Self Drive Uganda
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Member Of:
- Association of Uganda Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Self-drive camping tours (Budget)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $40 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IT
Email Gianluca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with you !
I've rented a 4x4 with driver from self drive Uganda , and I had a very good experience , Baker the driver came to pick me up at my hotel in Kampala , and we drive to Murchison national park ! It was about 6 hours drive . Road is perfect till the entrance of the park , than a 4x4 is needed .
Great trip I will do again !
Gianluca ( Italy )
US
Email Kevin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Two different negative experiences: (1) vehicle and driver did not show up and (2) we missed flight
I would NOT RECOMMEND Self Drive Uganda based on two separate experiences that were both costly and unpleasant.
(1) Upon arrival, there was no driver or vehicle to pick me up. This occurred despite extensive conversation and confirmation with the company beforehand. This put me in a pickle for my gorilla trek the following morning, which I could not reschedule. I ended up hiring a taxi driver for $200+. Self Drive Uganda eventually sent a driver, charging me for the tank of gas to come meet me. They never provided an apology or acknowledgement of their error.
(2) About one year later, I returned for another gorilla trek. The drive was quoted at 5-6 hours long, which was consistent with Google Maps and my previous experience. Despite having packed lunches and my family saying “we are fine,” our driver suggested that we stop for a “quick lunch” while he allegedly patched the spare tire. He stated that he would be “back in 20 minutes” given that we had “plenty of time before our flight.” He returned 1hr 20min later. We proceeded to hit rush hour traffic at the border crossing and then again in downtown Kigali. From start to finish, it took us 10 hours (9:15am to 7:15pm) to get to the airport, in comparison to the 5-6 hours quoted. We missed our flight by 30mins, which caused us to forfeit $700+ in previously booked flights, and then we had to purchase new tickets at $1,275. I am suspicious that our driver went and saw his wife and child as our lunch break also happened to be in the town where he lived. Once again, there was no apology or acknowledgement offered by management. Instead, management berated me over email for allegedly shorting them $15 in payment (which was their mistake). For context, the $15 “issue” was literally 1% of the added (and unnecessary) financial setback that Self Drive Uganda caused me. It was a mistake to stop for lunch, we were lied to, and the driver grossly underestimated how long the drive back could take at this time of day, knowing that we had a flight to catch.
I gave two stars because (1) the trip went well otherwise, (2) the vehicles were reliable, and (3) the driver was polite.
I deducted three stars because (1) no driver or vehicle there at pickup, (2) driver’s poor decision-making cost us $1300 in missed flight expenses plus new hotel expenses, and (3) a consistent unwillingness to provide an apology for company errors, that to me are both inexcusable.
US
Email Paul | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, reliable, quality service
I give the highest rate to the service I recieved. The car was great and camping equipment was even exccesive. Prices were agreed in advance and as agreed.
Jeff, the driver, delivered car to our entrance point in Uganda and picked up at the entrab=nce to Kampala. Jeff is professional, knowlagable and intellegent. We recieved many valuable advices from him.
Communication with Joy (office) and Jeff (the driver) were extremely reliable, prompt and efficient.
I recommend Self Drive Uganda to everyone interesting in this type of exploring this beautiful land.
Self Drive is Ugandian owed company. I wish a success to their business..
VERY GOOD
We rented a car and hired a driver as well from selfdrive.
The driver was both very experienced and drove safely as well as an excellent guide.
DE
Email Holger | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Self driving in Uganda is great!
I made a self driving tour for three weeks all around Uganda with a car from Self Drive Uganda. The car was great and reliable. It was an old (but very robust) Rav 4 that managed all the roads without any problem.
Also the service is very good. I got my car directly on the airport. Billy made the paperworks and showed me the roads of Entebbe early in the morning. He also gave me some tips about the ferry, where to go and so on. A very nice guy!
The tour itself was amazing. I was absolutely free what to do and see. For some game drives I hired a guide who spotted animals and sights while I could concentrate on driving and taking pictures. It is really easy to drive here although some roads are really rough and it is very dusty. As single European self driver I was known immediately everywhere ant it was really fun to talk to people I met during my journey.
Also returning the car was very uncomplicated. Moses picked it up at the gusethouse. There was no hassle, everything was fine with the car and the guys. I think it was a good decision to chose them. They are reliable, very kind and - very important - local!
CA
Email Emily | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime opportunity!
Self Drive Uganda provided us with a well-loved, but fairly sturdy RAV4 for our 9 day road trip. They dropped it off the day before and picked it up the day after we got back, essentially giving us an additional two nights free. They were easy to contact, professional and offered the best rates. While I was initially hesitant to hire a car and go ourselves, I would now struggle to go with a driver or tour group, the freedom we had was just wonderful! Thank you for the great adventure that truly surpassed my expectations!
NL
Email daphne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
reliable, good service, good car
Before our trip we'd very nice contact with Moses; he gave me all the answers we needed. He was very patient.
On day one our first car was broke but in a few hours they brought us a new car wich drove us everywhere.
No flat tires!
The car was good for 2 adults ond 1 child and all the campinggear.
The campinggear was basic but enough.
IT
Email marco | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Around Uganda in self drive
We rented for 22 days for our self-drive trip around Uganda a Landcruiser Prado TZ. We are very happy about our rent at Self drive Uganda, the car was in good conditions, we drive around all country for 3.500 km. and we haven't any problem. Drive in Uganda road is easy ( only in Kampala is difficult) and safe , we visited some national parks, little villages, Uganda people are very friendly and lovely. We want send many thanks to Moses and Billy for assistance about delivery and return car.
straightforward, flexible, it all works and that is all we need
and that is all we need to say, isn't it? and the rest of what I write here is just to fill the space remaining
The service and the quality of the cars are good
The service is great but it is recommended to check everything before driving as we found, when a wheel punciones, that the spare wheel was in bad conditions.