Car Rental Guide to Self Drive Uganda
Why should you hire a car and drive Uganda .
An amazing place like the Pearl of Africa is incomparable, Uganda is a home to endless landscapes, beautiful national parks, historical and heritage site, identically the rare mountain gorilla in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga massif, the hospitality of people alone symbolizes Uganda as one of the richest travel destination that travelers worldwide should never miss on their bucket list.
Discovering and researching about Uganda in advance and locating the best Uganda self drive routes makes it even a far better and safer destination for independent travelers.
So one can rent a car in Uganda to drive and enjoy such memorable experience at relatively cheap prices.
Typical Facts not to miss:
- Uganda is a large country – try to plan for a diverse program by having a well-organized itinerary to leave no destination untouched!
- You can rent a car in Uganda to visit most of the destination at your comfort, in mind that you should read and bide by all the national park rules in advance.
- Pic up and drop off: our company representative is always around to drop and pick up your rental at points agreed, this is either at your place of residence or at the airport on arrival.
- Hospitality: Uganda is one of the most hospitable countries in Africa so for any guests who rents a car in Uganda, they should expect a hospitable road trip from citizens especially upcountry.
- English and Swahili: Uganda has more than 35 directs but the official language of Uganda is English because we were colonized by the British, English speaking travellers will have an easy way of communication; however among the local languages Luganda is widely spoken and Swahili is another east African official language.
- Uganda Shillings; is the country’s currency, all car rental travelers are advised to know the country’s currency before traveling to Uganda.
- The grey crowned crane is the national bird of Uganda and Uganda Uganda kob is a national animal.
- Gorillas. Uganda has half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world.
- Kampala is the capital city of Uganda although there are other new cities created.
- The county’s motto is For God and My Country.
- Uganda is the Pearl of Africa
When Should I rent a car to visit Uganda?
Uganda is the pearl of Africa with a rich diversity in weather; the eco system includes the tropical forests, savanna, woodland and grassland.
The country receives two seasons a year, twice the dry season and twice the wet season, both seasons appear in different specific months of the year, and the best time to visit the country also depends on ones intentions; however i would recommend that self drive travellers in Uganda focus on the when which months are dry and which months are wet to draw their itineraries well.
The best time to visit Uganda is considered December to March, and June to September, these are the months we receive the dry seasons, the weather is warm and with least amounts of rains especially in the national parks, here the roads are dry you can easily drive without getting worried of the muddy roads.
The other months of the wet season are April, May and October and November, in these months of the wet, there are fewer travellers in Uganda and the prices services in most of the destinations tend to be low compared to the peak season in the dry season.
Otherwise; prepare to hire a car in the months with low travel competition to enjoy the extra seasonal benefits, like low hotel rates, and discounts on car rental rates in Uganda.
Note that sometimes we may experience change in season due to some climate changes, don’t be surprised when we receive rains unpredictably in the summer and much sunshine in the wet season
Now that you have known the best travel time, contact us about you’re the best car rental fleets to choose from and set your travel dates for you’re a self drive trip in Uganda.
What is to keep in mind as a driver prior renting a car in Uganda?
Before you rent a car to drive Uganda you should first acknowledge the traffic policies of Uganda, learn about the speed limit of the country on both highways and town.
Take in note, the minimum age to drive a car in Uganda is 18 years old, and also you are ought to acquire Driver’s License as bylaw it stands for you to drive a car.
For all foreigners to drive in Uganda, you can drive Uganda with your home driving License to those who acquired it at age of 18 years, and to those whose license was received before making the age, they can only drive with it for only 6 months before exchanging it.
The International Driver’s License is not a mandate to drive in Uganda but if you are crossing to other countries, you need to acquire one.
You will be currying your drivers for every time you seat behind the wheel to drive, for there can be penalties from the traffic police if you chose to drive without it.
By far if you are willing to stay in Uganda for more than three months let it for study purposes, work, you are highly recommended to apply for a Uganda Driving License.
Where should you pick up your car in Uganda?
Most of travelers especially first time travelers, have always been landing in at the Entebbe airport and they choose to pick the cars on arrival at the airport to start their drive, however we are very flexible to meet you at any places of your choice, like hotels, lodges in other cities and towns of Uganda
There are cases where by you have a one way rental program and you itinerary involves border crossing, here you reach terms with the rental about the pick and drop fees with prices fuel for either drop off or pick-ups.
Programs with in the metropolitan Kampala are not charged for drops and pickups of the car.
Is there any paper work to sign on hiring a car?
Yes, in car rental business, there are some terms and conditions between the rental company and the hirer.
You need to read through the car rental contract in depth on arrival or at the pickup point and then sign the contract it if you comply with terms.
The contract talks about points like insurance policies, car rental accidents, mechanical failures, rescue in case of breakdowns, to mention but a few.
At this point the hirer presents the copies of the Passport and the driver’s license to the company’s representative at the time same time.
Can I cross borders with a rental car?
Yes to those countries safe to visit!, you can hire a car in Uganda and cross borders as long as you made a prior request with your car rental company so that they can organize all the cross border papers in advance.
Uganda is a landlocked country bordering Sudan in the north, Kenya in the East, DR Congo in the west and the Rwanda and Tanzania in the south. All of the countries mentioned share borders with Uganda.
There are common procedures that regulate all immigration points on the end corners.
The car rental company will improvise you with all the necessary car paper work such as the car logbook, the crossing latter from the car owner or the Rental Company, insurance or COMESA.
If you wish to self drive Rwanda from Uganda then the common entry points are Katuna ,Cyanika and Kagitumba borders in south western Uganda.
The common borders of Uganda Kenya are Malaba,and Busia for travellers willing to self drive Kenya.
Then one stop border of Uganda Tanzania called Mutukula border; however for serious guests hopping to rent a car and self drive Tanzania can best visit it via Kenya from Uganda .
In other wards you have the liberty to inquire now and self drive East Africa safaris on your own today.
What should I know about the culture of Uganda before my drive?
Uganda is a country of diverse cultures, and before colonialism Uganda was a monarchism state, in brief every region had a leader called a King.
Kings influenced cultures and behaviors of their subordinates in their kingdoms; however when the country got independence on 9 Oct 1962, the system changed to a centralized government and the country became a republic ruled by a president.
Kings now became ceremonial but their subjects are still having a big influence in the society, people still live with their norms and customs, before you go further on upcountry drives, please take a Kampala city tour and visit the Uganda museum for the genesis of Uganda.
The country has more than 35 directs and all influenced by people with blended cultures, when you drive Uganda from the Capital Kampala to the other country side, expect to find a difference in culture.
When you visit Uganda many people move along together but most of them come from different ethnic groups, to form up tribes wherever you go, the ethnic groups are the Bantu groups, Hermits, Nilo-hermites, and the Nilotics. All of these groups influence different cultural trips in Uganda.
Some of the historic cultural regions to enjoy are the Buganda, Karamoja, Busoga, Bunyoro, western Uganda with Ankore –Rukiga , Toro, and Lango.
You can hire a car and drive around most Uganda corners to discover hidden African culture. However, some tribes are not that friendly but if you seek guidance from their leaders, you can enjoy to the maximum.
Similarly the country is home to many immigrants from some parts of Africa, particularly Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, many from South Sudan, Congo DRC, Burundi, and the mighty horn of Africa, there has been some intermarriage between the immigrants with the initial tribes of Uganda hence mixed races in some areas.
Despite all that, Uganda is one of the most hospitable countries in Africa, so flee at home every time you wish to drive Uganda, most people are friendly everywhere you go.
The only thing to take care of is to leave out discussing politics with the locals for it may upset the communities.
At least learn some local social word whenever you cross to different regions, leran to great, thank you words, and every time you great locals in their languages, they feel recognized and you can make many friends on your trip.
The most popular local language in Uganda is Luganda, so note a few words in your note book.
What are the best and reliable rental cars deals in Uganda?
It is an alternative foregone for all travellers when it comes to car rental in Uganda, what is the reliable car to take on? Obviously any reliable car is the best car from the fleet.
Visitors will rent a car depending on the destination to take, the number of people and fuel consumption. SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) intermediate cars or saloon car are among the choices.
Our fleet keeps all the top notch car for you to select from, Toyota Rav4, Toyota Land cruiser Prado(TX and TZ), Land cruiser Vx and GX from all models, Toyota Land cruiser V8 and LX, we also have Safari customized Land cruisers 70 and 78 series.
All of the above mentioned vehicles are 4×4 Car rentals that comfortably cruise on Ugandan terrain roads. At an affordable price from as low as 30 Euros, you can take a self drive trip in Uganda at a destination of your choice.
Knowing about the Traffic Rules of Uganda?
Every country focuses on safety first for all road users; therefore, there are traffic rules and regulations to pay attention to.
In Uganda we keep left as the driving side as a policy from the British.
The seep limit varies depending on the where you drive , on a highway the speed limit is between 80-100km/hr, in the city it is 50km/hr and in national parks the speed limit is between 30-40km/hr
Be aware of the speed humps( sleeping police) they are fixed on the road for speed control from reckless drivers.
A driver has to own a driver’s License or an international Drivers license if you are to cross borders.
Don’t drink and drive, driving under the influence of alcohol or any influence of drugs or any substance in against the law and you may end you end up paying big fines or going straight to jail.
Don’t over take in black spots and in unauthorized lines, black sports are so deadly so you have to be extra care full whenever you opt to drive in Uganda especially in sharp corners or in narrow roads.
Don’t drive while using a mobile Phone; otherwise only use it under a hands free system with a loud speaker and a microphone.
Wearing a seat belt is a safety mandate, keep in mind that every time you seat in the car, you fix your seat belts first because the save life in dangerous situations
Follow the road signs.
For you to drive in Uganda, you must be 18 years of age and above.
Our Police Emergency numbers are 112 and 999 straight to the Uganda traffic police.
Where can i fuel my tank.
With fuel in Uganda, everything is sorted because there are a lot of gas station from A to Z, the main cites and to all highways across the country.
The only difference is the efficiency and reliability of the gas stations, we always recommend you to mostly use Shell and Total Energies whenever you have chance to see it along the way for their long lasting fuel and also good for the engine.
Most of these gas stations have the cashless system of purchase, so in cities you can best enjoy this services apart from a few of the fuel stations upcountry due to network challenges.
If your main plan of renting a car is to drive in Uganda national parks, you are recommended to fill up your tank from the closest town before entering the park, the only challenge is that it’s just a few national parks in Uganda that have fuel stations inside, and for those that have stations may have abnormal fuel prices compared to towns close buy or else they have empty tanks at the moment.
Note! There are several of other gas stations in Uganda with even cheaper prices but given less attention.
Fuel prices in Uganda
Fuel prices in Uganda are shown per litter where by (1lr = 0.26 gallons)
currently Uganda is facing price fluctuations in fuel due to changes in fuel prices globally.
The prices of a litter of petrol as of March 2025 ranges between 4800 Uganda shilling – 5200 Shillings ($1.4 USD – $1.5USD) ,Whereas diesel prices are slightly cheaper compared to petrol or gas and a litre ranges between 4500 Ugx – 5000 Ugx ( $1.2USD – $1.35 USD) these prices may be a little higher or slightly less compared from where you come from.
! There may be totally different prices from those of cities and major towns compared to those in the upcountry.
What is the policy with fuel
Fuel policy:
At Self driving Uganda, we deliver our cars at different fuel capacities.
Full to full
You will receive your rental car with fuel full to capacity, you are expected to return the car with a full tank right before your departure.
Same to same
At this moment after all your rental paper work, you will receive the car with certain amount of fuel and therefore you are expected to return the car with same fuel at the same gauge you received the car.
The Dollar policy
To all self driving trallers in Uganda, they should keep in mind is that, when you think of buying shilling using dollars is that focus on having clean dollar notes, dollars with stamps and ink will have a 15% less exchange in a Forex bureau or the bank.
Dollars of small denominators 1, 2, 5,10 and 20 will have a less exchange value compared to notes of 50 and 100s.
Always pay attention to the date of the dollars notes otherwise the central bank considers notes printed from 2013 on wards, always consider taking the newer notes or maintaining the cashless means to urban points.
Can I rent a car with a rooftop tent?
Hiring a car with a roof top tent in is a new normal these days for travellers who choose going for camping.
Definitely you can rent a car in Uganda to experience Mother Nature in a style, it makes your trip a special one in a privacy, inquire now to have your car booked with us and you will have lodge on to your car.
The root top tent comes will all the camping gear
A roof top tent saves time and money on your trip, it secures comfort, peace and leisure, for you can choose to rest in any secure place on your pace by choice.
How much does a rental car in Uganda cost?