Uganda Road Trip: 6 Essentials Planning a Memorable Road Trip
One of the most memorable ways to explore the hidden gems of Uganda is undertaking a road trip and we shall cover all the detailed information you need to know about this country’s road trip planner.
There is undeniably so much detailing and information needed to plan a successful and memorable trip but there are a number of essentials for planning a memorable Uganda road trip and these include:
Understanding different places to explore during the Uganda road trip
Most travellers to Uganda make use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices and Google maps but prior to embarking on your Uganda safari, it is important to first understand the different places to explore.
The various places to explore are obviously the first question travellers ask when planning Uganda road trips, as this sets the benchmark for vehicle choice, to select group members, numbers of days needed for the road trip safari and it’s what will get you more thrilled about the trip.
The country is teeming with breathtaking adventures with a beautiful climate, spectacular terrains, a wide array of wildlife species, stunning water resources, and a plethora of bird species to accommodate your choices and preferences. The 10 Uganda National Parks, Wildlife Reserves, Sanctuaries, and Urban Centers are some of the incredibly beautiful places for memorable Uganda road trips.
The best vehicles for your Uganda Road Trip
After considering the different destinations to explore, the next up for your Uganda Road Trip is identifying the roadworthy vehicles. Several parameters are used to making this decision and they include mileage, size and carrying capacity of the vehicle and extra features. All these have to be approved before you finally sign on what vehicle to rent for your Uganda road Tour.
The number of passengers will determine the size of the car you need. If you are travelling alone, there are a number of beautiful small vehicles for you but the commonest is Toyota Rav4 and if you are travelling as a whole family, you will need a vehicle with enough storage space. To get the best value for your money, take into consideration the mileage of the vehicle you zero down on. Additionally, extra features such as air-conditioning, FM Radio, Bluetooth, cruise control, adjustable seats and sound speakers should be considered for your Uganda Road trip.
Pack the right things
Another essential for planning a memorable Uganda Road Trip is packing a significant tool kit with engine coolants, flashlight, changeable tyres and other personal items such as shoes, appropriate clothing, waterproof backpack, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunglasses, hat, toiletries and essential travel documents (valid passport, Ugandan visa, International driving permit, cross-border documents for travellers planning to drive across borders).
Thoroughly inspect the vehicle and fuel it up
Before you hit the road to the different safari destinations, it is recommended to first inspect the vehicle, prior to igniting the engine. Never trust the words of the Travel Agent or car Rental Agency for the vehicle being in good condition but instead confirm it personally.
Check the air-conditioner, engine, car tyres, functionality of headlights, MP3 Player, interior cleanliness, water levels in the engine and physical condition of the vehicle. Additionally, make sure that the vehicle is fully fueled and also make sure that you have extra fuel in jerrycans to sort you out when in remote areas and National Parks where fuel stations are rare.
Pick the best en-route stopovers
There is no interesting Uganda road trip without en-route stopovers. Do not ignore the different spectacular en-route destinations before reaching the final destination and the beautiful thing about Uganda’s National Parks is that they have several sites to visit along the way.
For instance, if you are driving to Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Park, don’t ignore visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and if you are visiting Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, and other western Parks, you can make stops at Uganda Equator and Igongo Cultural Center during your road trip.
Begin road trips early
Driving through Uganda at night is risky and therefore it is important to begin the road trip early to avoid any chances of mugging and getting lost during your drive. Also, for long journeys, you might need some rest between road trips.
Carry extra cash
Another unmissable essential for planning a memorable Road Trip is cash for clearing small bills needed during the road trip. En-route restaurants, tipping guides and drivers, toll booths and roadside shopping cannot be paid by your electronic card hence always carry extra cash for the Uganda road trip.