Car Rental in Rwanda: Self-Drive Guide, Costs & Road Rules
Rwanda is one of Africa's easiest countries to self-drive. Here's how to do it well.
Eben Safari Tours Team2 min read
Self-drive or driver-guide?
Self-drive suits confident drivers who want freedom and flexibility, especially on paved routes to Musanze, Lake Kivu and Huye.
Driver-guide suits gorilla trekking and safaris: your guide handles park logistics, spots wildlife you would miss and knows every road.
Which vehicle?
| Vehicle | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | Paved roads, budget | US$55/day self-drive |
| Land Cruiser Prado | All of Rwanda, including Akagera | US$100/day self-drive |
| RAV4 with rooftop tent | Camping road trips | US$85/day |
| Safari Land Cruiser | Game drives with pop-up roof | US$200/day with driver |
See the full fleet.
Requirements
- Minimum age usually 23 with 2+ years of driving experience
- Valid licence; an International Driving Permit is recommended
- Credit card or deposit
Road rules
- Drive on the right
- Speed limits are low (often 40–60 km/h) and enforced by cameras
- Seatbelts are compulsory
- Zero tolerance for drink-driving
- Watch for pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike taxis
Fuel
Fuel stations are plentiful along main roads; fill up before Akagera and Nyungwe.
Crossing borders
Taking a rental car into Uganda is possible with advance notice; we prepare the paperwork.
Written by the Eben Safari Tours team
We are a Kigali-based tour operator, guiding travellers through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania since 2015. Our guides trek with the gorillas, drive Akagera and climb the volcanoes every week, and we update these guides whenever rules or prices change.
