In this world of traveling and exploring, there is nothing interesting and memorable like visit and exploring a foreign country on self-drive in a rented car. Most car rental companies in Uganda offer self-drive vehicles when they are already designed for wildlife watching in wildlife parks in the country. Most of the cars are full-time 4×4 because some roads upcountry more especially in national parks are in bad conditions and they can only be passable by a strong 4×4 vehicle. Most of their cars are in good condition, serviced regularly and they are just simple cars which can be operated by even a driver with less skilled because they offer all types of cars – automatic and manual transmission car at the same price.
For the first-time traveler in Uganda, one needs to read and know some of the rules and regulations to follow when driving in national parks in the country to avoid falling into trouble while in the wild in a foreign country. Here are some of the few driving and safety tips to follow when driving in Uganda national parks.
Keep enough distance from animals: Driving near to some wild animals is very dangerous. Animals like elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and lions charge at vehicles or any outside interruptions. It is strongly advisable to keep about 100m away from such animals in wildlife parks for your safety and successful trip.
Game Drive in National Park
Keep a low speed. There is no need to rush when driving in wildlife parks and there is nothing good you can get in driving fast in the wildlife park only problems. In the first place, you will miss out on great opportunities of seeing some wildlife and another thing, the speed limit in the wildlife park is 40kms/hour and since you, the one their territories of these animals have 100% right of the way, so if you find an animal sleeping the road you have to stop the engine and wait for it. What you just have to do to enjoy your trip to the fullest is to take your time to drive slowly and sometimes you will need to turn off the engine and make the most of your photo moment. Driving fast or in a rush has never created any good outcomes for a trip because even when you knock an animal in the park you will have to pay a fine to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Do not Hoot in the park: Not just is it prohibited by the Uganda Wildlife Authority or as one of the national park rules, this is also unacceptable conduct in the wildlife park. Hooting drives off the animals and they run deep in the park where they can’t be seen. In this way, for purposes of conservation for future generations, Avoid hooting whenever are driving in the national park.
Stay in the car: Wildlife parks and wild destinations and so are the animals. Getting out of a vehicle when you’re in the middle of the park doesn’t guarantee you safety or more so insurance of your life. Respect the animals and stay in the vehicle unless it is a gazetted area and allowed to venture out of your vehicle. It is strongly recommended that you watch these animals through the open roof of the vehicle or through the windows of the car for safety reasons.
Stop the car engine: This is very important for the best view of wildlife in the park because you will not interrupt the animals with the car engine sound. However, do this if you’re sure your vehicle ignites fast when require emerges.
Follow the rest and ask: Most tourists on a self-drive tour are not conversant with the tracks in the parks. However, there is always an alternative to find wildlife or special spots for wildlife watching, follow other safari vehicles where they go, take the same route or ask where the best spot would be. Another thing you can do when it’s your first time to visit the park, there are several rangers guides whom you can hire at less than 20$ and they guide you through the park.
