Information

Safely Drive Along Kampala-Entebbe Expressway

The main significance of traffic rules and symbols is for ensuring safety of all road users-motorists, bicyclists, vehicle passengers, the scooter riders, pedestrians and drivers. You will agree that there are numerous challenges, hurdles and risks on the road, which can bring about harm as well as put riders at high risk. Traffic rules and guidelines are applicable to the different road users in the roads, vehicles and the general public. When it comes to driving in Uganda along the Expressway, it is important to follow different safety rules and procedures.

First, there is only one Expressway in Uganda-the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, the four-lane toll road managed by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to connect the International Airport (at Entebbe) to the Capital City (Kampala). The safety rules to be followed have broken down into; how to prepare before driving on the expressway, when joining the Expressway, expressway driving rules, when leaving the expressway and they include;

Before reaching the Expressway

• It is important to plan in advance with much traveling time

If you have plans of using the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway for a long distance journey, as it is with most drivers, we advise our clients to plan their driving route to include where and when to take breaks between driving.

Check-out the prevailing traffic and weather conditions of your safari destination as well as places from Television and Radio along the way and make sure that they are included on your plans.

• Conduct checks on the vehicle

Make sure that the cooling water, fuel, engine oil and tires are on point before undertaking trips through the Expressway to avoid any possible car breakdowns while driving along the toll road. Additionally, make sure that you have a spare tire, first aid kit, maintenance tools and flashlight.

When connecting from an entry road to the Expressway

• Alternate the direction signal in advance

While joining the entry road, drivers are advised to first give a change-of-direction signal in advance as a way of alerting other road users to avoid accidents.

• Accelerate along the Entry road

If it is safe to do so, you can go ahead to accelerate the vehicle along the entry road to join with the expressway traffic at the same speed.

Safety guidelines while driving along the Expressway

• Follow the recommended speed limit

Most accidents along the Expressway happen because of speeding and to keep safe, make sure that you slow down at the entrance and exit points. The recommended speed limit for driving along the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway is 100 kilometers per hour on the Busega-Entebbe Airport extent and 80 kilometers per hour on the Munyonyo stretch.

• Maintain a safe driving distance

Keeping a safe driving distance is one of the important prerequisites for preventing road accidents along the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, and this distance changes according to road conditions and weather. However, the minimum is 60 meters from other vehicles.

• Always drive in the designated lanes

Even after overtaking a slowly moving vehicle using the passing lane along the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, it is advisable to return to your original lane without risking other drivers behind or ahead of you.

• Don’t brake suddenly

Even If your vehicle tire loses air while driving along the Expressway, avoid braking immediately and suddenly because it is detrimental to other road users. In such circumstances, strongly grip the steering wheel then release the gas pedal to slowly reduce speed.

Other important safety guidelines to be followed while driving on the Expressway include not using your phone when driving, reducing driving speed during or after bad weather condition, always keeping left, only driving vehicles in good mechanical condition as well as not drinking and driving.

Safety procedures when the vehicle breakdown

• First, pull over and stop along the left side of the road and if possible, exit the Kampala – Entebbe Expressway.
• Report to the Expressway patrolling Officer, especially if it is difficult to take emergency measures or better still report via the Emergency telephone.
• The hazard lights should be turned on to indicate that your vehicle is making a stop, because of a break down or any other reason.

Safety procedures when exiting the Expressway

• Take care and adjust speed

When entering a general road, take care and adjust your speed because you might feel you are driving at 60 kilometers per hour when it is actually 80 kilometers per hour. However, first indicate when you connect to the exit road, followed by reducing speed in the exit road.

• If you are not continuing until the end of the Kampala – Entebbe Expressway, leave by the exit road
• Always pay attention to the warning signs that indicate approach to the exit road to avoid being taken by surprise.

How to Save on Your Next Gorilla Trekking Experience

Africa has a wide range of tour adventures but not all are pricy. However, the most pricy options hold the most powerful experience in the rain forests of Uganda and Rwanda. Tourists go on gorilla trekking safaris in four known locations; Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To experience the world’s most wildlife encounters in Uganda and Rwanda follow our tips and spend less on your next trip;

1. Don’t Visit in Popular times

You don’t have to visit a destination just because your friends and relatives are visiting but you can do it your way and save much. During the most popular times-peak season all tour essentials are high due to the demand making it hard to get discounts and promotional offers. However, this can happen during the low season and you save big on accommodation and other trip essentials like transport. Remember rates for low season months are different from those for high season months.

2. Visit a Cheap Alternative Park

Due to different gorilla permit prices, exploring a cheap alternative park is a great way to save and enjoy to your best. If you’re initial plan was to track gorillas in Rwanda, then head to Uganda the most convenient cheap gorilla trekking safari alternative where gorilla permits go for $600.Allow yourself to explore the ambience of two beautiful Africa countries  on a single gorilla trek. No need to worry about how to connect to Uganda after flying to Kigali Rwanda. This has always been the easiest way of tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda due to short driving distance.

3. Short Gorilla Tours

Though there are many gorillas trekking safari options on offer in Uganda and Rwanda short treks of 1-3 days are great for those interested in seeing only mountain gorillas. The 3 days gorilla trek unveil all the rainforest adventures like golden monkey trek, cultural trails, nature walks, volcano hikes plus a city excursion before departure at the most affordable rates ever. In case you want to check out other country famous attractions then go for a 4- 5 days gorilla safari tour at amazingly low prices.

4. Travel with a Friend

Many Adventure tour operators in Uganda and Rwanda often organize gorilla tours for two and more which bring down the price. Don’t forget to tell a friend about your travel plans of tracking gorillas so that you can share other costs like transport and accommodation. You can also join gorilla overland trips, group tours and enjoy your trek with new friends from different corners of the world.

5. Book Budget Gorilla Safaris

If you dream of having a budget gorilla trek in Uganda, go for budget safari options where you will stay in good budget accommodation facilities in Bwindi Mgahinga national Park and experience the best. It can be a camping trip, backpacking or private budget tour.

Main Clauses in Uganda Car Rental Agreements

While renting a car in Uganda, a traveler has to sign a black and white printed paper in order to take the vehicle for an expedition.  This is normally called a car rental agreement which means that there is a mutual understanding reached between the client and operator to hire the vehicle. It is not all above signing a black and white paper there are clause or terms and condition on which the hirer has to follow while using the vehicle. Remember a car is something that has a big face value so limitations and rules have to be put in place while the hirer is using it.

There are some of the main clauses found in most Uganda car rental company agreement so by looking at this gives a hint on what to expect when you are renting a car on your next holiday in Uganda.

Identification of the hirer

This shows the particulars of the person hiring the vehicle. The main particulars needed are the full name of the hirer, nationality, place of residence and occupation.

Vehicle description and the duration of the car rental services

This clause is one of the most essential as it talk about the type of a car has to be listed and the number plate. This justifies if the real vehicle hirer reserved is the one delivered to him/her. It further indicated the number of days a hirer is supposed to use the rental car.

Nature and amount of payment of the rental car

This shows the amount of money being paid for the rental car and also the currency of the money which is normally us dollars or Uganda shillings. The mode of payment is also mentioned that is by cash or electronic transfer.

Use of the vehicle

This clause explains on the condition the hirer is supposed to use and drive the car. This clause is so important as it limits bad driving thus minimizing accidents. It also gives a hirer the tips of how to drive a car in a foreign country like Uganda.

Damages and insurance

This is one clause a hirer must put maximum focus on. Rental damages happen often which are unavoidable and avoidable. This clause normally explains to what extent the hirer is liable to the damages of the rental car caused and what to do in case of an accident while he/she is driving it.  It further goes to explain how he/she can be covered against some damages that might happen on the rental car. Remember damages come with big costs so this clause has to be completely comprehended by the hirer.

Fuel filling clause

This explains who is responsible for filling the fuel of the rental car. In most cases the hirer is responsible for fuel filling while driving the vehicle. This clause also has a semi component of fuel refill where by the client is supposed to fuel refill the rental car while returning it. It might be full tank, half tank or quarter tanks as stipulated by a certain company.

Return of the car

This clause explains when one is supposed to return the car to the operator. This also explains what would happen to the hirer if he/she returns the rental car at a later date. It also talks about what to do if the hirer needs to extent his/her duration of using the car rental services.

Breach of contract

This explains the penalties given to the client if he/she violates the clauses stipulated in the car rental agreement.