Are you planning to go on a self drive in Rwanda? It is very important to plan your trip well. Driving at night a rental car or even your personal car is never safe! Whether first time or you are a repeat visitor, driving at night is dangerous and that is why we advise all our clients to ensure that they get to their dream destinations not beyond 8:00pm.
Driving beyond 8:00pm in Rwanda’s remote areas is very challenging as most routes are not well-developed and do not have lights. Higher chances are that you will also find unlicensed road users taking advantage of absence of traffic officers to hit the road at their own speed which usually results into road accidents. You can easily bump into a truck with no headlights or drunk drivers as well as robbers which makes it unsafe for one to drive at night with a rental car or even your own car.
Guidelines to follow when driving in Rwanda.
- Be extra defensive when driving.
- The minimum driving age in Rwanda is 18 years in category A and B then 20 years for categories C, D, E and F.
- Do not forget your helmet when boarding motorcycle.
- Call police on 112
- Driving speed limit in Rwanda is 40 per km per hr and in provinces it is 60kms per hr.
- Driving during rainy/wet season is ideal if you are using a 4×4 drive car
- Drive slowly.
- Your windscreen and lights should be clean.
- Make a stop and have rest in case you feel sleepy.
- Do not put on dark glasses
- Be mindful of other road users-pedestrians, cyclists, roaming animals
- Take care of your eyes
- Test and make the best use of your lights.
- Do not blind other drivers with your car headlights.
- Always keep left while driving in Uganda.
- Try as much as you can to get to your destination earlier.
When to make the best use of headlights
Turn on your car headlights from half an hour after sunset on one day till half an hour prior sunrise on the next day or at any other time when you unable to see.
Driving at night with a rental car or your own is never safe. To be on safer side, start your journey as early as possible and avoid getting challenges at night.