Cars, 4x4s and a minefield of companies

Will we ever find a car to hire?

So as it turns out, hiring a car in Rwanda is a minefield. There are so many companies that boast car hire, but fake reviews and random one-man bands mean that you're never truly sure what you're getting. 

We have had the whole holiday booked for over a week, but we still aren't quite sure how we are getting from place to place. 

We should also add in that you're not allowed to drive after dark in Rwanda!

The general concesus is, that the main roads are tarmac and you can drive most cars on them. However, any time you want to go into a national park, up a mountain, or remotely off of the main road, you will need a 4x4. I asked Akegera if a Toyota Rav4 would do, and they stated in the dry season it should be fine, but many of the companies wouldn't let us have a Rav4 knowing we were going into Akagera, and instead a Toyota Prado (Landcruiser) or Nissan Pathfinder were suggested.

This would all be well and good if you could actually find a reputable company.... 

Europcar

Europcar is the only big western hire car company in Rwanda, and for this, they charge a premium. All of their cars are new and will have the latest modcons, but their damage waiver excess does not reduce to 0, it just reduces it, and they have a theft excess of minimum $7500. It's also in their terms and conditions that they do not allow Rav4s in the National Parks, so Toyota Prado or bigger if you're doing them!

You can find companies that charge a small amount to insure your excesses so that you dont have to pay it, but they often have a limit of £65,000 at the car's list price (a Toyota Prado with any kind of options on it will exceed this).

Green Motion

A UK based company, they also have a small base in Rwanda and will hire cars. They seem to offer the best deals according to the website, and seem to also be very reasonably priced, however there are a LOT of bad reviews. Many of the excess insure companies also say that they will not cover Green Motion cars. 

Kingfisher Travel company

A local tour company in Rwanda who offer other excursions and facilities, they are a middle range price for car hire and include delivery (and pick up) of the car to your hotel. However the cars are all older and although we have been assured they have air con, I think its likely that they might break!

Going around in Circles

We have been going around in circles trying to decide what to book and although the three choices above seem like its simple, it's only got to that oint after over a week of research. We asked many of the hotels we are staying in for recommendations. Some were helpful, while others offered us a car for $800 a day. When we clarified that they probably meant $80... they were wuick to come back to us and point out that no, they really did mean $800. 

At this point, we are still not sure which we will take. Do we go with Europcar because they are reputable, but risk having to pay £10,000 if the car gets stolen? Do we go with Green Motion because they are the cheapest but risk a bad experience? Or do we go with the middle ground with Kingfisher, and risk breaking down?

I think we are probably going with Kingfisher... but I'll let you know when we get there! 

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