Cash on Safari

[Rare Breed]

Wearing these neck pouches, under a shirt might be okay. However, we use to see a bunch of expats wearing these on the outside while going to and from Angola. Nothing says "tourist" more, except maybe taking a piece of masking tape and writing the word "tourist" on it and placing one on your forehead and one on your back.

Regarding cash, don't tip locals with US small bills. Get some local currency for that. As others have mentioned, currency exchange places usually only deal in $100s, 50s, and 20s. When the new generation of US currency came out, the Angolans referred to it as "Big Heads." They wouldn't accept the older bills and they indeed had smaller pictures of dead presidents.

lol…being viewed as a tourist never bothers me…having to come get me to get my neck pouge is fine with me knowing it is safe

 

[randallhebert]

Anton and Wanda Esterhuizen from Estreux Safaris. It will be my first safari, so we are doing a combination hunt (6 days), tour/photo Damaraland/Etosha/Skeleton Coast (3 days), fishing/touring Swakopmund (3 days) for our anniversary.

We’re so stoked for this, I’m just about coming unhinged waiting...

It's a amazing trip.

 

[HankBuck]

I’ll ask my wife, most likely Amazon.
@HankBuck , it was tedious folding the $100’s, a $500 bill would be nice that’s for sure.
For my upcoming trip I’m going to wire a couple thousand to the outfitter to cover some trophy fees and such so I don’t have to take a lot of cash. This I normally do anyway.

@Hunt anything - I think you’re smart to do that and with Safari prices increasing “wiring money” ahead of time might be the only practical way to get a Cash-equivalent to the PH’s hands. The risk is that the PH has a lot of YOUR “extra money” in advance and you must Hope he refunds it promptly if you don’t “spend” all of it as anticipated….or must cancel your trip etc..

 

[Rafiki]

@swashington - it’s 2025, do you consider taking $1000 “carrying cash”? That’s lunch money ! When I went on Safari in 2006 I carried $10,000 cash and had my 18 yr old Son carry another $10,000 —- we were a bit “Stuffed” wearing fat money belts and plump wallets. Unless they start printing new $500 Bills soon we won’t be able to carry a meaningful amount of cash — with Safaris now costing $50,000–$100,000. I know some disagree but I Always carry ample cash when traveling - it can come in handy.

Just saw the post about TZ central bank changes that require all trans actions in TZS. $1US=2692TZS, you may need a bigger money belt.

 

[C.W. Richter]

@swashington - it’s 2025, do you consider taking $1000 “carrying cash”? That’s lunch money ! When I went on Safari in 2006 I carried $10,000 cash and had my 18 yr old Son carry another $10,000 —- we were a bit “Stuffed” wearing fat money belts and plump wallets. Unless they start printing new $500 Bills soon we won’t be able to carry a meaningful amount of cash — with Safaris now costing $50,000–$100,000. I know some disagree but I Always carry ample cash when traveling - it can come in handy.

Did you declare the (over $10K/group) cash (the Law is NOT per person)? If NOT, in the USA, they could technically seize the money! I took $13K in an early safari and we had an informative chat. I won't be doing that again! With the ease of electronic transfers these days (and ATM machines), why be such a target afar?

 

[Rare Breed]

@Hunt anything - I think you’re smart to do that and with Safari prices increasing “wiring money” ahead of time might be the only practical way to get a Cash-equivalent to the PH’s hands. The risk is that the PH has a lot of YOUR “extra money” in advance and you must Hope he refunds it promptly if you don’t “spend” all of it as anticipated….or must cancel your trip etc..

Many outfitters will trust you given you have paid day rates 100% to just wire the final amount for trophy fees when you get home. I know Tokoloshe and D&Y will do that. Just ask your outfitter before you go.

 

[HankBuck]

Did you declare the (over $10K/group) cash (the Law is NOT per person)? If NOT, in the USA, they could technically seize the money! I took $13K in an early safari and we had an informative chat. I won't be doing that again! With the ease of electronic transfers these days (and ATM machines), why be such a target afar?

@C.W. Richter - yes declared even though we traveled separately and met up in TZ. Interesting how the $10,000 amount has Not changed since 1993 - when $10,000 could still buy a lower end New Car —- now it buys a few iPhones !! Nice to know that any large family going on vacation you can’t have more then ‘chump change’.

 

[HankBuck]

My wife uses a neck pouch. My main reason for the belt is if by some chance you get robbed they would find something around your neck, I don’t think they have gotten around to stealing belts yet.

@Hunt anything - assuming you get robbed by Morons they might Not notice the $$Money belt but since Money Belts have been around for 100 years they aren’t exactly a New Idea…. I wore one because it’s harder to take it off me without a good fight (or show me a Gun and get the Belt FAST - with a free pair of pants!!)

 

[Hunt anything]

@Hunt anything - assuming you get robbed by Morons they might Not notice the $$Money belt but since Money Belts have been around for 100 years they aren’t exactly a New Idea…. I wore one because it’s harder to take it off me without a good fight (or show me a Gun and get the Belt FAST - with a free pair of pants!!)

Well my last two PH’s had never seen one and had funny looks on their faces when I took my belt off to settle up, one actually talked my hunting partner out of his. I’m counting on any would be robbers to be in such a hurry they will be satisfied with what’s in my wallet.

 

[revturbo9967]

I think I took between 5 and 6k for tips, mostly hundreds.

 

[HankBuck]

Well my last two PH’s had never seen one and had funny looks on their faces when I took my belt off to settle up, one actually talked my hunting partner out of his. I’m counting on any would be robbers to be in such a hurry they will be satisfied with what’s in my wallet.

@Hunt anything - thats because your last two PHs were NOT Crooks !!
But, I’m being a wise guy and you’re right - money belts are uncommon and should offer you a better level of protection then a wallet etc..

 

[Hillcountry63]

The story I got from my PH was the old ones aren't wanted because there are too many counterfeits and the RSA banks wouldn't take them.

That's correct for SA. I actually swapped some newer versions of $100's that I brought over for some of the old versions that he had that the SA Bank's wouldn't convert. Prior to the exchange I verified that they were actual tender and not counterfeits. (He had asked me about it prior to coming over, so I brought a counterfeit marker from work to be sure)

 

[Tanks]

Hey all, I am getting ready to leave in a few weeks and know that I have to take some cash for incidentals and tips. I need some advice on what bills I should take with me. If for example, I take $1000: I don't think 10 $100 bills would be appropriate. How should I break it down for good use.

Thanks in advance,

I usually take $500 in 20s a couple of hundred in tens and the rest in 100s. Tips for trackers etc. will still be in 100s to be topped off in 20s. BTW, $1000 won't even cover the tip for most of the staff let alone the PH in most countries. In most of my hunts tips are around $4-$5K depending on the length of the trip.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Well my last two PH’s had never seen one and had funny looks on their faces when I took my belt off to settle up, one actually talked my hunting partner out of his. I’m counting on any would be robbers to be in such a hurry they will be satisfied with what’s in my wallet.

In '07, we were led by what appeared to be airport staff (dressed appropriately, making way for us/gun cases down a busy corridor after SAPS, when we (me/Zim PH) noticed we were heading toward smaller and darker corridors-when the PH yelled "Show ME your Credentials!!" they quickly ran into the darkness. I had cash, guns and luckily, the real world equivalent of Crocodile Dundee by my side! THAT got me thinking about e-transfers in-lieu of carrying cash!!! That said, Cash IS King, but only if you're still holding it...

 

[swashington]

Thanks everyone, just to point something out, I state $1k in the question as an example of how to break up the bills. I can do the math.

 

[Rare Breed]

I usually take $500 in 20s a couple of hundred in tens and the rest in 100s. Tips for trackers etc. will still be in 100s to be topped off in 20s. BTW, $1000 won't even cover the tip for most of the staff let alone the PH in most countries. In most of my hunts tips are around $4-$5K depending on the length of the trip.

For perspective, my tips will be $2500 for my 14 day leopard hunt, just me

 

[Rafiki]

In '07, we were led by what appeared to be airport staff (dressed appropriately, making way for us/gun cases down a busy corridor after SAPS, when we (me/Zim PH) noticed we were heading toward smaller and darker corridors-when the PH yelled "Show ME your Credentials!!" they quickly ran into the darkness. I had cash, guns and luckily, the real world equivalent of Crocodile Dundee by my side! THAT got me thinking about e-transfers in-lieu of carrying cash!!! That said, Cash IS King, but only if you're still holding it...

This is interesting since I recently had a similar experience in Dar. I had already checked in for my return fight. My bag and rifles had been checked through, watched them on the conveyor 'til they disappeared. As I was going to the gate a very friendly guy in a military uniform approached and said there was an issue with the guns and that he was there to help; I ignored him. Undaunted he followed me around the near empty concourse for quite a while so I headed into the men's room to take care of it. He started in after me but suddenly decided this was not something he wanted to continue. Never saw him again.

 

[Tanks]

For perspective, my tips will be $2500 for my 14 day leopard hunt, just me

Where?
For Zim I would have the PH ($1K/wk), 3 trackers (20-30/day), skinner ($200), cook ($200), waiter ($10-$15/day), maintenance ($10/day), laundry ($10/day). Game scout $10/day or more if he/she helps. It adds up. Camp manager I usually do not pay anything.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

For perspective, my tips will be $2500 for my 14 day leopard hunt, just me

IMO, but that seems a little light for a 14 Day Leopard Hunt.

$2k of that $2500 would be going to my PH. Since it’s a DG hunt, I’m tipping a little more than $100/day. Your budget leaves you $500 to cover 2-3 trackers, a skinner (might be one of the trackers), cook, maids, waiter, and any other camp staff.

Edit, just saw @Tanks and I were responding the same thing at the same time.

 

[Rare Breed]

Where?
For Zim I would have the PH ($1K/wk), 3 trackers (20-30/day), skinner ($200), cook ($200), waiter ($10-$15/day), maintenance ($10/day), laundry ($10/day). Game scout $10/day or more if he/she helps. It adds up. Camp manager I usually do not pay anything.

lol!!! Thanks!!! when I checked my spread sheet I accidentally missed 14 days versus previous 7. I now come in a little lower than you at $4100