Car Rental Vs Public Transport in Uganda

Remarkably rewarding, there are plenty of public transportation in Uganda, you may not be able to comply with them at times especially when you need them most. Someone on vacation has no restricted time to move from one destination to another so he/she need a means of transport that is available all the time.

However, car rentals area reason to solve traveler problems like time bound transportation and this is why most travelers in Uganda are using them because their numerous merits on a vacation over other means of ground transportation as explained below.

Car rentals are cheaper

Generally public transportation charge transport fare in accordance to distance travelled and sometimes it becomes so expensive for people who are traveling for long distances. For instance, national parks in Uganda are located in remote areas and faraway from the capital city so you have to use different carriers of transport to reach them and these charge different in the end the fare accumulated becomes much. Fortunately when it comes to car rentals Uganda charge a standard price for their services per day regardless of the distance you are traveling and thus turning up being cheaper.

Convenience of self drive car rental

Car rentals always find the customer (passenger) in their places of comfort that is at the airport, the hotel, office or home to traverse him/her to his/her preferred destination as for the public transport, you have to first go to the station or sometimes on the road and hail for them which sometimes stresses up a traveler.

In additional to the above, car rentals take the traveler direct to his/her preferred destination straight away without taking any other route not recorded on the traveler’s itinerary. Of which the public transport as to cater for all passengers where it has to take some other routes and also has to make stopover so that some other traveler can disembark which can lead to delays and also the stopovers are so annoying.

Quality services are provided by car rentals:

Car rentals companies in Uganda have well trained chauffeurs are also in existence to take customers to different destinations in Uganda with good guidance. On top of that, the cars provided to the customers are always in good conditions with modern facilities like mp3 players, food handlers, coolers, air conditioners and also adjustable seats for resting that can enhance traveling

Easy to book:

There are very many ways of booking car rental in Uganda as opposed to other means of transport. Car rentals can be booked by making a call to the car rental agency or visit the car rental website and contact them through an email. You can as well go to their premises and reserve a car hire. As you book through a phone or email, it is hassle free as you just have to get your computer or phone and sit back in your chair and make a booking of the car rental services.

Discover the Beauty of Fortportal

Fort Portal lies in the northern foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, 300km west of Kampala and 50km north of Kasese town in western Uganda. Fort Portal town is one of the most attractive towns in Uganda and has several landmarks like hotels, banks, restaurants, golf course and many more

It is the only town in Uganda with an English name “Fort Portal”, and the town was named after the British Consul General of Zanzibar, Sir Gerald Portal, who came in Uganda in 1890s to formalize British protectorateship over Uganda. Fort Portal town is the seat of both Kabarole district and Toro Palace, built in the 1960s.

Many travellers stay overnight in this small, quiet and pleasant town in the northern end of the Rwenzori Mountains, en route to Murchison Falls national Park. Others use it as the base from which to explore Semliki Valley and the Kibale Forest Primate Reserve. Though not as convenient as Kasese, it is also possible to organize a trek in the mountains from here. Other attractions include, the hot springs in Semliki Valley and pygmy villages.

Attractions & activities in fort portal include;

The beautiful Toro Palace. The palace lies on the hill above the town. It was restored by Libyan government following the rooting and destructions in 1960s, when Kingdoms where abolished in Uganda by Obote government.

Sir Gerald Portal statue which lies at the main road of the town

Karambi Tombs: The Karambi Tombs are the burial grounds of OmukamaKasagama&Rukidi III. They are located 5km out of the town on the Kasese Road

Fort Portal town is the gateway to the Rwenzori Mountains which are viewed from most corners of the town. Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Semliki Valley National Park lie are few hours drive away from the town centre. Excursions to these parks can be arranged by Kabarole Tours, a local tour operator based in Fort Portal.

Tours to crater lakes, caves (Amabere Caves) & waterfalls around Fort Portal town. These can be arranged by Kabarole Tours. See contacts above.

Toro golf course & Toro Botanical Gardens

You can discover the sights and sounds of fortportal with use of a self drive car from various car rental agencies in Uganda including Uganda Self Drive, Car Hire Uganda, Car Rental Uganda, U Drive Uganda and more! You can check out our listing of car rental agencies from here!

Banking facilities

Fort Portal town has branches for most banks in Kampala, like Crane Bank, Barclays Bank, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Post Bank Uganda, Stanbic Bank, United Bank for Africa and Bank of Uganda. Micro finance banks also operate in this amazing town, these include; Pride Microfinance Ltd & Uganda Finance Trust Ltd.

Barclays &Stanbic banks provide foreign exchange services. ATMs operate 24hours.

Restaurants & bars

Fort Portal Town has got several restaurants which serve decent meals. Below is a list of restaurants to eat at in Fort Portal.

Rwenzori Travellers Inn, Don’s Plaza, Pierre’s Pizzeria, Momo Tea Room, Mesh’s Bar & Glue Pot Bar

Shopping:

The town has got several shopping points scattered along the main road. The most popular is Andrew’s supermarket which stocks a wide range of local & imported food & drinks. Local handicrafts and souvenirs shops are also located along the Fort-Portal – Kampala Road.

Nightlife:

Heartbeat disco (Rumandika Road) & Club Ecstasy (Bwamba Road) are the only two night clubs in Fort Portal.

Distance between Kampala and fort portal

The Distance between Kampala and Fort Portal (Kabarole) is: 259.07 kilometers (km).

The approximately estimated travel/road distance can be around 297.93 km to 323.84 km