Bringing Cash to Africa

[Saul]

How much cash should you bring to Africa for tipping and other expenses? Should you convert your money into the local currency or leave it US?

 

[Buff-Buster]

Welcome Saul!
US currency is pretty much accepted in most of Africa. I would leave most of your cash US except for $100 dollars worth to cover any minor needs. The tipping amount has beenn discussed many times on AH. Do a search using "tipping" as a key word and everything should come up and give you an idea of how much cash to carry for such. When and were is your trip scheduled?

 

[PlainJane]

Hi "Better Call" Saul, (hope you get that reference)
If you look into some of the other recent threads regarding the amount of currency to take you will find a lot of good info.
It will save you a bit of time. Like Buff said, with regards to the tipping question follow his instructions.

 

[Saul]

Yes I got your reference
Thanks for the feedback. I read the tipping thread and it was very informative.

 

[James.Grage]

Hi Saul and welcome to AH

Everything is relative.
What country do you plan to go hunting in? Will help you guide you decision in the amount of money you will need to take.

I try to obtain currency for the country i will be going to. I do this ahead of time. (about 6 months out, watch the exchange rates and do it when you thing the rates are right for you) I have found that this help you our as travelers are targeted at the tellers in foreign airports. Try to have your credit cards protected.

If you have chosen Zimbabwe you will find you will need USD in cash to pay for everything. Also US Credit cards will not work there.

If you travel with money on a flight. make sure you have it secured. in-case you fall asleep on your flight and your bags are pilfered. Travelers who dress like hunters are targeted.

Have your credit card activated prior to travel so it is not turned off when on safari and use it to pay for lodging and meals, plus gifts. This reduces the amount of cash you will need to take with you.

Do a search on tipping as it is a long thread and covers about everything you need to know. Asking your PH ahead of time is a good option.

I am not sure if you have paid the basic amount and will need to settle the differences as you go or after the hunt. Discussion vary and this is up to you on how you handle this. By having an safari prepaid you reduce the amount of money you will need to take to settle the bill.

How much cash should you bring to Africa for tipping and other expenses? Should you convert your money into the local currency or leave it US?

 

[Saul]

The main part of my question are how much I will need to pay for small things like meals or smokes etc., and if the trackers and other employees like large number US dollars. When I went dove hunting in Argentina, the employees preferred tips in $20-100 US bills. I want to know if it is the same.

 

[James.Grage]

Saul

In Tanzania and Zimbabwe they like USD in new bills.

Other countries like there tips in the currency of the country you are hunting in.

The main part of my question are how much I will need to pay for small things like meals or smokes etc., and if the trackers and other employees like large number US dollars. When I went dove hunting in Argentina, the employees preferred tips in $20-100 US bills. I want to know if it is the same.

 

[BRICKBURN]

http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-africa/183-tipping-guide.html

 

[Bobpuckett]

Saul you've gotten some great advice, Tell you what I did on my first Safari to South Africa I emailed the Outfitter that I was hunting with and ask Him the same questions and that is what I would recommend for you to do as well. The one thing I did not take into consideration was buying from venders on the side of the road most in RSA are setup for credit cards but venders on the side of the road are not and I did not plan enough cash and they had some Awesome deals. If you buy some large items you can send them back with your outfitter to have them shipped with your trophies. Give you an idea as to what I'm talking about, I have a friend that while in Jberg saw a hand carved coffee table in a shop the price would be about 1500 USD while in East London at a venders he saw the same table and dickered the merchant down to 350 USD sent it back and had it shipped with his trophies for an extra 100 USD so he got his table for 450 USD vs 1500 USD. Just something to think about.

 

[Saul]

Saul you've gotten some great advice, Tell you what I did on my first Safari to South Africa I emailed the Outfitter that I was hunting with and ask Him the same questions and that is what I would recommend for you to do as well. The one thing I did not take into consideration was buying from venders on the side of the road most in RSA are setup for credit cards but venders on the side of the road are not and I did not plan enough cash and they had some Awesome deals. If you buy some large items you can send them back with your outfitter to have them shipped with your trophies. Give you an idea as to what I'm talking about, I have a friend that while in Jberg saw a hand carved coffee table in a shop the price would be about 1500 USD while in East London at a venders he saw the same table and dickered the merchant down to 350 USD sent it back and had it shipped with his trophies for an extra 100 USD so he got his table for 450 USD vs 1500 USD. Just something to think about.

That's exactly the kind personal story information I'm looking for.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Hope it was a help. Don't count the shops out they can have some great deals as well in East London I went in to a shop my dauther loves Giraffes so I was looking for a hand carved one for her as she had told me I better bring her one back with a big Pretty Please! so I found one it was two giraffes with there necks twisting around each other had a price of 35.00 no problem it was for my daughter pulled out the credit card and bought it. I was tickeled to death when I got my bank statement in and the 35.00 was in Rand so it cost me about 4.38 USD and it stood about 16 inches tall so I just brought it home with me on the plane.

 

[Diamondhitch]

In Tanzania and Zimbabwe they like USD in new bills.

Emphasis on new bills. I experienced this for the 1st time on Kyrgyzstan, they would not take wrinkled used bills.

 

[spike.t]

in zambia the banks and change bureaus wont accept the older $100.00 notes . i cant remember what they look like but when i was paying in money at the bank that a client had paid us with they gave me back 4 $100.00 notes and wouldnt take them. i dont know if this applies in other countries around about or not. in zambia its illegal to use any currency other than the kwacha even in hotels if you are paying in cash.

 

[SNIPER59]

something else to consider, that I was told when it came time to tip trackers, cooks, housekeepers etc, is that they really have to be tipped in Rand (south Africa), as none of them have bank access, as they do not have bank accounts. Therefore they cannot exchange any funds you give them, unless they can find someone who does have an account in a bank, and who then doesn't charge them a pile of money to exchange it for them. If they get rand, they can use it anywhere they like. ...Ph's and outfitters are a different story, they will take anything...

 

[Diamondhitch]

something else to consider, that I was told when it came time to tip trackers, cooks, housekeepers etc, is that they really have to be tipped in Rand (south Africa), as none of them have bank access, as they do not have bank accounts. Therefore they cannot exchange any funds you give them, unless they can find someone who does have an account in a bank, and who then doesn't charge them a pile of money to exchange it for them. If they get rand, they can use it anywhere they like. ...Ph's and outfitters are a different story, they will take anything...

That's my understanding as well. Anything other than rand will need to be exchanged by the Outfitter/PH.