10 Essential Self-Drive Guidelines You Should Follow:
Before you hire a car, read and understand the Self-Drive Guidelines that your car rental company have in place to avoid misunderstandings. Self-driving in Africa is a unique travel experience presently becoming most preferred by many Uganda safari travelers.
Solo-travelers on Uganda self-drive tour to any of the national parks; Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park or even to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking safari need to observe the set self-drive guidelines/self-drive dos and don’ts/rules and regulations while behind the wheels of a 4×4 Self-drive Uganda.
Below are some of the Self-drive Guidelines;
- Foreign non-residents on self-drive safari East Africa whether wildlife tour or primate adventure should ensure that the driver is 23 years and above. He or she should possess a driver license and should be valid not less than 2 years.
- Report any road accident in case of any occurrence while on self-drive safari tour within 24 hours to the nearest police station. Provide your details to the police officer including your names, address, the name and address of the self-drive car rental owner plus the registered plate number of the car hire.
- Note, any police officer in uniform can remove any car from a metered parking place in case it is not less than 2 hours from the time in which it first appeared without observing the stipulated regulation.
- Never drive self-drive rental car while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is highly prohibited even when you are driving your own vehicle. The disadvantage with it is that you can easily impair the brain and end up losing sense of judgment while on a road trip.
- Driving while on phone isn’t allowed whether you are a solo traveler on Africa self-drive safari trip or you are a guided safari. This act can easily distract your attention and you lose focus. Where possible you can park aside and receive a call then resume your road trip.
- Avoid driving along the edges of the road because most roads in Uganda are narrow and sometimes you find others parked or pedestrians are walking.
- Observe the road sign posts while on self-drive safari the pearl of Africa. Every road sign post has a message to communicate and by observing them, you will certainly reduce risk of road accidents.
- Do not drive at night while especially solo travel on Uganda Safari. The Ugandan roads are not 100% of world class standard and additionally, you risk especially for cases when you lose your sight or being attacked by robbers at night. Preferably, you can start your journey from 6:00am-7:00am and try to get your destination as early as you can.
- Maintain a distance of 5m away from another vehicle. This is useful because you have no idea of what the other party might be planning to do or even in case the car fails to indicate or turn. Please always keep left when driving on Ugandan roads.
- Maintain a speed limit of 80kms per hour while on the highways, settlement places and 50 kms per hour while in urban areas then 40 kms per hour while in Uganda national parks or protected areas. Don’t over speed as this may result into road accidents.