A self drive trip in Rwanda can be a lot of fun. Let us talk about the breath-taking views of green hills, the super clean streets of Kigali, the eye-catching Rift valley and magnificent lakes. They’re a sight to see and the best way to enjoy these sights hassle free is by 4×4 car rental for self drive. Before you go for the trip, it is important to check and ensure that your car is in good condition. Even if the car is in good mechanical condition, it doesn’t kill to prepare for emergencies such as accidents, breakdowns and sickness.

Emergencies are not only mechanical. They can also be personal emergencies affecting individuals on the trip. Whether you decide to buy a pre-assembled kit or create your own, it should include a few essentials that you might need to keep yourself and your friends or family safe until you find help. With that in mind, the following list of indispensable items would be useful in case of an emergency situation.

4x4 Car Rental Rwanda (2)
4×4 Car Rental Rwanda

First aid tools: These are essential for medical emergencies and include but not limited to the following 

  • Medicines you take on a regular basis at home. Pack enough medicine for the planned trip plus extra in case your trip is prolonged.
  • An alert bracelet if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, seizures, hypertension, or allergies.
  • Painkillers like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains
  • Antihistamines for allergies 
  • Antacid medicine for upset stomach
  • Anti-nausea or motion sickness medicine.
  • Antibacterial hand wipes 
  • Face masks
  • Bandages  to cover minor cuts or wounds
  • Gauze in rolls, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch pads, to dress larger cuts and scrapes.
  • Safety pins to fasten splints and bandages.
  • Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and burns
  • Hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect wounds
  • Disposable, instant-activating cold packs to cool injuries and burns, as well as for use in strains and sprains
  • Tweezers to remove small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers, and ticks from the skin.
  • Disposable rubber gloves to protect hands and reduce the risk for infection when treating wounds
  • Thermometer to take temperatures in case of illness
  • Calamine lotion to relieve itching and irritation from insect bites and poison ivy
  • Sunscreen or Aloe gel for sunburns
  • Insect repellent.
  • Anti-malarial drugs to prevent malaria
  • Cough and cold medicines
  • Epinephrine auto-injector for people with severe allergies
  • List of prescription medicines
  • Water purification tablets
  • Extra pair of contact lenses or prescription glasses

Snacks and drinks

When on a self drive trip in Rwanda, keep in mind that most of these destinations are in remote areas where you may not easily find grocery stores. It is important to buy enough eats and water or other drinks in advance before setting off to these places to avoid inconveniences.

rav4 well 4x4 car rental rwanda
rav4 well 4×4 car rental rwanda

Chargers

The worst thing that could happen to you on a road trip is your phone battery dying. This means you’ll not take pictures and videos for memories and also communication is cut. Prevent this by packing a charger, USB cables and fully charged power bank in case you don’t have a power source.

Sanitary pads and tampons

These are very essential items for women and should not miss in the emergency kit. Sometimes due excitement, the menstrual cycle can be tampered with and periods show up unexpectedly. Even if you think you won’t need them, pack them just in case someone else needs them.

Latex Condoms

We are not encouraging random sex but on your self drive trip, you could find yourself in an irresistible situation so it is better to be safe than sorry.

 For the greatest peace of mind, consider getting  a traditional travel emergency kit with everything you need to help keep you and your family prepared for any uncertainties.