Is Uganda your dream destination? Have you ever driven on rough or rugged roads in a new destination? Well, as the year starts, usually most remote routes that connect up to the protected areas where most Uganda tours are conducted tend to be rough, making it a big challenge for visitors to reach their dream destination. Some parts like Bwindi National Park and Kidepo Valley are impassable, especially in rainy seasons. Therefore, a strong 4WD vehicle is highly recommended.

Things can even be worse than you may think especially during the rainy season depending on the route that you take. You will at least encounter potholes that make the routes rougher and pose several challenges while you drive to your dream destination. Usually, this kind of situation leaves you with no option but to embark on a journey on the same route. However, you have to be equipped with some tips to help you have a successful safari while on rough routes in Uganda or any destination. They include;

• Slow down

Once you enter a rough road, it’s advisable to slow down because at any time you will be expecting a pothole, these potholes are mostly created by rainwater and they cause severe damage to your vehicle tires, shocks, suspension, or alignment. So, if you are to continue driving on roads with such extreme conditions, make sure that you keep your gears low.

• Where possible drive in the passing lane

This usually applies with four (4) lane routes when each one is driving slowly. You may find that heavy loads vehicles like tractors and trailers always drive in the passing lane and all the weight causes ruts in the roads.

• Don’t forget emergency gears

Imagine you are driving at high speed on a rutted route and the tire pops out and worse if you never carried any necessary equipment to help you solve the problem as soon as possible. To avoid this kind of scenario from happening, make sure that you have packed a tire jack, shovel, jumper cables, spare tire, cell phone, first aid kit, and others.

• Avoid the rough routes

Usually, it is important to find out if there is another alternative route that is a bit better before you take the rough one. In case you are on a self-drive safari and it’s your first time driving in the region, you can inquire about the road condition information from the car rental agencies. In case you are in a position to give yourself some time, you will certainly enjoy a smooth journey.

• Take note of precautions

If you are planning to drive on rough routes, the perfect alternative is hiring a 4×4 safari car. But make sure that you drive as slow as you can and faster where possible depending on the road condition. A 4-wheel drive safari car is powerful for one to drive in most of the remotest areas in Uganda.

• Be in control

Driving is a technique that requires vitality and a bit of versatility. Make sure that you drive gently and ensure that you avoid excessive wheel spin and abrupt brakes and select the right gear.

• Drive safety

Safe driving requires one to pay maximum attention to details that can be as small as buckling up, proper handling of the steering wheel and the way that you can maximize the use of the pedals.

• Safety belt

The safety belt has a primary restraint system. The 3-point primary restraint system features shoulder, chest, and lap. The momentum is equal to what the primary restraint system tries to avoid.

• Load limit

Most people like overloading vehicles without having any knowledge of the danger of such a practice. You ought to be keen on what weight you are to carry and ensure that it can be accommodated by the safety belt.

• Seat adjustment

Vehicle seats are always adjustable and the way you will position them in place also matters a lot. For example, it is important that you first put the legs before adjusting the seat. The legs must be on a clutch adjusted between 30 and 40 degrees for manual drive cars.

In conclusion, driving in any destination requires any intending traveler to pay maximum attention on any kind of road. Driving on a rough road is ideally challenging but with the above tips, we believe that they will be of great help to you and you will have a smooth journey in Uganda.