Renting a car for a Uganda safari holiday guarantees you more convenience and comfort than if you used public means of transportation. But prior considering renting a car in Uganda, there are some important aspects you should know to avoid surprising or unplanned costs. In this article, we bring to you the list of 8 best things you should know before hiring a car in Uganda.
The credit card you have may provide an insurance policy
If you hire a car in Uganda or any destination, you will be provided with expensive car hire insurance to cover all kinds of damages. At times, it may cost from US Dollars 10 to 25 a day and the renter may not require it even when your auto insurance doesn’t cover car hire. Most credit card offer insurance on cars hired without the renter incurring any additional charge.
But most importantly, make sure that you are certain prior banking on it. Some credit cards restrict coverage and others provide not any. Therefore, make a call and find out. Otherwise, you may save a lot on the additional charge of car hire insurance.
Your credit cards may not cover everything
Did you know that your credit card may not cover everything? If you make a call to find out your credit card’s policy on car hire services, inquire what it covers exactly. You realize that some credit card companies do cover any damages you would have incurred on car hire but they won’t pay for any charges assessed by car hire agency.
Every driver counts and costs!
Whether all your drivers are above 25 years or not, there are higher chances of you incurring a charge for every extra driver registered when you hire a car for your Uganda safari. Therefore, consider wisely how many drivers you may require. You may have 1 or 2 to avoid higher additional costs.
Save more money by bringing your own extras
A complete Uganda trip involves putting a lot together. There are some little things that count and if you don’t have them, definitely they will cost you more yet you can carry them rather than hiring. If you have for instance child seat, GPS system, carry them especially if you plan to for a Uganda self-drive tour. Some car hire companies rent out these small things then few provide them at zero cost.
The youth drivers cost even a lot
Usually, most car hire agencies/companies don’t permit persons below 21 years to drive their rental cars. But some do. However, a heavy fee may apply for a young driver to be registered.
Keep within the paved roads when driving
Some or even majority of car rental companies in Uganda don’t like renters to drive their vehicles on unpaved roads. However, you can avoid all these once you have a collision damage waiver/other car hire insurance. Therefore, drive within the track to avoid unnecessary charges thereafter.
Fuel policy differs from company to company
Yes, the fuel policy differs from company to company. Majority of the car hire companies may ask a full tank if you return a rental car. Failure to do so may cost you to fill it up. Some rental companies charge even more on gas than local gas charges.
Avoid additional airport charges
In case you hire a car at the airport terminal, you might be assessed a surcharge for an airport fee. Car hire companies do pay for surcharges to the airport and later, they pass them to the car renter. But you can avoid all these by renting a car outside the airport for your Uganda safari. Most Uganda car rental companies exist outside Entebbe International Airport especially in Entebbe city or Kampala.
