Renting a Car for Self Drive in Rwanda.
Rwanda the land of a Thousand Hills is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places you will visit in Africa. It is gifted with unique flora and fauna and some of the places to visit on your self drive trip include the Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, and Lake Kivu among others. There are some important things you need to bear in mind when renting a Car for Self Drive in Rwanda for a great Rwanda Car Hire experience.
There are a couple of Rwanda Car rental companies that allow you to self drive upon request though some can provide you with a chauffeur/driver. You need to be keen when choosing a car hire company because they are very many and because of this, scammers have taken advantage to con people.
In order to get a reputable company for your self drive car, research online for customer reviews and consider recommendations/ referrals. Self-drive is the best option because you get to plan your trip according to your own terms, it is flexible and provides a high level of privacy.
Minimum Age
You need to be above 18 years of age to be able to drive in Rwanda. As much as one can drive a car as early as 15 years old in the USA, It is not allowed in Rwanda. You may have a driver’s license at 16 from USA but this license is rendered invalid in Rwanda and you can not hire a car for self drive.
Also adults above 70 years may not be allowed to self drive because of impaired vision and other old age health issues like back pains. Avoid providing counterfeit permits because you’ll be charged with fraud and also make sure that your permit is not expired.
GPS Navigation
For renting a Car for Self Drive in Rwanda, you need a GPS navigator especially if it is your first time there. Having a GPS system for saves you a lot of trouble getting lost here and there. It also saves time because you don’t have to stop multiple times asking locals for directions.
All you have to do is type in your destination and the GPS will direct you all the way to the place you’re going to while it draws you a line to follow. You may also add in some places of interest that you want to stop at and all the information will be given.
Ask your car rental operator for a car with a GPS system though this comes at an extra cost. Another way to easily navigate is by using Google Maps but this may not be effective in remote areas where there is bad Internet connection.
Choose the Right Car
In order to enjoy your self drive trip in Rwanda, you have to choose the right Car for your trip. Car rental Rwanda has a large fleet of vehicles to choose from depending on your needs. Are you driving to a safari destination? You need a 4×4 vehicle that is able to withstand rough roads in those areas but you may not need it if you’re driving around Kigali and it will just cost you extra for nothing.
Also, consider the number of people you’re travelling with as this will help you get a car with the right sitting capacity.
Traffic Rules
The speed limit is Rwanda is 40kmph in the cities and 80kmph in the provinces or upcountry. There are speed cameras on certain points of the roads and E-tickets are issued so endeavour to drive within the given limits.
Inquire from your car rental provider about other local traffic laws to avoid getting penalties.
Night Driving
Driving at night in Rwanda is discouraged for first-timers because they are not familiar with the roads. Rwanda has a hilly terrain and the roads have sharp corners which are hard to navigate.
Also, fog is common, especially in the provinces and this can obstruct your vision. You may also not be able to see obstacles on the roads like rocks and fallen tree logs, especially on rainy nights.
Do not forget that driving in Rwanda is on the right hand of the road and while on your self-drive trip, avoid littering and engage with locals by supporting their businesses and participating in various community activities. You can also make a friend or two to keep your memory of Rwanda embedded in your mind.
