My Experience after Renting a 4×4 Car at Entebbe Airport
In the year 2026, my husband and I decided to go on a trip to Uganda in the eastern part of Africa. We really wanted to do a self-drive tour but our worry was how to get a reliable 4×4 car for hire. Luckily enough our son had already visited Uganda before with his friends.
He recommended and connected us to the reservation agent of Entebbe Airport Car Rental. This company mainly provides 4×4 Cars for Self drive around Uganda. If you need a car with driver, it is also available.
We contacted one of the handlers through WhatsApp using the number that was shared to us by our son. He quickly replied to my message and provided answers to all the questions I had for him.
Our target was to explore Uganda for about 3 weeks (21 days) and wanted to use something that is cheap and fuel efficient. He suggested to us the 4×4 Toyota Rav 4. It is perfect for two or three people. If you are four people or more, then a 4×4 Land cruiser Prado is the best. My son and his friends were five, so they used the Land cruiser Prado.
After agreeing the rental fee per day, I confirmed the booking, booked flights and applied for our travel Visa. Time reached and we visited Uganda in May. With Entebbe Airport car rental you can receive the vehicle directly at the Airport.
For our case, we arrived at EBB in the night with KLM but we did not prefer to drive to our hotel at night. So, we used a taxicab. The rental car was delivered at the hotel on the next day in the morning. It was all in good conditions with everything working well.
After arriving at the hotel, we red and signed the agreement, he briefed us about the car and made payment for the rental in cash. Later on we checked out at the hotel and started the ride to Jinja.
From Jinja, we proceed to Moroto and followed the route to Soroti, Lira and connected to Murchison falls National Park. From Murchison, continued through Hoima to Fort portal and Kibale forest Park. From here, Kasese is the next destination thus reaching the renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After Queen, we found our way to Bwindi, the roads to Bwindi especially in Buhoma sector are very bad. We got some mechanical issues with the car. Later contacted the field operator who responded quickly and the issue was sorted out.
The mechanic came from Kihihi and found us at the lodge. These guys know what they are doing because they have mechanics in most towns and parts of the country. In case of any issue, just notify them.
From Bwindi, the next stop was Lake Mburo National Park for some wildlife viewing and boat cruise. The experience here was unmatched. Later on, we drove back to Kampala and that was the end of our road trip.
The company representative picked up the car at our hotel in Kampala on the last day. If you hope to self-drive in Uganda, be sure to have a valid driving license, avoid driving at night, make sure to have a local Sim card for internet and calling credit. Avoid over speeding because they penalize for that.
In case there is a flat tire, don’t drive with it because you will be destroying it and the rim. You just have to replace it with the spare tire and visit any petrol station you find on the way to fix the flat tire. There is a technician to work on it. Moreover, be sure to drive a car when it is having the wheel changing tools (a jack and wheel spanner).
Another tip, while driving around Uganda make sure to refill at the genuine petrol stations. You always notify the fuel attendant that the car uses petrol or diesel. If you don’t do so, he or she may make a mistake.
At the petrol stations in cities and town, they take payment by cash or use credit cards. In the villages, they only receive cash. Don’t wait for the car to put on the fuel warning light. Always have enough fuel to avoid getting stuck on the way because of lack of fuel in the car.
Always in the morning inspect the car before you start the ride. Look on the ground to see whether there is no any fluid droplets. This is the only way to know if there is a leakage of engine oil, hydraulic or brake fluid. In case of any warning light on the dashboard and you are not sure of it. Don’t hesitate to notify the car provider for a solution.
When you have parked at the streets, be sure to lock all the doors using the driver door. Double check all the doors before you leave. This helps to protect everything that is inside the car. If you ensure all those things mentioned, then nothing can limit you from having a successful self-drive tour in Uganda.
