Although there are many transport options on offer, a self-drive trip in East Africa with your own rental car gives you the freedom and independence that you can’t get from any other form of travel.

One of the snags of an organized tour is being shunted along with lots of other people to tourist attractions but then only having a limited amount of time to appreciate them, or spending time in the confined quarters of a coach, bus or taxi with people you have little or nothing in common with.

Meanwhile, we highlight a few simple reasons why you should consider a self-drive trip as an alternative to the normal way you travel.

Benefits of a self-drive holiday:

You decide the overall pace of the holiday; unlike travel options where your tour guide, pilot or captain is sticking to a strict time schedule, a self-drive trip puts you in full control of your own trip in East Africa.

Regardless of the car type you choose, you have the total freedom and flexibility to get to places off the beaten track, and then spend as much time as you want there. The freedom and practicality offered on a self-drive trip really is unlike any other way of traveling.

You can enjoy greater comfort and privacy; with a self-drive trip you are able to travel at your own pace and leisure and decide where you want to go and how long to stay there.

The countries we recommend self-drive in East Africa generally have excellent road networks, so getting around should pose no problem.

Our specialists will have driven the route and visited the accommodation, so you can rely on this first-hand knowledge. They will provide you with detailed notes of these trips, giving directions, distances and any other relevant information such as nearby sights of interest. As a back-up, we even provide a road map with your hire car in case you do get lost.

It’s all very easy! 4×4 Car Hire Uganda can arrange all aspects of your self-drive trip; including flights, accommodation and car rental. All you need to do is contacting the company’s tour consultant and the rest will be eased for you.

Trip ideas for a self-drive trip in East Africa

Start thinking about your experience; these itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They’re just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Tips for a self-drive trip in East Africa:

4X4 Car Hire Uganda only chooses safe countries for self-drive trips and the majority of these will be done on roads that are well signposted and generally well maintained. Among the best and most recommended countries for self-drive trips in East Africa include; Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda.

Nevertheless, there are a few simple measures you can take to ensure your self-drive trip is enjoyable and trouble-free, among them include: Obey speed restrictions at all times. These will vary slightly from country-to-country and some will be enforced very strictly.

Ensure you know about any significant differences in traffic regulations in the country you will be driving. Our specialists will advise you about the most common issues for any self-drive trip.

Remember, the journey is often as interesting as your destination, so don’t be in a hurry to cover those miles. Instead, set off as early as you can each day, as this will enable you to make regular stops along the route to take photos or simply admire the scenery.

Although you will be following your own tailor-made itinerary, it’s still a good idea to take a good guide book such as Lonely Planet so you can visit those little-known or out-of-the-way places that might be nearby.