Road Trips

Road Tripping Uganda – Flashing your Headlights While on Safari

“Is this done in the Uganda at all, or will it just confuse other drivers, or worse, insult them in some way? Where I grew up (rural Lyantonde Town) flashing the headlights was a warning that there was a policeman nearby trying to catch people speeding! Or may be a symbol that the road is clear, its normally followed with a sign of the finger to show you how the flow of traffic goes I don’t know if that is true other places in the US, but I would consider someone flashing their lights a warning but in most cases, if you want to allow someone to merge in front of you, slow down and give them the space to do so. If you want another vehicle to turn in front of you at an intersection where everyone stops, you can either just sit and wait for them to do so, or make a polite hand gesture (using all your fingers 🙂 ) for them to do so. As also said above, in many places someone flashing headlights at an oncoming vehicle would be seen to be warning the driver about something.

On another side, here, too– flashing lights to warn of a police car sitting with a radar gun.

Also, people will do it around here — coming up behind you — as a signal to get out of the way, you are going too slow! I am tempted often to do this…. but actually do not. I find it rude, so exercise patience instead behind a slow driver and wait for a place to pass. I will flash lights at the car in front of me when passing in low light just as I begin the pass to let them know I am passing.

Another point with respect to lights……you will see a good number of cars that appear to be driving during the day with their headlights on.. A good number of cars (but not all) on the road in respect to too much rain they will put the lights on and are equipped with DRL (daytime running lights). Basically, it’s the main headlight with just a lower intensity. During the day, it looks like the headlights are actually on. Some people also drive with headlights on as a good measure of safety. I have also seen roads that rand I have the same experience in that a flash is used to alert oncoming drivers of a hazard (wildlife or rocks in the road)/law enforcement. Of course, I am driving mainly on 2 lane roads so if someone is overtaking it is quick and done require headlights to be on if your windshield

I use flashes to signify things are okay, or “you go first” or as thanks. I don’t think there’s a lot of confusion. Repeating the flashes however – flash-flash-flash – pause – flash-flash usually is taken as a warning or a complaint (lower your high beams, etc.)

As to road etiquette, I conventionally flash for truckers wishing to switch to my lane and if I am not in a terrible hurry make room by slowing and subsequently flashing – especially when the trucker needs to get to the right [slow] lane relieving backed up traffic behind him; but also I’m sure to do this if coming to a split and it appears he needs to be in my lane.

For other cars, it’s a little different because you’re as likely to confuse car drivers who might think you are flashing to tell them to stay out of your way. If however, we are merging because of a traffic backup, maybe a creeping stop and go movement, I might blink to tell the guy to move over in front of me especially if he seems timid or confused.

In some states it is the law to turn on headlights when windshield wipers are in use; law or not, it’s probably a good idea; many newer cars do it automatically. On some routes where multi-lane roads merge to one on one against oncoming traffic you may see signs recommending turning on lights – it’s not a bad idea anyhow.

In rural areas it is clearly an extremely helpful thing to flash lights on and off several times to give warning to on-coming traffic about animals near the road, flooding on the road, an accident, or any hazard or risk. Frankly as a visitor I suggest you mind your own business when it comes to police with speed traps; warning others maybe illegal, it isn’t necessary or expected so leave it to the locals to do or not.

Uganda /Africa mostly consider it extremely rude for drivers in fast lanes to flash lights on and off trying to push slower traffic out of the way. It is acceptable to pass on the right in the slow lane. Be aware of this while on a self drive in Uganda, other cars could be overtaking you from the right.

In many states, when driving in the far right lane, on multi-lane roads, if coming upon a police car with flashing lights [generally having pulled over some vehicle] it is now a legal requirement to shift to over a lane provided it is safe with little traffic. A ticket is a low risk for this law, but it’s also a wise thing to do.

Always use the flashlights where necessary

A Trip to Kibale National Park, the Primate Capital

Once a forest threatened by human encroachment, today Kibale National Park dazzles with sky-hugging trees and 13 primate species including chimpanzees that have even earned it the title of the “primate capital”. The concentration of primates in Kibale is matched by none in Africa and the park’s 1450 chimps represent Uganda’s largest population of the endangered species which carries up to 99 human-like DNA.

My three-day expedition to this 795 square kilometer jungle was nothing less of amazement as I bush-bashed to see how man’s closest cousin survives in this land of extremes. It all started like any other Uganda safari but ended in the most amazing way possible. From the city centre to Mityana Road through the Northern

Bypass sounds like a common story by a common resident of Bulenga. But the whole picture starts taking shape when you arrive in Mubende town although the feeling gets even stronger as you embark on a 26 kilometer dusty drive, southeast of Fort Portal.

Baboons line up by the roadside to receive guests at the forest gate. If you haven’t seen baboons steal then you are yet to see natural-born thieves and so it is discouraged to fling food at these cunning gangs while in the park because it tempts them into ‘bad manners.’ For me, the six-hour drive had sniffed the heck out of me and I couldn’t wait to reach the lodge and take a nap. I simply wasn’t in the mood to play a buffoon with baboons.

By the time I reached Kibale Primate Lodge – my home throughout my stay – I was very exhausted but if you are a nature enthusiast expect no time to rest because here nature never goes to sleep and wonder starts right at the doorstep of your room. Birds sing while monkeys, as if dancing to the tune, acrobatically leap from one tree branch to another – in your eyesight and earshot. Simply irresistible!

However, the best of the action comes the following day when you hit the road for chimpanzee tracking. Boredom is not an option here because there is more to awe you beyond the amazing chimps of Kibale. It all starts with the 351 trees’ species some rising up to 55 meters tall and growing up to 200 years of age. President Museveni once said that all medicine can be found in Kibale and it cannot pass without saying that actually Kibale is one of Africa’s foremost research sites thanks to the wide range of tree species and the primates.

With this kind of jungle you are always assured of something special– trees that send impotent men to a whole new world; those that heal diabetes, a tree that resembles a nude man and those that take animals to wonderland. The cathedral like trees provide shed to a collection of animals whose mountains of dung return the favour to the trees in the shape of manure.

Meanwhile, several species of monkeys share the rooftops of the thick forest. My guide, one of the most senior rangers here, Mr Silver Byamukama made it a memorable experience taking me to all corners he expected to find the best wildlife. He first took me to the Tree House which is just a couple of metres from the lodge. Here we met a Dutch couple who had spent three days secluded from the rest and they told us they couldn’t exchange their experience at the Tree House with anything.

The previous night they had watched a family of elephants march through an oasis that is just adjacent to the wooden structure – a playground for monsters. Through the house’s window you can watch animals eat, drink and play in the open grassland. In fact, we found fresh footprints of elephants that somewhat made our stroll a little complicated because we had to analyse every other footprint on the way and listen to every sound in the jungle. There is no worse nightmare than falling in an elephant ambush although it is not really hard to maneuver while in thick trees because elephants are not designed for zig-zag chases.

But Kibale still has a couple of other surprises under its sleeves. We also stumbled upon a green mamba which raced off on seeing us. The park also houses buffalos, leopards, warthogs, golden cats and duikers although I didn’t see any of the above because they are hard to see in dense forests. Most animals see you before you spot them and they always try to stay undercover. But nothing could stop our walk because the prize on the other side of the forest was a group of primates who are not far different from humans in behaviour; the animals whose reflection represents man’s behaviour some million years ago – indeed well worth the stroll through the deep jungle.

The legendary chimpanzees!

We were alerted by another ranger attending to a group of about 10 expatriates who called Byamukama saying they had stumbled upon a family of eight chimps. We rushed there and found the eight divided into four groups; a mother and a baby, four females grooming each other, one resting male and a juvenile who concentrated on trying to impress us by hanging in trees on threaded leaves.

When the bigger group of tourists left the chimps also descended down the trees to move somewhere else. This is when we got a chance to follow them on the ground. And it immediately turned into a ‘hide and seek’ game. They peeped at us and moved deeper and deeper into the jungle and the more we followed them the more it became obsessive and the more they felt comfortable with us. These great apes have been persecuted by man for thousands of years
but with Uganda Wildlife Authority curbing poaching and spreading the conservation gospel, human-beings have gained the trust of the chimpanzees once again.

But then something went wrong during our tracking – a disagreement between a male and a female chimp. The male brutally hit the female and the thud surged through the trees at rocket speed into our ears – a full grown male is stronger than five strong humans (think of five Golola Moses).

And what started as a one on one altercation ended with the entire forest engulfed into deafening whoops as the rest of the jungle residents reacted to the violence news. Byamukama told us that a few weeks back a group of tourists were left in tears after a huge alfa male chimp attacked and killed a stray juvenile in their eyesight.

One of the starnest jungle rules dictates that humans have to let nature take its course even when you see one animal killing another. The best thing about these animals is that they have learnt to respect an imaginary line between them and tourists. When their comfort zone is breached though, they will attack. But we held behind that ‘line’ tightly and I can tell you that the experience and knowledge I left the Kibale National Park with is something you don’t find every day.

Safety Tips for 4×4 Car Hire in Uganda

The 4×4 Uganda car hire services have grown remarkably around the country in the last few years. Many travelers turn to the services for different travel purpose for example airport transfers, wildlife safaris, business tours and other transport oriented activities. The 4×4 car hire services are very yielding when you use them, you have to follow some of the tips when choosing a 4×4 vehicle to use.

4X4 vehicles are the most commonly hired cars in Uganda due to the fact that most of the clients that use these cars are tourists who travel to the different tourism destinations across the country. Most tourism destinations are found in the remote areas where the roads are ragged and rough that need combative cars that can maneuver on these tough roads. The 4×4 vehicles are made to travel on such roads and on top of that they are so comfortable for a self-drive trip in Uganda. Though these 4×4 cars are made for ragged and tough roads, there has to be some safety tips that are supposed to be put into consideration to have a successful car hire experience in Uganda.

Here are some of the safety tips for 4×4 car hire in Uganda;

When you are preparing your 4×4 rental car for a self-drive trip, make sure that you load the car with the moderate weight of the luggage. In context do not over load the car.  The main causes of accidents and vehicles overturning are over weighting and the poor weight distribution. The top heavy vehicles are likely to roll, and are not easy to control in case you need to suddenly veer your vehicle. Your heaviest baggage and the equipment should sit low in the vehicle, with as little weight as possible on your roof.

The speed compounds problems, any possibility you meet on the road becomes so easy to deal with the slower you are traveling. You have got more time to react and your momentum is easier to manage. In Uganda, it is commendable for the driver to drive at a speed of 50km/hr in places where there are settlement and 80km/hr on highways. It is also advisable to look at the speed limit indicated on the road signs.

The dirt and gravel roads in Uganda can have sloping shoulders, swerving on to these uneven planes increase the possibility of overturning the vehicle. In the process of wildlife blocking your path it’s often safer to maintain your course than to swerve onto a slopping shoulder. More so the low speeds can prevent this becoming a decision you have to make.

Always be aware of the vehicle’s fuel capacity, fuel consumption as well as the distance between fuel stops. The terrain, speed, tire pressure and load all influence your consumption. Carry spare fuel in a gas can to be on a safe side. If you don’t have a gas can, it is best you identify the nearby gas station in the tourism destination you would be leading to. For instance when going to the national park for a game drive, make sure that you refill the fuel to full tank and then get to the park.

This tip is under looked by very many travelers but an established and reputable company guarantees the traveler safety as it has the experience to deal with any situation that make arouse. Therefore it is advisable for clients to look at the reputation of the rental company before making any booking of the 4×4 vehicle. The clients must make sure he/she first keeps track of their past records that are by either looking at their customer reviews and the duration of time they have been in the car rental business. What the past clients say about the rental company is what the company offer in terms of services. With these reviews, you will have certainty that car operators are experienced and have much skills that can give you good service delivery and also can bail you out in case of any problem while driving.

Safety precautions; always check the safety measures that are put in place while choosing a 4×4 Uganda car hire service. The rental car should always have comprehensive insurance that carters for the damages that might occur to the car while on the road. There should be road assistance that is immediate in case of a car breakdown. There must be emergency equipment in the car like first aid box to treat the causalities, fire extinguisher to stop the fire in case of a fire outbreak, jake, inflator and wheel spanner for tyre fixing in case of a flat tyre. The clients must also be given emergency numbers of social amenities like the police and health centers. This is because they might need help from these social authorities in case of any problems like body damages and robbery.

The overall car rental service quality; each and every person likes to be associated with something of good quality because it gives a peace of mind and creates a good impression. So while choosing a 4×4 Uganda car hire services, you should look for a rental company with very beautiful vehicles that are well maintained. The company should have balancing services like GPS, extra baby seats, camping gears and travel maps or the guide books that make the trip more enjoyable and classy one. This means that you shouldn’t just choose car hire services in Uganda by the prices you have to look for the attributes to hit the right services that will make your road trip a successful one.

Family Car hire In Uganda

Are you planning a family trip in Uganda? Do you love family safaris? With our car hire services, one does not need to be puzzled with family safari holidays in Uganda. A family trip in Uganda is one of the most hilarious travel experiences and that is why any responsible parents must not miss out this incredible opportunity in Uganda. Getting yourself and the family on Uganda’s roads with a family car rental is indeed a life time experience!! As a caring parent, your enjoy should be to see everyone in the family excited and that is why a family car hire is ideal to remove the gloomy features from your family members who may feel like they have been left out.
We also understand that planning a family safari to any African country or any destination is one of the most tedious and puzzling factor for travelers; for this reason, renting a family car with us will help reduce that pressures around. Family car services are of significant value for travelers who need the most flexible safaris to and fro while you enjoy what this great nation holds for its world travelers. Consider our services the best option for your next road trip in Uganda as there are a million reasons that we feel a family car rent can get you that thrilling safari in Uganda.
Reasons for hiring a family car for a safari in Uganda:
First, there is hanging around with a family car hire. Travelers ought to know that most of Uganda’s attractions are far located and this means that a traveler has to cover a good distance to enjoy them in the wild. Almost all the 10 national parks in Uganda are not found within Kampala city a part from Lake Mburo National Park which is estimated to be only a four to five hours drive from the city center. With these distant places, there is no need for one to keep waiting for long for which possible means of transport to take given the fact that it is difficult to get one. With our car hire services, it is up to you get yourself one as soon as you land in Entebbe International Airport and after you freely find yourself in any destination of choice. Most importantly, book your favorite car in advance and certainly you won’t be disappointed in life!
A family car hire is spacious enough to accommodate every traveler’s needs in destination. Imagine you are in a bus or taxi and you all there squeezed and piled like goods that are to be delivered to market! Count this kind of travel experience no more, and get you’re a conducive, spacious and comfortable car hire for your family to have remarkable trip in Uganda. With these spacious cars, you can also comfortably pack your other goods that you may wish come along with for the children bit a one day trip to a national park or community.
There is also private entertainment for you to enjoy while on your family safari with our car hire. Imagine how boring a journey can be without any kind of entertainment and you are there with children feeling that boredom, not even a movie, you will really regret taking this kind of trip. However, with our private entertainment offers that you get with our family car hire, you will enjoy all sorts of games, songs and even engage in some of exciting programme without necessarily disappointing any one. A family car rent is one way for you get memorable experiences in life.
Further more, travelers can also make a stop over at any point of need. Traveling with children is a bit disturbing as they may ask you to ease themselves at any point which you may find it hard to handle with other means of transport but when you are driving yourself and the family, such cases can be handled easily.
Wide range of catching a glimpse of Uganda’s varied attractions along the way. Children can curious to know some things and this calls for you to make a stop over and then explain to them what they want to know and the only flexible means for you is basically to hire a family car in Uganda. Uganda has diversity and as you drive along, the eyes will have a lot as well to catch a glimpse. Whether you and your family are interested in Uganda’s wildlife, stunning sceneries or cultural experiences, a car hire is the only flexible option for you.
In conclusion, a family car is the most flexible means for travelers who wish to travel together with their families in the destination. It offers travelers with more flexible opportunities to enjoy Uganda’s diverse attraction to and fro while in their safaris. Enjoy your family safari with us in Uganda.