Renting a Car in Rwanda: Important Things to Consider

Hiring a car for your holiday in Rwanda? Getting a Rwanda car rental is a significant factor that makes traveler’s vacation complete. It can save you a lot from spending on the taxi or unpredictable schedules from public means. However, renting a car can be tedious process whether you are a first-time visitor or even repeat traveler on Rwanda tour. You need to keep a few things in mind when looking to hire in order to get the best deals around town.

Below are the things that you need to put in mind before renting a car.

Company’s terms & conditions

Before the client and the car service provider sign any deal, the client is supposed to read each of the detailed terms of the car rental company and carefully comprehend it with best language possible. The guest ought to make sure that he/she is fairly charged and all other expenses that will be incurred must be explained and put in to the pricing package to come up with a final total. This is vital because it will help the client from incurring extra charges that may arouse from other unknown expenses.

Book Early

Like many other reservations, including; plane reservations, as well as dinner reservations or they may be reservations about decision, the early you act, and the higher the chances that you will get what you want at the best rates.

If you enroll in a loyalty program, this means that when you rent a vehicle on an occasional basis, you will in return realize big dividends by enrolling in the preferred customer program or within the loyalty based plan that is offered by car rental agencies. Here the rewards consist of the free upgrades, free days and the lower rates.

Shopping Around

This means comparing prices and searching for the discounts or the special offers that can bring savings with the low or special rates or the reduced prices on the upgrades. While talking to the agent, don’t hesitate to ask about the unadvertised discounts since many sites have got their own specials available.

Fuel Policy

In any country you visit, when hiring a car it’s important to inquire the fuel policies, because car rental companies in Rwanda have different policies in relation to re-filling.  In Rwanda, some companies include the fuel expenses in the total charge whereas other companies don’t include it, however, most companies deliver the car with quarter tank and you have to return it with same amount of fuel as you received the car, and no refund for unused fuel.

Knowing the fuel filling policies helps in case of self-fueling and; aspects such as the prevailing fuel prices per liter, to help in calculating the distance to be traveled while exploring Rwanda and sum up the total amount needed for the car hire. This is the best way to budget for the money that will be used on hiring the car.

You should be very careful with the prepaying of gas, in case you are to return the vehicle with a full gas tank, remember to fill it yourself just before you bring it in. making payments to the company to do it can result in charges that are more that the cost of gas, this might also result into a big charge if the car has a large gas tank.

International Border Crossing

Always be aware of the limitations in case you are cross international borders, some of the companies don’t allow their rental cars to cross international boarder or there are also required conditions that must be followed and met and seem very expensive. Before taking the rental car, check with the agent, and also obtain written approvals.

Suitable Car

Always reserve the smallest vehicle possible, this is one of the easiest way to get yourself a large car at a lower rate. There are numerous car types like land cruisers, Rav4s, super customs, jeeps, among others that are perfect for exploring Rwanda.

Insurance cover

Be sure with the liability waiver, you should always check with the insurance agent to check if your personal automobile policy also covers car rentals. More so in case you are paying with your credit card, it may provide the needed insurance policy and don’t assume that if you are not covered, you will need the agency‘s policy. Many countries in Africa have different insurance covers on accidents, likewise in Rwanda; car rental companies have different insurance covers on different phenomena, like accidents, fire, third party, etc.

Clients should be aware that all damages that will be incurred while travelling are covered by the insurance paid for and few liabilities that will not be much draining in to the clients expenses. The most vital thing is, as you choose a car hire company; go for the one that has comprehensive insurance cover for all its vehicles.

Pre-Inspection

Always pay attention during the pre-rental inspection, this will help you much since many rental companies can be so picky when it comes to damage and when you returning the car, make sure to review the inspection and also make the car rental agent notice the damage you spot there and then. This is your best form of protection.

Special Offers

End ever to check the different clubs, groups, and organizations to which you belong- many of these have good and special arrangements for car hiring in order to provide good discounts for the members.

Family Car Rental

In case you are traveling with family, make sure that you rent a car that will seat each and every one. You can choose a car with plenty of room for passengers as well as the luggage. Also make sure that the family member who is to drive the rental car is listed on the agreement.

Car Rental Agreement

Car hiring is not so complicated, but it can be so tricky if you are not so familiar with it and you enter into a contract unprepared. You can use these suggestions as a basic guide and you will then drive with a good bargain.

Self-driving or Guided tour

Car hire in Rwanda is a big experience on its own, and self-driving is the best option to explore the land of thousand hills, primates including the mountain gorillas and cultures. There are numerous car types like land cruisers, Rav4s, super customs, jeeps, among others that are perfect for exploring Rwanda.

What’s most interesting and exciting about car hiring in Rwanda is that there is freedom of touring the country at the visitors own pace and on a cheaper cost compared to public transport especially when travelling with a family and luggage.

Guided tours means hiring a car with a driver who has knowledge about the destinations you are going to travel in Rwanda.

Conclusion

Rwanda is an amazingly beautiful country and if you are visiting the greeneries outside the city, it is best visited by car. There are other options to travel around too, but having a car will give you the freedom and space to enjoy the country at your own pace and time with your own planned itinerary.