Is Rwanda safe to drive with tourists?
is Rwanda safe to drive with tourists?, Driving in Rwanda, the “Land of a Thousand Hills” is reasonably safe, and typically ranks highly on the Global Peace Index. This indicates a high level of safety and security, but it has its challenges. Driving in this country is generally safe and enjoyable, hence making it easy to see the major highlights of a driving Holiday.
Roads in Rwanda are well-maintained and easy to navigate, and for the most part, visitors who rent cars to explore the beautiful land of a thousand Hills say it is a piece of cake. However, roads in rural safari destinations present more of a challenge to drivers and can be dangerous. Much as the crime rate in Rwanda is still low, drivers are usually faced with much more than just traffic hazards.
Road conditions in Rwanda# Is Rwanda safe to drive with tourists?
Rwanda’s main roads and highways are generally well-maintained and in good condition, although are winding in some areas. There are very few roads in this country where you would need a 4X4 Safari vehicle. Even during self-drive tours in the country’s only savannah National Park- Akagera, the road is good and a 2WD can adequately cope with the odd bit of unevenness.
Road signs and Robots#Is Rwanda safe to drive with tourists?
Something else to be aware of during self-drive Tours through Rwanda is the erratic nature of road signs and the irregularity between them and the published road Maps. Surprisingly, you might think that the road you are about to venture into is easy to follow, but certainly, in the more remote areas, paths suddenly appear that are not marked on Maps, and the road numbers as well as Town Names are sometimes entirely different from what you are expecting, or road signs unexpectedly stop altogether.
Considering that, it isn’t uncommon that you might need to ask for directions at a Petrol Station or in a Town, and if this happens you might be surprised to get the response “turn left at the next robot.
People and Animals
Outside of urban centers, it is common sight to see people walking along the side of the roads, especially school children who at times have long journeys on foot to get to and from school.
Additionally, animals, especially livestock are sometimes not fenced in and have an aptness of wandering wherever they feel like. For this reason, don’t be surprised to go over a hill or around a bend on a road to find a herd of livestock crossing the road right in front of you, or grazing right at the roadside.
It is easier to avoid people and animals during the day, but it is more challenging at night hence extra care is required.
Speeding
Speed cameras operate in Rwanda’s Cities and Towns, and if you are caught on camera, the fine will go straight to the Car rental Company. This amount will be charged/fined on your credit card. We always tell visitors that the most common speeding trap is on the outskirts of Towns, where traffic police wait for the heedless drivers to come racing out of the built-up safari destinations.
Once caught speeding by traffic police, it is advisable to provide traffic police with your details (name, Car rental Company details, as well as the car registration number), and wait to be issued a speeding fine ticket.
You can hand the speeding fine ticket to the Car rental Company when you drop off the rental car but if you forget, the fine will be automatically sent to the Company in any case. It will then be redirected to you together with the admin cost. However, you can also take the speeding ticket to the local police station and pay for it directly.
Buying Fuel
Some fuel stations in Rwanda are self-service, and when you pull into a fuel station, you will be waved to a free pump by a passionate attendant dressed in smart uniforms and a big smile. Make sure that you go to the right pump to avoid putting diesel in a petrol/gasoline car and vice versa. As the rental car is being filled up, pump attendants will clean your windscreen and take good care in making sure even the slightest dirt mark is wiped away. It is customary (although not mandatory) to tip around RWF 7050 to the pump attendants but you may wish to tip more if they check your tires, oil, water, or others.
Border crossings
If you wish to drive across the border from Rwanda into one of the neighboring countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, or DRC). You will need permission from the Car Rental Company in the form of a border crossing letter that includes the car registration number. This will be required at the Border post and you will be issued with a permit, which you should have with you at all times.
You will need about 15-30 minutes to walk from immigration to Customs, and have your National ID/or passport checked and stamped.
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