As a biology teacher engaged to a Biologist, an East Africa safari had been on our bucket list for a decade. However, as fairly independent and ‘experienced’ travelers, we were both very reluctant to travel via an organized tour company, and have had our fair share of public transport holidays during our student days. A quick Google search revealed a number of 4×4 hire companies across eastern Africa. I emailed each of them asking for the rental terms, vehicle type, documents for border crossings and of course price.
Maike from 4×4 Car Hire Uganda promptly replied, and it was clear from the beginning that his company were the perfect choice. We had a range of vehicles and camping equipment to choose from, and chose a 4×4 Toyota Land cruiser with a rooftop tent at a price that could not even come close to being matched by other companies (less than half of some).
An email to confirm and a very small deposit and it all seemed too good to be true. Maike was super responsive, helpful and set us up with everything we needed. We self-drove one way from Kenya, Uganda and then Rwanda, about 1700 miles.
All border paperwork and support were included. The tent was clean and comfortable, they included everything we needed for the night. The truck was incredibly tough – we put it through absolute hell and had zero problems.
When we landed at Nairobi, we had organized to have the car dropped at our hotel, as our trip started in Kenya and finished in Rwanda. Sure enough, a Land Cruiser in great condition complete with camping gear was waiting upon our arrival. Thus started the beginning of a 06-week safari. I won’t go into details however if you are considering a self-drive safari and tour of East Africa, I recommend you 4×4 Car Hire Uganda.
Kenya is a must-travel destination if you enjoy wildlife tourism. Maasai Mara is an expansive, well managed safari, with an abundance of fauna, though tour operators vary in their knowledge of details about the animals.
The roads are chaotic, but it’s quite fun really, and the accommodations seem quite nice when the power/Wi-Fi works. Birding isn’t a big feature it seems, though there are some beautiful species, with the exception being the guides at Lake Naivasha.
Nairobi has some nice restaurants at affordable prices, and is quite safe now (given the precautions taken due to terrorist attacks), but isn’t worth spending much time in unless you’re there for other reasons.
The traffic and driving was a breeze, and the flexibility to travel however we decided was just incredible. Touring the national parks and self-guiding our way around was an amazing way to experience the wildlife, and camping in the parks each night made us feel like we were part of the food chain.
The people of Kenya are very welcoming to tourists. I found that getting around is very easy if you speak English. Kenya lacks many of the modern-day amenities of developed western countries, so be prepared for a culture shock if it is your first time. You should be pretty safe if you stay in the more tourist-y parts of the major cities. The safari was an experience of a lifetime, so the beauty of the natural world can really be experienced in Kenya.
All permits for park entry and border crossings were easy to obtain on the spot, with no problems anywhere, but westerners will come to realize that there really is no hurry in Africa. After touring Kenya, we crossed to Uganda. Uganda has amazing places to see and people to meet. It is a land of contrasts. We loved going there. World class highlights we have seen include the gorilla tracking, Lake Bunyonyi, the source of the Nile at Jinja, and Murchison’s Falls National Park.
Please take time to talk with the people about the lives they lead and the challenges they face daily. Tip generously- they need it! Our trip to the gorillas was an absolute highlight. They could not have been more helpful with planning and our guide was fantastic.
After touring Uganda, we crossed to Rwanda and that’s were our trip end and it were the car was to be collected. The entire trip was a positive overwhelming experience. Rwanda is one of the cleanest countries I have visited. The people seemed to be happy and proud of their culture and their country. I was never concerned for my safety. It is about a 3 hour drive to the mountain lodge for an overnight stay before the hike to see the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
The trip into the National Park to see the gorillas is very well organized. Please be sure to hire one of the men to assist you on your walk. It is only $10 US dollars and some of these men are reformed poachers. They are kind and much dedicated to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trek. Several park rangers escort you and welcome any questions you have.
Our overnight stay at Gorilla Lodge was very enjoyable with great food and delightful entertainment from the local youngsters with native dance. The security at the airport is very diligent and painstakingly repetitious but I wouldn’t have it otherwise.
Everyone was polite and made sure we had our tickets and completed luggage inspection in plenty of time for departure for home. With 4×4 Car Hire Uganda and the vehicle, we truly had the trip of a lifetime, and I simply cannot recommend 4×4 Car Hire Uganda enough.
Note, the car handled all the road with ease, was comfortable and never missed a beat. The tent exceeded expectations and was actually really comfortable to sleep in and easy to pack up/pack down. Camping gear was sufficient.
The sunroof was perfect for game drives. We loved our self-drive adventure and couldn’t think of any other way to do it. Thanks, Maike and the team at 4×4 Car Hire Uganda.