September 2019

10 Bad Driving Habits to Avoid in Rwanda

Renting a car in Rwanda is by far the best way to embark on a road trip. Every car rental agency has got its set terms and conditions or rather policies that every traveler should observe. However, most drivers including self-drive travelers have a tendency of insisting on some of the awful habits. For starters, self drive in Rwanda on a road trip is very easy and exciting although other road users tend to make everything seem difficult due to their bad driving habits.

At times, you will get surprised to see another car behind you and the person has not even indicated to you and on highways, most people simply start racing and they will want to overtake at a corner. To embark on a self-drive car hire Rwanda tour is more exciting, memorable but you have to be very keen while driving as most drivers tend to be reckless on the road.

Below are some of the risky things you need to avoid while on road trip in Uganda

Driving when you are drunk

Driving under influence of alcohol has become a common practice by road users today yet this puts you at risk. This doesn’t only affect your ability to react or make decisions but also may cost you based on road rules in Rwanda. At times, most solo travelers on self-drive trip in Rwanda think they are in a holiday and so drinking is a must do thing something that is very wrong. It is the worst thing anyone can think of and to be on safer side, you can do so at your respective lodge or hotel.

Ignoring traffic signs

Once someone hits the road, issues of traffic signs are totally ignored yet these play a significant role especially for your safety on road.

Not paying attention

Always be attentive and have a listening ear while on road trip in Rwanda. Make sure that you cross check your mirrors and any blind spots, traffic a head and around you. Be mindful of the pot holes when driving and ensure that you are never distracted in anyway.

Disregarding weather and road conditions

Before you embark on road trip in Rwanda be keen on weather and road conditions. In most cases, some weather conditions require you to drive slowly.

Not making the best use of indicators

Always remember the use of indicators or do not make the best use of them when it is already too late. Indicators are essential to make alert to other drivers.

Use of phones while driving

Everyone loves phones but do not get distracted by phone calls, texting. Put your full attention on your road trip and you will have the best of it.

Not putting on seat belts

To most road users, wearing a seat belt is at times looked at as crime but it is not. Wearing a seat belt is for your own safety on the road. Before you set off, remember to be on your seat belts.

Putting on high heel

This is a common vice with women but it is dangerous when you driving.  The best is for you to have flat shoes or else simply relax and let someone else to take on the wheel.

Do not over speed

Over speeding is against traffic laws of Rwanda and major cause of road accidents. Be mindful of the driving speed sign posts along the road and other road users.

Traffic Tips for Driving in Rwanda

Rwanda is relatively safe compared to other countries. Driving in Rwanda is absolutely an exciting experience but requires some braveness while you are behind the wheels. For starters, higher chances are that you will face challenge driving in Rwanda’s roads as most of them are not yet to the standards of say United States or England. To get the best of your self drive experience in Rwanda, take a look at significant road safety rules and traffic tips for driving.

Driving in Rwanda always requires you to keep left and speed limit in town areas shouldn’t be over 40kms per hour and 60kms per hour in provinces.

Plastics are not tolerated, therefore do not dump rubbish anyhow while driving in Rwanda or else you will be penalized. The government of Rwanda banned all non-degradable polyethylene plastic bags in 2008.

Be prepared to drive along several terrains in Rwanda. Driving in Rwanda is amazing since most of its routes have been paved.

To drive in Rwanda, you should be at least 18 years that is for categories A and B and 20 for categories C, D, E and F.

Make sure that you have a valid driver license or international driving permit, car registration documents as well as car insurance certificates.

Do not drive at night in Rwanda-this is dangerous.

Do not drive when you are drunk. The legal blood alcohol level in Rwanda is 0.08 percent and random breath testing is done by police.

Road Safety Rules and Regulations in Rwanda

Before you embark on a self-drive tour or guided tour, be aware of traffic rules to avoid being taken by surprise by presence of traffic officers. Road safety in Rwanda is governed by the traffic and road safety Act.

Drivers should keep left when driving and if you are not familiar with road rules please rent a car and driver and still enjoy your road trip at your own pace.

The speed limit in town areas is 40kms per hour and 60kms per hour in provinces.

To drive in Rwanda, you need a valid local or international driving permit/license.

Driving Tips before starting a Car Hire

• Check out the blinkers for proper operation.
• Cross check if the tyres are inflated well.
• Prior driving a rental car please do some simple safety check
• Turn on the lights and move around to ascertain if all lights are working.
• When you enter into the car please adjust all mirrors and seats prior starting it.

Driving Tips while your Rental Car is moving

• Turn your head to check no one is coming prior joining the road.
• Take note of traffic lights-green color is always for you to look left and right, straight then left once more prior proceeding.
• Always be on seat belts and put on your seat belt before starting your car
• Make sure that the headlights are on and the car is visible 4 times the distance with its headlights on
• Please indicate in case you need to make a stopover.
• Keep within driving speed limit.

5 Most Popular Safari Locations in Rwanda

If you happen to be a nature lover or a budding photographer then Africa is the ideal destination for you to visit. It is one of the most visited tourist spots in the world. Rwanda tours are a must when you visit Africa for a vacation. According to All About Rwanda, this country has a summer spell during the months of June till august. This area is also famous since it has a large number of beautiful lakes; the landscape of the entire city is absolutely breath taking.

Lake Kivu

I am sure that you will be taken back by its beauty. The largest lake of Africa Lake Kivu is found her as well. There are vast tracks of hills and swamps here. The local essence of Rwanda lies in the simplicity of the place and its people.

Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorillas are what Rwanda safaris are famous for. The entire belt is known for the large number of gorillas that are found here. There are many treks that follow these gorillas. The volcanoes that are found in the national parks are home to these mountain gorillas. So a trip here will ensure that you go on  Rwanda Gorilla Trek as well.

You could also visit the golden monkey, the mountain gorillas form such an intrinsic part of the people’s lives here that every year in the month of June a ceremony is held to give names to the gorillas that live here. I had the chance to go on this particular safari. And let me tell this experience has left me speechless. It was a great feeling being able to interact with these huge animals.

A trip to this continent would be ideal for a week or two.  You could make this vacation either by road or by the sea. Since there are so many water bodies in Africa traveling by a boat is a fabulous way to get to know the place better. You could also hire a plane and explore the dense jungles of Africa with the help of a pilot and a guide. But a Rwanda safari will ensure that you visit places that have been untouched by man so far and have the beauty of Mother Nature still intact.

Africa has a large number of reserves and wildlife parks that have been very popular amongst tourists. People from all different parts of the world visit this gorgeous place in large numbers every year. If you are a nature lover then you would love hiking on different trails to see the mountain gorillas. A regular hiking tour lasts for about a week. It depends on how much you are ready to spend on it.

These tours are inclusive of accommodation, food and transportation. You must ensure to have a gorilla permit if you are thinking of taking meeting the endangered mountain gorillas. When booking an all inclusive Rwanda safari these permits are also included in your fare. Thus it is a smart and a sensible way to explore the jungles and have a great vacation as well.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: An Unforgettable Experience

As interesting putting food in the mouth, gorilla tracking is one of the safari activities that is not isolated or missed by tourists when they are having a safari of their lifetime as this activity can’t be missed in menu of the various activities they want to explore which will bring you closer to related human beings. Some of the Gorillas families that are tracked include the following: Susa made up of 41 gorillas, Sabyingo, Amahoro etc. Just like in other countries like Uganda, where Gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and in DRC, it is done in Virunga national park. For Rwanda, it is done in volcanoes national park which is located in the northwest of Rwanda considered to be the only national park where gorilla trekking can be done. Primate tracking  in Rwanda is done by various touring companies as the packages for this tracking ranges from 2 day gorilla trekking Rwanda to 12 day trekking Rwanda  which gives a wide variety of Gorilla groups to be trekked.

More so, to even start trekking these so called primates in volcanoes national park, a tourism permit must be issued by the body concerned with tourism called Rwanda tourism board. This gives license to the tourists of which type of gorillas to be trekked at that moment. Permits for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking goes for around 750 dollars per day of which some bid of the money goes to the communities around the national park for development and well being of people around it. A primate tracking is most suitable in the dry months of June to September and also December, January and February making this activity easier than ever before as you will see below.

Although Gorilla tracking in volcanoes national park  starts from 20 minutes to three quarters of the day in the evening, their some requirements that are needed to do this activity as tourists will go through a couple of challenges like rain, muddy soil, insects e.g. aunts which needs some bid of wearing strong shoes etc. These are some of the requirements needed to trek this amazing Gorillas are as follows.

Tip number one is dressing according to the Safari activity. Wear shirts made of synthetic material which tend to dry faster. This is due to the fact that in most cases, this activity may be done in the rainy season which needs some bid of drying faster to make the tourist more comfortable. Their after you are advised at the bottom to wear long pants made of synthetic material which also tends to dry faster than  other type of clothes making the Safari more sweet and affordable to do . The other clothes like short jeans will make the activity more difficult to do as they will make the tourist uncomfortable and unable to walk properly.

Wear proper foot wear(boots) that is reaches above the ankle, this is because while moving though this good scenery of tropical forests, there will be thorns, sticky plants that may endanger the lives of the tourists most especially the legs.  This will help you to move though the muddy soils, dangerous insects like the aunts that are of a danger to the lives of the human beings. On top of that, wear gators over those boots so that you can cover the remaining space which might be used to enter other staff like water making the tourist unreliable to do. On top of that wear high rubber willies with treads on the boots.

Pack enough food and water before you come for this activity as it mostly takes you a long period of time from morning to the evening hours during the dry months of June to September. This may be in form of snacks, a bottle of water most especially a liter is enough for the all day and it is advisable  for one to bring these items along with him or herself  after all some companies do provide some food to the tourists before proceeding to national park. When you have reached the park in side, you are not allowed to give any food to these gorillas which might endanger the life span of these primates.

Speak about your trekking preferences meaning that you as the tourist will have to communicate to specific company you had booked with to inform them about your fitness level and other diseases you may be facing  plus also what type of Gorilla you might want to see first. This enables the guide to assign you to a group that is in with your range which you can afford to do as some of tracking groups may even track within or  just outside the national park.

Making sure that video camera is working in good conditions and already for use. The first thing is to put in mind is that light from camera shouldn’t be there as long as it does not disturb the movements of the so called primates. These photographs which are made tend to be of a darked exposure because of the so many trees that are situated in the park more so a camera should be kept in a water proof bag so that water does not disturb its settings

Go for Gorilla tracking activity in a dry season is other tip for gorilla tracking meaning that the best months for Gorilla tracking are from June to September and also from December, January and February as these months tend to be dry because in the dry periods, movements of people within the park is much easier than ever before plus also cars are able to move in those roads drive safely. And that is why tourists are advised to come in the dry months although; they can also come in any period of the year. The wet months include the following march, April, May etc.

Practice Gorilla etiquette meaning that you should start and learn to respect the environment of these primates such as their behavior and knowing that you a visitor to them. Don’t be afraid to these primates as they are close friendly to the human beings. More so if they approach you, don’t just run for hide out as they think that you have stolen something from them which marks in the end of the tips for gorilla tracking in Rwanda

The Blazing Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Trail

It’s amazing to see less expected impressive attractions on your holiday in any corner of the world. Just imagine the joy and happiness felt when you capture such a moment. It’s a wish for many travelers though some instead fail even to grab the prime moments of travel.

However, jungle forest is a place full of surprises and remarkable adventures. gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking, birding, culture walks, forest walks, boat rides, Dian Fossey visit, hiking are the main tourism activities within and around the park. When you take a trip to Volcanoes National park, you don’t only stick to the original travel plans since there are many other tourist activities which can be done within and outside the park and booked at last minute. Except gorilla tracking other activities can be booked on the very day for the adventure and you can also use one stone to kill two birds by paying for one activity and also view the other attractions for the other activity that exact point of visiting a beautiful area like this.

The most excellent perfect escape is when you track mountain Gorillas and also view other primates including the rare golden monkey. Gorilla tracking travelers enjoy tracking gorillas and also golden monkeys and both activities require you to have a minimum of two days since both activities kick off at the same time every day. But sometimes Golden monkeys and Gorillas move outside the forests and Travellers are able to view them while at their lodges of residence or during the other trek which is a great surprise since it happens to only lucky travellers.

If you get a chance and even take a nice photo captions with in that short time of the spot then next day’s adventure may be another advantage.To those who view the primates without plans of tracking enjoy a great moment without paying a penny the reason as to why some travellers love spending nights in well located Gorilla lodges & Accommodation with great chances both Gorillas and Golden monkey views. To experience and appreciate it is in most cases when you have paid for one and the other passes by as a bonus.

Another   surprise is taking park in all the park interesting activities in just three days yet others move all the way for just one. If you have a duration of three day at Ruhengeri you can start by tracking gorillas, hike the lovely mountain of either Bisoke or Karisimbi in the afternoon on the first day and then start the other day by trekking Golden monkeys, visit Diany fossey tombs   and also spend the sometime with the locals that’s if boat ride are not your thing. Alternatively you can use the afternoon of day one to visit lake Bulera and Rukundo. Ending your tour by doing all this trust me you will earn yourself the most romantic safari in Rwanda or simple the best Rwanda tour holiday ever. Make sure you shut your eyes and body for the Gorilla land adventure full of relaxation modes and adventure. For birders don’t miss out the opportunity of sporting hundreds of birds in volcano forest during the gorilla tracking adventure as you hike through the bamboo forest. Feel calm and ease as you explore Rwanda’s best park and the most desired tourist destination worldwide.