Cross Border Car Hire in Tanzania – Self Drive in East Africa
Car rental in Tanzania offers you the opportunity to explore East African countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. This is termed as cross border car hire, which allows you, with consent from your car rental company to use their car to explore the region. Whether you intend to self-drive of hire a car with a chauffeur, have a business trip and other expeditions.
It is better to have an understanding how to cross-border car hire Tanzania works so as to avoid delays, rejection at cross border points or different kinds of fines.
Cross borders from Tanzania and beyond needs approval and authorization from a car rental company because not all of them allow border crossing with their vehicle and so one has to mention it at booking. Crossing borders without authorization can cause serious repercussions such as invalidating of insurance, theft charges and other legal charges can be pressed, not only by the car rental company but also the cross border points.
There are several border routes one can use when they intending to indulge in it such as
Tanzania to Uganda- this is done via Kenya
Tanzania to Kenya- this is via Holili, Namanga and Sirari borders.
Tanzania to Rwanda
Tanzania to Burundi.
Requirements for cross border car hire in Tanzania
An authorization letter from the car rental company: This is to ensure that the vehicle is in legal hands and that the company allowed them to cross border with it.
Valid driver’s license or an International Driving Permit (IDP), especially for foreigners.
Valid passport and Visa for the predestined countries
Vehicle log book-this is always provided by the car rental company
Insurance: All persons intending to cross borders from Tanzania to other East African countries and beyond need to know that COMESA ( Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) insurance policy is a must have. This is usually purchased by the car rental company on all cars intending to cross to East and Southern Africa. It is always checked for at the cross border points.
There are also cross border permit charges that vary per country.
Best cars for cross border travel in Tanzania
Land Cruiser Extended: often hired by those intending to tour in groups and because it is very suitable for off-road safaris in any country. It is also great for wild life viewing as it has wide windows and often modified with a pop-up roof.
Land Cruiser Hard top: as the former, this one accommodate 5 persons and is also great for navigation on rough terrain because of it high ground clearance that cannot damage the under carriage.
Toyota RAV4: A compact SUV for accommodating 5 or 4 people according to the model. It is small but comfortable with a 4×4 capacity.
Safari van: This is suitable for those who love exploring in groups. This 4×4 vehicle can carry up 14 people with cargo.
Land Cruiser Prado TX: Characterized by large windows and can be modified with a pop-up roof or a roof-top tent when one wants to create more space for resting. They can carry up to 7 people.
Self-drive VS Chauffeur driven
Cross-border car hire in Tanzania can also be done with self-drive or by a hired driver, from your preferred car rental company. Self-drive as you cross borders allows you explore and enjoy the East African coast and beyond at your own whim, changing you travel plan according to you.
It also gives you the allowance of privacy, with no third party to inconvenience you and your loved ones. However, self-driving is highly recommended for experience drivers, who have the full confidence to navigate different terrains in the different countries.
On the other hand, chauffeur driven vehicles while border crossings is recommended for first time travelers who are not well versed with driving on rough terrain. Hiring a car with driver lessens the stress of everything that comes with navigation, fuel and vehicle mal-functions.
The drivers hired also act as guides during your trip, explaining in details of the journey, the wild life you see and any other thing that requires explanations, thy will provide. They can always speak different languages, depending on what you understand.
Famous destinations to go to with cross border car hire in Tanzania
Uganda
Some of the best Uganda destinations include:
Queen Elizabeth National Park: This is famous for the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of the park. Other iconic wildlife here are the elephants, buffaloes, leopards among others.
Murchison falls national park: The world’s greatest falls surrounded with beautiful sceneries attract many from all over the world.
Bwindi impenetrable national park: This is known for harboring the world’s largest number of mountain gorillas, making it favorable for gorilla tracking
Mgahinga national park: This is also known for its many gorillas and golden monkeys.
Kenya
Places to visit in Kenya include:
Masai Mara: A great cultural experience one gets here through observation and participation of Masai culture. The annual and great wildebeest migration is also an interesting sighting here.
Amboseli national park: Besides the interesting views of Mountain Kilimanjaro, the park is famous for large herds of elephants.
Lake Nakuru national park: This is a paradise for bird lovers as it is famous for pink flamingos.
Tsavo national park: This Kenyan Park is famous for unique sightings of volcanic landscapes and red elephants.
Rwanda
These are some iconic destinations to visit in the land of a thousand hills.
Volcanoes national park: Its known for gorillas and offering one of the best gorilla trekking experiences
Akagera national park: This is famous for harboring the big five such as the lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards
Nyungwe forest national park: It is famous for chimpanzee tracking, canopy walk and bird watching.
Kigali Genocide Memorial: It offers a somber experience in remembrance of those that died in the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
Other things to note for cross border car hire in Tanzania
Have a thorough check of the vehicle before departure to cross borders and after. This will save you from rejection and extra charges you are to incur in case of a damaged vehicle as some countries do not allow vehicles in poor mechanical conditions.
Always have cash on you for easy purchase of items such as food, drinks and souvenirs.
Always move with some original documents about you and the vehicle as these are always asked for at cross border points.
Research and get to know about the driving rules and regulations in your destination country to prevent being caught off side of the law.
Always mention your destination country at booking so that even the car rental company prepares in advance for your trip.
Border crossing is an entire process that may take up a lot of time so one needs to leave extra time for it. This is so because there is a lot to check for as you enter another country such as COMESA, authorization letter, vehicle inspection, car log book among others.
A 4×4 vehicle is always recommended especially if you are intending to visit remote areas, national parks inclusive.
Cross border car hire in Tanzania is one way you can always enjoy any East African country’s famous destinations as long as you have proper planning, required documentation, and the right vehicle hired from a trusted company.