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Secrets to Finding a Rental Car Upgrade in Uganda

With the ever new car models that feature nearly every year, it is of no doubt that almost everyone desires an upgrade the fact that hitting the road in a fancy car is one way to make your safari a memorable one. Perhaps you are planning to spend your holiday in Uganda this coming season and you wish to find a rental car upgrade and you do not know how best you can do it. Well, check out some of the tips below and you will certainly get your dream car;

Request for a better one

Try to be open as much as possible and ask for something you need. By asking for what you desire won’t have any harm to you. Imagine you keep quiet higher chances are that you will not find that dream vehicle for car rental in Uganda! Probably, you need something bigger than the one you have been provided or would like fancier features then the best to find it is by asking what else they have available and how much that may cost. This may land you into that dream car even at no additional charges.

Haggle on an upgrade offer

Try not to go with the first offer, just in case you are told that a better vehicle is available but comes with extra charge per day then why not put your haggling skills to the test to see if you can find a price down little. In case you like the vehicle offered, but not its high price, then don’t fear to haggle, the fact that every counter staffs have room for negotiation.

Make sure that you are a frequent visitor

Return visitors are always on better position. If you do frequent to your favorite holiday spot higher chances are this may land you a great upgrade. Frequent visitors or clients are always favored and it is good manners if you even reminded them that you once hired a car with them.

Be relaxed on the details

Once you find a bigger or better car, you may have a higher deposit to pay and use more fuel. Alternatively, perhaps you have purchased additional insurance meaning, this should cover any car rental you need to drive.

Time it right

With car rental services, it is normally about supply and demand. Once you bump into rental desk late higher chances are you may not find that dream car. This means that you have try to get there as early as possible so that you get someone at the counter and you will have opportunity to ask for upgrade.

Try to be nice at the desk

Car rental staffs are humans and they are likely to provide a treat to friendly clients. Car hire is more like flights and hotels-a smile at a desk may earn you something better at the end of the day. What earns some people something better in most cases may not necessarily that they have that huge sum of money but how nice they can be at the encounter does. This means you should know how best you can conduct or interact with staff members.

Be aware of car groups you want

Car rentals do come in different groups and so on the other hand different people as well as have different car preferences. Depending on what your travel needs are in Uganda, it is important that you know which kind of car is the best for your road trip. Car rentals cover family trips, executive, self-drive tours, group tours among others and our fleet range from Toyota Rav4 to Coaster buses. Your choice may depend on travel needs in your dream destination but we have you covered. Simply get connected to one of our staff and we shall you sorted and you live to realize your dream this coming holiday in this magical country.

In summary, with everyone today desiring that classic car to hit the road to their dream destination, find the latest or upgrade car rental may seem very challenging but just few secretes can land you into that dream car. Consider the above tips and you won’t be left in regrets.

Comprehensive Car Rental Insurance and Its Importance

If you’ve ever rented a car, you’ve probably been warned by salespeople at the counter about the possible consequences of walking away without buying their company’s rental car insurance. Put on the spot, you might not feel confident about exactly what your current auto insurance covers. And that’s what rental companies are counting on along with their commissions for selling you the coverage.
Want to be prepared next time you’re renting a car in Uganda? We can help you understand whether you need rental car insurance and how to get it before you get to the rental counter.

Rental car insurance or your own auto insurance?

Here are the typical insurance options from rental car companies, along with how to determine if you already have coverage within your own auto insurance policy. Coverage from your own policy applies when you are using a rental car for personal, no business purposes. The rules may be different for business use of a rental car. Check with your insurer or employer for details about coverage when using a rental car for business.

Crashes and car theft

At the counter: A loss-damage waiver (LDW), also called a collision damage waiver (CDW), gets you off the hook for any damage to the rental vehicle or theft of the car. It’s technically not insurance but rather a waiver that says the rental car company won’t come after you.
Your policy: If you have collision and comprehensive coverage on your own policy, it generally will extend to a rental car. However, you will still be on the hook for your deductible.

Damage you do to others

At the counter: Supplemental liability protection will pay for damage you do to others’ vehicles or property. A typical limit is $1 million. If you have no auto insurance (for example, if you don’t own a car), you should buy this.
Your own policy: Your own liability insurance will cover you when you’re driving rental cars. If you have really minimal liability coverage on your auto policy, you could buy the supplemental protection to boost your coverage. But if that’s your situation, you’d be smarter to increase your own liability coverage anyway.

Injuries to you

At the counter: Personal accident insurance covers medical costs for you and your passengers if you’re involved in an accident. This includes ambulance, medical care and death benefits.
Your own policy: If you have health insurance, this coverage would largely be redundant. Similarly, if you are interested in death benefits, you should have a life insurance policy. Personal accident insurance also is not needed if you have personal injury protection or Med Pay through your auto policy.

Your stolen stuff

At the counter: Personal effects coverage pays for your belongings if they’re stolen from the rental car, up to a set dollar amount.
Your own policy: Your homeowners or renters insurance will cover your possessions if they are stolen, even away from home. To make a theft claim, you’ll need to file a police report, and your deductible amount will apply.

The credit card safety net

Credit cards often provide coverage for rental cars, assuming you have used the card to pay for the rental and the rental is in your name. You’ll automatically have this coverage if it’s included with your credit card — no need to call or sign forms. But it is secondary coverage, meaning your own auto insurance policy will pay out first. If you don’t have auto insurance and are going to count on credit card coverage, call your credit card issuer to confirm the details.

Buying rental car insurance on your own

There are companies that sell standalone policies for rental cars if you don’t want to buy insurance at the counter. You generally need to decline the rental company’s coverage to use these.
Is car rental insurance really necessary?
That’s the first question people ask. The short answer is “yes.” But that doesn’t mean that you need the expensive stuff that your rental car agency is trying to push. There are some important things you need to think about before you waive the right to car rental insurance on your rental car agreement, however.
First, we’ll talk about what car rental insurance purchased through the rental agency can cover:

• Car rental insurance carries a waiver called a loss/damage waiver that releases renters from liability should their rental car be stolen, vandalized or damaged in a collision.
• Car rental insurance policies can also include personal accident insurance, which covers medical costs for you and any passengers due to injuries sustained in an accident with your rental car.
• Most car rental insurance policies carry personal effects coverage, which covers any personal items damaged in a collision or stolen from the rental car.
• Car rental insurance policies also usually include liability insurance that covers third party costs for both medical care and property damage if another vehicle is involved in an accident and the fault for the accident lies with the rental car driver.

Visit Ngamba Island for Chimpanzee Trip in Uganda

Uganda has remained to be on top of other African countries in tourism, this is so because of the various tourism sights and bio-diversities. Despite of the fact that the country is a land locked one, many tourists regard it has being their first priority while in Africa due to the fascinating features and abundant wildlife. Uganda is bordered by Kenya to the east, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda to the southwest, DR. Congo to the west and South Sudan to the North and therefore the country is a member of the East African Community.
Visiting Ngamba Island while on your tours in Uganda is one of the best choice since it gives a nice discovery memory, Ngamba Island is located in Lake Victoria and visitors depart from Entebbe, this is a 45 minutes cruise on a private boat. This tour should be organized for you by Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited since they have got expertise in transporting tourists to Ngamba Island. This island was gazzeted to protect the endangered and orphaned Chimpanzees including those that are rescued from poachers in the different places.
Visitors to Ngamba Island enjoy a variety of activities and once you are at Ngamba, you become engaged always due to the amazing jokes performed by the different chimps in their cages and trees. Feeding the chimps most especially the baby chimps can be done from this place as visitors witness and participate in milk feeding and banana feeding.
This is another place to hide from stress since visitors have got an option of camping at the island, the conducive air and the environment makes you forget other problems, this island is only for chimpanzees and its one of the best places to be since it unique. While on the Island, there are different chimpanzees that can be entertained since they were all given names. Playing places are available for these chimps to do exercise every day and every time they feel like playing around.
Visitors will witness them slapping each other as a way of dominating the group, getting to this island is easy but leaving will be hard since it was endowed with everything a tourist may wish to see while on the safari. This is where history will become the truth to everyone who is enthusiastic with visiting Uganda for an amazing tour with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris limited.
From there visitors can embark to Kampala and take a visit at Uganda museum and take a look at the different cultural exhibitions representing the different cultures from the different regions of Uganda.  Art crafts and sculptures are categorized in the different stalls that enable visitors to have a nice understand of the findings in the museum. Another interesting center is the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo; this is where the martyrs were assassinated from on 3^rd/06/1886.
This led to the construction of the shrines for annual cerebration and remembrance the solidarity exhibited by the young people while dying for their religion and this is where pilgrimages converge to remember them every 3^rd of June but visitors can tour the place throughout the year and this is one of the most cerebrated events in Uganda.
Kabaka’s Lake found in Ndeeba is another place suitable for a holiday tour, this is the largest man made lake in Uganda and it was dug by the king of Buganda as he wanted to relax on water, this lake has got his seat that was placed at one of the islands found within the lake. The conducive environment including the availability of different social amenities around the lake makes it to be one of the resting places and nice to see place in Uganda.
Another place to be visited while on your holiday is Kasubi tombs where the Buganda kings are/were buried; this is also found in Kampala, while on this tour visitors will get a chance to see the Kabaka’s tombs and the different huts of the Kabaka’s wives surrounding the palace. Here you will be taken through all the activities including giving you the information regarding the tombs and the kings that were buried within.

Best Cultural Safari Tours Uganda

Uganda has got one of the best cultural diversity with over 52 tribes all having different cultural setting all with different kingdom ship and chief doms. This ranges from the pre-colonial era, due to the colonial era that emerged after, this was interrupted hence making some monarchs weak while others were revived after this era and they regained their powers in their territories. Buganda, Bunyoro and Toro are among the kingdoms that regained and up to now are still thriving while chief doms of Acholi and other northern tribes were also restored.
Due to the ancient cultural history that Uganda boost, it has been among the internationally recognized archaeological countries, having a visit to Uganda on tours of Uganda enables visitors to acquire information regarding the ancient Bachwezi who were once believed to be Semi-gods, this was due to their natural super powers shown in their legends including the underground tunnels known as “Akariza Ngumba K’kyabagyenyi”.
Ugandan culture is currently mixing up since different tribes get married to each other due to the trade that has brought the bondage between them. The Acholi and the Langi dominates the northern region with other tribes such as the Karamajong, Pokots and the Dodoths in the north eastern parts of the country. In the north western Uganda is the lugbar and the Alur. To the eastern parts of Uganda, the Bagisu is the mostly visited tribe due to their Imbalu ceremony which is performed after every even year. This is done to introduce young boys to adulthood through circumcision, also to find is the Sabiny, Ndorobo and Benet.
The Basoga who are also situated in the eastern region are separated by the longest river in Africa that’s River Nile, this river separates eastern Uganda and the central Uganda and this forms the boundaries between the Buganda kingdom and the Busoga kingdom. The Basoga are led by their king locally known as the Kyabazinga of Busoga. The Bagandas are united under one kingdom known as the Buganda kingdom and this is seen as the most powerful kingdom in Uganda.
This is also listed as UNESCO cultural sites due to the Kasubi tombs where the remains of the fallen Buganda kings were laid to rest. Visitors may also be transferred to the king’s palace including the Bulange where the Buganda Parliament sits. Within the central region, one may be taken to Ssezibwa falls and its source in Buikwe District; for real this river cannot leave you un amazed since it is a twin born river.
The western parts of Uganda are distributed by the Bunyoro, Toro and Ankole kingdoms though in this region Bunyoro and Toro kingdoms are the strongest since Ankole kingdom is currently un restored. Also, to find in the western Uganda are the Batwa who are mainly forest dwellers staying in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and around Mgahinga National Parks.
These take visitors through cultural performances and exhibitions including traditional dances, food cuisines and story tales plus their traditional medicine, the Bakiga also dominates some parts within this region and these cultivates the steep slopes of the mountains found here in the south western part. In central Uganda, also to visit is the Nakayima tree found in Mubende where visitors get a chance to be narrated stories about this tree and also going through the caves and tunnels that are found here.
Not to miss is the “Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru” which is a local language for the Batooro meaning the “Breasts of Nyinamwiru”, this is another cultural attraction feature found in Fort-Portal. This site has got breast like features with water drops from them hence making them an amazing feature and nice to see places, also to see within this region is the Karambi tombs and the King’s palace. A travel with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited will not let you down since you will be traveling with experts who are well conversant with Ugandan cultural.

Essential Car Hire Checklist for Uganda Self Drive

Renting a car for Uganda self drive gives you all the freedom to explore the Pearl of Africa! However renting a hire car can be a bit of a headache if you don’t plan your trip properly. Time and time again, we hear from holidaymakers who run into conflicts with car hire agencies. So, to prevent this scenario, we spoke to a number of experts in the field to compile our ultimate car hire checklist and here it is!

1. You have to book ahead as possible for the best deal.
2. Always check the levels of collision damage waiver and the thief protection excesses. In case they are high it’s definitely worth taking out zero excess cover. Compare the cost of the broker’s own top up waiver with an independent excess reimbursement policy.
3. In case you buy an excess reimbursement policy from the broker, always make sure it’s in the same name as the lead driver on the rental voucher otherwise it may not pay out.
4. The cost of adding extra drivers and hiring child seats can be high and varies largely so shop around
5. Always check the driving section of the AA’s website for some advice on local driving regulations.
6. Make sure you have enough capacity on your credit card to stand a hefty deposit. The debit cards are not accepted because they have no pre- authorization facility to ring fence funds to cover damage.
7. Always enter the correct start time for the rental. In case your flight is delayed by more than one hour you must let the rental office know otherwise your reservation may be cancelled, as cars are only held for two hours at busy times.
8. At the car desk, make sure the cr5edit card to be used is in the name of the lead driver on the rental voucher, otherwise you will have to pay again.
9. Always have a second card handy to put paid to the scam of the suppliers who claim that the card has been declined if you have refused their insurance.
10. In case you reject the local CDW top up cover, the agent may to sell you the road side assistance cover covering vehicle recovery if of breakdown, getting locked out, flat battery as well as mis fueling.
11. Once the contract is given, please read it carefully before leaving the office, most especially items that have been tricked as accepted or declined. In case there are charges you don’t understand, ask about them. If the total shown is more than that printed on your voucher you may without knowing have signed up for optional insurance you do not need.
12. Before driving away, check the fuel type. This is because putting in the wrong fuel is regarded as negligence and all CDW cover might be withdrawn.
13. Inspect the car well; make sure every tiny scratch is marked on the contract. The body work, you should check the windscreen, wheel hubs, the underside of bumpers and the edges of wing mirrors.
14. Open the boot and check that It has a warning triangle, high visibility jacket, spare bulbs, and any other items legally required in that country otherwise you might be charged for their loss.
15. You can use your camera to take photos of all the four sides of the car.
16. Check the clutch if it’s not burning out.
17. In case it’s too dark to inspect the car, go over it with a fine tooth comb the following morning and report further scratches, noises or mechanical concerns immediately.
18. In case on an accident; call the police if another vehicle is involved, even if the damage is mirror. Fill in the legally binding accident statement form. The form is divided into two sections and each driver in their version of events.
19. On returning the car, keep the receipt from the petrol station where you filled up the car on the final day. Always get the vehicle signed back in. in case it’s not possible, make sure that you take a new set of photographs to prove it has been returned without any damage.
20. Always settle any disputes with the car rental company.

6 Important Tips for Solo Travelers Visiting Uganda

Are you a first-time tourist planning to travel alone to the Pearl of Africa and in need of advice or tips of how to go by with your safari? Provided is the list of important tips for first-time solo travelers to Uganda;
1. Have confidence in yourself
Self confidence and belief that you are capable of doing more than you think is always important when undertaking a solo trip as a first-time traveler. Why is it important? You will be faced with some challenges which will need you to solve during the safari thus problem solving skills are very vital for any first-time tourist.
2. Plan in advance like booking for the first few nights of accommodation in the destination
Many tourists prefer traveling to a destination without making prior plans but it is always advised to book for the first few nights of accommodation to avoid wasting time figuring out how to get about within the new destination. To be on a safer side, you can book accommodation for the entire safari depending how long you will spend in a particular place because you may find less room for abrupt itinerary changes.
3. Get some safety essentials before the safari
Read some safety magazines or research on internet so as to get information regarding how to stay safe during Uganda safaris. Not only that, you may need to pack some safety essentials for your safari such as pickpocket-proof clothing with some hidden pockets thus you may need to carry a bag, carry a safety whistle or personal alarm to draw attention in case you are attacked and a combination lock for your backpack as well as backpack zippers among others.
4. Avoid being nervous
I know you will have a lot of what-if questions but there is no need to worry and be nervous during your solo-trip. Questions like what if I lose my luggage or even passport? What if I miss my flight or train? What if the accommodation facility I book is uncomfortable? Or what if I lose my money to theft? These are very common questions because such scenarios have happened to first-time solo travelers but that doesn’t mean you should be discouraged, forego or cancel the safari but rather look for solutions like contacting the local police or Embassies in the country.
5. Feel free to interact with the locals
Interacting with the local community members means you will be sharing with them, thus the locals will always help you where necessary. They will help you discover more about the destination especially about the best restaurants and other fascinating places within the destination but also take time to meditate in beautiful places and make new discoveries and not just stay in one place.
If you are someone that doesn’t know how to interact with the locals, you can actually meet them during walking tours, money exchanges, home stays and hostels among others.
6. Always take time to be alone
If it means sitting alone in the bar, it is fine because you will be able to meditate on the safari besides the fact that it makes you freely approachable.