Exploring Rwanda’s national parks via self-drive offers an incredible opportunity to encounter a diverse range of wildlife species in their natural habitats. From majestic mountain gorillas to elusive leopards and colorful birdlife, Rwanda’s parks are teeming with biodiversity waiting to be discovered.You can easily obtain a Rwanda car rental and get to explore the land of a thousand hills on your own.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the wildlife encounters self-driving can expect while exploring Rwanda’s national parks:

Volcanoes National Park

Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei): Undoubtedly the star attraction of Volcanoes National Park, mountain gorillas are one of the most iconic and sought-after wildlife species in Rwanda. Visitors embarking on a gorilla trekking expedition have the opportunity to observe these gentle giants up close in their natural habitat. The park is home to several habituated gorilla families, and encounters with these magnificent primates offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Golden Monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti): In addition to mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is also renowned for its population of golden monkeys. These striking primates, with their vibrant golden fur and playful antics, inhabit the bamboo forests of the park. Guided golden monkey trekking tours provide visitors with the chance to observe these endangered monkeys as they leap from tree to tree and forage for food.

Other Wildlife: While gorillas and golden monkeys steal the spotlight, Volcanoes National Park is also home to a variety of other wildlife species. Keep an eye out for forest elephants, buffalo, spotted hyenas, and various species of antelope during your self-drive adventure. Birdwatchers will also delight in the park’s avian diversity, with over 200 bird species recorded, including the colorful Rwenzori turaco and the rare African green broadbill. 

Akagera National Park

African Elephants (Loxodonta africana): Akagera National Park is known for its thriving population of African elephants, which roam freely across the park’s savannah plains and woodlands. Self-drivers can expect to encounter these majestic giants bathing in rivers, grazing in open grasslands, or traversing the park in family groups. Elephant sightings are a common highlight of game drives in Akagera.

Lions (Panthera leo): Following their reintroduction to the park in recent years, lions have made a remarkable comeback in Akagera National Park. Self-drivers have the opportunity to spot these apex predators as they prowl the savannah in search of prey. Lions can often be seen resting in the shade of acacia trees or socializing with members of their pride.

Leopards (Panthera pardus): While elusive and nocturnal by nature, leopards can occasionally be spotted by lucky self-drivers during night drives or early morning safaris in Akagera National Park. These solitary cats are known for their stealth and agility, making them a thrilling and elusive sighting for wildlife enthusiasts.

Other Wildlife: Akagera National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, and various species of antelope such as impala and waterbuck. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the park’s rich avian diversity, with over 500 bird species recorded, including the iconic African fish eagle and the secretive shoebill stork.

Nyungwe National Park

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Nyungwe National Park is renowned for its population of chimpanzees, our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom. Self-drivers can embark on guided chimpanzee trekking expeditions to track these intelligent primates through the park’s dense forests. Witnessing chimpanzees swinging through the canopy and interacting with one another is a truly unforgettable experience.

Colobus Monkeys (Colobus angolensis): Nyungwe National Park is home to one of the largest populations of colobus monkeys in Africa. These black-and-white primates are often spotted moving gracefully through the treetops in large troops. Self-drivers can observe colobus monkeys feeding on leaves, grooming one another, and displaying their acrobatic prowess in the forest canopy.

Other Wildlife: While chimpanzees and colobus monkeys take center stage, Nyungwe National Park is also home to a variety of other wildlife species. Keep an eye out for L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and red-tailed monkeys during your self-drive adventure. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the park’s avian diversity, with over 300 bird species recorded, including the endemic Albertine rift endemics such as the Ruwenzori turaco and the Rwenzori batis. 

In conclusion, self-driving in Rwanda’s national parks offers an incredible opportunity to encounter a diverse range of wildlife species, from iconic primates like mountain gorillas and chimpanzees to charismatic mega fauna such as elephants and lions. Whether embarking on a gorilla trekking expedition in Volcanoes National Park, spotting lions in Akagera National Park, or tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, self-drivers are sure to be enthralled by the abundance of wildlife waiting to be discovered in Rwanda’s pristine wilderness.

The advent of computers and internet is fast changing the world providing easy solutions all around with respect to a number of products and services. Car rental service is no exception. Car rental in Rwanda is much easier and quicker as compared to earlier days. Now you can rent a car on self drive in Rwanda and adventure on your own in comfort! Online you can find numerous players in the field of car rental services in Rwanda who will help you travel with ease, thousands of miles away from your home. You can browse through a large number of websites, compare prices and services and select the best deal for you from Rwanda.

Car rental in Rwanda through online services gives you the pleasure of being pampered right from the airport. Feel the comfort of someone waiting for you with your name tag at the airport and providing you with car facility right-away and taking you directly to your desired spot.

While renting a car in Rwanda just remember to follow the tips listed below:

• With the help of a search engine like “Google” compare the prices with respect to products and services of at-least five different car rental sites.
• Do take care in deciding and mentioning correct renting dates with respect to the car rental. Many companies do not refund your deposits under any circumstances, so it is advisable to keep this in mind before moving ahead with your car rental in Rwanda.However, some genuine car renting houses like Rwanda self drive do not take in money from you in the name of deposit until the last day when you come to collect the vehicle.
• Do make a point to obtain the concessions for a longer car rental. Longer the duration of rental more you save.
• Many car rental services offer special discounts to their regular customers, so you can use this option to get concessions for you. For this you have to stick to one or two car rental in Rwanda.
• If you are planning to rent a car in Rwanda on public holidays, then you have to do this well in advance, as this reverberating tourist location can leave you disappointed with no deals left in peak periods.
• Be careful while driving the rented car and obey the traffic rules. It will be better option to keep you away from any catastrophe that would befall you and consume some of your precious time.
• Check out for the penalties and expenditures, if by chance you get into any sort of accident or mishap. A good car rental company will give you insurance cover in this regard.
• If you wish to share driving with some family member or friend, verify whether multiple drivers are allowed or not, some car rental companies charge extra fees for this facility.

Please Note

Renting a car involves taking responsibility of the car to some extent and you should read the terms and conditions page carefully before going ahead with your deal to rent a car at Rwanda Overlooking the terms and conditions page may cost you dearly at a later stage.

Before getting into the car have a nice look at the pre-marked scratches if any and check the petrol level and milometer reading.

Adhering to the above mentioned tips will get you towards the positive prospects of car rental in Rwanda. Now you are left with only one thing, drive carefully and have a joyful ride.

When you hire a chauffeur, you don’t have to worry about the extra fees that come with renting a car, including parking fees, extra insurance and fuel. Licensed chauffeurs are highly experienced at navigating all types of traffic and weather conditions. Below are some of the benefits of renting a car with a driver.

Enjoyment

The first benefit of renting a car with a driver is that you don’t have to drive the car yourself and completely enjoy your trip sightseeing the roads, the mountains and the forests on your route. You can keep talking and discussing things with your companions have snacks and refreshments without focusing on the road.

Expertise

The second big benefit of renting a car with a driver is that the drivers that a car rental company provides you are experts in their profession and know about how to safely drive the car on highways and narrow streets without becoming prone to a car accident. Also, they have enough information about how to repair a car when it’s stopped in the middle of nowhere, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck at the spot for several hours doing nothing but wait for a mechanic to come and solve the problem.

Knowing the correct route

The drivers that a rental company hires are first assessed on how much they’ve traveled, how much they’ve learned about the routes, and what driving skills they have. After this complete inspection, the rental company hires the best candidates and hands over the responsibility of driving their cars. That’s the reason renting a car with a driver will help you to reach your destination through the correct route where there are no hurdles, and you reach in a safe & sound condition.

Knowledge about the car

Many times, when you rent a car, you aren’t properly aware of what functions the car has. Nowadays, the new cars are full of technology and features that weren’t introduced before. The drivers that a car rental company provides have enough knowledge about these features and how they work. So, if you aren’t aware of new car features, the best solution for this is to rent a car with a driver.

Helper

Renting a car with a driver is always beneficial rather than renting without a driver. The driver that a rental company appoints can help you out a lot during your trip as they know their way around places, hence if you need a hotel to have your meals at or to stop at some place for prayers, etc. the driver can have a good idea of where to take you, where you’ll get the most hygienic options, and this will make your trip more convenient and comfortable compared to traveling on your own.

 Car’s safety

Another benefit of renting a car with a driver is the car’s safety, as the driver doesn’t leave the car alone. He always remains inside or near to it to keep an eye on the vehicle. This prevents the car from any damage or theft. That’s the reason it’s always a good option to have a driver when going on a tour.

Your safety

You might be worried about what will happen in case you get into an accident while on your road trip. Will the rental company trust that it wasn’t your fault? So here’s the solution for this. You can rent a car with a driver to protect yourself from being asked about the reason for the accident. The driver will be answerable to all these questions as he’s the one who was driving the car. So, it’s always recommended renting a car with a driver if you want to save yourself from incidental queries.

Relaxation

You can book car rental services with drivers and their main aim is to take you to your destination in a safe and sound manner. It’s totally the driver’s responsibility to take care of your transportation needs while you relax.

Smooth Transportation

If you are new to Rwanda, you will definitely get very confused when it comes to renting a luxury car and driving around the city because of the multiple roads connecting to multiple exits. Moreover, you will have no clue about the peak hours in Rwanda. So, if you rent an affordable car with a driver, he will know where to go, how to go and when to go.

Professionalism

Chauffeur services in Rwanda are very popular as business meetings and dealings are common in the city. Furthermore, if you have a VIP guest to attend, you need the best of the services. Luxury car rentals with chauffeur have made it easy to handle the guests professionally. They will be properly dressed in uniform and will transport the guests to their desired location.

Smooth Parking

You do not have to spend hours finding the right spot to park your car if you have rented a car with a driver can enjoy your outing in Rwanda while the driver of your rented car can take care of the parking.

Fluent Communication

Whenever we visit any foreign city or country, we are not required to learn their language. However, at times we may face communication barriers. So if you have rented a car with a driver in Rwanda, there will be no hurdles in communicating. The drivers can directly communicate with the locals. You don’t need to worry about communicating with anyone in Rwanda.

These were some benefits of renting a car with a driver. Whenever you plan a road trip, always remember these points before making your final decision about renting a car. If you’re from any foreign country you can rent from Rwanda Car Rental, as it is one of the most reliable rental car companies in the whole country.

Booking a rented car with a driver will let you focus more on your trip. Let the driver solve the hassles of traffic and parking, while you enjoy your trip in your affordable rented car. Best of luck with your journey.

This tips for anyone who’s planning to fly into a destination and then use a rental car to get around during vacation. Renting a car in Rwanda cannot be done at an airport terminal something that is common in developed destinations. In contrast, renting a car in advance allows you to choose from a wider selection of vehicles and save money and headaches, because you’ll know exactly what’s waiting for you whenever the plane touches down.

Do your research

Be sure to compare costs both between companies and between different types of cars. Be aware that smaller cars think “compact” or “economy” tend to cost less and have better fuel efficiency, saving additional dollars.

Cross-check your rental car options in order to avoid renting a vehicle model that’s been recalled. Read up on your rights and responsibilities as a renter so you’re empowered to combat any problematic charges.

Be sure to factor in all taxes, surcharges, and other fees—including early or late return fees, airport surcharges, fuel charges, mileage fees, roadside assistance fees, charges for driving out of state, drop-off fees, equipment rental fees, and additional driver fees that you may be required to pay. Because some car rental agencies don’t always reflect these costs in the advertised price, be sure to read the fine print before signing any contracts.

Call the rental agency

Even if you’ve already booked a rental car, it’s useful to call the agency to make sure they’ve actually secured your car. This is especially critical for holiday weekends or business travel, when any kind of delay might mean missing family dinner or an important meeting.

Know your (age) limits

When it comes to age restrictions, rental car policies vary between countries, states, and even different branches of the same company. While many agencies will allow people under the age of 25 to rent (contrary to popular belief), they’re likely to tack on a hefty fee for the privilege. The best way to determine your eligibility is to call the exact agency location from which you’re looking to rent.

When you show up to the agency to pick up your car, you’ll need to present a valid, state-issued driver’s license, an active credit card that matches the name on your driver’s license, and proof of car insurance. Be sure to check with your specific rental agency in advance to find out if they require any additional documents. Also be aware that many agencies will check your driving records. A history of reckless driving, accidents, DUI, driving with an invalid license, and even seat belt law violations may disqualify you from renting a car.

Sort out insurance

It’s an age-old question: Do you purchase rental insurance, or not? Most sources agree that it is important to have insurance while renting a car. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be strategic with your dollars. If you own a car and have full coverage insurance, then you should be covered under your existing policy. If you own a car but only have limited coverage, you may want to invest in extra coverage for the rental. And if you don’t own a car (and therefore have no existing car insurance), you’ll definitely want to purchase insurance for the rental.

At a minimum, make sure that you have primary Collision Waiver Damage coverage, which can be procured in a number of ways:

You may already have it through your own vehicular insurance, as mentioned above. Call your insurance company to find out what’s covered under your policy. You can purchase it directly from the rental agency. Just be aware that you’ll pay much higher rates if you make that purchase at the counter; even purchasing insurance from the agency in advance of picking up the car can save some cash.

Your credit card may offer an insurance policy if you use that card to pay for the rental. Simply call up the credit card company and ask them what options are available, and make sure you’re clear on exactly what’s covered by their policy.

Check the car before driving away

Before leaving the rental agency’s lot, be sure to inspect the car (inside and out) for any scratches, stains, dents, or other damages. Document anything out of the ordinary by taking pictures with a camera or smartphone, and then notify the rental agent and ask them to note those damages in the paperwork. This should help protect you from being stuck with a bill for damage you didn’t cause.

Fill up before returning the car

Most rental cars come with a filled gas tank, and renters are expected to refill it before returning the car. (Check your rental agreement to confirm whether this applies.

Inspect the car again when you drop it off

Whenever you drop off the vehicle, be sure to search all of its nooks and crannies to make sure you haven’t left behind any personal belongings. Also be sure to note any new damages and take pictures of the car (whether it’s damaged or not) in order to help fight any erroneous charges.

It may seem a little daunting, but taking the time to learn the ins and outs of renting a car opens up a whole new world of travel opportunities. Whether you’re embarking on one of these must-do American road trips, heading off on a last-minute getaway by car, or taking a dog-friendly road trip across the country, the hassles of renting are guaranteed to be a distant memory by the time you’ve returned from the trip.

Kigali is among the cleanest African cities and the capital of Rwanda so the moment you step in it, with the idea of exploring this magnificent land of a thousand hills where you will experience the incredible culture of the Rwandans always have this in mind that you’re not alone.

Rwanda is one of the popular destinations and it is also among the destinations people want to visit, and this is witnessed by the many traveler s that fly in every day, this makes indicates that Rwanda is on every travelers bucket list. This city is amazing to appoint where travelers that visit it wish to call it home and sometimes they decide to stay behind so that what they wish for comes to pass.

When you arrived at the airport, you don’t wish to board a taxi because taxis are always on time like they be wanting to drop you to your destination so that they come back to airport to get other clients and this may not grant you a chance to experience the city to the fullest and sometimes you many want to tour the city after you settling into your hotel room. Owning your vehicle by hiring it will give you more independence and freedom plus peace during your vacation in Kigali because when you’re at the back of the wheel, you get a chance to sight see the city at our own convenience. Therefore when you Visit Kigali, don’t think of using taxis or buses because you won’t want to stay fixed under the control of the bus’ schedule.

Of recent, we had a client who traveled with us for a gorilla safari in Rwanda, and all that she wanted after her tour is; to share the experience with others and also give some tips on what is required while trekking gorillas in Rwanda and below is her story.

First and foremost, gorilla trekking was the main activity on her trip and she would like to use this opportunity to recommend all people interested to try and have the same trip. She said Rwanda is an incredible country, safe and stable, clean with realistic governance and hospitable people.

Gorillas in Rwanda are found in Volcanoes national park which is situated in Musanze province at the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes. Trekking gorillas was a well-arranged activity that began as they reported at the park headquarters to be briefed about the gorilla trekking including all the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. Afterward, she was assigned a gorilla group to visit; however, she wasn’t sure if anyone can request a gorilla group of his or her own interest.

To our experience, it’s possible to request a visit to a particular gorilla group that you could prefer to track. This is always done earlier mainly through your safari guide as he will approach the park officials and addresses your issue which is fine if done in time. This is done to some clients who need a specific gorilla experience such as gorilla groups that involves much hiking while others want those which are easy to find. She added that it is unpredictable how long the trekking will take because it varies from 2-6 hours depending on the movement of gorillas in the forest.

On her first visit; she trekked the Amahoro Group made of 18 gorillas varying through all ages. It was a 30 minutes drive on a rough road from where she had spent a night to the park headquarters. On reaching, they spent 20 minutes being briefed and later had to put on the trekking gears such as the waterproof-type pants gumboots among others.

Afterward, they started off the trekking in a forested bamboo area, it was a sunny morning but they still continued to a reasonably open grounds area but with less light where they got the gorillas as they were running their daily activities. She was happy because she trekked in good weather with no rain. She went on and recommended all trekkers put on layers due to the fact that the weather is unpredictable however you can get quite hot after walking.

On her second visit; she trekked the Kwitonda Group consisting of 17 gorillas including 3 Silverbacks. It was a 20 minutes drive on an uneven road from her place of accommodation to the park headquarters. It took them 1-hour trekking in the forest, walking up and down the steep forest through a worn path. The path had little stinging nettles. On reaching the gorillas, they spend 1 hour with the gorillas as it is the maximum time allowed while taking some memorable photographs. She went on and advised on the best type of camera required in taking photos;

• Fast lenses are needed in order to take clear pictures since the gorillas are always in areas without direct sunlight however sometimes gorillas can be found in places with direct sunlight. Most of her photos were taken around ISO800, f2.8-5, and shutter speed of 1/10-1/240
• She had bought a monopod but she did not use it just because gorillas were all around and the guide was regularly making them move to make sure they maintain a 7m buffer distance between them and the gorillas. The monopod takes a little while to set up, the space can often be cramped as you will have 8 tourists and the guides all stuck in the jungle and the gorillas may be in a pose position that you may want for just a short period of time.
  In her group, there were two keen photographers who had full-sized tripods2 full-frame cameras, a 70-200mm lens plus a wider fast lens. However, both of them left it and shot handheld cameras or occasionally with a monopod when the gorillas started resting after eating.
• She used a D90 (1.5x crop sensor) and 70-200mm VR lens which looked to be fine for over 85% of the shots she wanted. Their guide on the second trekking was more strict on the distance between them and the gorillas however it could reduce from 2-5meters since the gorillas were mobile. This made her 70-200 mm lens on a Nikon crop sensor somehow long but a bit ok for most of her photos.
• A zoom lens is better since it becomes too difficult while taking steps forward or backward while in the jungle.
• It became tricky for her to get a clear view of the gorillas due to the little light in the jungle as well as the dark colour of the gorillas, so she advised all trekkers to keep checking while shooting.
• Her first sight of gorillas was really amazing. ”I couldn’t hesitate the urge to blaze away with the camera taking memorable photos (particularly knowing I only had 1 hour with them), however later on I found it was nice to sometimes just stop taking photos and enjoy the little time with these beautiful creatures, watching their behavior e.g. eating, playing and grooming each other.” She added.
• It wasn’t all that way easy for her as she was aiming at one or two gorillas at a time so as to get the best shot. The hour didn’t last for so long and by all means, she took the most incredible photos to treasure and also show to her friends.

Hope the above tips and experience will help you while planning a tour. Don’t miss trekking the gorillas as it is the best experience of a lifetime!