The Ultimate Guide to Self Drive in Rwanda | Tips and Insights.

People that have visited southern Africa are fond of presenting their credentials as experienced drivers in Africa. This could be inspired partly by the assumption that Africa is country. Unfortunately, that is a very wrong view that will likely surprise you in a bad way. Africa is made up of over fifty countries with each having its challenges distinct from the other. This Ultimate Guide to Self Drive in Rwanda includes all the tips and insights that will enable you to plan better for your car hire.

In the same way, Rwanda is a country on its own. Though it is found in Africa, looking at it in the broader view of Africa will not give you a clear picture of what to expect in the land of a thousand hills.

Rwanda boasts of the cleanest city on the African continent. On top of the cleanest city; Rwanda is also one of the safest countries on the African continent. Whether you are a sole traveler, a person of color, a couple, family or group travelers, Rwanda has something for all categories.

One of the best ways to explore Rwanda is through a self drive safari. If you are not overlanding with your own vehicle, hiring a car in Rwanda is a must. This is where this guide comes in handy to give you the most important things about self driving in Rwanda.

Required Documents

Driving in Rwanda requires you to have a valid driving license from you home country. However even when you have a valid driving license, you ought to be at least 18 years and utmost 75 years. Anyone outside the above age bracket is not allowed to drive in Rwanda even though they possess a valid driving license from their home country.

Traffic Rules

Unlike all other countries in the East African community that drive on the left hand side. In Rwanda, they drive on the right hand side. This is convenient for travelers outside the commonwealth countries but very inconveniencing if you are coming from a commonwealth country. Sometimes it takes a day to adjust.

Driving while using a cell phone is prohibited in Rwanda while driving under the influence of alcohol will get you imprisoned for 24 hours. In case you damaged any property in the process, the case will likely continue beyond 24 hours.

Dirty cars are not allowed on the road. Ensure to keep your car clean whenever you are heading to the city center to avoid inconveniences.

Speed Limits

Speed limits in populated areas is 40km/hr. Rwanda has automated traffic tickets, failure to stick to the speed limit, you will issued several tickets without any prior notice.

The speed limit on rural roads is between 60km/hr and 80km/hr. Watch out for the sign posts. Failure to stop at the zebra crossing will also attract automatic traffic tickets in case there is an automated camera.  Pedestrians have a right of way at any crossing points.

The speed limit on Rwanda high ways is between 80km/hr and 100km/hr.

Safety Belts and Overtaking

Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers in the vehicle. Therefore when hiring a car in Rwanda, you have to ensure that all the seat belts are working. Failure to wear seat belts will attract fines.

Rwanda is a hilly country. Sometimes you will find that the car ahead of you is moving slowly. If you intend to overtake the car, it should be done on the right hand side.

Paying For Traffic Fines Before Late Payment fines

It is very common to get traffic fines in Rwanda regardless of how careful you may try to be. To check where your car has traffic fines, simply google “Rwanda traffic fines”, you will be led to a page where you will key in your car number plate.

In order to avoid extra fees, you ought to pay the traffic ticket by visiting https://irembo.gov.rw. Then look out for the police section and select traffic fines. Once you click on traffic fines, you will be led to the payment section.