NO HURRY IN UGANDA-PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

When you decide to travel Uganda on a budget safari, you tend to have a few things in mind most probably renting a car will be out of question after seeing a few sites advertising their prices for 45 dollars per day for a budget rav4. Moving in Uganda as a tourist is a bit tricky and very expensive in the end if you do not have a rented car and you plan on a budget safari or guided safaris.

We do have taxis commonly pronounced as ( Takisiiii) that can move you in and around Kampala and some neighboring cities not in the national parks of course. We have got a taxi park where you will have to go and find them not like in your country where may be it will find you at the door step, getting there is also by another taxi or boda (motorcycle) .These do not have a specified price as it will increase or decrease according to the activities around the city, however they will be available.  When you get a taxi to Entebbe it is supposed to be a 1 hours’ drive however it may two or more as people go stopping to their destinations and police traffic also doing their jobs I guess if you are looking at a budget safari this will end up costing you a lot.

Buses are also public means to use here in Uganda, these go for longer distances however they are a bit faster than the taxi given the fact that they do not go stop stopping though they also do stop. These carry to a maximum of 62 persons that will be added as you move. Our roads are in good shape but not the drivers. They are not very expensive in terms of money but just time and maybe comfort , this can be good if you visit Uganda for business not tourism related issues on a budgets safari.

A motorcycle (boda) is the best way but I guess it will be for Ugandans only as their driving is not the way you may think.
If you must use the public means in Uganda make sure you’re not in any hurry and about to endure all that and also lose as much time as possible however this is not a must some ties they really do move very well without any interruptions at all. But if you must Please take the below in your mind.

• Don’t trust the driving skills of a man who puts all his faith in God, Check out the driver before you get into any vehicle. If he stinks of booze, get out!
• don’t even think of sitting over the back wheels
• Does the bus have curtains? If not, you might want to sit on the side away from the sun or you’ll get burned, or at least uncomfortably hot you may not find these in a taxi or boda.
• Always bring more water than you need – you never know where you’re going to end up!
• Take ear plugs and/or music. You might enjoy the person behind you singing loudly to their radio?

Renting a car for a safari in Uganda is the only option that you will have to enjoy these beautiful lands at your own pace, if you take time on the internet they are very good travel agency’s with better deals mostly in the low season you can use such times to travel to Uganda for a self-drive safari using the budget Rav4 from as low as 45 dollars per day.

Did you know These facts about uganda

Uganda is uganda- completely different with very rich wild life, culture,flora and fauna and most importantly the people and their culture the Ugandans. with a vast variety of tribes these that come with different cultures and nomes,in uganda we have over 135 cultures and languages . with over 100 travel companies uganda a has been exposed more and more to different parts of the world that its only in uganda where different countries come to as to be given a tribe also- the Indians are so many and have over stayed that some claim to never have stepped in India ever since they where born for about 90 year and they want the government to give them a tribe as well the Bayindi.
Did you know that its only on a self drive in uganda that you will know that Uganda is a very poor country,research shows that our GDP is very low, nearly half of the population survive one dollar per day, this however does not stop us from being the most happy and friendly people. Regardless of our being poor we are much more than happy and friendly not only to our selves but to also the people around us.uganda is ranked the top most hospitable friendly country in the whole of Africa and among the top in the whole world.

Did you know uganda aid the home of more than half of the worlds living Gorillas, yes in uganda.Since their scientific discover in 1902, the population of the mountain gorillas were on a steady decline and they were about 880 mountain gorillas left in the world, and these can only survive in the wild. The mountain gorillas are enlisted as critically endangered, and efforts are underway to ensure that these giant primates don’t go extinct. However in uganda critical measures have been considered to increase these giants and as we speak the mountain gorillas have increased to over 1000. Results of the Virunga Mountain Gorilla census have been released today putting the figure at 604, from 480 individuals in 2010. The results show that the total population of Mountain Gorillas has surpassed the 1000 mark. The other place where mountain gorillas are found is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Southwest Uganda. According to the 2011 census, Bwindi has over 400 individuals. A new census is underway in Bwindi, to establish the current population of the gorillas in the National Park

Did you know uganda is the Pearl of Africa,uganda was named the pearl of Africa by  Winston Churchill because of its beauty and nature, we are so beautiful not only in the souls but if you must feed your eyes with its food you can only eat in uganda a a full coarse meal, from nature and wildlife,people and culture,the food, the waters the hills and above all the uganda its self as a name.The most astonishing fact is that ever since ages the Uganda is the youngest country in the world with 50% of the population being under the age of 14, the average life span is 50-60 years.
visiting this very small landlocked country will not only give you the food for the soul and eyes but also give you these few facts in reality on as self drive safari in uganda with budget rav4s or choose to go camping in the wilderness of uganda.

Fueling a car while on a self drive in Uganda.

In most certain times when you search the internet for self drive car rentals in Uganda, you will absolutely get a huge number of results about car rental agencies, forums and blogs to mention but a few. You probably go ahead and visit each and every result, the car rental agency, browse through the whole site and actually get what you need. Its very un common for some if not all that mention about the fuel for the cars they rent out.
Usually when you go ahead and ask for a quote of car rental in Uganda, you will probably get the quote for the car hire on daily basis and maybe driver guide quote but you would never get a mention about gas refill information. Usually the agencies leave that for you to decide. However this is a very important aspect in regards car rental in Uganda.
The process of gas refuel in Uganda is almost completely different from America or the uk or middle east. Just like most many fuel stations outside Uganda may be using cards or got billed at the end of the month, its completely different here in Uganda. You short of gas, you drive to the gas station, with a pump attendant there, you will order for the amount of fuel you want in terms of shillings and you will get exactly what you ordered.
However the biggest mistake many tourists on a self drive in Uganda make is forget to keep a look at the pump metre as it counts. They also forget that Uganda is a developing country which of course anyone is trying to earn a living even when it means cheating especially when its a foreigner. These pump attendants earn little monies and are paid at the end of the month which isn’t even enough, so if they get an opportunity to make an extra shilling, they will definetly do.
Very much recommendable that whenever you stop at a gas station, don’t ‘bossy’ around and stay sitted in the drivers seat, get out and get closer to the pump or lower the  behind mirror and observe the metere starts counting from zero or the pump was reset otherwise you will fall a victim of cheat.
There are probably thousands of gas stations in kampala, for each and every corner of the town you will probably get a fuel station which calls for a reasonable price per litre in around kampala. Usually recommended if you plan a self drive car hire in Uganda, get the first full tank in kampala,  and if you are taking a vehicle with a reserve tank, make use of the reserve tank as this will help you upcountry and you will be in for a big save on gas with your car hire in Uganda.
The price of fuel in Uganda varies from town to town, from one gas station to the other. Here you have to take a closer look so to get a good price by comparing. Expect between $1 and $2 per litre. Its more expensive upcountry than in towns close to kampala. A small rav4 recomendable for self drive will take you between 650-700kms depending on the nature of driving and the terrain. Mantain an average acceralation to save enough gas with this suv full time 4W car.
When you are upcountry, try as much as possible to always keep the gas to full tank and not refuel when you have a little distance to finalise your trip. Make sure you do right calculations about the distance remaining and the fuel needed.
There are also very many brands of gas stations in Uganda owned privately by individuals with different gas prices. There is no government intervation in the gas prices in Uganda.
The most recommended gas stations are the French owned Total and the shell gas stations. These gas stations and a few others have good quality gas for your self drive car hire in Uganda. Other gas stations are good as well but others are not that will give you bad fuel and could damage the car engine.
And should you be on a self drive safari in Uganda, make sure you service the car at the recommended gas stations by your car rental agency in Uganda.

Battery maintenance on a self drive in uganda safaris

On a self drive trip, it is very important to stay conscious about your battery since a weak battery could leave you stuck in the middle of the jungle. You are therefore better off taking caution about battery care by avoiding some bad driving habits like these explained by our travel consultant.

Loose battery driving.

Sometimes batteries tend to move away from their right position because their clamps have become loose because of ragged terrains or even long distance driving which causes the car to work below its potential. The vibrations from the loosely clamped battery may cause battery failure which causes the car to stop unexpectedly and this can be rather dangerous since some of the roads are really far away from any car spare parts shop.

Leaving the lights, radio and AC on when the car is parked.

This is one of the top bad battery maintenance habits by self drivers usually as they make a stop over for either a nap of snap because the battery gets all drained out quite fast and in the long run it results into battery failure. It is therefore important to ensure that you turn off all the battery users when the car is not moving.

Lack of general maintenance and service.

Just like the human body, a car also needs regular maintenance to ensure that all its parts are functioning properly and those that need to be repaired are worked on. For example check the water and oil levels in the battery and ensure that you do a regular refill for proper functioning of the battery.

Short distance drives.

Whereas it may seem ironic, a car that only moves short distances and is later parked is more likely to get battery failures than the car that is driven for long distances. This is because the longer time you spend driving the car, the more the battery is charged which is good for it .Therefore, on your self drive trip, drive long distances to charge up your battery.

Turning headlights on before the engine.

This habit may seem a rather small and minor mistake that does not cause immediate battery failure but the damage is surely made just that it will be noticed in the long run due to consistent practice. It is therefore important to always turn on the headlights after the engine to avoid exerting too much pressure on your battery that is forced to function without the engine support.

Travelers on a self drive trip sure stand a chance to enjoy their journey all the way with less interference from battery failure if they can take caution of the above bad habits. Our team is confident that they are god enough to help you drive safely through the tough terrains of our beautiful Pearl of Africa.

Solo Travelers on Self Drive Uganda Safari.

Self Drive Safaris in Uganda have turned out to be a travelers’ darling because it allows them to explore the entire land like an open book without any inconveniences of mileage limitation or failure to pull over for clear shot of a beautiful scenery, animal or bird. It has even become better for solo travelers whose top priority is privacy and comfort in their small world. Without a doubt, self drive safaris in Uganda will grant any solo traveler utmost privacy because it is just you and your wheels.
However, there are some basic tips they ought to consider while on the trip to make it more fun and memorable and our team of experts has put together five basic ones that are quite important and believe me you, you don’t want to miss any of them out.

Pack all the necessary safari equipment.
For starters, anybody that is on their own only expects to survive on what they have as individuals. Therefore, anybody traveling solos moreover in strange places must ensure that he or she identifies all the possible requirements and needs on the journey and has them on standby since he or she is not assured of any other source out there. Items like travel map, safari boots, sun glasses, hat or cap, insect repellents, sun jelly, pain killers, antibiotics, telephone and Gps are rather essential on a trip that involves jungles and the wild where you don’t know whether you will be able to find your preferred brands hence ensure to carry all the above.
 Use a 4x4 vehicle.
Uganda is well known for tough terrain roads therefore it is advisable to use a 4x4 car tips to allow you maneuver them while on your trip to avoid any inconveniences while on your safari to the different beautiful places like forests, national parks and the stunning lodges in these places. Therefore, as you make your bookings ensure to clarify that you would like to use a four wheel driver and enjoy your trip.
Opt for highway driving.
Highway driving is the safest means of travel for a sole traveler since he or she can be assured of road side assistance where need be and as fast as possible since it is accessible. The fortunate bit is that all national parks in Uganda have highways leading to them therefore it keeps them within ranges where they are less likely to get lost and more still, the highways are safer because there are people using the same road hence indirect security because fellow road users act as watchdogs.
Drive during day time.
Driving during day comes with advantages like personal safety and also allowing the traveller to enjoy wonderful sceneries. Safety in the sense of both avoiding any attacks in a strange place and also avoiding accidents since most roads in Uganda especially upcountry have potholes and since you may not be familiar with them, you may not be able to see clearly and fall in a ditch which is risky for your life.
Be a friendly driver and traveller.
Often times, solo travellers are seen as loners who feel that their life is great when they are all alone and do not need any extra person to live happily. However, getting to know people around you would not be a bad idea since you never know when you will need them. It doesn’t have to be a close friendship but a simple greeting and knowing how they’re doing is good enough to create good relations and incase of anything, they will be happy to help. More still, Ugandans are very loving and hospitable and once you are friendly, they will be happy to help in any way humanly possible to ensure that you max your stay in the Pearl of Africa.