Go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Even the most detestable adventurer that has been there, will admit there is no thrill like standing just a few feet from a wild mountain gorilla in his turf, looking right into his incredibly human eyes. With fewer than 1000 mountain gorillas left in the wild, gorilla trekking is not just an extraordinary feeling, but a life changing adventure; it’s a valuable economic lifeline for these beautiful endangered gentle giants. If volunteering abroad brings you anywhere near the last remaining habitat of mountain gorillas, do not pass up the opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Africa’s Virungas.

Mountain Gorilla trekking in Africa involves hiking deep into the mountain jungles of Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to meet and observe a gorilla family in the wild. You go with guides; national park rangers who monitor the gorillas for conservation record keeping, and help protect them from poachers. They can locate and determine the general area where a gorilla family will be, and are skilled in tracking them.

We did our gorilla trekking adventure in the DRC. It began in the SUV ride up to the starting point, a rangers’ station in the mountains of the Virunga National Park outside the city of Goma. Because the DRC is less traveled than neighboring Uganda and Rwanda, people (and gorillas) there don’t see as many mzungu (foreigners). The tiny, very simple agrarian villages you’ll pass, and the people who run to the side of the road to wave at you, give you a glimpse of a way of life you’ve only read about.

We were told in advance that the length of the trek was entirely up to the gorillas — sometimes the guides could track them down in less than two hours, other times it took much longer. Mountain gorillas are nomadic, traveling the jungle in families and camping out just long enough to clear a wide area of all its fruit, have a nice sleep on nests of leaves, and move on. They don’t follow a clear path, either — so if you’re tracking them, you realize pretty quickly that these big suckers like to meander.

It took us six hours tramping through dense jungle, on a mat of vines that clung to our feet, to find the gorillas. There were no trails, just our guides clearing the way with machetes. We were on a path forged by gorillas, that much was clear. Our trail switched back and forth, uphill and down, at least once up a sheer cliff face that we had to scale, our hearts pounding, clinging to thick jungle vines. Deeper into the jungle, the sky had just opened up and released a good old-fashioned African jungle downpour when we heard the low gruntings ahead.

The first gorillas we saw were mothers holding their babies, with juvenile gorillas playing around them — a sight you would see in any playground in the United States — except these were gorillas instead of people. When we approached, the mamas climbed up some tall trees with their babies and generally stayed high up.

The younger ones came barreling over to us, stopped just a few feet away and started pounding their chests and hooting. Our guide told us they wanted us to play with them, and even though they were smaller gorillas, it was still intimidating. That feeling grew tenfold when a 500-pound silverback gorilla came galloping between us and them … not threatening, but definitely letting us know he was keeping an eye on the situation. The younger gorillas gave up trying to play with us and just played with each other — rolling, wrestling, swinging on vines, and pounding their chests, just like in the movies.

This was a big family, about 35 gorillas, and we only had an hour in their presence (wearing surgical masks to prevent any diseases being passed back and forth between our species). As we watched them, our guides were explaining the gorillas’ behavior — which humans can easily interpret as menacing — and we came to realize they were not threatening and all, and just as curious about us as we were with them. The rangers were familiar to them, but mzungu women were rare in this jungle. By the time the hour was up, most of my intimidation was gone, and I got my best photos.

How to Rent a Car in Rwanda

Traveling to a new destination means you’re likely going to a place where you don’t typically drive or may not be familiar with all state-specific driving laws. If you took a flight to this destination, it also means you’ll have to rent a car in Rwanda, so you’ll be driving a car that is not your own.

When renting a car while on vacation, your first thought might be how many passengers you will have or if you will share the driving with someone else. Then, you might take into account the refueling options and the return times to avoid penalty fees. However, you should also consider other factors like weather, safety, insurance, and how the car fits you as a driver.

Follow the steps below before you drive off in your rental car.

Consult Your Insurance Agent

Many car rental companies provide insurance packages. In turn, many insurance companies include rental cars in their packages. Prior to booking your rental car, check with your auto insurance agent to see if your policy includes coverage when driving a rental car. Additionally, be sure to list all possible drivers on the rental agreement.

Rent a Car You Know You Can Drive

Double check that the company has the vehicle you want. Rental companies often offer small vehicles, such as compact sedans, at lower rates. Many of these vehicles might not include four-wheel drive or navigation systems, car features to which many drivers are accustomed. You will need to make the decision if the bargain price is worth the reduced features, especially when it comes to safety.

Make a Reservation

Many major rental car agencies gladly accept walk-up customers, but companies sometimes rent out their entire inventory and are left unable to service new customers. To ensure that a vehicle is available to rent, place a reservation for the rental using the company’s website as far ahead of time as possible. As an added bonus, customers with reservations are usually charged a lower rate than walk-up customers.

Present Payment and License to Rental Agency

Upon arriving at the car rental location, the agent behind the desk will verify the reservation and request two items: a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. The driver’s license is used to validate the renter’s identification, license status, age, and address (in case the car is not returned), and the credit card is generally charged a “hold” in the amount of the rental (rental companies use this hold to ensure they will be paid when the car is returned).

Review the Rental Agreement

Rental agreements vary from company to company, and should be carefully reviewed before taking the keys to the rental car. Verify how many miles are allowed per day many, but not all, companies offer unlimited mileage allowance and other nuances, such as when the car must be returned, any grace periods, and additional fees that may be incurred.

Review the Damage Insurance

A part of the contract that requires special attention is the loss and damage insurance. Most companies offer special insurance at the time of rental that pays for repair of any damage, though this coverage often comes at a hefty charge. In many cases, the credit card used to reserve and rent the vehicle offers similar coverages as a free benefit. Before accepting or declining the car rental agency’s insurance, be certain to become familiar with the free benefits offered by the credit card cardholder agreement. You should also check with your own car insurance company, as many policies afford you the same protection on a rental car as you have on your own car.

Accept the Keys

With the contract signed, the car rental agent will offer keys to the rental car. Many companies simply assign a vehicle at random based on the class of car reserved, though some companies allow their customers to select a car from a designated portion of the lot. Before you drive off the lot, quickly review the car, both inside and out. If the gas tank isn’t full, if you see somebody damage, if something isn’t working properly, be sure to inform the rental agent. Otherwise, you might be held responsible for those problems once you return the car. If everything’s in order, off you go.

Check Your Rental Vehicle before You Drive

Before you drive off the lot, do a 360-degree inspection of the vehicle. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the vehicle before your first trip. Make note of any preexisting dents, scratches, or issues with the vehicle and share this with your rental agent to include in the paperwork. If you notice significant damage, it might be best to request a different vehicle.

Return the Car

When the car rental period is complete, simply return the vehicle to the designated area. Depending on the company, an attendant may be present in the lot, or the keys may be returned to a designated drop box inside the rental office. Most car companies require that the car be returned with a full tank of gas, unless you pre-paid for the gas as part of your agreement.

Conclusion

These factors will directly impact your driving experience and, if ignored, can make your vacation unnecessarily stressful. So, as you plan your next travel or vacation.

List of Driver Traits on Road Trip Rwanda

Traveling is not as easy as it seems as drivers find very many challenges while driving  and are both internal and external problem. If you are not strong enough, you get depressed thus a likelihood of causing an accident. When we talk about being strong, we do not necessarily mean that you have to be only physically able bodied but all mental strong as there are nagging other road users, hectic traffic jam and also the bad roads. So if you are driving you have to be able to expect the worst as you turn negatives into positives and also the capability of maneuvering all challenges and reach your destination in a safe manner.

These driver trait on the road below can make your reach your mission of a having a successful travel on a car rental in Rwanda

 Take in Criticism positive

In everything you consider doing, there is a long queue of critics along. You can never stop people from telling you that you cannot do that and you have to get used to any bad thing pointed at. But all you have to do take as an advice and the same thing that will happen while driving in Rwanda  expecting on the road Other many road users telling how awful you are driving, how bad looking your vehicle is. So all you have to do keep focused driving your way till you reach your final destination.

Be Patient when driving

They say patience pays and it really rewards even on the road as you never going to find any problem on the roads of Rwanda if you take it easy and slow. Do not speed up the car even if you go at a moderate speed you can reach your destination.. Think of your life because over speeding causes accidents and it is a crime in Rwanda. When caught over speeding, you are fined which can turn your self drive car hire Rwanda more costly.

Be humble on the road

While on the road driving in Rwanda, you will find very abusive drivers when you happen to make a mistake on while driving. You should not retaliate because if you do so then you will be causing chaos. Just say sorry or smile and keep driving.

Do not expect too much

Keep your expectations low and let the encounters bring out the excitement in you. Too much excitement when traveling around the world can lead to disappointment as sometimes you do not encounter what you expect. So keep your anxiety low and enjoy each moment you experience on the road as you travel to preferred destination especially on a self drive car hire in Rwanda.

Trust yourself when driving in Rwanda

Most important, Disbelieve in yourself is of the greatest enemies on an adventure expedition as it leads to fear, insecurity and thus lacking the guts to make right decisions on the way. Be confident and trust what you do as you drive in Rwanda. This will lead you to making lesser mistakes on the road. Even if you are a foreigner in Rwanda, driving rules do not change a lot amongst different countries. So just get the confidence and enjoy your road trip Rwanda.

The above traits while on roads of Rwanda can make you have a very magnificent road trip in Rwanda.

Experience Nature walks while in Rwanda

Trips to Rwanda are exceedingly exciting and get you up close to some amazing nature attractions that quite often you may never have encountered or can only be found in this part of the world. Take trekking Mountain gorillas for instance a unique experience only on African soil which though can be done on trips to Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, the Rwandan safari has more enriching rewards like the traditional Kinyarwanda music and dance performed just a few minutes before you start on your trekking experiences. The heart pounding sounds of the African drum beats accompanied by heartwarming sweet smiles and amazing body gyrating dancing strokes, ululating music tones and bright colored costumes will definitely keep flashing in your mind all through your rigorous trekking period and your lifetime after. The thrill of meeting up with the Mountain gorillas in their natural environments going about their routine activities, their wield and wild habits, their sitting postures as they maul heaps of foliage and their gait as they move to another leafy tree is one of the unwritten statements that make safaris into Rwanda number one on many adventure travelers wish list.

Walking safaris into Rwanda however is not all about trekking Mountain gorillas for there are many other options. The steep and rugged volcanic Mount Muhabura with panoramic views of beautiful lands extending into other countries Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo are so scenic and attractive to the eye and offer a good ground for body exercise.

There are lots of other primates notably the Golden monkeys, Chimpanzees and many forest and high altitude birds inhabiting the luxuriant green forests that keep other nature lovers on their tenterhooks all through their walk. Of paramount importance amongst the forests is Buhanga Sacred forest from which cultural kings took the sacred bath few days to their enthronement day. There is a hike to Karisoke research station where Dian Fossey the world known primatologist who pioneered Mountain gorilla activism and protection based her activities and was subsequently murdered from. Through her dedicated service much of the world was able to learn of the plight of Mountain gorillas and protection of their natural habitat.

Many other enthusiastic nature walk and urban life lovers explore the lakesides of Burera and Ruhondo in search of lake breezes to cool off the heat of the burning sun as they watch a multitude of beautiful birds with very bright colors attractive to the eye. There are also very attractive and heart throbbing Musanze caves deep in the forests in which African forefathers and their kinsmen lived. As recent as 1990s the same caves came in handy to provide safe haven for thousands of refugees during the infamous genocide.

Whatever the reason for visiting Africa may be some for studies and research, political reasons, religious pilgrimage or work related travel, taking a Rwanda safari and interacting with the indigenous Rwandans on a walk and sharing in their life experiences is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences on the African soil.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid Rwanda

Renting a car in Rwanda is a tasking process a traveler must go through if he or she is to have a complete Rwanda safari. In the process of booking your rental car, you are bound to make mistakes many have also made before. Repeat of such shouldn’t reoccur that is why we have come up with 5 common Rwanda car hire mistakes travelers make. Take note of these mistakes and you won’t have any challenges renting a car in Rwanda for a self-drive tours, Kigali city expeditions, gorilla trekking tours or driver guided game safaris.

Here are some of the most common mistakes travelers make when renting a car in Rwanda. These mistakes can cost you more;

Picking up your rental car at Kigali Airport (KGL)

An extra charge can be levied on you for car transfer from Kigali capital city to the airport but this may depend on the Rwanda car hire agency/company/tour operator you will be reserving your rental car in Rwanda with. A safer and a much convenient option is to have your rental car in Rwanda delivered to you at place of residence or hotel in Kigali city. Or simply visit our premises in Rwanda and pick your car by yourself.

Ignoring the car price structures

When hiring a car in Rwanda or any country, cross check the price structure of a car you plan to rent. Most travelers ignore this and it is essential step when finding the right car for your Rwanda safaris. Most car hire companies/agencies provide discount packages which you may enjoy if you are interested in long term car rental deals.

Other aspects to look at include fuel costs which is why it is not a good idea to ignore the car price structure. Some car rental agencies can hire out a car in full tank, half tank or even with no fuel-such terms and conditions can be available in the price card/structure.

Buying extra insurance

Buying extra insurance is usually one of the common car hire mistakes travelers make especially when making reservation online. Before you purchase any other insurance, ask your car hire provider which insurance they provide along with car you plan to rent. Majority of Rwanda car hire companies provide comprehensive insurance which covers a lot of costs and you won’t need extra insurance because your car provider has covered you.

Not inspecting the car prior driving off

Before you drive off, car inspection is key. Don’t be on a hurry, have time to carryout adequate inspection on the rental car you plan to set off for Rwanda safari. Thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior of the rental car to be certain that no dents, damages and ensure the AC, window lock, doors function well etc.

Rushing

The mistake some travelers on Rwanda tour make is assuming that they can hire a car of their choice any time of day. When you place your inquiry, you will need sometime to wait for confirmation of car availability and most importantly, follow what they tell you. Patience can earn you the best rental car rather than if you rushed and pressurized the reservation team. Don’t ruin your Rwanda safari experience because you are on a rush!

Is Rwanda Safe for Self Drive Tours

Self-drive tours have become popular in most parts of Africa, Rwanda inclusive. But is it safe to go for a self-drive tour in Rwanda? Well, the truth is Rwanda is safe and secure for solo travelers to have a successful self-drive safari holiday.

Self-drive tours provide exceptional alternative to discover Rwanda differently. It is adventurous way of penetrating into hidden sides of Rwanda something you can’t get while on public means of transportation.

What to do when planning for a Rwanda self-drive tour

Research more about Rwanda and ideal destinations to visit

Yes, self-drive tours can be exciting but you ought to carryout adequate research on different destinations before you consider visiting on solo trip. Rwanda like other destinations has some areas prohibited for self-drive safaris. But majority of them are safe and you can embark on your solo trip.

Rwanda has enjoyed peace and security for very long time. This makes it one of the safest destinations in Africa for self-drive tours, guided tours not only for gorilla safaris or chimpanzee tours. Its capital city Kigali is also ranked not only the cleanest but also one of the safest cities in Africa which you can explore on self-drive tour or Kigali city tour.

Security begins with you

While on solo/guided tour in any destination, safety and security always start with you the traveler. But most significantly, safety starts right from Kigali Airport once you have landed and you can witness it as you go through thorough check-up-upon arrival or during departure. The process isn’t meant to discomfort you but it is all intended to ensure your safety and that of other travelers so that you all have successful holiday in Rwanda the land of a thousand hills.

Meet your driver guide waiting for you upon arrival

After the long check-up process, now you can get a warm welcome from your driver guide who also doubles as your tour leader/safari guide. This is if you hired a car and driver guide. He or she will brief you on what you need to expect on Rwanda safari.

Understand the road signage

Finally, you have embarked on your self-drive trip but there is something important to take note of and that is traffic rules/road signage. Drive defensively but at minimum speed. Observe road signage to avoid being caught up by traffic officers, have valid driving documents, never drink and drive, never drive at night, protect your valuables and others.

Things to Check Before Taking a Rental Car in Rwanda

One of the key aspects of traveling is renting a car as this is the only mechanism that can take you from one tourism destination to another hassle free. But you should get so excited about the car rental services as it is upon you to make best use of them as you have to put a few things into consideration to have nice car rental in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.

Here are the things to check before you rent a car in foreign country;

First thing is to check if all the items are included in the car rental package- items like fuel refilling policy, unlimited mileage, early return clause, baby seat, GPS, road assistance and insurance. You have to make sure that all those items are included in the car rental package because they are so important while driving in a foreign country like Rwanda.

Make sure all the clauses like early return, excessive insurance, limited mileage, and fuel refill are discussed between you and the car rental company are put in written format. This makes the mutual understanding made between you and the company valid and in case of misunderstanding you can turn to it and solve it.

Ensure you get to know the driving policy and rules in Rwanda as different countries have different driving laws. Also different road signage is interpreted differently in different countries. It is best to get the information from your car rental company in that you do not become an offender by ignorance on the road.

In addition to the above, the car rental company will alert you what to expect from different road users and this can be of great help while driving in Rwanda.

It is also recommendable to know where you will be picking up the car are there extra costs for picking the car in a convenient place. Car rental companies in Rwanda make their clients to pick up car rentals from the airport, company premises or your hotel or sometimes you can tell the company to deliver it at your place of convenience but this come with a fee.

Ensure that you choose a vehicle that suits the nature of your travel. Car rental companies normally help their clients to know what type of vehicle he/she will need for his/her travel. All you need to do give them your itinerary; they will know the vehicle you will need for expedition. For example if you are taking a gorilla safari tour Rwanda and you are a sole traveler, they will hire to you a 4×4 vehicle with fewer seats and the car that falls into that category is a Toyota RAV4.

In addition to the above make sure you are given the exact car you agreed upon when you were making your reservation unless they are making an upgrade but a discounted price then it can be an advantage taken into your hands.

Always check for the above things before you hire a car in Rwanda because they will protect you from any problem associated with car rental business.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Are you thinking of meeting the gorilla up close? Rwanda is the ideal place for gorilla tours. Rwanda is a very peaceful country with hospital people full of joy and willing to make friends with any interesting person. It is among the cleanest countries in the Africa with a well organized political, social and economic system that make the gorilla trackers to enjoy their stay with ease. It has fine restaurants for dining and classy hotels where tourist can stay comfortably while taking gorilla tours.

Rwanda makes it easier for every gorilla lover as gorilla tours in Rwanda are affordable and they can appeal to everybody whether budget, mid range or high end. There are gorilla tour packages for everyone provided by local tour agencies that can be contacted through the internet.

While in Rwanda for a gorilla tour, one is able to meet the gorillas with ease as the gorilla tracker has to take a short distance to reach the mountain gorillas in their natural environment at volcanoes national park on Virunga ranges in Musanze district. It is actually a two hours drive to reach the home of the mighty mountain gorillas.

Rwanda has almost a third of the world’s mountain gorilla population of 320 out of the 880 and the rest are found in Uganda and DR. Congo. Gorillas in Rwanda are found in bamboo and montane forests in Virunga ranges. This makes Rwanda the easiest place spot a gorilla as the rest of the places in the countries where the mountain gorillas are found have very dense tropical rain forests making it so hard to see the gorillas at times. In Rwanda, gorilla tours are carried out through the year, so one can visit Rwanda at anytime to watch the gorillas in their natural setting.

These gorilla tours in Rwanda are organized in such a way that one can enjoy watching the gorillas in style as one travels in 4×4 safari vehicle that is very comfortable and also sleep and dines in very class hotels and eco lodges. There are also other attractions that one can encounter at the gorilla tours in Rwanda like the golden monkeys at the basement of the volcanoes national park, the culture village town in Musanze district where one is able to observe the African culture through the cultural dances and traditional ritual and practices. On the gorilla tours one can opt to take a Kigali city tour as he/she visits the historical sites in the city like the genocide memorial, the parliament and the market place where one can go for curios shopping.

Taking a gorilla tour makes one find a second home in Africa as the people of Rwanda are very charming and friendly to everyone they meet and the climate too is very favorable to human living.

Self Drive through Uganda & Rwanda on Low Rates

I believe driving yourself on a Uganda or Rwanda safari is the most adventurous experience you can ever get. It doesn’t matter which type of car you have rented but what matters is the uniqueness of the experience especially on the roads of a foreign country .Many tourists when they come to Uganda and Rwanda book cars to transfer them to their destinations but never have a chance to drive themselves. This is because some of them think that it is impossible to acquire a car easily and be allowed to drive in a foreign country where there are unknown road rules and regulations. But here at our company when one wants to travel with us, we always ask them if they want to drive themselves or want us to provide them with our drivers and guides. If one decides to go for a self drive them we act according depending on his/her wish.

But let’s ask our question;- how is it possible to drive yourself in Uganda or Rwanda?

First thing one should put in mind is that Uganda and Rwanda are both in East Africa separated by borders. They are actually near to each other and therefore share some things. Their rules and regulations on the road are somehow the same though others differ. Driving yourself in any of these countries is easy especially if you use the right company to do so. Tourists are always encouraged to make some research about a specific company before coming up with a conclusion of travelling with them. This is because there are some fake companies online which do not actually exist and they are online to swindle people’s money in pretense of organizing them safaris.

A self drive in Rwanda and Uganda is possible because there is no restriction to that from both governments. What is required is that the company to that should be registered and also the car being used should have the necessary license. It’s also advised that once a tourist books a car for a self drive, he/she should be given a guide to travel with who helps in locating the different places and also offer advice on the different road rules. Some people think that this is not important but actually it’s the only way a foreigner can get to his/her destinations without problems like poor locating and road mistakes.

In our company, we always give our clients guides to travel with and these a well trained in both driving and locating the different places in the country. One doesn’t need to worry about anything while travelling with them because they offer all the required guidance and also answer questions from clients when they need to know something. They are friendly and actually in most cases at the end of the safari, clients become good friends with them and end up coming back to Uganda for an extended experience. However, there are those clients who are well versed with the geography of Uganda and Rwanda and they do not need a guide on a self drive. We have no problem with that and we allow them go with the car without following them until the end of their safari.

In conclusion, its possible for someone to drive himself in Uganda and Rwanda without any problem from the government and the local people.