When it comes to exploring new and exotic places, there’s nothing better like having your own set of wheels. Since you can’t take your own car on the plane during your trip to Rwanda, find out the best way to hire one and enjoy the freedom and fun of having a car when you’re in a different country, without the worry:

1) Book in Advance

Book earlier and you’ll have your pick of the cars, so you can get the type you’re after, at a price that’s right for you. Leave it too late and you might be stuck with what no one else wants. Planning ahead, even a little bit ahead, also saves you from any last-minute price hikes.

2) Compare car rental agencies

Once you’ve sorted your trip dates, go online and compare what’s on offer. Just like airlines, car hire companies vary quite a lot. Some brands offer incredible prices but strip back on service; others pride themselves on high-quality cars and customer care, and their customers are prepared to pay a
bit more. Checking out a range of brands helps you compare prices, types of car, and just as importantly – what people are saying about each company – on-trip adviser.

3) Check the terms and conditions

No one enjoys reading the small print – it’s not exactly a holiday treat. But it is worth taking a few minutes to give your rental agreement the once-over when you get to the desk. It’s definitely nicer than having any nasty surprises later.

If you book online, you should find the Terms and  Conditions of your car on the site and with your booking confirmation – so you can take a look in the comfort of your home before you start your trip. Keep an eye out for extra charges: for additional drivers.

Remember your documents

The rental company’s counter staff will need to check your paperwork before they hand over the car key, so make sure you check your booking’s T and Cs to find out what you need to take. You might need other documents as well, but you’re sure to need:

Credit card – The car hire company will want to block a deposit on a credit card in the main driver’s name. So make sure you pack your plastic and that there’s plenty of credit free on it.

Driving license – For everyone who’s planning to drive themselves should carry a valid driving license.

Proof of identity – You will also need something to prove who you are and where you live. This normally means a passport.

4) Share the journey

Driving in a foreign country can be daunting. There will be different speed limits, strange road signs, and laws you might not have considered (such as the use of headlights). Before you leave, a little swotting up on local road rules and routes you’ll be taking can help you feel more confident. If possible it’s better to hire an experienced driver-guide from your rental agency.

5) Find your way with a GPS

Having a GPS can really take the pressure off when you’re driving abroad. You can take your own device to avoid daily rental charges (and you can now download maps to your mobile so you’re not using data when you’re abroad). If you end up using a GPS from the rental company, take a minute to switch it into your language before you drive off. And, if all else fails, you could always take a map because some of Rwanda’s attractions also reside in remote areas where the GPS and your online maps on phone may not be of use, because of network problems.

It seems simple enough – you want to rent a car in Rwanda for a thrilling wildlife trip or anything else, you see the picture online, so you book the model you want. But when you turn up, you’re given a completely different car. Why? Often when you rent a car, you’re given a completely different model to the one you booked. Find out why.

How rental cars are booked:

You might notice when you book a car that it says ‘or similar’ next to the model. This is because when you hire a car, you’re actually booking a car that matches a set of characteristics, not booking a specific model. Cars are booked by a four-letter code called an ACRISS (Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards) code. This defines the type of car, number of doors, type of gears, what the fuel is and whether the car has air conditioning.

Booking a rental car is a little like when you book a table in a restaurant. You can book the time and the number of people, and you can specify any requirements you have, but at the moment (technology will probably change this soon for car rental and restaurants) you don’t usually get to choose the exact table.

Why you might get a different car:

Rental companies rarely know the exact vehicles they’ll have in stock from one day to the next. Sometimes cars are in for repairs or in high demand. And the actual cars change frequently too – so a rental company’s whole stock may change between your booking and picking up your car. This high turnaround of vehicles means it’s difficult to guarantee an exact match.

Also, car makes and models vary around the world. So while you may want to book the same type of car as you have at home to make driving abroad more familiar, they simply may not have that type of car in the country you’re visiting.

Sometimes the variation can work in your favor – you might get an ‘upgrade’ if the type of car you want isn’t available. Your car hire company should always upgrade you to a bigger, better car in this situation.

Tips for getting the car you want:

You can’t always guarantee you’ll get that Chevy, but there are ways to increase the chances of getting your ideal ride.

1) Book early to give yourself the best chance of getting the rental car you want. Leaving it late means you’ll likely just be given whatever the rental company has left.

2) Choose a big rental company. You’ll have a better chance of getting the car you want at the big rental agencies where they have lots of cars.

3) Choose an unusual or luxury car as this should increase your chances of getting the exact model – although you’ll probably have to pay a big deposit upfront for a luxury car, not to mention higher rental charges of course.

4) Pay extra for a guarantee from a specific car rental company. A few car rental companies can guarantee to get you the exact model you want, but you may have to commit to using just that company, and you’ll pay a hefty fee for the privilege.

So for most of us, it’s all about booking early, hoping for the best and being ready for a little surprise when we turn up to collect the car.

Due to the high influx of travelers into Rwanda, car hire services are in high demand. Many people hire cars for different reasons like visiting the different star tourist attractions of Rwanda, visiting family and Rwanda, business conferences, and global or regional political events or meetings. Therefore, if you are planning to hire a car in Rwanda in the near future, there are certain things you need to learn before you make your booking.

1. Only operates in East Africa

Most car hire companies in Rwanda cannot let you drive the vehicle out of the East African countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Burundi). These are the areas of
jurisdiction allowed by most car rental providers to traverse with their vehicles. More to
that you will have to pay COMESA fees when crossing the car to other borders of the east
African countries.

2. Know about the Insurance Policy

Rental car providers insure their vehicles hired out their clients. The type of insurance
normally offered is comprehensive insurance which covers collision damage waiver and
third party. This has some limitations for instance if you are at fault for the accident, you will pay for the damages. The policies in the insurance are always stipulated in the car rental contract given to you while hiring a car.

3. Must be in possession of a Driver’s License

Rwanda is a law-asserting country; it is under the law that anyone to gets on the wheels he/she is supposed to have a valid driver’s license. There is no way a car hire dealer will rent you a vehicle minus presenting your original and valid driver’s license. The driver’s License acts as proof that you are eligible to drive a vehicle. The international driver’s license is most preferable but even your national driver’s license can work.

4.Full payment of the car hire service

Before you set off for your journey, full payment of the car hire fees must be made to the
provider. The payment can either be done by cash or electronically. At the meeting with the car rental provider, you are asked to make the payment and then the car is given to you. More to that when making the booking, you have to make an initial deposit to act as confirmation leverage.

5. Minimum Age Limit of driving in Rwanda

the driving age in Rwanda is 21 years and this also implies that the car rental companies
only allow 21 years and above to rent cars from them. you will always be asked to present
out your national identity card or passport to know your age.

6. Read the car rental agreement

there is always a black and white paper document presented to the hirer by the rental
company. This contains the terms and conditions of renting the car. The hirer is advised to
look at thorough and ask where he/she has not understood. The hirer must know any
violation of any clause in this agreement is likely to lead to a fine. Read it and follow every
clause to the dot.

7. Traffic Rules and regulations

Rwanda operates on European standard traffic laws and this is why they drive on the right
side of the road as opposed to most of the African countries. However, there are some traffic laws that are only customised when driving in Rwanda for example the maximum speed of driving on highways is 60kms and 30kms in the urban areas. As a traveler, you will have to seek information about the driving rules and regulations from your car hire provider.

8. Fringe Charges

The popular extra charges on the car hire services in Rwanda are the delivery and pick up fees of the vehicle at the hirer’s preferred point (airport or hotel). Some of the car rental
companies ask for a small fee of about 50$ dollar for the pickup and drop off of the rental
car.