Renting a car on an overseas trip has become such a trend in many countries with Uganda inclusive. It is because rental cars offer many benefits including ease of travel without any stress. Renting an automobile is also the best and pocket-friendly option to move anywhere in the country you are traveling to. Before you opt to rent a car in Uganda you should do your research completely and ask questions about the rental car company to know each and everything.
You might have read different write-ups that offer many tips to rent a car but this particular piece is about things you should avoid while renting a car in Uganda. Many travelers are not sure about how to rent a car while avoiding mistakes. Below are the five mistakes you should avoid while renting a car in Uganda. Read them carefully to enjoy a safe and stress-free trip across the pearl of Africa.
Failure to inspect the rental car:
Make sure to inspect the car properly before you hire it or sign the contract. It is the best way to prevent extra charges. It will also prevent you from being held responsible for existing damages. Inspect the car carefully for any dents and scratches that might be on the vehicle. Inspect the car interior as well. Most of the car rental companies ask you to sign the inspection form. Don’t neglect it in the case of a hurry but rather sign it after proper inspection. It will save you from an extra fee when you return the car for some car rental companies ask for a security deposit that might be withheld in case the car is returned while not in the original state that it was rented out.
Failing to return the vehicle on time
If you are not able to return the car on time, it may result in additional costs as agreed upon by the Uganda car rental company. Hence, always make sure to hire a vehicle according to your trip duration. For instance, if your stay is short, you can go for daily, or weekly car rental but if your stay duration is not short, we recommend you go for a Monthly car rental service. In this way, you will be able to return the car back right on time. Otherwise, some companies will not be lenient enough to you once you return back the car late – as they will count it as a full day, thus paying surcharges. We would also advise that you talk to the company in case you are going to be a few hours late and state the reasons for your delay this way, you would have an understanding on not being charged. In all fairness, it is important that you are in touch with the car rental agency to avoid such charged.
Paying extra for GPS or a car seat:
Car rental companies are happy to charge you extra for accessories like a GPS or child car seat. Hiring a GPS from a car rental company can cost an additional charge per day. Therefore, if you have a portable GPS you could pack in your suitcase and use on your trip, it will help you save some money on your trip. Many airlines will allow you to check a car seat or use it on the plane for free, so you don’t need to pay extra to use one from your rental car company. Another way of avoiding the charges for the GPS is by using your google maps as guide throughout your journey. Be advised that some destinations are remote and not included on the GPS or Google maps, please always ask the local people in case you are not certain. The best places to ask are at your lodge or even on the way. Uganda has the friendliest people and will always be happy to help you out.
Not doing your research before renting a car:
Not all car rental companies are going to have the same prices, so it’s best to compare a few different rental companies before you make a decision. You should thus make research before renting a car in Uganda to avoid spending much money on car rentals. However, some agencies will charge you less or more based on what they have stipulated in their terms. Please make sure you look at the terms clearly to avoid any back and forth in case a situation arises.
Ignoring the signs:
Just because you are a tourist, it does not mean that you do not have to play by the rules of the road in Uganda. It is extremely important to pay attention to all road signs, which can vary in meaning between each country. Spending five minutes on Google before heading to a new place will pay dividends when it comes time to hit the highway, as you will spend less time trying to figure out what a sign means and more time paying attention to the road, especially if you have to drive on the opposite side than you are used to. For instance, in Uganda driving is done on the left hand side of the road, so keep that in mind always before even renting a car and always keep left unless overtaking.
Not observing the speed limit:
It is extremely important to observe the speed limit in Uganda for this might either lead to a cash penalty to be paid in the bank or a prison sentence depending on the mood you find the officer in charge of your case. I almost all town centers the speed limit is 50km/h while on the highway it is 80km/h. in the national parks, we advise that you maintain a speed on 40km/h. note that the traffic police have speed guns that can be used on any road in the country. Be sure to keep within the speed limits because speed kills.
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