Car Rent terms & conditions

I.   General & use of the vehicle

1. The “Owner” means Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited;

“You” or the “Hirer” means the person(s) who have signed the Rental Agreement; “Rental Agreement” means the rental agreement made between You and the Owner; “Insurance” means the insurance policy of Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited; “Vehicle” means the vehicle which is rented by you, as agreed upon.

2. The Hirer shall return the Vehicle on the agreed date, as specified in your invoice before 7:00 PM, unless the Owner has specifically agreed otherwise. No refunds shall be given for early returns and Unused fuel.
3. The Hirer shall have a valid driver’s license (of the country of residence and/or an International Driver’s License). It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that he/she carries the driver’s license with him/her while
4. The Vehicle is to be operated only by the Hirer who have signed the rental agreement and his authorized travel companions. Any loss or damages arising from the use of the Vehicle by an unauthorized driver shall be borne by the
5. Any losses or serious damages of the camping gear shall be charged to the Hirer at replacement
6. Any fine or penalty from the traffic police shall be settled by the hirer
7. The Vehicle is rented with either a Quarter tank – for ToyotaLandcruiser, Hilux and Prado – and shall be returned to the Owner with a Quarter tank in order to prevent refuelling
8. The Hirer is required to fill up on fuel only at larger gas stations, such as Shell and In some of the smaller gas stations, fuel can be mixed with other liquids or additives, which may seriously damage the Vehicle’s engine.

II.   Speed Limits

• 80 km/hour on This might seem limited, but take note that a Landcruiser and Hilux packed with luggage and camp gear is a heavy vehicle. The police, therefore, classify safaris vehicles as trucks, because of the longer brake distance.
• 50 km/ hour when driving through towns. Note that the main highways also pass through towns, so greatly reduce your speed.
• 30 – 40 km/hour inside the National Parks, depending on the country you are driving in.

Our cars are equipped with car trackers, and for your own safety, we receive instant notifications when our vehicles drive beyond the allowed speed.

III.   Restricted areas & recommendations

9. For your safety, the Hirer is not allowed to drive in the dark, which is before sunrise (approx.

6.30 AM) and after sunset (19:00 PM), unless the Hirer has specifically asked for permission and the Owner has agreed.

10. The Hirer is not allowed to cross any international borders without prior written approval from the Owner and additional insurance coverage through the issuance of a valid COMESA yellow card. If hirer cross an international boarder without our knowledge, it means the hirer has breached the contract and would therefore be fully liable for any costs and loss of security
11. Hirers are advised to install the free App Maps.me on their Smartphone before travel and download Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania Maps, so they can drive on GPS. And its strongly advised to buy a local sim card with airtime and internet

IV.   Maintenance

12. All Vehicles are checked and serviced before being rented out and you will receive the Vehicle in safe and roadworthy condition. The Hirer shall return the Vehicle in the same condition as it was provided at the start of the car rental.
13. You are responsible for the Vehicle during the rental period and you will use the Vehicle in accordance with good driving practices and in compliance with all laws. Your maintenance of the Vehicle includes checking of engine oil and other lubricants, coolant water, and tire We recommend to do so every time you are topping up fuel. The costs of the Vehicle’s maintenance during the rental period shall be covered by the Hirer. Failure to maintain appropriate fluid levels may result in engine damage, for which damage the Hirer shall be liable.
14. If any dashboard warning lights illuminate, the Hirer should consult the car symbol check list and, in case of doubt, contact Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited immediately .

V.   Mechanical breakdowns & repairs

15. In case of a mechanical breakdown of the Vehicle which cannot be repaired within 24 hours and which is not the result of your negligence, fault or by that of an approved driver, a replacement Vehicle will be provided and paid for by the Owner on the shortest term Kindly note that replacement Vehicles will have to come from Kampala, Nairobi or Arusha.
16. In case the Vehicle needs to be repaired during the rental period, the Hirer ensures that:

1. Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited team is contacted for authorization prior to any repairs to the Vehicle;
2. a receipt is issued and given to Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited upon return of the Vehicle;
3. When bringing the Vehicle to any garage, valuables should not be left in the Vehicle (even the car tool kit) as it is not uncommon for items to be stolen at the Hirers are required to replace items lost or stolen from the Vehicle (including spare tires, jacks and other tools which come with the Vehicle).

VI.   Accidents

17. In case of an accident, whether it is your fault or those of the third party, the Hirer shall always immediately notify Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited, take pictures of thedamaged Vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident, and process and clear a police
18. In case of an incident involving one or more vehicle(s), details of these vehicle(s) and their driver(s) should be identified and reported, such as the driver’s ID, telephone number, number plate and insurance registration number.
19. After an accident, the Hirer should not leave the Vehicle unattended, as it is not uncommon for unattended vehicles to be

VII.   Damages, waiver and Laba Africa Expeditions Insurance

20. Subject to this clause, the Hirer is liable:
    1. for the loss of or any damage to the hired Vehicle during the rental period;
    2. for all third party property damage of any person, which is caused or contributed to by the Hirer or an approved driver or which arises from the use of the Vehicle by the Hirer or an approved driver;
    3. for all third party bodily injury, which is caused or contributed to by the Hirer or an approved driver or which arises from the use of the Vehicle by the Hirer or an approved driver;
21. In the event of an unintended collision between the Vehicle and any other vehicle or object during the rental period that results in damage to the Vehicle or to the property of any third party, Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited waives your liability under clause 20, provided:
    1. you have accepted our Terms & Conditions by having signed the Rental Agreement;
    2. Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited agrees that you and/or the approved driver were not at fault;
    3. you have complied with the terms of the Rental Agreement;
    4. you pay for the excess amount not covered by the Laba Africa Expeditions Insurance (see clause 24).

22. In the event that the Vehicle got stolen during the rental period, Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited waives your liability under clause 20, provided:

1. the car was parked at a secured, private compound and there are clear signs of break in ( such as a damaged garage door);
2. you have processed and cleared a police report;
3. You have provided Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited with details of the

23. Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited will not waive your liability under clause 20 and the damages arising thereof will not be subject of coverage by Laba Africa Expeditions Insurance, if any of the following events has occurred:
    1. Driving in excess of speed
    2. Single vehicle incidents or
    3. Damage to the Vehicle is caused by lack of proper care/maintenance of the For example, when you see the overheating symbol on the dashboard, you have to stop driving immediately.
    4. Driving under the influence of drugs or
    5. Driving on restricted roads/areas.
    6. Water submersion or saltwater damage is
    7. Wrong fuel

24. An excess fee applies of maximum USD 250, also known as the “deductible”, which is not covered and is the Hirer’s own risk.
25. The following damages do not fall under the waiver subject to this paragraph and are not covered by Laba Africa Expeditions Insurance:
    1. personal bodily injury and/or belongings of the Hirer or the approved The Hirer is advised to obtain travel and medical insurance;
    2. the following repair and recover costs:
       • Tires: the Vehicle is rented out with good quality tires, but having a flat tire can happen during the trip and repair is at the expense of the Hirer. In the event that any of the tires are damaged beyond repair, the Hirer must replace it with a tire of the same dimension and type and the cost is for the account of the Hirer. Always call us first if you have damaged the tires and we shall advice on which type of tires are suitable for replacement.
       • Underbody coverage: damage to the underbody of the vehicle is considered a result of careless
       •  

VIII.    Liability

26. Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be liable for any loss, damage or injury of any nature of the Hirer or the approved.
27. Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited cannot accept liability or pay compensation for unforeseen circumstances beyond its control or its staff, including flight delays/cancellations or force majeure such as war or threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist acts, border closure, acts of government or other authorities, strikes, thefts, epidemics and pandemics, road closures, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disaster, extreme weather conditions, fire, technical and/or mechanical problems to transport and all similar events beyond OUR control.

IX.   Security bond

28. A security bond of USD 500 is required through credit card reservation, bank transfer or Upon return of the car, the vehicle will be inspected by our staff. When the vehicle and camping equipment are in acceptable condition, the security bond will be released. In case of strong doubts which cannot be verified on-site, the vehicle is brought to our workshop, and the bond, if any, partially or in full, will be charged.

X.   Payment details and cancelation policy

Payments can be made by credit card or bank transfers, in USD. The Hirer will take care of all the transfer, treatment and conversion fees.

Car rental only

29. When you have confirmed the booking and proceeded with a partial payment (of an amount agreed with Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited), we send you an invoice and the balance should be paid latest two weeks before the departure date. The invoice can be paid online by credit card or by bank transfer. There are no refunds in case of a last-minute cancelation or rescheduling, which is 14 days before your departure date or Take out travel insurance or cancelation insurance, if you want to be covered.

Car rental tours with accommodation

30. A non-refundable deposit of minimum 25% is required to confirm the booking. A higher deposit can be asked by Laba Africa Expeditions SMC Limited in case of lodges booking and permits purchase. The invoice with the remaining amount is due 14 days before departure. There are no refunds in case of a last-minute cancelation or rescheduling. Take out travel insurance or cancelation insurance, if you want to be

XI.   Cancellation policy gorilla and chimp permits

31. For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits, we adopt the cancelation policy of the Uganda Wildlife Authority:

• 3 months / 91 days before trekking date: 70% refund
• 46 – 90 days: 50%
• 9 – 45 days: 25%
• 0 – 8 days: no refund

Read and approved on the: …………………………………..

Signature of the Hirer: ……………………………………….