in case you are faced with any challenges or get any emergence during the middle of nowhere at night, then getting assistance may be very difficult for you in this situation.

Choose the Right Accommodation

A Successful Self drive is inter linked with good accommodation. You are advised to choose good and appropriate accommodation. You should also keep the contacts of these accommodation facilities. You are advised to get all the necessary information about the accommodation units which you feel interested in from your local travel agent. It will help you choose the best places to stay while on self drive within Uganda. Where there are instances where you are to arrive late at the accommodation facility, then you will have to inform the people at the booked accommodation in advance.

Check Your Rental Car Regularly

A Successful self drive also involves checking your car in the morning. Every morning, before you start your car, you will need to check out your car and this should involve ensuring that everything is in order. Things to check include; Head lights, Indicators, the break lights, tire pressure. This includes wheels which include, spare wheel, water level, oillevel and check for any leakage beneath the car. In case it is the very first time to get the car from the travel agent, then you have to check for wheel spanner, jack validity of insurance, status of the tires and fire extinguisher within the car.

Be Acquainted with Road Signage

A Successful self drive will also involve knowing the road drive in the country. You should never neglect these road signs and you should drive under the stipulated driving speed. You should not over speed. Over speeding is an offence and it is highly penalized. When penalized, it will delay you and end up missing your next destination in time. The speed limits on the highways  which is allowed is 80-100km per hour, 30-50km in towns / trading centers, 40-50kms per hour in National Parks, 40-60km per hour on murram roads. You are advised to switch on the lights when driving on dusty roads and off driving is not allowed in Uganda National parks.