Destinations
Self Drive Adventure
Explore Tanzania
Planning your East African adventure has never been easier. We provide tailored travel advice, offering insights on the best routes, hidden gems, and must-visit destinations. Whether you’re after a scenic road trip or an unforgettable safari, our expert team ensures your journey is perfectly planned from start to finish. Let us guide you to the adventure of a lifetime!
Exploring Tanzania independently is great fun, but we also understand that planning a trip can be overwhelming.
Our 10 years of experience in the field has shown that travellers who trust us with their planning and book their road trips and accommodation with us (either with or without a driver-guide), tend to enjoy the most fulfilling and complete experiences in Tanzania. Need a hand in organizing your adventurous roadtrip? Our self-drive tours in Tanzania are a great way for you to combine the freedom of road-tripping with the comfort of a well-planned trip.
Prefer to rent a 4×4 and plan your own adventure? Awesome! Before you head off, we recommend taking a moment to read through our Tanzania travel tips. We have selected 12 important topics that contain information, travel rules and frequently asked questions about self-driving and independent travel in Tanzania.
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Self Drive Adventure
Explore Kenya
When is the best time to visit Kenya? We would dare to say that Kenya is nice to visit year round. It never gets cold, and even during the rainy season your travel will not be hindered, as the rains can be heavy but are typically short.
Kenya has one long, hot dry season from December until April, when temperatures rise to an average of 30°C, and even warmer in the North. The rainy season generally lasts from April through to May, with some short rains from September to November. The warmest regions in Kenya are in the North (Samburu), South (Tsavo) and along the coast. The cooler regions are obviously at higher altitudes – around Mount Elgon, Mount Kenya and the Western highlands.
When is high season in Kenya?
Tourists come to visit Kenya all year round, but peak season is from December to January, and from June to October during the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara. Reserve your Roadtrip Kenya rental car well in advance, as we are fully booked months ahead during peak season.
Many lodges use a low season (April, May), high season (rest of the year) and peak season (June-October) rate. Traveling in the low season considerably cuts your budget, and is worth considering if you don’t mind a rain shower here and there.
Best time to visit the Masai Mara
What is the best time to visit the Masai Mara? Well, that depends what you want: wildebeest migration or wilderness feel. Your preferences will guide you through the seasons:
Peak season: from mid-June – October. When the millions of wildebeests are in the Mara, it attracts a lot of tourists as well. Unfortunately, this often leads to a bit of a traffic-jammy experience.
High season from November – February. Plenty of wildlife and people.
Low season from March – May. Rainy season, though wildlife viewing is still good, and less people means more places to have all to yourself..
Self Drive Adventure
Explore Uganda
Timing your visit to Uganda
Need help with timing your visit to Uganda? Than read this article. It can help to know when its dry season and rainy season, and when its peak season and low season. Good to know that Uganda is nice to visit year-round, it’s always summer!
How is the weather in Uganda
Uganda has a very pleasant climate. It does not get as hot and humid as the coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania, and it never gets cold either. The warmest regions in Uganda are around Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and everything further north (Karamoja and Kidepo). If you can’t stand the heat, then avoid these places particularly in January and February. The cooler regions are obviously at higher altitudes – around Mount Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Bunyonyi. Also the chimpanzee and gorilla trekking locations, in Kibale Forest and Bwindi, are typically the cooler regions of Uganda, where the forest provides a lot of shade.
Timing your Best time to visit Ugandavisit to Uganda per month
Go in April – May or November if you want to discover Uganda with less tourists. Some lodges will offer low season rates. Be prepared for more rainfall, particularly in Entebbe, Jinja, Sipi Falls and the Southwestern part of Uganda, although rain patterns are unpredictable and they can come earlier or later than predicted. Rains can be heavy, but are typically short, followed by bright sunshine. Go this time of the year to enjoy fifty shades of green, the scent of lovely flowers, and some good off road driving in muddy patches. This is not a good time of the year to summit the peaks of Mount Elgon or the Rwenzori mountains.
December to February are the warmest months and dry season. Vegetation in the savannah habitats in Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo national parks becomes scarce and animals gather around water sources, making wildlife easier to spot. This is a good time of year to summit the Rwenzori mountains and Mount Elgon. As for chimp and gorilla trekking, the habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet and one can’t avoid rain completely at any time of year.
When is high season in Uganda?
Tourists come to visit Uganda year round, but peak season is from December to January and from June to September. Although the parks don’t feel crowded whatsoever, you have to reserve your Roadtrip rental car, gorilla permits and hotels well in advance.
Self Drive Adventure
Explore Rwanda
Why is Rwanda famous as country of a thousand hills
The breathtaking landscape and welcoming locals of Rwanda, Famous as the “country of a thousand hills,” . Provide one-of-a-kind experiences in the home to fantastic fauna, giving it remarkable biodiversity.
4×4 self drivers nature enthusiasts may go on safari at Akagera National Park. And take a canopy walk to obtain a birds-eye perspective of Nyungwe Forest. Off-roaders can visit Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum to see the intriguing displays on local traditions and beliefs if you’re interested in culture. The King’s Palace Museum’s royal cows are not to be missed.
Hiking in rwanda fanous as country of a thousand hills
Rwanda’s epic scenery, pleasant climate and magnificent wildlife make the land a remarkable place to explore on foot. The best 4×4 self drive hiking venue is in the western half of the country. And extends all the way from Volcanoes National Park in the north, along the fringes of Lake Kivu in the west and down to Nyungwe National Park in the south.
What you need to know while on a Rwanda Safari
What you need to know while on a Rwanda Safari: Rwanda is known as a small country with a thousand hills, and most of off-road trippers look for the gorilla safari in Rwanda. Hence making the safari experience so much more interesting. On average, Rwanda receives about 1.7 million Tourists a year, and most of them come for the endangered Gorilla trekking. The Rwanda receives self drive tourists from different countries, including America, China, and Europe. Who come for the best tourism experience and the best safari experience. Rwanda is a hilly country, which adds to the region’s cool temperature. Kigali’s average daily temperature is 21°C. The rainy season lasts from mid-February to May, then again from mid-September to mid-December.
Reasons why you should visit Rwanda as a self driver
The large majority of 4×4 self-drivers are supported by various reasons. Including the safety of the country, the cleanliness, and the fact that the experience is exciting and wonderful. While mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Animal safaris in Akagera National Park, and cultural experience tours in these parks. which are all popular tourist attractions in Rwanda, and there is few things you should know before visiting. However, there are a few things you should know before traveling to Rwanda. Rwanda is in the Central African Time Zone, which is +2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meridian Time. This should be considered when entering or exiting Rwanda. Knowing your time zone can also assist you in planning your activities in Rwanda and determining the optimal time to communicate with Rwandans.
rwanda best culcure and language
Kinyarwanda is Rwanda’s official language, and it is extensively spoken by the locals. And it is Rwanda’s official language. However French and English are used to welcome many visitors. Since 2008, Rwanda has prohibited the use of plastic bags. Hence 4×4 self drive urge not to enter Rwanda with plastic bags. But if you have plastic bags with you, you will be stopped and advised to switch to more sustainable packaging. Furthermore, the monthly Umuganda celebrations contribute to Rwanda’s cleanliness. By allowing Rwandans to escape their regular routines and voluntarily clean the streets. And that is why Rwanda famous as country of a thousand hills.
Best budget tips when planning selfdrive in Rwanda
The Rwandan franc is the country’s official currency. Although the Rwandan franc is extensively used by local shopkeepers. But most hotels and tourist companies accept US cash. In Rwanda, you can pay in cash or by credit card, as most establishments have POS systems.
Please keep in mind that these POS systems charge a set fee for each transaction. Tourist facilities in Rwanda take Rwandan francs. Instead US dollars are preferable for services that cost in US dollars. Such as mountain gorilla permits and luxury hotel prices. Most Rwandan towns have reacted to the presence of tourists by establishing several banks and ATMs to assist tourist transactions. Banks and foreign exchange offices offer currency exchange. But keep in mind that they are closed on Sundays and holidays.
tips to Travel rwanda responsibly
Because appreciation is important, 4×4 self drive recommends you to tip service providers in cash . Although US$5 to $20 per day is regarded as appropriate, which is important to know before going on a Rwandan safari.
how to navigate through rwanda – a country of a thousand hills
4×4 off-roaders use the following Airline to help in arriving in Kigali. Brussels Carriers, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and a variety of African airlines, including the national courier RwandAir and its neighbor Kenya Airways, all land at Kigali International Airport. Those who want to go on a flying safari can do so by booking a tour. Those interested in a flying safari can arrange a tour with Akagera Airlines, which will take them on a 30-minute to 2-hour journey over the country.
Rwanda has a well-developed cellphone network and Internet. So you won’t have to worry about communication back home or within the nation. If necessary, a local SIM card can be purchased at the airport. MTN is Rwanda’s largest service provider, followed by Tigo. Because Rwanda is a well connected area you can use the sim card data to use google maps on your phone and navigate through Rwanda.
can i combine rwanda travel to other countries
Yes! you can. Rwanda is easy to maneuver by road and enter Burundi, Uganda, DRC and Tanzania. You can combine Gorilla trekking with the neighbor Uganda. Go for The Great Migration in Tanzania and Kenya. visit the uncharmed and famous Kenyan safari. Rwanda has a good road network that connects most towns and national parks. So self-driving is a great option. However, Kigali buses are also equipped with a smart card system known as Tap&Go. And bicycles are also available, but make sure you have personal insurance in that case. Most hotels provide lifts and sliding doors for the physically impaired.
Tips on getting Rwanda and east africa tourist entry visa
Rwanda is one of the nations where 4×4 self drive off-roaders arriving at Kigali International Airport can obtain a visa. Rwanda offers four types of visas:
A single-entry visa that is valid for 30 days and costs US$50;
Single-entry conference visa that is valid for 30 days and costs US$30;
And a conference visa that is valid for 30 days and costs US$30.
In addition, a US$70 East Africa Tourist Visa valid for 90 days. And permits entrance to Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. This Rwanda visa is also available online..
