Things to avoid when renting a car in Uganda
Renting a car in Uganda: Without a doubt, renting a car either for safari or business is at its highest peak for the past 5 years in Uganda. However it’s not an easy task to opt for, many fear to rent cars especially when driving in a strange country they have never been to. Many questions are rising up including, do I need to buy additional fuel for the car?
Do I pay for insurance, can I drive in a foreign country, and if I need a chauffeur is it possible, any assistance given on road in case of damage? Among many others. All these questions come into the minds of travelers intending to hire a car in Uganda or to another country. Many people prefer sitting at the back and then getting driven while others prefer sitting behind the steering and driving themselves. Below are some of the things you need to avoid when renting a car in Uganda.
Prepaying for petrol
You can opt to refuel the car or you can ask the rental car company to refuel it. For the simplicity of traveling and concern of being late to the airport or to any other destination, you can decide to let the company refuel the car. Some car rental companies have the tendency of hiring the car with fuel, however, it’s advised to let them know and they refuel it, or you can refuel it at your own expense making it more costly than the rental charges.
Return the car in time
The terms and conditions of many car rental companies are that the hirer must return the car on the agreed-upon dates before the expiry period. Many car rental companies like 4×4 Uganda car rentals have ignored the extra hours they give before the expiration of the agreed period and they charge the same fare per any extra day spent with the car. You are reminded to always keep in mind the dates you are returning the car to avoid extra charges. Read the teams and conditions carefully, many car rental companies do not allow driving at night, any Changed programs, or not following the terms and condition may cause this, unexpected mechanical problem and in case of this you are 100% responsible and you must communicate to the rental agency. So in order to avoid all these, try to return the car on an agreed-upon period.
Avoid paying for extra costs
You may end up paying for what you are not supposed to pay, before hitting the road, make sure that you check well with the car rental agency’s insurance policy if it does cover you with the rental car. Make sure you check the auto agency’s insurance policy whether it covers you when you rent the car.
Most of the car rental companies have their cars insured so in case of head collision or any other accident happened to the car it’s the company to pay, so if you don’t know this, you may end up paying for the costs which would have been covered by the company. On top of that make sure you follow your itinerary well in order to avoid unnecessary costs on your trip to avoid extra payments. So if you consider all these, it will help you save and achieve a memorable experience in Uganda during your safe drive.
Thoroughly examination of the car
Before hitting the road, first take time to examine the car, check well the key major features like the hand brake, wipers, horn, tyres, headlights, indicators, battery, check belts, brake fluids, hydraulic, oil level and the radiators. After examining this and finds no big problem, then you are very okay to finalize with the car rental agency.
After finding that the car is well, you have the right to hit the road to your final destination. Thoroughly examination of the car will save you a lot of challenges on the road including accidents and getting stuck on the road. Not only that but still examine both the exterior and interior view while still with the rental company desk to avoid paying the damages that was already in the existence. So full inspection of the car is highly needed.
Avoid getting stuck with an empty fuel tank
You are advised to fuel up the car to a full tank, always observe the nearby fuel stations as you set for the trip. It should be put under your consideration that few petrol stations are found in remote areas, so you are advised to carry with you an extra fuel container like a jerry can in case you got up with fuel shortage. Many car rental companies hire their cars on ½ fuel so you are also supposed to return it back with the same, No fuel refund is given to the hirer.
Read carefully the terms and conditions in regards to your contract. Things to avoid when renting a car in Uganda, You should also consider other factors before renting the car like smoking in a non-smoking car, avoiding over speeding, avoiding driving when drunk it violates Ugandan traffic, taking the rental car as if it’s yours, parking in a safe area, always locking your car when getting out, all these should be put into consideration before hiring the car
