Going to a new country can be quite stressful, especially when you don’t have the slightest idea of how to get around it. For some people, especially those who are savvier with directions, you could take your chances on a country’s public transportation system. For others – those who are topographically challenged – this problem can be solved by spending a fortune on hiring what seems like an entire fleet of taxis in a single trip. Another option would be to hire your very own car while you’re there.
Meanwhile, the only worry is how to hire and book a car rental in Rwanda, especially when you have never traveled there before – booking with an authorized car rental company is the best option here. In some countries, hiring a car is dirt cheap, while in some it can cost a fortune. However, before you get a car overseas, you should have the proper documentation.
Most car rental services only need potential clients to present a driver’s license and sign a couple of the agency’s documents. Some renters may require another valid form of identification, but this is still not that much of a hassle. What separates a car rental or hiring service in one country from that of another will usually boil down to price.
If you can, try to book a car much earlier in advance – as this will save you some money unlike with last-minute bookings. This may seem like a trivial thing, but don’t put it on the back burner. The logic that a car will always be available once you get there doesn’t always apply. Even if it did, renting behind the counter of the car rental shop will almost always be more expensive compared to when you book just a couple of weeks, or even days, in advance. If you’re having a spontaneous trip, try your best still to book a car at least over 24 hours before you go and pick it up from the rental place.
It will also be for the best to iron out the details of hiring a car before you leave your country. This includes booking the vehicle itself and getting the services of a driver, if you want one. Doing things earlier isn’t only cheaper because you get to choose the better deals, but also because you avoid being charged hidden fees and clauses such as non-refundable deposits. You also won’t be affected by the shifting exchange rates you’ll encounter going from country to country.
You should also ask about specials and sales, late return penalties, as well as gas charges. Some car rental companies may charge less money if you get one of their cars during the low seasons (rainy seasons) of March to May and September to November.
Know if the people you’re renting from count a day as a full 24 hours from when you took the car out or if they count it every time the clock strikes 12:00 AM. This information can help you avoid late fees and other extra charges. Some rental agencies also expect their clients to shoulder the additional gas fees, while some will shoulder it themselves or have it included in the bill from the get-to-go.
Rwanda is an English and French-speaking country; if it doesn’t have a language similar to yours, then a language barrier may pop up. This could cause misunderstandings that will end up costing all parties involved. This could put a bad mark on an otherwise good trip. Learning a bit of the local lingo won’t hurt, and this knowledge might even end up helping you out, if not so, you can order an interpreter from your trusted rental company – but this should all be done in advance. Cultural differences could also be a cause for concern if you don’t read up on them before you travel. You’ll avoid unnecessary conflict if you do so.
