A road trip or holiday full of stress is never worth it! Stress is one factor that ruins someone’s enjoyment in a destination. Once you have made up your mind to embark on a self drive road trip in Uganda, then be ready for ultimate adventure full of in-depth exploration of the country’s wonders.
It is important note that driving in general requires complete concentration and sense of calm. Therefore, controlling your emotions and reducing stress levels on a road trip is key. This is regardless of whether you are chilling, anxious or hot tempered.
How you feel often ruins the way you drive and react to certain circumstances on the road. This is why emotions shouldn’t dictate your actions while you are behind the wheel. This poses a huge risk not only on you but also the rest of your colleagues.
Stress and anxiety are avoidable and in this article, we have put together some of the essential tips to guide achieve a self-drive holiday less of stress.
Top 9 ways to make your self-drive Uganda holiday travel less stressful
Adjust your driving position
Try as much as you can to adjust your position in the vehicle and keeping your body loose. This can play a crucial role in limiting stress. In case you are holding the steering wheel too tightly, try to relax your hands and fingers. You can also lean back/adjust the car seat to make yourself more comfortable while you proceed with your road trip.
Get a bit of entertainment
A road trip is meant to be enjoyed. Sadness has no room here!! Uganda Self-drive rental cars usually come with entertainment options. Feel free to play your favorite music for instance hop music –often considered to be the best form of music to hear when driving. With hop music, the driver can use less effort and thus allows you to be focused on the road.
Pack smart
When packing for a road trip, it is important to make a check-list and pack accordingly for your holiday. Again avoid over packing –a road trip in Uganda doesn’t require you to carry the entire wardrobe. You simply need essentials and be guided by the kind of holiday you intend to have in Uganda.
If for instance you are visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking, then be ready to have essentials that can make your vacation memorable. Essentials to consider on packing for Uganda gorilla trek include waterproof hiking boots, a camera free of flashlight, waterproof daypack, extra batteries for the cameras, first aid kit or medical kit, a rain jacket, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, insect repellents, a bottle of water, a pack of snacks, and others.
Travel early, reach early
One thing you should always avoid is reaching to your destination or lodge late in the night. Even by standard, these places have check in time and check out time which must be respected. It can be stressing to get lost in the process of connecting to your lodge or destination. The beauty about arriving early to your destination or accommodation is to cater for such circumstances. Even if you got lost, there is an option to drive back to right direction and you get there early unlike when you drive at night with no one to inquire for the right direction. Besides, night time driving is associated with insecurities, a reason you should try as much as you can to avoid.
Keep off from aggressive drivers
On a road trip, you won’t be alone. All categories of people exist on the road the aggressive and polite ones. What is important is to avoid anything that can cause stress on you. This should include distancing yourself from the aggressive drivers, such people can ruin your peace for the day and the entire holiday can be spoilt just like that.
Your phone should be off when driving
Avoid using mobile phone when driving –phones are the biggest distractors on the road. By avoiding use of phone when driving can save you from road accidents and stress.
Opt for a rooftop tent car rental
Hiring a rooftop tent car in Uganda can make your self drive road trip less stressful in several way.
- Convenience: Everything you need is in one vehicle, eliminating the need to search for accommodation or setting up ground tents which are of disadvantage during the rainy season.
- Flexibility: Stop and camp at you convenience (wherever you want), without worrying about booking hotels or lodges in advance.
- Time saving: No need of spending time setting up and breaking down campsites.
- Peace of mind: Rental companies like Budget Car Rental Uganda often provide support and assistance throughout your trip.
Overall, hiring a rooftop tent car simplifies your self drive road trip, allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey and Uganda’s stunning land scapes!
Avoid careless horning at other drivers
While horns are sometimes used mainly to warn drivers/pedestrians of hazards, others use it to express their frustration. Such acts can cause stress to other drivers
Assign yourself adequate time
Try as much as you can to give yourself adequate time to travel when you feel stressed. Learn to plan your route in order to avoid traffic or construction delays and this can allow you reach your destination early.
Learn to maintain perspective & positive attitude
Patience, perspective and positive attitudes are essential when it comes to stressful moments. Imagine you are stuck in the traffic or you have been delayed by construction works, etc. A positive attitude is crucial when it comes to self-drive tours or solo travel in any part of Uganda.