Money Matters

Your spending money, visas and optional activities needs to consist of a combination of Cash and Traveller Cheques in the currency quoted (tour specific). Credit cards are only accepted at some places (mostly larger cities) and throughout South Africa.

In Southern and East Africa, additional credit card surcharges from 5% to 8% may be charged when using your card. It is best to use it only in case of emergency.

US Dollars, GB Sterling, Euro and select international currencies are used within Africa, with US Dollar being the most popular. You will find food, taxi, accommodation and optional activity prices are all quoted in US Dollars.

US Dollars cash notes must be issued POST 2005. No notes pre-dated are accepted due to fraudulent notes rife in East Africa. You can pre-order US Cash notes from your local bank or foreign exchange office prior to arriving in Africa.

It is best to bring a combination of larger denominations (USD100 and USD50) to pay for your Local Payment and smaller denominations (USD50, UDS20, USD 10 and USD5) for spending money, visas and optional activities.
ATMs are found throughout South Africa and other major towns and cities through Africa. However, you may not have access to an ATM for a few days, or they may be out of order. Please note that when drawing money from a local ATM, you will receive local currency.

What banking facilities are available on Africa Tour?

There are full banking facilities in the major towns based on weekly business hours. Here you can change money and withdraw cash from a credit card. Visa and Master Card are preferential, as other cards may not be widely accepted.

What is the currency called in Africa?

  • ZAR: South African Rand
  • N$D: Namibia: Namibian Dollar
  • BWP: Botswana Pula
  • U$D: United States Dollars used in Zimbabwe (the Zimbabwe Dollar Z$ has fallen away)
  • ZKW: Zambia: Zambian Kwacha
  • MWK: Malawi Kwatcha
  • MZN: Mozambique Meticas
  • TSH: Tanzania Shillings
  • KSH: Kenya Shillings
  • USH: Uganda Shillings

How to pay Local Payment & Gorilla Permits?

Local Payments must be paid in US Dollars cash or ZA Rand (South African Rand) as required by your chosen overland tour.
Gorilla Permits can be pre-paid (on select tours) and mostly paid in US Dollars cash on tour departure. We will advise you based on your chosen tour.

How to pay Optional Activities?

These are mostly paid in cash or traveller’s cheques in the currency quoted on the optional activities list.

How to pay Visas on Africa Tour?

Depending on your nationality, visas are paid in US Dollars upon arrival at an international airport or border post. Please contact the relevant country Embassy / Consulate for confirmation on your particular requirements and the visa application process.

How much to Tip on Africa Tour?

Tipping is entirely at your own discretion or, based on the following guideline:

  • Driver/ tour leader: USD 3 to USD 5 per person per day
  • Camp assistant / cook: USD 2 to USD 3 per person per day
  • National Parks guides/optional activities: USD 2 to USD 3 per person per day
  • Restaurant or Bar staff/waitrons: 10% of total bill

How to budget for Emergency expenses?

Sometimes political or civil unrest and other circumstances beyond our control will mean the group has to make alternative travel plans, therefore keep some extra cash on you for these occasions.

Keep in mind that with most Travel Insurance policies – you need to cover the expense and then claim from your insurance.

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