When visiting a new country like Kenya, there is no better way of exploring it than by getting behind the wheel and hitting the open road. For this very reason, many travellers prefer to rent their own vehicles as opposed to using public transport options; especially in African countries where these transport systems are not as reliable. Renting a car abroad can be a daunting task, especially when you have never done it before and have no idea where to start. We’ve put together all our experiences with rental companies abroad to provide you with a comprehensive checklist to avoid your next rental car scam.

Kenya offers everything from adventure activities like white water rafting near Mt Kenya to sail boarding on the magical Swahili coast, trekking to the peak of Mt Kenya to a multiday trek across Masai Land, various desert safaris around Lake Turkana to a camel trek near Laikipia and Samburu. Kenya has it all from dramatic mountains, vibrant deserts, magnificent savannah plains and spectacular tropical beaches. All packaged into a relatively small diverse country the perfect destination for a self-drive safari. 

RENTAL CAR SAFETY TIPS

Before booking your rental car

1. Book as soon as you have confirmed your flight tickets. Booking in advance will save you significant costs and not having to worry about transport during your holiday. Remember to always compare the final cost of your ideal rental car across different companies. The cost of adding extra drivers, young drivers, and hiring child seats can be high and varies widely so shop around.
2. Make sure you have enough cash on your debit/credit card to stand a hefty deposit. Most car rental companies require a security deposit on the rental car. The deposit itself isn’t taken from the card, but blocked out until you return the car. The credit card will usually need to be in the name of the primary driver.

At the rentals counter

At the rental counter, the key is making sure you’re getting the price you expect and that you know whom to call for help if the rental car breaks down.

1. Ask the representative when the car last received vehicle maintenance. If the clerk can’t answer this question, start to get suspicious.
2. As the representative who you should call if the car breaks down or you lose your rental car keys. Note this number on your rental agreement or store it in your phone.

Before driving your rental car

1. Avoid being conned into a hard sell, especially if you’ve taken out adequate insurance beforehand. The same goes for GPS systems, car seats or any other extras you might be offered. If you don’t need them, don’t take them (or bring your own).
2. Remember to note all damage(including minor scratches, dents, etc.) on the car before leaving. This can be done by taking videos or photographs of the car. This applies to the interior as well. Check the spare wheel is there, inflated and undamaged. Check the car is full of fuel if it supposed to be, and record the mileage, if it’s restricted. Ensure that there will be no reason for disputes with the rental company upon returning the car by pre-empting with proof of its original condition.
3. Familiarize yourself with the car. Adjust the seat and mirrors (rear-view and side mirrors), turn on the hazard lights, check the window controls, try the windshield wipers, the turn signals, the headlights, etc.
4. When you’re ready, take the car for a quick spin around the lot: turning, braking, and listening. If there’s a problem or a strange sound, it’s best to find out now before you get on the road.
5. Check that your payment includes all necessary and relevant highway vignettes or toll stickers before driving away. If you enter a toll zone without the necessary vignette, you might end up incurring a larger amount than if you had just paid for one.
6. Check the fuel type (which should be noted on the agreement). Putting in the wrong fuel and driving off can terminally damage the engine and is regarded as negligence and all Collision Damage Waiver cover is withdrawn.
7. If you’ve paid for additional products such as GPS systems, ensure that it is working properly before driving off or you could be responsible for its damage. Minor details such as language and location sensitivity should be toggled before driving.

Returning your rental car

1. Ensure that you abide by your rental car fuel policy and top up fuel if necessary.
2. Take photos the car on return and keep the paperwork. Assuming you have done no damage, and have filled the paperwork up (if required), park it up and then take digital photos of each panel of the car, the wheels, the mileage, and other detailed shots before handing the keys back to the person at the desk.
3. Check your credit card statement regularly for a few days after returning your car to make sure promised fuel payments and excess charges are returned and keep an eye out in later statements that no extra payments have mysteriously materialised.
4. If necessary, fight any wrongful additional charges incurred. If you have bought excess protection, simply claim from the firm in question. If the claim is spurious, pass this on to them and let them sort it out. If you don’t get anywhere and know you are innocent, raise the dispute with your credit card provider.

If you do love wildlife adventures, bird watching in Africa is one of the best things to do while on holiday. The African continent hosts a good number of birds. Most birders visit  in the most scenic destinations of both East Africa and southern African countries. Here are the top 5 destinations that the first hand tourists shouldn’t miss out on these beautiful destinations.

• South Africa
  The country is big and it takes many weeks of birding to get sightings of these spectacular bird species. This is the main excuse for many of the travellers that return to South Africa for birding.This country has got big Five animals with small mammals. The Zulu land game reserve and the Kruger national park has got variety of the small mammals. When you are deciding to have a 2 weeks birding safari and starts from Durban and ending in Johannesburg, you will have a chance to see all the mammals as well as over 400 bird species that are found in the area. With the addition of the cape, you will view 50 bird species as well as the whale. This country is not so expensive and you can also bird the whole of the country on self-drive tours. The country has got variety of friendly and comfortable bed and breakfast lodges and Hotels. Also in order to enjoy yourself, it’s better to link up with a birding tour operator within the country.
• Tanzania
  You can also enjoy bird watching in Tanzania, it’s also a good country to visit in case you give it 2.5 weeks. By accepting to bird in Tanzania, you will enjoy many of the East African endemics and over 20 endemics with in the country. You will also see the first Miombo endemic bird species in Tanzania. There are also many small and large animals and some of these include; the big cats found in the Serengeti, the zebras and wildebeests of the annual migration, flamingos and the great Ngorongoro crater as well as the Kilimanjaro.
• Uganda
  Uganda is also a great destination for birding and you will get a chance to encounter the shoebill stork as well as the albertine rift endemics, the green breasted pitta. There are many mammals that can be enjoyed here including the gorillas and the chimpanzees. This country is also famous for the beautiful colobus monkeys and many other animals. Once you bird in Uganda, you will get a chance to see the great Albertine or the western rift Bwindi which is famous for gorilla safaris, the source of the Nile, Lake Victoria and many different bird species found in this place.
• Cameroon
  In case you are looking to bird in the western part of Africa, Cameroon should be on the list of the countries to visit. You will find the basic accommodation as well as the birding sites. This tour will give you the best safari comfort level as well as the hot water showers. You will get a chance to view the country’s endemic birds as well as the West Africa rain forest species of the sahelian birds. The other bird watching countries in West Africa include; Guinea, Ghana as well as Gabon.
• Namibia
  Namibia is also a must visit country in Africa for bird watching due to its uniqueness. The country has also got the world’s oldest desert with the highest sand dunes in the world. The country has got variety of bird species that cannot be found in any other part of the world and it’s adjacent to Angola. You will bird around the Okavango and the Victoria falls for many bird species.
• Ethiopia
  Ethiopia is also open and good for watching the birds and the country has over 550 bird species and can all be seen on a 3 weeks safari. This country has many tons of endemic species and many of these can be found in Addis Ababa.The country is also home to one of the next African bird that is nearing extinct, the Liben Lark. The other species found here include the Rudd’s ’Lark.
• Madagascar
  The magnificent islands of Madagascar could also be Africa’s number one birding destination since it’s so unique. The Island is also separated from the rest of the African continent and must be birded by any birder interested. This island is also full of other wildlife including the endemic mammal families as well as the lemurs which are most famous as well as charismatic. This area is also full of chameleons and many other species. You will as well enjoy bird watching in the Baobab dotted spiny forests, the remote tropical beaches as well as the stone forest of the Tsingy. This country has got fewer species of birds and some of the bird species found here include; Helmet Vanga, the ground roller, Black and the white Ruffed Lemur as well as the dancing sifika.

In addition, the other bird watching countries that are found in Africa include; Malawi, Zambia, Central African Republic, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zimbabwe as well as Seychelles.

Risks will always be there as you start renting cars in Africa for traveling. You might not be able to avoid the risks below, but you can minimize the risk level of tourism through searching different website for solutions.

BELOW ARE THE RISKS OF RENTING A CAR

1. Not reading and understanding the car hire contract

It is very important to thoroughly read and understand the terms and conditions of hiring the car, so as to understand your personal rights and obligations. Feel free to inquire about anything you don’t seem to understand before you sign the contract. You are advised to avoid signing a contract that you are not sure about its content or if you are not contented or satisfied with its terms and conditions. When hiring the car, pay extra attention on the fuel policy, the Insurance Policy, the type of insurance cover and whether you will have to pay extra fees in case of a claim, what is included or not in the contract, the breakdown policies, the driver policies and the return policies among others.

2. Returning the car beyond the time agreed.

It is a common yet bad practice to return the car beyond business hours since it becomes hard to determine the damages done on the car. Some companies even charge an extra fee for vehicles returned outside working hours because of the associated risks. Sometimes, you are required to take photographs of the car to ascertain its damage if you are to return it beyond business hours as evidence that any damage that occurred to the car didn’t happen during the rental period. Therefore, make sure to crosscheck the car and always return it early to avoid paying extra fees for the car.

3. Not checking the total price of the car you are hiring.

Have you ever wondered why the same cars are hired at different prices? You will notice that some cars are way too cheap to hire but you have to be very careful with such cars because they might be in bad conditions or lack some important requirements. So long as the price is cheap but the terms are favorable, then go for it but if the car you are hiring calls for extra costs on additional driver/s, additional distance limits, extra insurance, extra costs for returning the car beyond business hours, extra costs for crossing International boundaries/borders, extra fees for drivers below a particular age, extra child seats and costs for returning the car to another point rather than the agreed pick-up point, to mention but a few then that is very expensive to hire.

4.Forgetting to crosscheck your car hire deposit

Never take anything for granted but always make sure to check the deposit and ensure that it is deducted from the total price you are meant to pay for hiring the car. If you don’t check, the person hiring the car might forget then you end up paying double the Price of hiring the car.

5. Forgetting to fill the car hire damage check sheet

When you rent a car for a safari, first make sure than you check the car for any form of damages and should be put in form of writing before you accept it so as you are not held accountable for any damages that are not caused by you in the time you rented the car. Don’t just stop at checking before renting but also do it after returning the car to the company. The most important things to check include the tyres, lights, the windscreen, the air conditioners and the Dents on the outside of the car being hired.

6. Forgetting to check where you can go with the car

When you hire a car for a self drive, make sure to check the limits on distance that you can travel with the car within the rental period. This includes the limits of crossing country borders, checking whether an International driver’s permit can be accepted and the other required documentation in the country that you are renting the car from.

7. Purchasing extra insurance

This is another common car rental mistake travelers make when booking a car online, you always have to make sure you ask the reservations personnel which insurance thy offer along with the rental. Most companies offer comprehensive insurance meaning damages more than US$ 400 to US$ 500 will be covered by the client but anything less that can be handled by the company. You don’t have to buy extra insurance as everything will be covered by the car rental agency.

8. Being impatient

Some travelers always assume that they can get any rental car in Uganda of their choice any day, any time which is a true car rental myth. Once you inquire and the reservations team kindly request you wait for confirmation of car availability, always do what they say unless you are in a rush. Being patient ensures you will get the car of your choice but impatience will only lead to you hopping from one agency to another which is costly as well as time-consuming.

9. Forgetting pre-inspection before driving off

Car inspection is very essential to exercise before you even step in and start driving or being driven, make sure you check the car thoroughly inside out for any damages or dents. Body scratches, dents, dirty seats, air conditioner functionality, door & window lock functionality among other issues as you risk being charged for something you didn’t damage.

If you don’t notice scratches, cracks in light covers, mirrors or windshields, body dents, chipped paint, stains on the upholstery and other seemingly minor problems if a car when you rent it, you might have to pay for it. If possible, do a walk-around with the agent, making note of any such issues. The next-best option is to do the inspection alone and let the company know on the way off the property that you found some items for which you do not want to be charged upon return.

The same holds true for any mechanical problems. If the car is not in optimum working order, return it.

Conclusion

The above car rental risks are easily avoidable so we hope this article helps you save some money and time when renting a car in Kenya this season. To book a car service in Kenya today, simply send us an email to info@Kenyacarrental.com.

The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stated that Uganda was the “pearl of Africa” because of its magnificence, variety of forms and colors, and abundance of vivid life, flora, and animals. East Africa’s smaller interior covers an area of 241,038 sq km. Uganda is located in eastern Africa, bordered to the east by Kenya, to the south by Tanzania and Rwanda, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to the north by South Sudan.

With its abundant natural resources, this nation stands out as the gem of Africa. Consider Uganda to be the concentrated version of Africa because it contains almost all of the continent’s possessions. In the world of travel (tourism), Uganda offers a ton of deals for adventure seekers, is renowned for its friendly people, and has an erratic, stunning topography with fertile soils and a climate that encourages the growth of a wide variety of foods, making Uganda a food basket.

What Makes Uganda a Pearl of Africa?

Topography of the Pearl of Africa

Undoubtedly, Uganda has the nicest landscape in the world. It varies from region to region and ranges from flat plateaus to rolling mountains, yet the Pearl of Africa’s most prominent feature is relatively level terrain. Uganda has a tropical environment that has been ranked among the best in the world, with a lot of greenery and gorgeous savannah that can be seen all around the nation.

The country’s undulating geography provides amazing hiking opportunities. These include walking the Elgon Mountains in eastern Uganda, the world’s largest caldera, as well as the Moon of the Albertine Rift Valley, Africa’s third-highest mountain. Yes, exactly. There is a lot to discover, along with numerous and diverse topographies, which contribute to Uganda’s reputation as the Pearl of Africa. The Ugandan landscapes are the product of a variety of geological eruptions, including volcanic, folding, and down warping.

Wildlife in the Pearl of Africa

Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa because of its exceptional flora and biodiversity. Nearly everything that is dispersed across the African continent is packed into the narrow interior of eastern Africa. Uganda is endowed with a wide variety of wildlife species, most of which can be found in protected areas. Indicate your preferences for your Uganda safari: The Pearl of Africa can recommend activities such as tracking chimpanzees, game viewing, and birding excursions, among many more.

Uganda is home to a variety of wildlife species, including more than 1000 different tree species, half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, over 5000 chimpanzees, about 20 different primate species, the Big Five, towers of giraffe, over 1500 different bird species, cheetahs, wild dogs, schools of hippopotamuses, and numerous aquatic species, to name a few. The same species of wildlife can be seen in any of Uganda’s 10 well-known national parks on the desired encounters.

Water bodies

The source of the world’s longest river, which stretches from Uganda to as far as the Red Sea, the remarkable Nile River, along with its marvelous features, has facilitated the formation of several tourist engagements. On the Nile River are the world’s most powerful waterfalls, the Murchison Falls and the Itanda Falls, for remarkable white-water rafting. The pearl of Africa has a lot to offer in terms of rivers and waterfalls, with the most impressive being the Sipi Falls at the foothills of Mt. Elgon and many more.

Relating to the topography, many depressions countrywide lead to the formation of countless lakes. Uganda harbors the largest portion of Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, which is also the source of the world’s longest river, the Nile. With many lakes on the list for travelers, the fantastic Lake Bunyonyi is Africa’s second-deepest lake and an amazing tourist destination for a silent minute of travelers.

In 2019, Rough Guide, the UK-based traveler’s guide, ranked Uganda among the best 15 tourist destinations to visit. Murchison Fall National Park was marked as outstanding among other destinations due to the variety of wildlife and the arguably world’s most powerful waterfall, the Murchison Falls.

People in the Pearl of Africa

Uganda is one of the nations with the greatest diversity of ethnic groupings worldwide. Uganda is the fourth-most culturally diverse nation, according to the World Atlas (2014). Uganda’s culture is a gem, with a wide variety of still-rudimentary traditional customs. Political turmoil was a defining feature of Uganda’s past. They are lively individuals who welcome anybody who comes across them; they are not chaotic, though. The best English-speaking nation in Africa is considered to be Uganda. There are several native English speakers throughout the nation for English speakers to run into.

There are more than 50 tribes in Uganda, each with its own set of traditions and customs, and ethnicity still refers to it as the Pearl of Africa. The diverse culture on display for tourists offers a lot to discover, and one method to conserve certain cultural activities is through commercialization.

Sand beaches

On Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, are the sand beaches, with a variety of water experiences offered. Ssesse Island in Kalangala district is one of the most fantastic beach spots for all your desired sand beach encounters, though it is also along the shores of Lake Entebbe, which is the major spot encompassed with the coolest ambiance. The most striking is the Botanical Gardens in Entebbe.

Equator crossing

Uganda is undeniably the Pearl of Africa, where one has the opportunity to have both legs stepping in the two global hemispheres at the same time. Uganda has three equator crossing points, with Kayabwe equator being the most noticeable one along Kampala Masaka Road; the other equator point is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ssesse Island.

No matter where you look on a safari you’ll be amazed with the wonders which surround you, and although there will be a wide variety of animals just a few meters away, there are specific creatures that are on the list of most safari enthusiasts. Here’s a list of the top 10 “must see” animals which will make any safari worthwhile.

1. Lion

Flying in at first place is the lion, also known as the king of the jungle. When you hear them roaring during the night or the day, you will be amazed at how loud and powerful they actually are – don’t worry about not hearing the lion snarls or roars as they can be heard for 5 miles around. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the females hunting while their cubs are jumping around their feet, nibbling at each other ears.

2. Elephant

The elephant is the largest land animal on earth and you will be stunned by the sheer size and presence of these creatures, not only on the first time you see them, but every time to come. Elephants play a vital role in the survival of other species by digging waterholes in dry riverbeds, spread seeds through theirs fiscal matter and their trails act as fire breaks on the landscape, and they do all this on only 2 hours sleep in a 24 hour period…and that is why they have received second place on the list.

3. Rhino

There are only a few species of Rhino left on earth that look prehistoric with their oversized bodies, folded leathers skin, elongated heads and large horns, as described Rhinos are something you just need to see to understand how impressive they really are. A rhino sighting is always special and as you look in awe your heart will definitely skip a beat.

4. Mountain Gorillas

Gorillas are highly intelligent, they can laugh, grieve, have close family bonds and form emotional attachments with each other – sound similar? That’s because Gorillas share 95-99% of their DNA with us. Despite their intimidating appearance they are actually gentle, loving creatures, and watching them interact in their family groups, playing, eating and squabbling is one of the most fascinating and rewarding wildlife encounters you will ever experience.

5. Giraffe

The giraffe is the tallest of all land animals and the largest ruminant. Giraffes have long held the interest of their human admirers and were considered by Arab prophets as the ‘queen of the beasts’ because of their delicate features and graceful poise. With a tongue of around 2 feet they don’t really need any other reason to make the top 5.

6. Hippos

Spending most of their days keeping cool in the water or mud hippos are semi aquatic animals. The appearance of a hippo is mind boggling, as they resemble large pigs but are in fact related to the whale species, and despite their large appearance they could easily out run a human, so you better keep your whit’s about you!

7. Crocodile

As mentioned before prehistoric animals are a wonderful thing to witness, so why would you want to miss out on one of the most prehistoric looking animals on the planet? Despite this ancient appearance they are biologically complex and have a cerebral cortex a four chambered heart and a functional diaphragm. One amazing experience, although tense, is watching as they ambush and catch their prey, their powerful gnashing jaws pulling their victims under water, yes this may seem tragic, but it definitely is a once in a life time opportunity.

8. Cheetahs

Reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour when hunting, and being able to accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 63 seconds the cheetah in the fastest land animals, this fact alone is enough to explain why the cheetah is a must see animal on a safari. These cats need land and space an d seeing one in action is an incredible sight.

9. Leopards

The elusive leopards are one of the shyest and least sociable animals in the animal kingdom but are still opportunistic hunters and are highly adaptable. Watching a Leopard carry its prey up a tree is a fantastic sight and one of the best opportunities you could hope for. Yes, the leopard may be the smallest of the big cats but they definitely make up for that in their beauty and grace.

10. Wild Dogs

Wild dogs as their name suggests are wild animals that can never be tamed. They live in packs of around 6-20 and are highly intelligent and sociable. One of the most fascinating sights is the bond they display before a hunt; the group begins mingling within the group, vocalising and touching each other, working each other up into a frenzy of excitement. Sadly, these animals are highly endangered.

So there you have it the top 10 animals you should be looking out for when on your safari travels, look out of their behaviours and their unique ways, and don’t forget to take a camera. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice just take as many shots as you like (or read our guide to taking photos on safari), that way these moments can live with you forever, not that they will ever leave your mind!