We rented a 4×4 Rooftop tent land cruiser for 8 weeks and took it around Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Communication was always very easy via What’s app and Mike replied promptly to any questions. The car was mostly good for what we needed. It was exactly big enough for 2 of us but I liked the set up and being able to sit in the back if it rained.
We did run into a few minor mechanical issues but Mike and Moses always sourced a mechanic personnel to come and assist as quickly as possible and we were able to extend the vehicle hire slightly for our lost time. We even forgot to mention to him in the beginning that we were going to cross to Rwanda and still Mike made sure that we had everything we needed to cross when we last minute informed him.
4×4 Rooftop Tent Vehicle through Uganda the Pearl of Africa.
Roof top tents are good quality Tentco brand from South Africa. They give you some advice on the trip. With its pop-up roof, it was excellently suited for self-driving to a national park. I would recommend to ask for two spare tires – we were lucky and did not need them but with these roads you never know. The cooking equipment includes the essentials such as pots, plats, cutlery and a gas bottle among others.
We visited Lake Nakuru National Park on our self-drive safari, a short drive from Nakuru town, making it one of the most visited parks in Kenya. Whilst it doesn’t rate highly as a true wilderness experience, that’s not to say that a visit here isn’t worthwhile. White rhinos are common here, and there are also large numbers of water buck, buffalo, impala, warthog and the odd lion.
This is also one of the best places in the country to see leopards and they can attract quite a crowd. On my last visit here my guide pointed out a leopard in the trees; within minutes it was surrounded by a gaggle of jeeps, and tourists’ cameras flashing brightly against the dusk.
The park is most famous for its flamingoes, however. There were once over two million but numbers have dwindled due to fluctuating water levels, pollution and drought, although there are still enough to create quite a spectacle. My overriding memory of the park is of a late afternoon at the southern end, the lake tinged pink with thousands of flamingoes, and rhinos quietly grazing in the foreground.
We also Lake Naivasha, we briefly visited Lake Naivasha for a boat safari. What an eye opener – truly atmospheric. Highly recommend and make sure to include a trip to Crescent Island. We had a wonderful time clicking images of pelicans, cormorant, African fish eagle, egrets, spoon billed sandpiper etc. Great camping sites and luxurious hotels nearby. We camped near Lake Naivasha.
We visited Amboseli National Park on our self-drive trip. I have two dominant images of Amboseli. The first is the spectacular views afforded of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, whose peak actually lies across the border in Tanzania, but is nowhere seen to such advantage as from the plains of Amboseli, most frequently revealing itself from its cloudy blanket at dusk or dawn.
The other is the mighty tuskers – arguably the most habituated population in East Africa – that range outside the park by night, but aggregate there by day, to forage in a series of lush marshes fed by underground streams that rise on Kilimanjaro.
These marshes also support an excellent selection of plovers, herons and other water-associated birds, while back on terra forms, the park is home to large herds of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and various antelope. My one quibble with this park is that it can become quite crowded with tourist vans, and on our most recent we were glad to stay in the neighboring Selenkay Conservancy, which is used exclusively by one small tented camp.
With our 4×4 Car Rental Land Cruiser we visited Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve a must-travel destination if you enjoy wildlife tourism. Masai Mara is an expansive, well managed safari, with an abundance of fauna, though tour operators vary in their knowledge of details about the animals. The roads are chaotic, but it’s quite fun really, and the accommodations seem quite nice when the power/Wi-Fi works. Nairobi has some nice restaurants at affordable prices, and is quite safe now (given the precautions taken due to terrorist attacks), but isn’t worth spending much time in unless you’re there for other reasons.
We spent fantastic 5-day safari in Masai Mara. There was no shortage of wildlife – elephants, rhino, giraffe, leopards, zebra, lions, antelope, gazelle, hippos and highlight were the wildebeest migration. And we were able to get quite close, too, for some great shots. I definitely recommend paying a little extra for a Land cruiser if you can.
We crossed to Uganda and visited Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on a 3 day safari. It has been 10 years since our visit there and given the recent unrest one would need to check on personal safety issues before planning a trip there! But assuming safety/stability in the region it’s an incredibly exciting and beautiful region. The cliffs themselves are extraordinarily dramatic and contain numerous sites of impossible-to-imagine habitation within the cliffs dating to the middle Ages! Now one can hike to the base quite safely with the help of local guides. The one thing I would say is that the hike to find the Gorillas is relatively hard work. There are some narrow and very steep parts. For me it added to the experience but for those that are less mobile it may be a struggle.
And eventually we found the gorilla group – Kutu. The group was led by one silver back but also had a second subordinate silver back and also had a small baby. The group were extremely relaxed with us being there and we spent an absolutely magical hour with them.
The guide was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and made sure that we were always safe and comfortable and gave us loads of information. visit very small villages on the cliff margins, admire the men’s houses which require extreme stooping to enter–a gesture of required humility. People greet each other in elaborate almost tuneful patterns. Local guides are very friendly, helpful; simple food, lodging are provided.
What an Experience to Remember, the Munyagwa falls trek was a one to remember as we ascended deep into the forest, experiencing the cool ambiance with the little drizzle on us was a wonder on its own. A tale of tales an adventure trip that one needs to do one day soon.
We then crossed with our jeep to our final destination Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills. We Visited Volcanoes National Park a short two hour drive from Rwanda’s capital of Kigali. Volcanoes has the honor of being the very first National Park created in Africa, first gazetted in 1925 as a small area intended to protect gorillas from poachers. The park is home to five of the eight volcanoes in Virunga Mountains: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo (all dormant). It was also home base for the primatologist Dian Fossey who is largely credited with saving the mountain gorilla from extinction.
The hike to her grave is difficult but worthwhile, as it really puts her accomplishments into perspective. And then there’s the golden monkeys! Oh my, they are so entertaining, and this is the easiest of the activities.
As for the gorillas, the length and difficulty of your trek depends on the location of your assigned gorilla family (our family was named Amahoro, which means peace). What a thrill to observe them in their natural habitat! It sounds cliché, but if you love wildlife, it really is the experience of a lifetime.
Volcanoes National Park appears to be a success story for the local community, a partnership that includes financial support (your permit fees at work). What a well-run operation! Everyone that we met – National Park guides, trackers, armed rangers, and porters, were friendly, helpful, professional, and knowledgeable.
As a suggestion, hire a porter, even if you feel you don’t need the assistance. This employment is an important source of income for their families. The charge is very reasonable, and believe me, you’ll be grateful for their assistance. One last comment: be prepared for a very bumpy ride to the activity starting point. It’s the best African massage ever!
Our self –drive rooftop tent vehicle was a success from Kenya to Uganda and to Rwanda, we didn’t find any problem with it all that to 4×4 Car Hire Uganda and especially to mike. We really recommend this company. For everybody who wants to discover and drive through Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda on his or her own, I would definitely recommend 4×4 Car Hire Uganda for the best treat.
