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Commonly known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is characterised by a hilly plateau. As soon as you set foot in Rwanda, you are mesmerised by the beauty, the weather and scenery. It is not surprising that tourism is considered a central economic sector in the country benefitting 60% of the population. Here are some of the reasons why 4×4 Car Hire in Rwanda is ideal for self drive safaris in Rwanda.

The most famous tourist attractions are either located in or surrounded by hills  for instance Virunga mountains; home of the endangered mountain gorilla’s species which is the country’s main attraction. In fact, an award winning movie in Hollywood; “Gorillas in the Mist” was released in 1988 by Universal Pictures inspired by the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Other tourist attractions include the Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park among others.

It is important to note that the roads leading to these attractions are unpaved therefore you need to hire a car that is designed to navigate through these types of roads. What better car than a 4×4?

A 4Wheel Drive is designed to send torque to all four wheels, increasing the vehicle’s power. Most 4×4 cars have a part time system that drivers can switch on and off. When the system activates, it locks the front axle to the drive train so that all the four wheels spin simultaneously.

4×4 Cars Have Off Road Capabilities

Self drive tours in Rwanda often involve traveling through rough, unpaved terrain such as muddy or slippery tracks, hills and dense forests. Considering a 4×4 car hire in Rwanda puts you on an advantage because 4×4 cars are designed specifically to navigate these challenging terrains with greater ease compared to 2-wheel drive cars.

In fact, when driving on a smooth or paved road, you are advised to turn off the 4 wheel Drive because it is of no use here and only consumes more fuel.

Better Traction

The four-wheel-drive mechanism allows all four wheels of the car to receive power from the engine simultaneously, providing better traction on muddy or uneven surfaces. Let’s say that your rear wheels get stuck in mud and you have a 2WD; Your wheels will probably spin and spin but if you have a 4×4, power will be transferred to the front wheels where the traction is and you’ll be able to successfully get your car out of a sticky situation.

Customised Features

During Rwanda self drive tours, tourists love to capture all the moments and this is where 4×4 cars beat other types of cars. They have pop-up roofs which allow tourists to peep out during a game drive and capture pictures or videos of their adventure. Some of these 4×4 cars have cooler boxes to keep drinks fresh and mounted rooftop tents which are perfect for camping.

Overcoming Obstacles

If you are driving in areas with steep hills or are off-roading you’ll need increased power to get over obstacles like rocks and pot holes. This also applies to descending steep slopes where a 4×4 car will smoothly go down a hill compared to a 2WD.

Higher Ground Clearance

Ground clearance simply means how high your vehicle sits off the ground. 4×4 Car Hire in Rwanda vehicles have a higher ground clearance and can navigate through deep ruts, steep inclines and other challenging off-road road conditions for example driving over large rocks or other trail obstacles like fallen tree logs with out damaging the car’s undercarriage.

A 4×4 car will enable you to navigate the rugged terrain in Rwanda with confidence and ease.

Reliability and Safety

While in remote Rwanda safari locations where help may be far away, having a reliable and capable vehicle is essential for safety. 4×4 cars are designed to handle tough conditions, reducing the risk of getting stuck or stranded. Also, most safari cars are fitted with mesh to protect tourists from being attacked by wild animals.

Larger Carrying Capacity

4×4 cars often have more space and capacity for passengers, luggage, and equipment needed for Rwanda adventure safaris. This allows for a more comfortable and convenient travel experience. Also, the additional weight provides the 4×4 car with a better grip on the road.

Overall, the ruggedness, off-road capabilities, and reliability of 4×4 Car Hire in Rwanda make them the preferred choice for self drive safaris in Rwanda where the journey itself is a significant part of the adventure.

One of the main reasons that some people opt to rent a car in Rwanda is convenience. This convenience sometimes involves travelling around with your pet without feeling like you are inconveniencing other people. Unfortunately, most car rental agencies in Rwanda do not offer car rental services to people intending to travel with pets in Rwanda Rental Cars.

It is also important to note that most of Rwanda’s tourism is wildlife related. Pets are not allowed in all Rwanda’s protected areas. Therefore, if you intend to travel around Rwanda with a pet, you must consider the limitations that are set by hotels and car rental companies in Rwanda. Here are some of the things to consider if you intend to travel in Rwanda with a pet.

Hiring Seat Covers

In order to allow driving a rented car in Rwanda, most car rental agencies will require you to hire seat covers to limit the possible damage on the chairs that might be caused by animal scratches. The prices vary from one company to another.

Cleaning the Car After Use

The car rental company in Kigali will require you to pay for thorough cleaning of the car. Though seat covers provide a certain layer of protection, the car rental agency has to make sure that the car is free from any animal hair since some clients are allergic to some pets more so cats. Cleaning the car will require the car rental company to remove all chairs and almost every other thing inside the car to ensure that the car is cleaned to the uttermost.

Booking Pet Friendly Hotels

There are over fifty hotels in Rwanda that allow visitors to come with their pets. This means that though pets are not allowed in Rwanda’s national park; you can actually find solace in several hotels and restaurants that allow you to come with your pet. You can always visit “Bring Fido” for pet friendly locations in Rwanda.

How Much is hiring a Car in Rwanda with a Pet?

The car rental rates will vary according to the type of car you choose. If you intend to hire a small car such as a Rav4; it will obviously be cheaper than renting a Land cruiser. But besides the usual car rental rates; you have to consider the security deposit that ought to be paid to ensure that the car is not damaged inside. On top of the security deposit, you will have to consider the Rwanda Rental Cars cleaning fees which is almost triple the normal car cleaning fees. You will also have to consider the seat cover fees. At the end of the day, the rate will be determined by whether the car interior was damaged by the pet or not.

Are there Pet Clinics in Rwanda?

Most of the pet clinics are in Kigali. Therefore for the sake of your pet, it is recommended that you do not drive so far away from Kigali so that in case something happens to your pet, you can easily find your way to the veterinary clinic.

Parting Remarks

Whether you are on a self drive holiday in Rwanda or a business trip but considering to travel around your pet, you must plan in advance because there are only a few car rental agencies in Rwanda that hire out their Rwanda Rental Cars to people intending to travel with pets. If you intend to book at the last minute, you might not be able to get the best car rental deal for your self drive trip in Rwanda. Carrying your own portable seat covers will improve your chances of ease to find a car rental agency that will rent you their car.

Every trip begins with a plan but that does not mean that without a plan you cannot travel. Sometimes the trip is simply prompt and you just have to fix the pieces together along the way. But whether you trip is well planned or merely a prompt trip to Rwanda you cannot forego local transport. If you opt for public transport means, there are several inconveniences that you have to buckle yourself for. Among these include delays that might alternate your whole program for the day. The easiest way out is to renting a car in Rwanda for your travel time in the country. But how is the whole process of Renting a Car in Rwanda like?

Confirm Your Travel Dates

Before you set out to look for a car to rent in Rwanda, first confirm your travel dates. Flights have a huge influence on the specific dates you will be traveling; that is if you are outside Rwanda. Once you have the flights confirmed, you can be sure of your travel dates.

Search For Car Rental Agencies in Rwanda Online

Do a google search for car rental agencies in Rwanda. This will give you a wide range of options to choose from. There are two main points to consider; the quality of Google and TripAdvisor reviews, and the rates each company is offering. Some companies might offer prices that seem too low compared to other companies. This is one of the red flags to watch out for.

Besides the rates, when Renting a Car in Rwanda it is always wise to ask the company to give their roadside assistance procedure. That is how long you might have to wait to get mechanical help in case the car breaks down. How long you have to wait for you to get a car replacement in case total car breakdown.

It is at this point that you ought to look into the hire terms of each car rental company in Rwanda. Seek out for the insurance policy terms since this is the most important part of the contract. Though most cars are often comprehensively insured, you will be required to pay excess insurance. It is only a full car rental agencies that do not require you to pay excess insurance when making an insurance claim.

Agree on the Pick Up and Drop Off Details

Once you have agreed with the car rental agency about the rental rates per day. The next discussion should be about their pick up and drop off policy. Some companies are willing to deliver the car to you free of charge as long as you are in Kigali while others will require you to cover the money for fuel. It is important that you clarify all these details before proceeding with the down payment.

Make Down Payment

Once you have found the company that satisfies your car rental requirement, you can proceed with a down payment to confirm your car rental reservation with them. The down payment rates vary. They range between 10% and 50%. Some companies merely ask for a $100 down payment.

However you have to watch out for the currency confusion. Most of the rates are in USD but some companies might charge in Euros. You might think the company is making you a better offer yet it is charging you in Euros. Therefore be vigilant when it comes the currency.

The most common means of payment when Renting a Car in Rwanda include wire transfer (not very secure), Pesapal (secure because it allows money reversal) and PayPal. If you are already in Rwanda, you can use mobile money to make the down payment.

Pick Up Program

Once you have finished confirming your car rental reservation, the next thing is to agree about the pickup location. It is possible to pick up directly at the airport. It is also possible to pick up at the company offices and lastly but not least, it is possible to have the car delivered to your hotel or home.

Picking up at the airport will require you to share your flight details while picking up at the company offices does not necessarily require you to share you flight details.

With the above five steps, you can go about Renting a Car in Rwanda easily. In case you are wondering at what point the car rental agency asks for your identity details and driving license; it is at the start of the trip when you are picking up the car or when it is delivered to you.

Rwanda, according to the Travel Show on BBC has one of the fastest growing tourism economies in the world and its major attraction is wildlife. Rwanda is naturally gifted with beautiful sceneries that make it one of the top safari destinations in Africa.  In a press release by the World Bank on February 19^th, 2023, it is stated that nature-based tourism accounts for over 80% of Leisure and business visitors in Rwanda. Travelers on various online platforms like TripAdvisor,  Booking.com, and social media emphasize that you have not visited Africa if you haven’t been to Rwanda. The best way to discover Rwanda is by renting a car for self-drive since it is convenient, flexible, and cheaper than hiring a car with a chauffeur. Let us take you through the top 5 Self Drive Destinations in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park

This is home to the famous mountain gorillas and is the most visited destination in Rwanda. It is located in the north-western part of Rwanda and is a 3 hours drive from Kigali City. The most popular activity in Volcanoes National Park is gorilla trekking.

It is home to over  a third of the world’s population of critically endangered mountain gorillas and is listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tracking gorillas usually takes between 4-6 hours and you get to spend an hour with each habituated family. You can give back to the community by hiring a porter to help you carry your bag or steady you during the hike.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is located just 2.5 – 3 hours from Kigali in the eastern part of Rwanda and is known for its savannah plains, wetlands, and lakes boasting diverse wildlife. It’s one of Central Africa’s largest protected wetlands and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda.

Popular activities here include self drive or guided game drives where you get to see the Big Five. If you are planning to do a self-drive in Akagera, consider hiring a guide at the visitor centre to increase your chances of finding certain animals.

You can also book a guided night game drive to spot nocturnal animals. You can also take part in birdwatching,  sport fishing at Lake Shakani boat cruises at Lake Ihema.

Lake Kivu

Located on the Boarder of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lake Kivu is the largest lake in Rwanda and one of Africa’s great lakes. The distance of Lake Kivu from Kigali is (please insert accurate)and is a (also insert accurate) hours drive. Visitors can go on boat trips to the many islands, go fishing or hike one of the trails around the lake to enjoy its emerald-green beauty.

You can even join water sports activities such as stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or kayaking with local fishermen entertaining you along the way. Also, visit one of the nearby fishing villages on the shores of the lake and enjoy the famous fried whole tilapia

Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the southeastern part of Lake Kivu in the Albertine Rift and is also a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is famous for chimpanzee trekking and you get an opportunity to see the rare Golden monkey.

It is one of the biggest montane forests remaining in Eastern Africa and you can take part in guided treks, canopy walks, and bird-watching tours. If you are adventurous, opt for a canopy walk of 160 meter including a 90-meter-long suspension bridge with fantastic views over the rainforest on a height of 70 meters.

You can even join water sports activities such as stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or kayaking with local fishermen entertaining you along the way and visiting one of the nearby fishing villages on the shores of Lake Kivu.

The King’s Palace Museum

This is located in Nyanza District In the southern province and is approximately 88km from Kigali City. The King’s Palace Museum is one of Rwanda’s six national museums and tells the history of the monarchy and the traditional culture of Rwanda.

One of the main attractions within the museum is a beehive-shaped replica of the King’s Palace in the 15^th century. Another cultural attraction are the sacred long-horned cows, known as Inyambo cattle. The cattle keepers sing to the Inyambo by belting poems – a unique ritual in Rwanda. As you venture on your self drive trip, remember to try out local cuisine and support community-based initiatives to have a memorable experience. Contact us to know more about Self Drive Destinations in Rwanda.