For beginners of a self-drive safari to East Africa, here is what you need to know.
Travellers who want to explore this part of Africa will find a self-drive option cheaper compared to guided safaris. Here rates are low because you will have to book a trip by yourself starting with transport to accommodations.
However, with safaris to East Africa for first-timers, it’s a bit challenging regarding the routes, where to start and end. Our team here will always help you to plan such a trip. You will be guided on how to book entry permits, the best route to take, and what activities to embark on depending on the time of travel. All of these will mean that you are well-prepared for a trip to Africa on a driving tour.
Self-drive trips like any other safari will require you to look into the budget before you leave home. Because we know the prices play an important role in an African safari, we create possible options to cut down the prices. For example, going on a camping trip will reduce accommodation costs – depending on the time of travel and where you choose to go. During peak season in July and August, then December and January, lodging is expensive, for accommodations located inside National Parks. You either resort to those outside the park or go camping. With camping with 4×4 cars and rooftop tents, you will have to cut down the costs. Prepare your meals and pay a camping fee. Most campsites charge 20 dollars per person on camping.
Choosing a self-drive tour in East Africa will face some challenges if you are not used to driving on tough roads. Most roads in East Africa, especially those in access to National Parks, are hard and challenging to drive through. Vehicles always can have break-downs if you are not so careful. Most Car rental companies will give you a driver to avoid such heavy costs and time. You may lose a shock-absorber, a flat tire or a broken car part. Remember, vehicles driven on most African self drive tours are 15 or 20 years old. Sometimes this is because of the high prices to purchase a newer one or in cases of break-down, you may fail to find a mechanic to fix a newer model.
Cross-border trips and one-way rental are what you have to look at next. If you choose to drive in more than one country on your tour, the company must inform you on what is required to cross through the borders. There are some fees required and if the company never mentioned it in the early stages of communication, please ask before you attempt to cross borders. However, they might not be too much, but sometimes price sensitivity comes in. In some countries like Rwanda and Burundi, you keep right while driving and the rest of East Africa you keep left. For one way rentals, look at your flights to avoid doing a round trip. This will save you more time and money.
