Hiring (renting) a car in Rwanda Guide
Rwanda, a small, pleasant country located in the east of Africa is greatly recognized for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant culture. It attracts visitors from all over the world to have a conversance of its breathtaking scenery, historical sites, and remarkable wildlife encounters thus rendering it one of Africa’s fastest-developing tourist destinations.
Kigali, the capital city is acknowledged for its safety, cleanliness, booming business environment, and hospitable natives thus making it a desirable destination for both leisure and corporate travelers. Rwanda is famously known for the protection of its mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the big five’s adventure in Akagera National Park, the fresh and healthy waters of Lake Kivu, and the dense rainforests of Nyungwe National Park, home to chimpanzees and other 12 primate species and the rare canopy walks.
Are you visiting for adventure, education, business, tradition, or cultural exploration? the best way to traverse the “Land of a Thousand hills” is through car rental. Renting a car in Rwanda is a flexible and convenient way to reach different destinations, whether in the city, the small towns and the rural areas.
There are many car rental companies but Self-Drive Rwanda provides the best services for all rental options supplying a range of 4x4WD Jeeps, Ground tent rentals, Rooftop tent rentals and driver services across all East African countries that is Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tips for car hire in Rwanda
As you plan to hire a car in Rwanda, there are some things you should know before you start your safari.
Choose the vehicle
As you select a vehicle to rent, you should consider the number of people you are traveling with and the size of the luggage you may have. If you have much equipment, a 4WD or SUV could probably be the best option.
- Smaller cars like the Rav4 are always the best option for budget and solo travelers. This is because they are relatively cheaper, consume less fuel and carry less than four people.
However, smaller vehicles tend to be expensive due to high demand, so you also consider renting the next size vehicles like land cruisers and vans for convenience, comfort, and a great trip.
Booking the vehicle
It is always good to book and confirm the reservation of your rented car in advance. This helps you to get better renting rates and reduces the panic that comes with last-minute bookings. You will even get a chance to choose from the variety of vehicles and their varying rental costs.
Driving in Rwanda
Unlike in some other countries, vehicles in Rwanda drive and travel on the right-hand side. If the rented car is handed over to you, you may fail to quickly adjust to the driving side. It is advisable that you first drive in a low-traffic area to get used to the road position. Alternatively, inform your rental company that you can’t drive on the right, they will devise all means to find you another vehicle or provide a driver.
Driver’s age limit
Age matters a lot when driving in Rwanda. If you are too young that is below 25 years or too old say 70 years and above, you will not be allowed to drive. If you are a solo traveler of such age, you are advised to rent a car with a driver. If you are traveling with colleagues with an age bracket of at least between 25 -50 years, let them drive. If you are hiring a commercial vehicle like a truck, the driving age bracket should be 25 to 45 years. Make sure the vehicle is fully insured and has liability cover.
Personal property
While on your trip, you should avoid leaving your property in the vehicle as you enter the accommodation or any other relaxation place. It is always easy to forget small items like keys, phones, wallets, cards, and other belongings. You should thoroughly check the vehicle before handing it over to the rental company after the trip. At times the same vehicle can be re-rented there and then and whatever important property you forget may not be recovered.
Vehicle transmission
Travellers are advised to know which mode of vehicle to rent depending on their transmission license. Car rental companies in Rwanda have both manual and automatic transmission vehicles. Though vehicles of automatic transmission are most common, rental for manual transmission vehicles is a bit cheaper. So, it up to you as a traveler to make a choice that suits your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions about car hire in Rwanda.
Can you rent a car for self-drive in Rwanda?
The answer to this question is a yes. Rwanda has many car rental companies, most of which offer self-drive services with Self -Drive Rwanda as the leading rental company with the best and most comfortable vehicles at the lowest price offer.
What do I need to rent a car in Rwanda?
First, to rent a car in Rwanda, you should have a planned visit to Rwanda or the neighbouring countries. You need a valid driver’s license, and an international driving permit is highly recommended for foreigners. In addition to the driving permit, you should have a valid passport or Identity Card and a Credit card or cash to pay for the rental or make a security deposit.
What is the cost of renting a car in Rwanda?
Car rentals in Rwanda vary based on the type of vehicle, rental duration, the travel season (peak or low), and additional services like camping equipment, and driver services. Rental rates are always set per day and with Self-drive Rwanda as the leading car rental company in Rwanda, a small SUV like a Rav4 costs $50 – $85 per day, land cruisers and vans cost from $100 to $150 and mini busses cost from $200 to $300 per day.
Is it possible to extend the car rental period while still on the trip?
It is possible provided you inform your rental agency to allow you to stay with the car after negotiating on the payment for the extended period.
What is the speed limit in Rwanda?
The speed limit in Rwanda towns especially Kigali city is 40 km per hour and 60 km per hour in the provinces outside the city.
What do I do in case of an accident?
In case of an accident or any sudden happening that disrupts your trip or puts your life in danger, Inform the rental agency, they will find an immediate solution. If you are on a self-drive trip, you may be required to pay for the damages as pr the terms and conditions stated in the rental agreement. Other damages are always covered by insurance since most of the rental cars are insured. If the rental period is not yet covered, the rental agency will provide another vehicle for you to complete your trip.
In case you are travelling with the company driver guide, he/she will help to sort the problems.
Can I return the car before the end of the rental period?
Yes, it is possible but do not expect any refund for the unused rental days.
How do I confirm that I have booked a specific vehicle for my trip?
As you follow your emails with your travel agent, for most companies, you will be required to deposit a specific amount of money to an account provided. If the money is well received, the agency will send you an email confirming receipt of your booking and the vehicle will be reserved for your trip. Sometimes emails go to spam box, so don’t hesitate to email us at Info@selfdriverwanda.com.
There are many more questions you may need to know about before renting a vehicle in Rwanda. It is always so important to ask or seek advice from your rental company before starting your trip and do not forget to thoroughly read through the rental agreement.
