Rwanda is a compact country, most popularly known as the Land of a Thousand Hills. It is a destination with breathtakingly spectacular landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unique cultures and traditions.

The beauty of visiting Rwanda for a holiday is that there is something for everyone to explore and experience. It is a stunning destination with endless adventures and exciting activities for nature enthusiasts to engage in.

The key areas of focus in Rwanda include the four national parks: Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park, known for chimpanzee tracking; Akagera National Park, famous for big five safaris; and Volcanoes National Park, where you can track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Other touristic regions/districts in Rwanda include Lake Kivu, Kibuye, and Ruhengeri/Musanze.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is by far the number one experience you should expect to enjoy on a Rwanda safari. When it comes to gorilla tours in Rwanda, there is only one place to visit, and that is the Volcanoes National Park. Over 30% of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas call the Volcanoes National Park home. There are 12 habituated gorilla groups that can be visited by tourists and every family is visited by a maximum of up to 8 visitors.

The gorilla families to visit in Rwanda include Titus, Agashya family, Umubano gorilla group, Sabyinyo, Susa A, Amahoro gorilla family, Ugenda, Kwitonda, Hirwa, and Susa B (Karisimbi).

Embarking on a gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park is an amazing way to explore Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park (VNP) in Musanze is the most accessible African safari destination. It is the most popular among the four national parks where mountain gorillas live. The three other parks are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park of Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It takes tourists just 2-3 hours to drive from Kigali to Northwestern Rwanda to track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. When you think of visiting Rwanda for a gorilla tour, the first step is to obtain a gorilla permit through a reliable tour operator. A single gorilla permit for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda costs USD 1500 per person.

Gorilla safaris and permits should be planned and booked in advance, at least 2-4 months before the actual time of tracking mountain gorillas. Additionally, consider packing the right gear for your gorilla tour, such as a waterproof daypack, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, long trousers, a camera free of a flashlight, a first aid kit, insect repellents, a rain jacket, a safari hat, snacks, and bottled drinking water.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden monkey tracking is a memorable primate adventure that offers tourists a lifetime chance to visit the golden monkeys in their natural habitat. The golden monkeys live in the Virunga Region, and a significant number of them have been habituated, which means there is a chance to track them in their natural habitat.

Treks to see golden monkeys begin at 7:00 am with a briefing and registration, and then at 8:00 am, the park guide leads you through the forest to look for the strikingly spectacular golden monkeys.

The normal golden monkey trek lasts for 2-4 hours, including one hour of close encounter and photography. Golden monkey trekking permits in Rwanda are available for booking at USD 100 per person, and individuals above 15 years have a chance to participate in this exciting primate adventure.

Visit Akagera National Park

If you think Rwanda is only for mountain gorilla trekking, then you have been missing out. Go on a safari in the finest savanna grassland parks in Rwanda, and explore Akagera National Park located in the eastern side of the country, where you will come across all the big five game.

Akagera is naturally stunning and the only savanna park in Rwanda (the Land of a Thousand Hills), spanning 1122 sq. km. Gazetted in 1934, Akagera is indeed a big game country. The parks hosts special wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, rhinos, antelopes, zebras, Maasai giraffes, hyenas, and 500 bird species, etc.

The park is mainly composed of savanna grasslands, acacia woodlands and the Kagera River system.

Besides game drives, tourists visiting Akagera National Park also have the opportunity to engage in a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, sport fishing on Lake Shakani, bird watching, nature walks, and cultural visits.

Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Extending for over 1000 sq kms, Nyungwe National Park is set on the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda. The park is the largest block of montane forest in East and Central Africa. It is also one of the oldest tropical rain forests in Africa.

The park is popular for hosting 13 primate species including the chimpanzees, L Hoest’s monkeys, large troops of acrobatic Angola Colobus etc. Chimpanzee tracking is the most popular adventure that attracts most visitors and a chimpanzee permit costs US$150 per person.

The park is also popular for the canopy walk! The first-ever canopy walk experience to be introduced in East Africa is right in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park (NFNP). This experience commenced in 2010, and visitors are led through a suspended walkway approximately 50m from the ground, guaranteeing an exceptional aerial view of the Nyungwe Forest canopy and primates.

Hiking Rwanda’s Mountains

Adventure seekers on safari in Rwanda are never left out. There are plenty of hiking opportunities in Rwanda, including hiking the Virunga Mountains in Northern Rwanda. The Volcanoes National Park boasts of hosting five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes. Popular hikes with the park include the Bisoke volcano Hike, Mt. Karisimbi hike, Ngezi Crater Hike etc.

Other areas to tour in Rwanda include Lake Burera and Ruhondo, Lake Kivu, Kibuye, Musanze caves, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, and others.

In summary, Rwanda is compact in size but features plenty of unique experiences, activities, and attractions that make it a premier destination. Visit Rwanda not only for mountain gorilla encounters but also for other wildlife safaris, hiking adventures, cultural tours, city tours, and so much more.

Tanzania is East African giant in a lot of considerations right from politics, economy, and trading and also well in the travel section. A self-drive likewise to the fully guided trip in Tanzania exposes you to that unique features that the country has only signified itself to offer. By size Tanzania is a bigger country, times 4 Uganda to get the real size of the country, so when opting for a self-drive drive trip here, it mean you must be ready to take on drives.

Tanzania has a list of over 50 national parks and game reserves which are scattered across the country. These parks has significantly positioned Tanzania as the best safari destination in African offering such great and unique wild encounters of which some can be even encountered elsewhere in the world.

However, among the many were making a selection five super national parks. These parks has unique and varying experience. So, when you going for a self-drive to Tanzania you can consider among these and make your own travel plan.

The Serengeti National Park

The Africa’s top safari destination, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s second largest park 5,700 square miles. The park was exclusively reserved for wildlife since 1951 and the heart of a vast ecosystem with much greater dimensions. Any safari to this majestic Serengeti is always comes combining the protected site of Ngorongoro, the Maswa Game Reserve, the controlled areas of Grumeti and Ikorongo, the Kenyan nature reserve of Masai Mara and the controlled area of Loliondo (up to Lake Natron).

The 11,583 square miles controlled in such a way as to ensure that human activities remain compatible with the welfare of the wildlife. The conservation effort in this immense territory is mainly to preserve the presence of migratory routes involving hundreds of thousands of zebras and wildebeest. The park is mainly known as visited for the famous dramatic wildebeest migration where about 2.5 million wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, and cross from the plain of Serengeti to the plain of Masai Mara.

The Serengeti National Park is Africa’s most rewarding park with varieties of wildlife encounters. And when opting for a self-drive here, you just need to have that safari customized land cruiser which can maneuver al road terrains of the Serengeti.

Ngorongoro Crater

One of the remarkable destinations to take a self-drive in East Africa. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest crater in the world, and is a safe haven for a remarkable self-drive assortment of wildlife. Because the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the worlds’ natural remnants site was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1980. A huge crater that acts like a vast natural zoo.

Three million years ago, a major eruption devastated the Ngorongoro volcano and the collapse of the cone left the largest caldera in the world – a staggering 12 miles in diameter. Surveying this site is a truly awe-inspiring feeling, one that grows with the discovery of more and more African species of flora and fauna as you approach the bottom of the crater.

The reserve contains other less impressive but equally admirable extinct volcanoes as well as two outstanding paleontological sites in Olduvai and Laetoli.

Kilimanjaro National Park

Nothing rewards than taking an adventure to Kilimanjaro National Park. The self-drive means taking such a great reward and hiking to the top of Africa.  Also called ‘roof of Africa’, Kilimanjaro is the Africa’s highest peak. The large village of Moshi, located at the foot of Kilimanjaro and not far from Mount Meru, is often used as a starting point when climbing to the summit of Kili or exploring the splendor of Tanzania’s north. While its main charm lies in its African authenticity touched with Asian influences, it is also known for the quality of its coffee plantations Kilimanjaro being one of Tanzania’s main coffee growing regions. This is a must visit when taking this self-guided esteemed drive and one of the best national parks in Tanzania.

Lake Manyara National Park

This is an outsized lake accommodating exceptional wildlife, thousands of birds and primary forest. The Manyara National Park encompasses the northern half of the lake and its western shore, which ends a few miles from the escarpment. The detached eyesight of flocks of birds on the hazy horizon is unforgettable. Among these include; Herons, egrets, ospreys, ibis, pelicans, jacanas and plovers are just some among the 380 species recorded.

A drive through the deluxe shrubbery replies visitors as they enter the park. Consider this watch where towering trees take advantage of the rich volcanic soil and porous rocks help underground streams reach the roots. Those lucky enough might even see baboons gathered in troops of between 30 and 100.

A self-drive in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park rewards of awesome sights of impalas, giraffes, buffaloes and zebras. The park is as well famous for hosting the special tree climbing lions. The park rewards with a lot of programs among are the wild boat ride which is very unique in Tanzania parks, game drives etc.

Tarangire National Park

Experience the dry savannah landscapes, baobab forests, these have harbored elephant herds in the Tarangire National Park. Tarangire National Park is a quiet, wooded savannah, where a rich variety of thriving fauna including tree climbing lions can be spotted from open vehicles. Taking a self-guided drive through the park will expose you to these unique African bush elephants, plains zebras, Masai giraffes, impalas, blue wildebeest, buffaloes, bush pigs, common elands, common waterbucks.

For birder’s, when traveled along with your well lensed cameras, there are a lot of birds that can also be found on many of the wetter banks of the Tarangire River. Keep an eye out for brilliantly colored parakeets known as lovebirds. Termite mounds are very common in Africa and abandoned mounds are often used for shelter by dwarf mongooses. In the north of Tarangire National Park, the majestic baobab trees are among the finest examples of this species anywhere.

The process of renting a car in Kenya is sometimes expensive, time-consuming and full of hidden fees and surprising requirements. Shopping for the best price and ensuring you understand the rules and regulations before and after you use the car will help.

Below is how a client can rent a car in Kenya

1. Make a Reservation

Many major rental car agencies gladly accept walk-up customers, but companies sometimes rent out their entire inventory and are left unable to service new customers. To ensure that a vehicle is available to rent, place a reservation for the rental using the company’s website as far ahead of time as possible. As an added bonus, customers with reservations are usually charged a lower rate than walk-up customers.

Compare prices online

Compare their rates for their most basic economy-size cars. Find the best deal for your location and the period of time in which you’ll need a rental.

Before you decide on an agency, look into and/or ask about their additional fees. These fees can change what agency provides the best deal all things considered. Some common fees include:

• Underage-driver fees: Additional charge for a driver under 25.
• Airport surcharges: Additional charge for picking up a rental at the airport.
• Mileage fees: Additional charges for going over a certain miles per day cap.
• Additional driver fees: Additional charges for having more than one person drive the rental.

Consider the size you will need. You can rent a car in any size, from compact to SUV.

Keep in mind that the definitions of terms like “compact” and “luxury-sized” can vary. Most agency websites will include examples of models or how many passengers can fit in each car size.

Add features that you will need with your rental car. These might include a GPS system or car seats for the kids. These additions can be factored in while you’re going through the online rental process. Different car models will have different options, so keep that in mind as you choose a car size and model.

2. Present Payment and License to Rental Agency

Upon arriving at the car rental location, the agent behind the desk will verify the reservation and request two items: a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. The driver’s license is used to validate the renter’s identification, license status, age, and address (in case the car is not returned), and the credit card is generally charged a “hold” in the amount of the rental (rental companies use this hold to ensure they will be paid when the car is returned).

3. Review the Rental Agreement

Rental agreements vary from company to company, and should be carefully reviewed before taking the keys to the rental car. Verify how many miles are allowed per day many, but not all, companies offer unlimited mileage allowance and other nuances, such as when the car must be returned, any grace periods, and additional fees that may be incurred.

4. Review the Damage Insurance

A part of the contract that requires special attention is the loss and damage insurance. Most companies offer special insurance at the time of rental that pays for repair of any damage, though this coverage often comes at a hefty charge. In many cases, the credit card used to reserve and rent the vehicle offers similar coverages as a free benefit. Before accepting or declining the car rental agency’s insurance, be certain to become familiar with the free benefits offered by the credit card cardholder agreement. You should also check with your own car insurance company, as many policies afford you the same protection on a rental car as you have on your own car.

5. Accept the Keys

With the contract signed, the car rental agent will offer keys to the rental car. Many companies simply assign a vehicle at random based on the class of car reserved, though some companies allow their customers to select a car from a designated portion of the lot. Before you drive off the lot, quickly review the car, both inside and out. If the gas tank isn’t full, if you see somebody damage, if something isn’t working properly, be sure to inform the rental agent. Otherwise, you might be held responsible for those problems once you return the car. If everything’s in order, off you go. 

6. Check the car carefully before you leave the car lot

You want to make sure any scratches, dents or problems are documented so you are not held liable for these when you return the car. Be thorough here. You want to look for problems both big and small. Make sure the windows work properly. Make sure there’s no loose part, dysfunctional lights, leaks, or anything that could be considered damage. If there is, record and take a picture or video of it.

7. Check the policy before crossing state or national boundaries.

Be sure to tell the rental company if you’re crossing a country border in the rental. You’ll need special insurances that can be purchased. Depending on the agency, there may be additional fees for crossing state lines as well.

8. Returning time

Fill the car with gas

Some rental car contracts give you the option of returning the car without a full tank of gas, but you will be charged extra. Try to find a gas station a few miles from the drop off location. But be aware that the gas stations that are closest to the rental location will likely have the highest prices.

Clean out the inside of the car

Do not leave any trash behind for the agency to clean out, or you will be charged. Make sure you check both the front and back seats thoroughly and remove all of your possessions before you leave the car. Check under all the seats for any items that might have rolled under there.

Bring the car back to the rental agency at the agreed upon date and time. Do not be late; some agencies will charge you for another full day if you bring the car back even 30 minutes later than you said you would. Check with the agency beforehand to find out their exact policy on late returns.

Also be aware that some agencies will even charge a fee for returning the car too early. Once again, it’s best to ask for their policy regarding this sometime before the time comes to return the car.

Hand over the keys and wait for your receipt. If you want to pay with a different card or with cash, make sure they take the charge off the card you initially used.

Conclusion

Renting a car in Kenya for a driver guided safari or self-drive offers the most ideal solution to all visitors’ travel plans. However, the process to secure a rental in Kenya can get a bit complicated especially when it comes to finding the right car hire service provider for a particular car. Contact www.kenyacarrental.com for better car rental services in Kenya.