Want to enjoy a great car rental in Uganda this year (2022 or next year – 2023)? These quick and easy car hire hacks will help you enjoy all the fun and freedom of renting a car without any stress, while exploring Uganda’s, Kenya’s, Tanzania’s, and Rwanda’s adventurous places.
1) Check ratings and reviews
Always book your rental car from a rental company that has been rated well by other travelers. The good ones may not be the cheapest, but avoiding bad service makes paying that little bit extra worthwhile.
2) Cut yourself some slack
Choose pick-up and drop-off times that allow room for manoeuvre. If you’re flying in, give yourself an hour to get through passport control and collect your baggage. If you’re flying to a popular destination in peak season, allow yourself two hours just in case.
When you’re flying out, book your drop-off time as around two-and-a-half hours before your flight departs. Some rental companies do charge late fees, so check your journey time, allowing for traffic, before you set off.
3) Tot up the cost in advance
Comparing prices online means you know you’re getting a decent deal. Add on any extras you want, such as an additional driver, and you’ll have a reasonable idea of your total rental cost well before you set off.
4) Don’t fixate on the car
Some people like to drive a car they’re familiar with, but cars are hired out on an ‘or similar’ basis. This means you could get any car of a similar type to the one that you booked. So, it’s not worth worrying about whether you pick a Rav4 or Land Cruiser – you could easily end up with the other one, or neither.
5) Check your hire car’s Ts & Cs read the info, take the stuff
Check your car’s Ts & Cs so you know what to take with you when you pick it up. You’ll need your driver’s license and other documents, like proofs of ID. The only way to be 100% confident about exactly what you need is to check those Ts & Cs well before you set off.
6) Bring your own kit
Rental companies don’t guarantee you’ll get the extra equipment you need, such as a baby or child seat, or a GPS – and even when they offer them to you, they will need you to be an extra charge. So to avoid any last-minute crises and extra charges, take your own [possible] equipment. You’ll save the daily hire fee and be confident on quality.
7) Be deposit savvy
You’ll be asked to leave a deposit before you get the car keys, so check how much it will be before you set off. (In fact, you can even check the amount before you book.) The rental company will block the deposit on your credit card (this reserves the deposit amount, but doesn’t take it), so make sure your credit card has enough funds too.
8) Don’t be shy
When you’re at the counter, don’t hold back from asking anything you’re not sure about. Make sure you’re clear on how to bring the car back, what the fuel policy is, whether there are any local tolls, and whether you’re being charged for anything else. Then you’re all set, enjoy a wonderful trip!
