Renting a 4x4 car in Kigali is one of the things that could be overlooked…
Camping Self Drive Car Rental in Rwanda
There are quite a number of reasons why people opt for camping trips. Some simply have to save some bucks on accommodation, while others simply enjoy the camping experience. In Rwanda, there is common assumption that most people who go camping want to save money on accommodation and for that reason, it is not very common for companies to offer camping as an experience instead of a mere bed service. It is therefore important to understand that for the best Camping Self Drive Car Rental in Rwanda, you need to get in touch with the tour operator so that you can plan everything beforehand. Here are some of the things you need to plan for.
Camping Packing List
Always agree about the camping list with the car rental agency or the tour operator. Some companies only offer tents without anything else. This means that you will have to carry your own sleeping bags, pillows and any other beddings. If you intend to cook, you would also have to buy kitchenware.
It is also important to note that most car rental agencies that rent out cars with a rooftop tent offer a tent that has a mattress, along with sleeping bags, pillows, camping chairs, a table, kitchenware, gas and a fridge.
Clarifying all these details will help you to know what will be offered and what you need to buy by yourself.
Camping Option
There are generally two camping options, renting camping gear from car rental agencies or renting camping gear from the campsites. If you choose to rent camping gear from the campsites, it is important to note that they do not offer rooftop tent camping. Therefore if you are interested in rooftop tent camping, you might have to hire your camping gear from a car rental agency.
Best time to camp in Rwanda
The best time to camp in Rwanda is during the dry season. That is July and August. During these months the country does not experience a lot of rain. It is very unlikely that your camping experience will be ruined by rain.
Camping Experience vs Camping Bed Experience in Rwanda
When we talking about camping experience as whole; we mean the kind of experience where you can spend three days or more in just one location. This kind of experience is often coupled with hiking trips and community tours. (That is if you are not in a national park)
In this kind of experience, you will need a car that has a fridge that uses a separate battery to allow you keep the fridge running even when the car engine is not running. In most cases, it is solar power batteries that can support such an experience.
Regarding camping bed experience in Rwanda; you are simply looking for a place where you can spend a night sleeping in a tent. Some of these places might not even allow camp fires. It is therefore recommended that for the best camping experience in Rwanda ask the right questions before booking your trip.
Some of the best campsites on Rwanda
Here is a list of campsites to consider during yourself drive Rwanda safari: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel and Campsite, Uwinka Campsite, Mamba Club Camping, Mutumba Hills Campsite, Shakani Campsite, Muyumbu Campsite, Volcanoes National Park, Cormoran Lodge and Campsite, Kinigi Guest House and Campsite, Foyer de Charité Camping, Gisakura Guest House and Campsite.
Self drive camping trips in Rwanda are possible even when gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park. Most of tourist locations in Rwanda have campsites for both ground campers and rooftop tent campers. Depending on you budget, you can contact a local tour operator to help you plan your Camping Self Drive Car Rental in Rwanda. The most recommended cars for camping trips in Rwanda include; Land cruiser Prado with a rooftop tent, Land cruiser V8 with a rooftop tent and Land cruiser GX with a rooftop tent.