5 Things You Need to Know About Rwanda Car Hire.

The process of Rwanda Car Hire, especially for a first-timer is long and can be tiring since it involves a lot of research about the best company to hire from, the type of car you will need for your trip, the requirements for hire, and the modes of payment.

Different companies have different policies but there are things you need to know about renting a car in Rwanda whether you have traversed Rwanda or are a first-time traveller there.

Essential Requirements

Before booking a car in Rwanda, the car rental company will ask you for a driver’s permit if you’re considering self-drive because you cannot drive in Rwanda without one. You’ll also be required to present a valid identification card or passport and sharing your personal information with the agent such as full name, phone number, and email address is mandatory for communication purposes.

Bear in mind that in order to drive in Rwanda according to the Rwanda traffic law, you must be 18 for categories A and B and above 20 years for categories C, D, E and F. Also important to note is that you may not be allowed to drive in Rwanda if you’re above 70 years old.

Traffic Rules and Guidelines

Again, if you’re considering to self drive in Rwanda, driving is on the right hand of the road. The speed limit is 40kmph in the cities and 60-80km on highways or provinces. Driving beyond these limits will get you a speeding ticket and you could be banned from driving in Rwanda again.

It is not advisable to drive at night especially if you’re on a safari trip. In Rwanda, there are speed cameras on certain points of the roads and there is an E-ticketing system that will issue you tickets for driving beyond the speed limit.

Car Insurance

It is important to know that different car hire companies have different insurance policies but in most cases, the third party insurance covers all damages in case of an accident.  However, if you are on a self-drive trip and cause damage to the car, you may be required to cover the cost of repairs according to company policies.

That’s why it is important to read and understand company policies and always inspect the car for any scratches or dents and have pictorial evidence before driving away. On the other hand, if you rent a car with a driver or chauffeur and it gets damaged, the car hire company is liable.

Pick Up and Drop Off Policies

In most cases, the car is picked up at the company’s premises/office and returned to the same place. Changing of drop-off location will result in extra fees for fuel. Also, pick up and drop off the car within the agreed time frame. Note that you will not be refunded for returning the car early but you’ll be charged extra for dropping off the car late.

In most cases, it is possible to extend the rental period as long as you commute with your agent in time.

Availability of a Wide Range of Vehicles

Rwanda Car Hire has a large fleet of vehicles and the customer gets to choose the type of car they want depending on their travel needs. The cars range from saloon cars to different 4×4 and larger vehicles.

4×4 vehicles are usually recommended for safari trips because they’re able to survive the rough terrain in the wilderness. If you plan to tour Kigali, a 2WD is recommended. There are automatic and manual cars depending on the customer’s preference.

Other things you should know about Rwanda Car Hire is that cars are charged on a daily or weekly basis with unlimited mileage and if you opt for self-drive, you are required to return the car with the same amount of fuel that was in the tank before you took it away.

It’s therefore important to check the fuel level of the car to avoid paying for fuel you did not use. By knowing these important things about Rwanda Car Hire, be sure to enjoy your car rental experience.