Table of Contents
- How much is car hire in Uganda?
- Three options for car hire in Uganda
- The verdict: The best options for car hire in Uganda, 2023
When it comes to car hire in Uganda, you have several options to consider. However, one thing to mention right away is that hiring a vehicle in Uganda is relatively expensive, particularly when compared to the cost of car hire in the United States.
This is primarily due to the fact that there are fewer firms to choose from, and the cost of maintaining vehicles is much higher, given the poor condition of most Ugandan roads!
Still, if you’re planning a self-drive safari in Uganda, the fact of the matter is that there are several viable options available to you when it comes to renting a vehicle for the duration of your stay. So, with that in mind, this article introduces you to the cost of car hire in Uganda, as well as the options available to you in 2023.
How much is car hire in Uganda?
Car hire in Uganda starts at around $50 per day but can exceed $150 per day, depending on the vehicle that you’re planning to hire. If you’re hoping to take the vehicle outside of Kampala and Entebbe, it’s necessary to opt for a 4×4, as the roads up-country are in poor condition!
In the following section, I introduce you to three car hire options available to you, which will help you choose the ideal vehicle for your Ugandan vacation.
Three options for car hire in Uganda
Here, I introduce you to three companies that offer car hire in Uganda, based on my experience of working with each of them. As an overview:
- Option #1: Road Trip Africa – Perfect for self-drive safaris.
- Option #2: AJ Tours & Travel – Perfect for car hire with a driver.
- Option #3: Car Hire Uganda – Perfect for small vehicle hire.
So, read on to learn more about each of these car hire companies and why you can trust them for your vehicle rental in Uganda.
Option #1: Road Trip Africa
Perfect for self-drive safaris.
Before I owned a car in Uganda, I hired a vehicle with Road Trip Africa on three separate occasions. I was extremely impressed by the service received before each trip, and the vehicle that I received served me well throughout the duration of my time in Uganda. As such, I can’t recommend Road Trip Africa highly enough.
One of the things I like about Road Trip Africa is that you can pick a vehicle to suit your needs and preferences, ranging from small 4x4s to custom safari vehicles. With that in mind, here is what you can expect to pay if you’re looking to hire a car from Road Trip Africa in 2023 for your Ugandan vacation:
| Vehicle | Price Per Day (in Euros) |
| Toyota Rav 4 (3 Door) | 39.00 – 59.00 |
| Toyota Rav 4 (5 Door) | 49.00 – 69.00 |
| Toyota Landcruiser Troopy with pop-up safari roof | 89.00 – 129.00 |
| Toyota Landcruiser Box | 79.00 – 119.00 |
| Toyota Hilux Double Cab | 99.00 – 139.00 |
The reason for the variation in price in the table above is due to the fact that Road Trip Africa offers discounted rates for hiring a vehicle during the off-season. Also, you can access a better rate if you borrow the vehicle for more days (i.e., a ten-day rental offers lower daily rates than a 2-day rental).
As you can see, Road Trip Africa isn’t cheap, but the reliability of their vehicles and the quality of their service is what stands them apart, and the last thing you want is to be stuck on the road during your vacation in Uganda!
For more information about the vehicles within the Road Trip Africa fleet and to enquire about car hire in Uganda, you can contact Road Trip here.
Option #2: AJ Tours & Travel
Perfect for vehicle hire with a driver.
AJ Tous & Travel is a leading tour operator based in Kampala, with a fleet of vehicles available for hire. The team at AJ Tours specializes in organizing affordable safari trips to various national parks in Uganda, but they also offer a competitive car hire with driver service, which is perfect for taking the pressure of driving out of your trip.
Presently, AJ Tours charges $100 per day for car hire (inclusive of driver), and they have several vehicles within their fleet to accommodate small and large groups. Having used AJ Tours on so many occasions in the past, I can’t recommend the team enough. Adam is a particularly great driver – so be sure to recommend him if you’re keen to hire a car from AJ Tours.
Like Road Trip Africa, AJ Tours offers seasonal discounts on the cost of their car hire, so be sure to email them in advance to enquire about the best possible price they can give you before agreeing to hire a vehicle and driver for your trip.
For more information about the vehicles within the AJ Tours and Travel fleet and to enquire about car hire in Uganda, you can contact AJ Tours here.
Option #3: Car Hire Uganda
Perfect for small vehicle hire.
Although you can rent all manner of vehicles from the aptly named Car Hire Uganda, this company is a great choice if you’re looking to hire smaller cars in Uganda and you don’t necessarily need a safari vehicle.
For instance, you can rent a Toyota Vitz for just $40 per day, which is one of the cheapest ways to hire a car for the duration of your holiday. Alternatively, you can also find a 5-Door Toyota Rav 4 for $45 per day and a Land Cruiser TV for $65 per day.
Each of these options represents great value for money and can help you get around Uganda if you plan to spend most of your time on the country’s paved road systems!
For more information about the vehicles within the Car Hire Uganda fleet and to enquire about vehicle hire in the Pearl of Africa, you can contact CH Uganda here.
The verdict: The best options for car hire in Uganda, 2023
So, there you have it – my recommendations for hiring a car in Uganda in 2023. Whether you opt for Roadtrip, AJ Tours, or CH Uganda, you can expect great service and reliable service for the duration of your stay in Uganda. Hiring a vehicle is liberating, as it allows you to see different parts of this beautiful country at your own pace, so it’s definitely something that is worth considering ahead of your vacation!
If you’re planning to hire a vehicle for your vacation in Uganda, please do check out my recent article, where I explain what driving in Uganda is like. I offer some top tips based on experience, and they will help you prepare for your Ugandan self-drive safari.