Rwanda-Tanzania self drive safari guide

Driving from Rwanda to Tanzania for safari is a smooth process with no strict immigration requirements as long as you have the necessary documentation. Tanzania is quite a huge country, about 36 times bigger than Rwanda so prepare yourself to drive really long distances once you get there. Use this Rwanda-Tanzania self drive safari guide to plan for your car hire experience.

The distance between Rwanda and Tanzania’s safari regions is about 1450km by road and it takes approximately 22hours of driving, meaning you have about 2 days of driving across the country until you reach your explorations. If you’re touring Rwanda and intend to go to Tanzania,  the best plan is to end your trip in Akagera because it is closer to the Rusomo One Stop Border Post (OSBP). The distance between the two is approximately 70km and is a 1½hour drive.

The Rusomo OSBP is located in Kirehe District on Rwanda side and Ngara District on Tanzania side. It operates 24/7 with a number of Government agencies all available at once to expedite and facilitate clearance of goods and people across the border. The border crossing is one of the new “one stop” ones with both countries in one building. Once you get to the border, you’ll be asked to present the following documents

Required Documents

• Passport: For East African Community citizens, alternative identification like National Identification cards from their countries are accepted
• East African Community visa for visitors that are not citizens of the East African Community
• Drivers licence. Note that you do not need an International Driving Permit to self drive in Tanzania.
• Yellow fever vaccination card
• Insurance: COMESA Yellow Card, also known as third-party motor vehicle insurance, is a regional insurance card scheme recognized by participating states (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, DR Congo) as proof of insurance coverage in accordance with the national laws or regulations governing liability for motor vehicle accidents. Confirm with your car rental provider about this insurance or any other acceptable third party insurance

Once you have all those with you, your passport will be stamped and will be cleared by immigration to proceed. You will have to switch driving sides to the left because driving in Tanzania is on the left side of the road. Time on your digital devices will change to one hour ahead. From Rusomo, the next busy town is Mwanza which is almost 400km away.

There are no major attractions en route to Western Serengeti but you’ll find some restaurants and accommodations along the way for you to rest and freshen up. Be aware that the roads in southern  Tanzania are tar with many potholes but you’ll find asphalt roads in the North Eastern part. All roads connecting  Arusha to Ngorongoro, Moshing, Kilimanjaro,  Lushoto and Dar es Salaam are smooth though driving in the parks is off road with dirt roads.

It is very safe to drive in Tanzania as long as you avoid shortcuts on secondary roads. You also need to drive defensively and avoid long hours of driving. Additionally, driving within the required speed limits of 80kmph on highways, 40km in urban centres and 35km in national parks will save you the hassle of dealing with traffic police officers whom you’ll meet on several occasions.

To get around easily, you need GPS or Google maps so having a local Sim card connected to the Internet is a smart option because roaming may not help when you get to remote areas. Visit a Tigo, Halotel, Airtel or Vodacom store, present your passport for registration and choose a suitable prepaid plan.

The best cars for Rwanda Tanzania self drive are the 4×4 and most preferably those with rooftop tents. Be mindful of unmarked speed bumps which are very common on town entrances. You will also encounter many potholes which are difficult to see in the dark so avoid driving at night. Ensure to carry some cash, snacks, enough water, a fully charged phone and power bank in case of any emergency.

Places to visit in Tanzania

• Serengeti National Park
• Ngorongoro Conservation area
• Tarangire National Park
• Lake Manyara
• Lake Tanganyika
• Oldivai Gorge
• Stone Town
• Old Fort
• Arusha
• Dar es Salaam
• Zanzibar Island.

Bearing in mind that self drive trips in Tanzania are really long, it is important to make stops along the way and resume driving the next day. If possible, alternate the driving with a friend or family so that you’re not very exhausted. Do not forget to have a road assistance and emergency kit in case of a breakdown or health emergency. Contact us to know more about this Rwanda-Tanzania self drive safari guide.