How Safe is Self Drive in Uganda

Are you thinking of undertaking a self-drive tour in Uganda and wondering whether it is safe to do so? Do you have “safety” questions lingering in your mind regarding road trips in this beautiful African Country known as the Pearl of Africa? Well, let’s settle that doubt today. Uganda is one of the best places in Africa you can undertake a self-drive tour and this is because of the well-maintained and not-difficult-to-navigate roads. Thanks to the improvement in the road network, many travelers are now opting to undertake self-drive tours and explore the beauty of the Pearl of Africa. However, undertaking a self-drive tour in Uganda isn’t a piece of Cake and not for the faint-heated, considering the intense and chaotic traffic that will put your defensive driving skills to test.

Also, the remote areas of Uganda still prove challenging and dangerous for drivers to navigate owing to their poor nature (loose-surface roads with no signs). While we say Uganda is safe for self-drives, there are still high-crime rates especially in the Urban Centers, wildlife on the roads, and other hazards which when being careful can be avoided.

When undertaking self-drive tours in Uganda, there are a number of things that you need to consider. Most importantly, you will require an International Driver’s License and if you are a resident, a Ugandan Driver’s License is required.

Speed Limits

Depending on where you are driving, follow and observe the speed limits. The speed limit for driving in urban places or Trading Centers is 50 kilometers per hour, while on Ugandan highways it is 100 kilometers per hour and if you are driving on rural and gravel roads, the speed limit is 80 kilometers per hour. Even with these set speed limits, it is very common to find other drivers/riders going against these limits and hence end up on the bad side of the law. Also, driving against the speed limit means blowing your car Insurance covers hence you will be liable for any damages that will happen in case of accidents.

Transport Safety

When we mention transport safety, we mean three main factors that include the Rental Car you intend to use for the self-drive tour, the condition of the road, and the advisable speed on the road. While there are some Rental Cars without Speed Trackers, it doesn’t mean you won’t get into trouble with the roadside traffic officers. If you decide to drive a Car in dangerous Mechanical Conditions, go against the set speed limits, or don’t consider how bad the road looks before driving recklessly, you won’t guarantee your safety and that of other road users. Some road users (especially motorists) ignore traffic lights while others drive alone the pedestrian lanes. If you aren’t used to left-hand driving, it is also advisable to hire a driver.

The Condition of the Road

While most of Ugandan roads are well-maintained and relatively stress-free to navigate, there are those you will feel uncomfortable driving through. For instance, potholes on urban roads or rugged terrains in some regions require caution during the self-drive tour. Even though you have used those roads for so long, it shouldn’t be the reason for overspeeding as you might get more problems than you bargained for.

Safety of the Car

Before you hit the road for your self-drive tour, the safety of the Car should be evaluated because it is another thing that will determine whether the self-drive tour is safe or not. For this reason, your self-drive Rental Car should be checked for stability, braking systems, steering wheel, and wheel alignment among others prior to embarking on the trip.

Additionally, don’t allowed to be deceived by attractive rates because not all that glitters is gold. Pay more attention to the service quality because sometimes those low rates come with hidden costs that you aren’t aware of.