Car rental services in Rwanda have taken a big stride in the travel world. Many travellers traversing around this country of a thousand hills opt to go for hiring a car other than using public means. Many car rental companies have come up in Rwanda of lately and offer some good services and this is validated by the growing number of travellers interested in the car hire services. However, the traveller has to be smart and very conscious to get the best deal for car rental and there are some mistakes that have to be avoided in that you don’t get a one hell of an experience.

Below are some of the 7 car rental mistakes to avoid 4×4 car rental Rwanda.

1. Extra Insurance

This is a money-spending scheme on your car rental deal in Rwanda due to the fact that
most of the car rental companies in the country offer comprehensive insurance for their
vehicles. The comprehensive insurance covers all the likely damages that are meant to
happen to the car in case of an accident and third party as well. Some travellers seek car
rental insurance right from their insurance companies back which seems useless in
Rwanda since the rental cars have comprehensive insurance already. We recommend that the traveller has to only acquire personal insurance since it
is not provided by the car rental company.

2. Renting from a Nearby Airport

Normally car rental services around the airport are very expensive due to the high demand of these services because Kigali airport is the international travel hub for most visitors who come to Rwanda. More so, there are always surcharges slapped on car rental services around the airport for example parking tickets and these expenses always go to the hirer’s bill. It is advised to rent a car from the providers who do not operate within or around the airport, these have very affordable rates.

3. Not Searching Around

Some hirers make a mistake of going with the first car rental company they spot on the
internet. This is a very mortal error since it might lead you to being charged highly for the
rental car. There is a plethora of online car rental providers, all one has to do is google 4×4
car rental Rwanda and a long list of websites of various companies will pop out. Look at
some of them and their services you compare and contrast and then choose the best
services for yourself.

4. Prepayment of Fuel

Some travellers want an all-inclusive car rental package for convenience. This is a two thing at times the hirer benefits from it but most of the time, it is a disservice to him/her. Most of the time the car rental providers over-quote the fuel prices and hence the car rental deal becomes too expensive for the hirer. Therefore, as a hirer, one is advised to buy fuel on one’s own. This helps travellers to save some money on the fuel since most of the time he/she will pay for what he/she has consumed which is not the case with the prepayment of fuel where the provider makes a quotation of fuel per day regardless of the distance to be covered.

5. Payment of car rental accessories separately

This is a very common mistake among clients who rent cars in Rwanda. They tend to hire a
car alone and then also book the car rental complements like camping gear, extra baby
seats and GPS separately. The accessories tend to be priced slightly high when hired separate from the rental car. However, when you hire a car with another accessory in one inclusive package, the provider gives out the complete package at a discounted price.
More to that some accessories like the GPS are not worth hiring nowadays since smart
phones carry Google Maps which can act as GPS.

6. Not checking the car

Before a traveller sets off on his journey to his/her designated destination, he/she is advised to inspect it. He/she is supposed to check the dents, and scratches and do some test driving and also photos of the car must be taken. But some hirers are reluctant to do the checking and when they get back from their trips are even charged for the damages or scratches they did not cause on the rental car.

7. Returning the car late

The time and day of return of a car should always be respected because flouting it always
comes with a hefty fine. Nonetheless, human nature comes into play for some individuals who return the rental car later than the set day. The violator of this clause always pays a
premium fine and hence loses money recklessly.

Are you considering hitting the open road? A well-planned road trip is good for many things: it breaks up our routine, helps us unwind, allows us to discover new places, and sets the stage for unforgettable moments, to name a few.

A road trip can end up being more stressful than it’s worthy if you find yourself broken down on the side of the highway, or worse — stranded in the middle of nowhere. In order to set yourself up for a successful excursion, vehicle maintenance and safety is of utmost importance.

A dyed-in-the-wool gear-head, rental agencies in Rwanda have loved working on cars for a long. We are passionate about sharing our knowledge and experience to keep others safer on the roads. Follow our quick tips on how to prepare for a road trip.

I. Get to Know Your Vehicle’s Capabilities

Knowing what your vehicle can and cannot do helps you determine how to perform maintenance on it, as well as whether you should make any alterations to your driving style.

II. Examine Your tyres

Making sure your tyres are road-ready is essential to your safety. Look at the tread on each tyre, and if they’re worn out on the outside but have good tread on the inside, rotate them (or have it done by the mechanic). Rotating between left, right, front, and rear tyres can help you get the most use out of your tyres. However, if you notice dry rot, cracks, sidewall bubbles, or punctures, you need to have your tyres replaced immediately. Also, make sure the air pressure in your tyres stays where it needs to be throughout your trip. This not only makes your ride safer but also makes it smoother and can increase your fuel efficiency.

III. Check Your Brake Pads before Setting off

You can’t set off for a road trip in full confidence without knowing your brakes are functioning properly. If you hear a screeching noise when you brake, you may very well need new brake pads. Good brake pads create the friction necessary to stop or slow down your car. When your brake pads are worn out, you’re basically grinding metal on metal, which is the screeching noise you hear. Even if you don’t hear evidence of worn brake pads, you should do a quick check by looking through the holes of your wheel at the brake calliper and pads. If your brake pads show 20 per cent or more of wear, you should take them to get replaced before setting off.

Iv. Top off Your Fluids

Six primary fluids need servicing in a vehicle: motor oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid
(coolant/antifreeze), brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. When it comes to your radiator fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid, you can usually see in the reservoirs when they need to be filled up. However, the other fluids can get more complex, as their life spans vary depending on the year, make, and model of the car.

Meanwhile – If you’re hoping to reap all the possible benefits from a road trip, you need to take all the necessary maintenance steps with your vehicle. Do research on your vehicle to learn about its capabilities so that you can make any adjustments needed. Check your tyres and rotate or replace them if necessary, and make sure your brake pads are up for the trek. Finally, top off or replace any fluids that need it and then set forth for a thrilling road trip in Rwanda.

We have many years of experience in designing what we believe are the most interesting self-drive trips in Rwanda. You do your own thing driving but enjoy the security of us pre-booking top-class accommodation for you.

Our self-drive itineraries feature quality camps and lodges – the best accommodation available. On some itineraries, you may stay at a small and unique property. You will probably require accommodation before and after your self-drive vacation. We will be happy to book this for you.

All of our suggestions can be modified. If you require something completely different, please remember that we can still help you pre-plan your own personalized itinerary. All itineraries can be done in reverse. Let us take the worry out of your self-drive trip with our East African itineraries with vehicle depots across the region.

RWANDA SELF DRIVE TIPS

Now that you are all set to go on your road trip to Rwanda, let us help you with some useful tips which you need to be aware of while driving in Rwanda.

– Always carry your original, valid driving license
– Car Insurance proof
– Always carry a photo identity proof (Passport)
– Carry proof of car ownership with you always (the car rental documents)
– GPS and Maps will be essential because you ARE going to get lost without these
– Fill up your car fuel tank before leaving major cities and towns because you will barely meet fuel
stations in the remote areas
– Payments can be made with hard cash or credit cards
– Overspeeding in Rwanda can lead to penalties and punishments. Some roads are also “country” so narrow that they need extra care.
– Having a car lets you experience Rwanda at your own pace, which is great for people who really want to explore the uncharted areas.
– Roundabouts are everywhere, especially in major cities and towns
– Flexibility, if you decide to stay an extra day or take a detour it’s no problem with a car rental
– Follow the road less traveled, ability to get to places large buses and tour buses cannot go.

For the best deal on long-term rentals, always book in advance from home. Meanwhile, below are some of the car rental tips for a Rwanda self-drive trip:

The Rental Company to Go With:

Most of us start our search on a travel-booking site. When shopping around, don’t stop at comparing initial price quotes. You’ll want to determine which company’s offer involves the best combination of rates (including all fees and any extras you want), service, and pickup/drop-off locations (with workable office hours) for your trip.

It’s generally an advantage to go with a larger company, with a wider choice of pickup and drop-off locations. Most of the big Rwanda rental agencies have offices throughout East Africa. With these companies, if you get into car trouble, a replacement car is likely to be close at hand.

No matter whom you rent through, be sure to hang onto all your paperwork (including the checklist used by the company to check the car’s condition when you turn it in) for a few months after the rental period, in case a billing dispute arises.

Selecting a Car:

In Europe, most cars available are of manual transmissions; of which automatics are more expensive(usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car.

Meanwhile, with renting a car in Rwanda, the rates for manual and automatic cars are always the same. You’ll find all the car fleets you may need (whether automatic or manual) but prices only vary with the car type you’re going with, for example – a Safari Land Cruiser will be more expensive than the Rav4.

It is also to take note of that most of the rental cars in Rwanda are not of the latest models but are too powerful and always in good shape to go for a successful safari holiday in the remarkable Parks of the country. The cars are thoroughly serviced on a daily basis to offer clients a good time in the field (on their trips).

Choosing a Pick-Up (and Drop-Off) Place and Time:

It’s best and less stressful to pick up (and drop off) a car at an airport, rental agency’s headquarters, or anywhere else close to Kigali city – Rwanda’s capital, which is free. When you tend to pick up or drop off your rental car away from the aforementioned places, you’re most likely to incur surcharges.

Cars in Rwanda are rented in 24-hour periods, so select your pickup and drop-off times carefully — if you pick up the car at 10 a.m. on the first day and drop it off at noon on the last day, you may be charged a whole day’s rental for just those two hours. Don’t book your pickup time for earlier than you really need the car.

Sometimes it can make a lot of sense to start and end your car rental in different cities, especially when you traversed the entire East Africa – you can start your self-drive trip in Kampala and end in Kigali – Rwanda. One-way rentals are often free within the same country, but dropping off in another country will likely cost extra.

The extra cost of a one-way rental can still be worth it if it saves you a very long drive back to your first country. But if the last leg of your trip isn’t too far from the border of the country you started in, a small tweak to your rental plans can save you plenty. When booking, also ask about your options (and the costs involved) in case you change your plans en route and want to drop off your car at an office in another city or on a different date.

Get quotes for longer rentals:

Typically, the longer you rent, the less it’ll cost per day. You may find that renting for a full seven days costs the same as, or even less than, five or six days.

Double-check currency conversions when comparing prices:

Some foreign-based rental company sites use fudged conversion rates that make the price in dollars look cheaper than the price that’ll actually show up on your credit card bill, it’s, therefore, wiser to convert prices yourself before anything else. However, payments in Rwanda are always done in dollars or local currency.

Pay In Advance:

If your itinerary is set, it’s almost always smarter to pay for a rental car when you book, rather than at the agency counter. Not only are you likely to get a discount, but, assuming that your quote was in dollars, you’ll know you’re paying the exact amount you were quoted. You’ll also avoid paying an international transaction fee on your credit card. If you’re purchasing a collision damage waiver from the rental company, that’ll likely also be cheaper when paid upfront. But beware of cancellation fees: Don’t pay if your itinerary is likely to change, and be certain of the company’s cancellation policy.

Thoroughly read the small print:

Carefully read your entire reservation voucher before you leave home. By asking about fees in advance and double-checking the charges at pick-up, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. Reconfirm your plans: It’s a good idea to confirm your reservation a day or two in advance so that you don’t experience inconveniences and disappointments on your safari holiday.