Self Drive Horrors to Avoid.

Self-driving in Rwanda is a thrilling experience, especially when you’re going on a safari trip. The beautiful green scenery and the rolling hills and the landscaped are a sight to see. Rwanda is usually referred to as the Switzerland of Africa because of the terrain, cleanliness and cool weather. Just like anywhere else in the world, it is essential to be aware of potential hazards that may happen on your self drive trip to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Learn about these Self Drive Horrors to Avoid in order to have a great Rwanda car rental experience.

These may include the following.

Poor road maintenance: Some roads, especially in safari destinations, can be in disrepair, with potholes, uneven surfaces, and lack of signage. Also, during rainy seasons, they can get really muddy and slippery. It is advisable to hire a 4×4 vehicle because it is able to withstand rugged roads and rough terrains.

Dust and dirt roads: During the dry seasons of June to September, expect to find so much dust and dirt in unpaved roads. Dust may cause some respiratory diseases like flu and cough and also extreme nasal congestion especially if you’re not used to it. When driving in this situation, ensure that your vehicle’s air conditioning is in good condition and you may also pack an air filter to use in your hotel rooms especially if the hotel is near the dusty road.

Unpredictable pedestrian behaviour: Many Pedestrians in Rwanda especially in the rural areas do not follow traffic rules and in most cases, you’ll encounter children playing in the roads. In national parks, you’ll come across animals relaxing in the middle of the road or even just crossing. You’re advised to maintain a speed of 40kmph in the national parks to avoid running over animals. Driving fast in national parks carries heavy penalties/fines.

Aggressive driving: Some local drivers especially on highways and rural areas may drive recklessly, ignoring traffic rules. In this case, engage defensive driving and be on the lookout for such drivers.

Lack of streetlights: Rwanda has some of the best road networks in Africa but this is only true in urban areas. As you drive further into the countryside, you’ll notice that there’s inadequate street lighting on the roads and this can make it difficult to navigate the roads, given the many steep corners. Endeavour to maintain the required speed limit of 60kmph, make sure that your vehicle’s lights work well and avoid driving at night if possible.

Fog: During the rainy seasons, fog is very common especially in the night and at dawn. Fog will block your vision and you may not see clearly where you’re going. In this case, turn on your headlights to signal other drivers of your presence and also where possible, avoid driving in the night when it is raining.

Inadequate vehicle maintenance: Though not common, your rental agency may give you a vehicle that’s not properly maintained and this may breakdown  in the middle of your trip. Before taking a rental car, ensure your vehicle is in good condition, with proper tire pressure, functioning brakes, adequate fuel and properly serviced.

Mechanical breakdown: Vehicles break down time and time again because of poor mechanical condition, bad roads, or they simply break down! As a driver, you  well know that it is important to carry road assistance items like a spare tire, jack, first-aid kit, jumper cables, phone charger among others  in case your car breaks down.

Theft and vandalism: Rwanda is considered one of the safest countries in Africa but that doesn’t mean that it is completely crime free. Petty crimes like pickpocketing and theft are very common especially in busy places. When you park your car in such a place, take all your valuables with you because the parking management is not liable in case of theft. The car may also be stolen in some cases so make sure that the insurance covers theft of the car.

Also due to the ongoing political feud between Rwanda and DRC, avoid driving to the border of the two countries tries and if you must,  hire private security and be informed about the situation.

Getting Lost: It is common to get lost in a place you’re not familiar with. Getting lost can be frustrating and time consuming. Ask your car hire provider if the cars have GPS services and if not, you can always use your Google maps to get directions.  Also, Rwandans are very kind people so if you feel really lost, ask the locals for directions and they will gladly help you out.

Inadequate insurance: One of the worst things that can happen on a self drive trip is an accident.  Some accidents can be more fatal than others depending on the nature of collision. This is when Insurance comes in handy. Before taking the rental car, make sure you read and understand the insurance policy of your agency to avoid spending so much money in case of an accident.

Roadblocks and checkpoints: Prepare yourself for random roadblocks or checkpoints. As a foreigner driving in Rwanda, ensure to have all the necessary documentation and follow all the local traffic rules to avoid getting traffic tickets.

Medical emergencies: Sickness is unpredictable and on your self drive trip, you may experience unexpected medical emergencies. Always be prepared with a well equipped first aid kit and work on your medical travel  insurance in advance. The most common medical emergency is malaria so take all the necessary precautions against it, as well as other diseases

Local traffic laws: Rwanda has very strict traffic laws and enforcement is tight. For example, the speed limit in urban centres is 60kmph, which many foreigners may find “too slow” and may be tempted to over speed. Be sure that you’ll be caught because there are so many speed cameras on the roads and e-tickets are issued should you exceed the speed limit. Driving in Rwanda is on the right side of the road so Familiarise yourself with this. Wearing a seat belt is compulsory so if you the driver or your passengers and not well buckled up, expect serious fines.

In order to have a smooth self drive experience, you need to thoroughly research your route, learn basic kinyarwanda like greetings, plan for emergencies and

By being aware of these potential hazards and taking necessary precautions, you can minimize risks and enjoy a safe and memorable self-drive experience in Rwanda. Contact us to know more about the Self Drive Horrors to Avoid when renting a car in Rwanda.